Q: In light of increased threats and attacks to military members from terrorist organizations and lone sympathizers, would you consider revising policy in order to allow military members that possess valid state-issued concealed firearms permits the ability to carry personally owned firearms on Hill AFB?

Uniformed members become highly-sought-after soft targets of opportunity to those willing to do us and our families harm, as we are readily identifiable in uniform and known to be unarmed. Possession of a state-issued concealed weapons permit validates that affected individuals have been properly trained by and vetted through state law enforcement agencies to responsibly carry firearms on their person. 

A: As the Installation Commander, I take the safety and security of the people who live and work on Hill AFB very seriously.  Establishing and enforcing rules for the possession, storage, and transportation of privately owned firearms on the base is a method enhancing that safety and security. 

Hill AFB Instruction 31-206, Control of Privately Owned Firearms, implements higher headquarters direction, as well as establishes local policy. The restrictions regarding privately owned firearms are not local policy; rather they are the implementation of rules established at the major command level. The AFMC Supplement to AFI 31-101, Integrated Defense, contains the exact verbiage as locally reiterated in HAFBI 31-206. 

I share your concern with the personal safety of all Airmen. The supplement I mentioned above specifically states concealed-carry permits do not authorize individuals to carry concealed or unconcealed firearms on any AFMC installation. Any policy change will be directed from higher headquarters. If you have any further questions, please call the 75th Security Forces Squadron at 801-586-9192.