Changes to Military Regulations Regarding Gun Safes & What's Next
Department of Defense announced that effective May 2, 2022, the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) will allow service members to ship empty gun safes, not to exceed 500 pounds, in addition to a service member’s prescribed Household Goods weight allowance to their next permanent duty station, which includes the home of record or home of selection, upon leaving the Service.
In this article, we'll be taking a closer look at recent updates to Department of Defense regulations for military members who are moving. Specifically, we'll explore how gun safes are now considered separate from household goods' weight allowances, and what this means for service members who own firearms.
We'll also delve into the House of Representatives' recent approval of a pilot program that provides personal gun safes to enrolled military members. This program aims to reduce suicide incidents and accidental shootings and will run for six years, with the Secretary of Defense submitting a report on its impact.
Department of Defense New Gun Safe Considerations
The Department of Defense recently announced updates to its regulations for military members who are moving. One significant change relevant to service members who own firearms is that gun safes are now considered separate from household goods' weight allowances.
MAP 27-22(R) – Gun Safe Transportation: Creates authority for the transportation of empty gun safes, totaling up to 500 pounds, in addition to a Service member’s specified HHG weight allowance, not to exceed 18,000 pounds, as authorized in 37 U.S.C. § 453(c)(3). This affects pars. 051304 and 051401, Table 5-38, and Appendix A.
What it means:
Military members as of May 2022 are able to ship their gun safes without having to worry about them counting towards the weight limit of their household goods. This change is a positive development for service members who own firearms, as it allows them to ensure the secure transportation of their gun safe during a move.
The goal of the revision is to stop service members from second-guessing their household goods' weight when shopping for gun storage solutions.
What’s Next:
House Approves Pilot Program for Personal Gun Safes
"The pilot program would be available at five installations, to be chosen by the Pentagon within two years of the bill passing
(est. 2025). When the pilot program is completed, the department would have to give Congress a report on whether it helped reduce suicides.”
The House has recently approved a pilot program (EC. 599E.) under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 that would provide personal gun safes to some enrolled military members to curb the high rates of suicide within the military and increase child safety. The program aims to promote safe firearm storage as a means to reduce quick access to firearms among those at risk of suicide and prevent accidental shootings by children.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, firearms are the most common method of suicide among veterans. Additionally, every year, thousands of children are injured or killed in accidental shootings in the United States. Therefore, providing personal gun safes can be a simple yet effective solution to reducing the number of suicide incidents among military members and protecting children from accidental shootings.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish avoluntary pilot program to promote the safe storage of personally ownedfirearms.
(b) Elements.--Under the pilot program under subsection (a), theSecretary of Defense shall furnish to members of the Armed Forcesdescribed in subsection (c) secure gun storage or safety devices forthe purpose of securing personally owned firearms when not in use(including by directly providing, subsidizing, or otherwise makingavailable such devices).
(c) Voluntary Participants.--A member of the Armed Forces describedin this subsection is a member of the Armed Forces who elects toparticipate in the pilot program under subsection (a) and is stationedat a military installation selected under subsection (e).
(d) Plan.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment ofthis Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressionaldefense committees a plan for the implementation of the pilot programunder subsection (a).
(e) Selection of Installations.--Not later than two years after thedate of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shallselect not fewer than five military installations at which to carry outthe pilot program under subsection (a).
(f) Duration.--The duration of the pilot program under subsection(a) shall be for a period of six years.
(g) Report.--Upon the termination of the pilot program undersubsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to thecongressional defense committees a report containing the followinginformation:
(1) The number and type of secure gun storage or safety devices furnished to members of the Armed Forces under suchpilot program.
(2) The cost of such pilot program.
(3) An analysis of the effect of such pilot program on suicide prevention.
(4) Such other information as the Secretary may determine appropriate, except that such information may not include thepersonally identifiable information of a participant in such pilot program.
(h) Secure Gun Storage or Safety Device Defined.--In thissubsection, the term ``secure gun storage or safety device'' means--(1) a device that, when installed on a firearm, is designedto prevent the firearm from being operated without firstdeactivating the device; (2) a device incorporated into the design of the firearmthat is designed to prevent the operation of the firearm by anyindividual without access to the device; or
(3) a safe, gun safe, gun case, lock box, or other device that may be used to store a firearm and is designed to be unlocked only by a key, combination, or other similar means.
Importance of Proper Firearm Storage and Suicide Prevention
At Safe & Vault Store, we are committed to promoting responsible gun ownership and raising awareness for suicide prevention. We understand that proper firearm storage is crucial in preventing suicide, promoting safety, and increasing child safety.
Securing firearms with a gun safe is a simple but effective way to reduce access to firearms among those at risk of suicide and prevent children from accessing firearms without adult supervision. Our gun safes not only keep firearms out of the wrong hands, but also provide added protection against theft and damage.
In our commitment to promote responsible gun ownership and raise awareness for suicide prevention, we have collaborated with Safer Homes, Suicide Aware to offer our customers the opportunity to donate to this important cause directly on our website, safeandvaultstore.com.
Moreover, for every order above $100, we will donate 50 cents to Safer Homes, Suicide Aware, as we believe that every bit counts towards creating a safer and healthier community.
While a gun safe alone may not be a comprehensive solution to military suicide prevention, here are some reasons why a gun safe can help:
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Reduces access to firearms:A gun safe can help reduce access to firearms among service members at risk of suicide, which is a key factor in suicide prevention. If firearms are properly stored in a gun safe, it can make it more difficult for someone to use a firearm in a moment of crisis.
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Provides a secure storage option: Gun safes offer a secure storage option for service members who may be concerned about theft or damage to their firearms. Knowing that their firearms are safely stored in a gun safe can provide peace of mind and reduce stress.
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Helps protect children: For service members with families, a gun safe can help protect children from accessing firearms without adult supervision. This can reduce the risk of accidental shootings and increase overall safety in the home.
Safe & Vault Store is committed to promoting responsible gun ownership and preventing suicide through proper firearm storage. In partnership with Safer Homes, Suicide Aware, we are dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public on safe gun storage practices.
Message from Brett at Forefront Suicide Prevention
We at Forefront Suicide Prevention are overjoyed at the support for the Safer Homes, Suicide Aware program that we have received from firearms industry members such as Safe & Vault Store. Thanks to their invaluable drop shipping support, our program has been able to expand its outreach to hundreds of Washingtonians through our TeleSAFER program.
As the Department of Veterans Affairs and the armed services have found, secure storage of firearms and medications is an important proactive aspect of reducing suicide risks in our homes, and our ability to provide them to Washingtonians at no cost has allowed for Safer Homes to interact with thousands of people all across the state.
We look forward to continuing our work with the help of key partners such as Safe & Vault Store and supporting the pilot DoD secure storage program as it seeks to increase lethal means safety for those in uniform.
Brett L. Bass
Manager -Safer Homes, Suicide Aware
Expert Gun Safe Assistance
We take pride in supporting our military and are dedicated to assisting service members in safeguarding their firearms while promoting suicide prevention. So, if you want to ensure the proper storage and security of your guns, don't hesitate to reach out to our team and we will help you buy the right gun safe to meet your needs.
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