Off Duty Carry on Military Bases

[FNA209]

Up-date on this. I went to Old Lyme and figured while I was there I'd hit the Navy Exchange on the SubBase in NL. No carry on base. I had to park my car across the street and hoof it to the NEX.

Next month, it'll be different.

The NG base in Niantic wasn't a problem. Good thing because I was renting a room on base for the night.

[RAMEDIRK]

So HR 218 doesn't cover us on a base?

The military has always been "its own" jurisdiction in a lot of areas. HR 218 doesn't mean squat on a military installation. We have off duty cops come on base all the time and they have to lock their firearms in the armory unless the cop commander says otherwise. I've seen an FBI agent surrender his weapon on base because the commander did not want him carrying his gun while attending a ceremony. Unless you are a MCIO it depends on the cop commander. Now even MCIOs may have problems during cross service base visits. Such as OSI visiting an Army base, CID going to a Navy base, etc....

[RAMEDIRK]

I know at Ft. Knox you do not want to be caught with a weapon LEO or not. Remember on bases you have no miranda rights...
They always search POV's when trying to access the actual base, at least every entrace I've been in. With part of the base being in our county we work with the MP's well and often in an official capacity have no issues.

If you carry on a base and the commander didn't authorize LEOs to do so off duty that is a quick way to get hemmed up. But be honest, for relations purposes, you'll probably get a warning and escorted to the armory to turn in your gun until you are finished your business on base. Remember this is off duty, not on duty.


REgarding Miranda rights that's totally bogus. You will have Miranda rights and then some. All civilians have Miranda rights, if you aren't given them the cops will be in a heat of trouble. You have Miranda rights on any and all US military installation. I've never heard otherwise!

[Group 29]

I know at Ft. Knox you do not want to be caught with a weapon LEO or not. Remember on bases you have no miranda rights...
They always search POV's when trying to access the actual base, at least every entrace I've been in. With part of the base being in our county we work with the MP's well and often in an official capacity have no issues.

Actually, I think you meant no 4th amendment rights. Miranda is based on fifth and sixth amendment rights.

[fedguy889]

No, you cannot carry on the base.

Hmmm, interesting, I have done it on three different bases. All I did was call the provost marshal's office ahead of time. And I know of a base in PA that used to let LEOs come on and use thier range while off duty. And the officers on that base carried POGs to and fro work daily.

[Monty Ealerman]

Do tell, and do ask. Tell the gate guys about whatever arms you might be carrying, and about your LE status, and ask them how they'd like you to proceed. If you can, call the Commander's Office in advance for appropriate advice, and please always be safe and sensible in approaching a US military base.

[WARWAGON]

At Ft. Gillem and Ft McPherson if you do not have a military ID AND the automobile registered your automobile will be searched before entry.
NO FIREARMS.

[38-11]

When I was going to Fort Knox to visit a military buddy, I took my off duty glock 27. I showed the police on base my creds and had no problems.

[Group 29]

The only bases I have ever been asked to check my weapon on was Guantanamo (where they just asked us to leave them in the helicopter we arrived on) and at Fort Benning when I was there for a week of training and they asked us not to bring them with us as they didn't have storage facilities for the number of us who came, and didnt want us armed during the training.

[Woofdog]

The military has always been "its own" jurisdiction in a lot of areas. HR 218 doesn't mean squat on a military installation. We have off duty cops come on base all the time and they have to lock their firearms in the armory unless the cop commander says otherwise. I've seen an FBI agent surrender his weapon on base because the commander did not want him carrying his gun while attending a ceremony. Unless you are a MCIO it depends on the cop commander. Now even MCIOs may have problems during cross service base visits. Such as OSI visiting an Army base, CID going to a Navy base, etc....

Here is a perfect example of totally untrue bull crap.

This posting is so full of disinformation, I don't even want to start ...

[Woofdog]

Hmmm, interesting, I have done it on three different bases. All I did was call the provost marshal's office ahead of time. And I know of a base in PA that used to let LEOs come on and use thier range while off duty. And the officers on that base carried POGs to and fro work daily.

Me too. As a military retiree and sworn LEO, I've carried on military bases in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

It's a non issue.

[Woofdog]

When I was going to Fort Knox to visit a military buddy, I took my off duty glock 27. I showed the police on base my creds and had no problems.

And most of the time, that's exactly what happens.

[brad601]

My unit commander has no problim with TX Peace Officers carrying at drill. As for bases its don't ask don't tell. As a rule whenever were doing training I NEVER bring a hot weapon into a training enviroment. When it come to my two weeks I won't carry too many thieves in the barracks I don't trust a masterlock on a footlocker to keep my firearm safe. As for base not a problim. Just don't advertise.

[DACP]

Here is a perfect example of totally untrue bull crap.

This posting is so full of disinformation, I don't even want to start ...

I was thinking the same thing, sorry but I do not see an FBI agent (the ones who actually ARREST on post) giving up his duty weapon.

[MPSoldier84]

REgarding Miranda rights that's totally bogus. You will have Miranda rights and then some. All civilians have Miranda rights, if you aren't given them the cops will be in a heat of trouble. You have Miranda rights on any and all US military installation. I've never heard otherwise!

Yep, your Article 31B rights, which are your Miranda Rights and than some. For the most part they are the same but with the exception of counsel to military members they have JAG listed. In the Army you have to complete a DA Form 3881 almost always before a sit down interogation with the suspect.

Hmmm, interesting, I have done it on three different bases. All I did was call the provost marshal's office ahead of time. And I know of a base in PA that used to let LEOs come on and use thier range while off duty. And the officers on that base carried POGs to and fro work daily.

Are you referring to Fort Indiantown Gap? If so, remember it's a OPEN base in which anyone can drive through. Also, most of the Gap is owned by the Commonwealth because it's a National Guard base; so PA laws apply, not federal. There are, I believe, some portions of the base subject to federal territorial laws. Military laws apply, but only to servicemembers. Many law enforcement use the ranges down there and the National Counterdrug Training Center uses it. Even in those cases however, they have rules regarding carrying off duty.