673d SFS offers guidance for base weapon registration

by Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
JBER Public Affairs

2/1/2016 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Recently, 673d Security Forces Squadron provided guidance for privately owned weapon registration, storage and transportation to ensure the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson community remains compliant with current regulation.

On base, JBER Instruction 31-107, Weapons Registration and Child Access Prevention Policy, dictates proper weapon registration, transportation and storage.

"People with unregistered weapons on base, once discovered, will be detained and charged with an Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, failure to obey order or regulation," said Tech. Sgt. Jose Ramirez, 673d Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of reports and analysis. "Civilians are charged with carrying on federal property and [Anchorage Police Department] will be called in for that."

"Weapons will be confiscated ... [and] punishment will be given by the unit commander," he said. "It can ... [be any] form of non-judicial punishment."

"Part of what drives weapon registration on base is the need for full accountability," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Barrey, 673d Security Forces Squadron NCOIC of base access. "This allows first responders to know they are going to a location that has weapons and can take the proper precautions when reporting to a scene."

Units have a POW monitor/armorer assigned by the commander. POW monitors are in charge of ensuring all weapons owned by assigned troops living on base are in compliance.

"Those who wish to bring weapons on base are required to declare and register their POWs at the visitor control center, at either Richardson or Boniface gate, prior to entering base," Barrey said

He said, registrants will fill out AF Form 1314 [Firearms Registration] at the VCC and the information will be put into [the Security Forces Management Information System].

"[On JBER, it is] not allowed to carry concealed [weapons], with the exception of designated local, state and federal law enforcement personnel." Barrey said.

Those registering POWs will complete DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition, acknowledging they don't have any prior convictions or anything on their record that restricts them from owning a weapon, he said.

The sale of any weapon registered on base must be reported within 48 hours from the point of sale, Barrey said.

"[673 SFS] Form 0107 can be picked up at VCC or people center," Ramirez said. "The wallet-sized form serves as proof of registration and allows individuals to transport their POWs on base."

"POWs will only be transported to and from their place of storage or purchase, to authorized sporting events or activities on or off the installation," he said. "Weapons are not allowed to be stored in vehicles."

Weapons of any kind are not allowed in the dormitories, barracks, temporary housing, billeting or any government-owned building on JBER, except for storage in security forces, Marine Corps and Army armories, Barrey said.

During transport, the weapon cannot be loaded, and both the ammunition and weapon have to be separated, he said.

In base housing, similar storage rules apply.

"The weapon will be unloaded while in the residence and the weapons will be locked up," Barrey said. "Ammunition can be stored in the same locked container, if the container cannot be easily penetrated or located in a spot where kids can get to it and put the two together."

Each military sponsor is responsible to ensure all weapons are registered, stored unloaded and secured in a locked container with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety devices.

"This is a big base, and you trust your neighbors are doing the right thing," Barrey said. "The biggest thing to remember is anything that you are allowed to have on the installation is a privilege."