Base residents reminded to register firearms

To ensure the safety of the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany community, those living aboard the base must register privately-owned firearms within 72 hours of arriving on the installation.

All other personnel, active-duty, retired or civilian-Marines, must also register their weapons if they plan to hunt or use the base ranges. 

Personal firearms must be registered   with the Marine Corps Police Department’s Pass and Identification Office in Building 3010.

“Do not bring firearms of any kind inside the Pass and Identification Office when you come to register them,” Capt. Mike Reynolds, operations officer, Marine Corps Police Department, Public Safety Division, MCLB Albany, said.

Reynolds also said concealed weapons permits issued by civil authorities are not valid aboard MCLB Albany.

Unregistered firearms are not allowed on federal property, according to Reynolds.

“The property of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany begins when drivers turn off Fleming Road and cross the railroad tracks on Johnson Road, not when entering the gates of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany,” he said. “This also includes the Civilian Human Resources Office-Southeast parking lot.”

Individuals registering weapons must show proof of ownership, which may consist of the bill of sale or prior registration certificate.

If proof of ownership is not available, a sworn statement to the fact the person registering the weapon is the legal owner is admissible.

Registration information required includes manufacturer, model and serial number, type of weapon and caliber or gauge.

The types of weapons that must be       

registered include handguns, rifles, shotguns, bows and other instruments designed to expel a potentially lethal projectile such as air guns and spear guns.

Knives with blades more than 2 1/2 inches in length including swords and machetes must also be registered. 

Pocket knives, kitchen knives and ceremonial swords are exempt from the policy.

The base order on privately-owned weapons is Base Order 5530.2, Control, Accountability and Security of Personal/Privately Owned Weapons and Ammunition.

The order states that sergeants and below, older than the age of 21, residing in the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, must register their weapons; however, the weapon is required to be stored in the base armory.

Staff noncommissioned officers living in the BEQ and officers living in the Bachelor Officers Quarters may store their registered weapons inside their quarters. The weapons must be unloaded and secured inside a locked gun safe or strongbox separate from any ammunition.

Occupants living in the base privatized housing are authorized to store registered weapons inside their quarters. However, the weapons must be unloaded and secured inside a locked gun safe or strongbox separate from any ammunition.

Violators of the base weapons policy can also be punished under Federal Law 18-930, Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities.

“If someone is charged with possession of an illegal weapon aboard the base, it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine, up to a year in jail if prosecuted or both,” Bill McNulty, director, Public Safety Division, MCLB Albany, said.

Reynolds added deer hunting season gets underway Sept. 12 and hunters must also register their bows with the Pass and Identification office.

In addition, he wanted to remind bow hunters that they cannot store their weapons in their vehicles while at work.