I will be traveling to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs to visit family. I want to carry my gun with me while traveling. I know I can't carry on base, but can I carry it to the base and check it at the armory until I'm ready to leave?
I have an email in to the base but haven't heard back yet. I thought some of you might have been through something similar before. I really hate to go without my gun.
Maybe risky but I just fail to tell them when going onto the base. The checkpoints look under the vehicle and sometimes in it but I have never been frisked.
I think you are okay if you make sure the ammo and the weapon are not together if you have a car and want to put it in the trunk and glovebox instead.
You can go out to our base and use the range and hunt in places so normal rules apply for long guns and I would suspect for pistols also.
call the base, they will set you straight. if you can't check it at the base you may be able to check it at the local PD.
i would advise against "forgetting" to mention you are strapped. don't F with the MPs.
We don't have MP's working our gates. We have a private force, much like the airports. Rent a cop sorta thing. They could check you car and fail to even notice the 50 cal mounted to the roof.
Don't try to get away with carrying and neglecting to tell them. If something happens and you get caught, it'll be big trouble. Ft. Hood aside, not worth the risk, IMO.
Get hold whoever is in charge of security. I doubt this is an unusual situation for visitors. They should have a not too onerous procedure in place.
Years ago, I worked on an Air Force Site with some very high security areas. Quite a few in my group of civilian workers had personal weapons. I don't recall any terrible hassles, but then, that was 23 years ago.
The Answer
I had the wrong base to start with. I'll be visiting Ft. Carson.
I spoke with a MP and she told me that I just needed to let them know at the gate and as long as the ammo is stored separately from the gun, there would be no problem with me carrying it on base with me since I have a CHL. If staying 48 hours or more, which I'm not, one would need to register their gun with the MP.
I'm a little surprised that they would allow that, but it works for me. I'm just glad I don't have to leave my smoke wagon at the house!
The Answer
The only place I had to leave my pistol was when I tried to ride my bike into Mexico at Tecate. The Border Guard would not keep it for me in the guard shack but suggested that I ride out in the desert and hide it, I did, picked it up later.
jud
I've carried into three different bases in the last year, have yet to be questioned, even when presenting my CCP along with my license and base pass.
A certain high profile individual passed by in his motorcade while I was working in Tampa two weeks ago, was within 8 feet of him with an open car window and had two loaded firearms in the vehicle with me. No temptation, mind you, but the opportunity was there if someone of less tolerant mindset had been in the same position.
I noticed the SS detail was hangin' 'way back, never saw them that relaxed when Reagan was Prez, the only other time I've seen them.
> A certain high profile individual passed by in his motorcade while I was working in Tampa two weeks ago, was within 8 feet of him with an open car window and had two loaded firearms in the vehicle with me. No temptation, mind you, but the opportunity was there if someone of less tolerant mindset had been in the same position.
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> I noticed the SS detail was hangin' 'way back, never saw them that relaxed when Reagan was Prez, the only other time I've seen them.
P.L.
One of the things that scares me is someone less tolerant being in the position to have the opportunity you probably didn't even think about until later. I know I wouldn't have thought of it immediately.
That would be a disaster.
SJ
I've never once (including this time) ever felt the need to take a human life, can't imagine anything worse, and certainly not because someone's viewpoint was different than mine. I have a great deal of respect for those whom chose public service, probably the most thankless job out there. No matter what you do, someone will complain, or ascribe secret agendas to your decision, or disclaim it just because they don't see it your way.
I will admit to recognizing the moment as it was happening, and really questioned my mindset for the rest of the day. Why in the world would something like that even occur to me? If nothing else, it has toned down my political postings.
