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I know I'm setting myself up for a firestorm, but I'm new to concealed carry and I want to know what fellow USAF members feel about carrying while in uniform off base and off duty.

As a USAF Vet myself i would first look to see if there was an AFI regarding the issue. I can see the spin the military would put on the case if u pulled and discharged while in uniform. But then again maybe they wouldn't..

AFI check is first in my book. Check with the Group Shirt, they usually know everything and everyone that can give you the answer. If not, SFS, JAG, etc.

Let us know what u find.

i imagine that would be a negative. I am in the Texas State Guard and we are expressly forbidden to carry while in uniform unless proper orders are in place. We are allowed however concealed personal weapons in our POV if we comply with all state laws in doing so.

manrique0908 wrote:I know I'm setting myself up for a firestorm, but I'm new to concealed carry and I want to know what fellow USAF members feel about carrying while in uniform off base and off duty.

No firestorm needed. It sounds like a valid concern/question. I agree with other posters about checking with your Unit Senior Enlisted member.

Just remember, don't talk to Officers if you can help it. There is never a good reason to do so.

Somehow, I doubt you can.

As a (retired) USAF member, (and officer, btw ), how do I feel (as opposed to what do the regs say) about off-base carry, uniform or not? Carry away. Major Hasan had no problems carrying while in uniform -- and that was ON base.

Do remember that talking to anyone one base, officer, first shirt, whathaveyou, will of course alert them to the fact you have a CHL and want to carry in uniform and out. Even if there is not a governing reg (sorry, I never warmed up to "AFI"), one of your superiors, if he is overly sheeplike and this is brought to his attention, can simply order you not to carry. At all, possibly. An army general in Alaska a few year ago forbid ALL soldiers in his command from carrying any concealed weapon at any time. On or off post.

If there is a rule or an order, of course you have to weigh what the negatives of "getting caught" with your gun in uniform, versus getting caught without your gun in uniform.

This is the perfect application for a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

I seriously doubt that your base commander would allow it, though. If you want to be sure, I reccomend reading through all of your local policies one night on staff duty. If nothing else, you can find out a lot of good stuff you can use to your advantage later on.

On the other hand, I very seldom wore my uniform off-base off-duty, unless I had to make a quick trip downtown in the middle of the day (or when traveling between the base and my apartment).

Thank you all for your replies.

There is no local policy for this issue, and I'm unclear on what AFI would cover this other than Arming - USE OF FORCE. I'm a cop by trade and know that reg back and fourth but I'll look it over again and see what I can come up with.

My concern was voiced above about going straight the shirt being and that they'll know my intentions to carry in uniform and put my name and face in the spotlight. It took about a year but the Air Force is now begining to freak out about "ACTIVE SHOOTERS" so I've been treading lightly about who knows I carry.
So I did a little checking and asked my Supervisor and Senior ( both being career Security Forces) And they both advised me to keep it concealed and disarm when I get to the shop.

Now, about being afraid of drawing a personaly owned weapon in uniform off duty..... I'm not a 110lbs finace geek I'm a good lean 5'8 205lbs so i got some mass. If theres gonna be a BG dumb enough to mess with a military member of my size knowing we have weapons training, I'll be happy to deal with the ramifications just so they will no longer infect the Gean pool.

Do you spend a lot of time off base in uniform? I can't carry up here in Colorado yet (silly laws ) but I never though it would be a problem if it was concealed. (though that might be a challenging in blues).

From what I always understood, we always had to follow the laws of the state we were in. So, if it's legal to carry concealed off base, have at it. Of course, we could never carry on base and any firearms brought on base had to be stored in the armory. You could keep it in your car if legal and simply advise the gate guard you are headed for the armory every morning. Biggest issue with carrying concealed is entering/leaving the base. Check the base reg's for declaration of firearms and when in doubt, tell them you're asking for a "friend"

There is no regulation I know of for the US Army,,, if there is, I'd love to see the reference.

Sorry thats not much help for USAF folks......

manrique0908 wrote:I know I'm setting myself up for a firestorm, but I'm new to concealed carry and I want to know what fellow USAF members feel about carrying while in uniform off base and off duty.

You give up several rights when in uniform. Despite state law making it legal, if you're not carrying a firearm issued to you for duty purposes (OSI, etc.), then while wearing the uniform, it would be unwise to carry.

AFI's aren't the only place you need to look. You should also look at your wing regs as well.

If you want to carry off base, change out of your duty uniform and carry to your hearts content.

Oh, BTW, officers might be trolling these forums... just a hint...

Zoomie wrote:Do you spend a lot of time off base in uniform? I can't carry up here in Colorado yet (silly laws ) but I never though it would be a problem if it was concealed. (though that might be a challenging in blues).

No, only usually en-route to and from work and quick stops. Blues???? only if I get in trouble....

I've always thought of changing into Civies just for the comfort aspect, go figure they'd designed our new uniforms in winter weight material for the desert.

In terms of the wing.... it's way to busy with training of trainees and airman to care what it's NCO's do. Unless of course you hurt the trainees feelings then they seam to care.

I spoke with another NCO as work who's been carrying for quite a bit of time and he said that he's check with the local jag and the fellow SFS squadron ( who offers the CHL class to their members) and they foresee no issues.

Now to make a little side question......

With all the worries of an "ACTIVE SHOOTER" (just love the title sorry...) Should the AF or other services allow their NCOs or Officers take the Personal Protection Course (OSI) and be aloud to carry a government owned weapon concealed????