HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Effective June 1, a change in policy will allow active duty Security Forces members and Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents to conceal carry a privately-owned firearm while on Hurlburt Field once certain requirements are met.
Additionally, other qualified law enforcement officers who have retired or separated after 10 years and are employed on Hurlburt Field may conceal carry a privately-owned firearm during duty hours with approval from designated supervisors and a signed DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition.
“The intent of this policy is not to authorize members to respond to any incident, enforce laws or installation policy; it is to get in line with the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, to allow those qualified under LEOSA to carry a concealed firearm,” said Col. Sean Farrell, the commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing. “It is critical to the safety of our community to remember it is the responsibility of the trained law enforcement officers on base to defend our population and execute emergency services.”
All interested parties must be registered and vetted by the 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron Commander while meeting Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act and Air Force requirements, according to the change of policy.
“In the wake of the tragic shootings in Chattanooga, [Tenn., last summer], Hurlburt Field [officials] conducted a comprehensive review of our privately owned firearms policy,” said Chuck Spence, the chief of plans and programs with the 1st SOSFS. “Col. [Sean] Farrell, the installation commander, takes the safety of the members on our installation very seriously and for that reason has directed several changes to his current policy.”
Currently, individuals are not allowed to conceal carry a privately-owned firearm on base and may only transport a privately-owned firearm directly to their intended location, such as base housing or the firing range, without any stops or deviations.
The new policy will allow Florida concealed carry weapon permit holders, holders of reciprocating state concealed carry licenses and LEOSA credential holders not assigned to Hurlburt Field, to transport a privately-owned firearm in a personal vehicle while driving on and off base with the firearm secure, but it must stay in the vehicle. They must maintain their credentials on them at all times and present them with their valid DOD identification card when requested by Security Forces, AFOSI, local law enforcement or command officials. The firearm must be secured discreetly in order to not cause alarm and must not be left in an unattended vehicle for more than 24 hours.
“The purpose of the 24 hours is to encompass a 12-hour work day. If you get to work early, then go to the gym after work, [the policy] covers you to bring your privately-owned firearm on base and store it in your vehicle,” Spence said. “The policy is not meant to allow dorm residents to leave their firearm in their vehicle all the time. They still have to store their firearms at the armory.”
The new policy provides a safe and secure way for Airmen and other DOD identification card holders on base to transport their firearms conveniently and secure them in their car while they are at work.
For individuals who qualify under LEOSA, the following will remain prohibited areas and firearm-free zones: Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center, the 1st Special Operations Medical Group, Arms, Ammunition, and Equipment facilities, the commissary, all restricted and controlled areas, and the legal office/courtroom.
In addition, the change will affect active members of the Hurlburt Field Rifle and Pistol Club and Skeet Range, as they will now be able to transport privately-owned firearms onto Hurlburt Field and secure them in their vehicle for use before or after duty hours. In this case, the firearm must be unloaded and securely encased in a compartment out of reach by the driver and passengers. Ammunition must be stored in a separate container than the firearm, and the firearm must be stored in a way that it is not visible from the outside of the vehicle.
“We need your help with education, we need you to help distribute this information out to the masses,” said Master Sgt. Jason Rangel, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of installation security with the 1st SOSFS. “This policy has a one-strike rule. If you have a conceal carry license, and you are allowed to transport a privately-owned firearm in your vehicle, and you are carrying that firearm on you while on base, wherever it is, you will lose all applicable privileges of this policy.”
Anyone choosing to use the applicable privileges disclosed in the new policy must adhere to the appropriate guidelines.
This new policy only applies to Hurlburt Field as each installation commander has been authorized to make changes to the privately-owned firearms policy for their installation.
“If you are going to another installation, you need to call ahead,” Rangel said. “Ask what are your responsibilities, what you have to adhere to, call Security Forces and they will be able to advise you on what policies you need to adhere to while on their installation.”
Spence says although the changes will allow certain members to transport privately-owned firearms in a personally-owned vehicle, it does not allow every member to carry a concealed firearm on their person outside of a vehicle or within facilities on Hurlburt Field.
“Base leadership will continue to do everything we can to continue to make our facilities as safe as possible,” he said.
For any questions regarding the change in policy, please contact 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs at 850-884-7166.