Concealed weapons not allowed on base

  • Published
  • By By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --   When Florida's Governor Charlie Crist signed a law allowing employees to bring guns to work, he did not include people working on military installations. 

The law, signed April 15, allows employees and visitors who have concealed weapons licenses to leave their weapons locked in or to vehicles. However, according to Lt. Col. Michael O'Connor, 96th Air Base Wing staff judge advocate, the law doesn't apply to "Property upon which substantial activities involving national defense, aerospace, or homeland security are conducted." 

"Clearly that includes Department of Defense installations," Colonel O'Connor said.
The colonel also cited the Internal Security Act of 1950 which provides broad authority for installation commanders to make rules for safety and security of their installations. Enforcing those rules falls to the 96th Security Forces. 

Master Sgt. Michael Coons, Operations Superintendent, said only personnel who live on base are authorized to bring a weapon on base. 

"People in housing have to register weapons at Pass and Registration immediately," Sergeant Coons said. "Only then are they allowed to take the weapon home to secure." 

Sergeant Coons said weapons are not allowed in the dormitories; they must be stored in the armory. All the specifics are detailed in AACI 31-101.