Military Gun Safe Regulations: DoD Changes & Pilot Program

Effective May 2, 2022, the Department of Defense's Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) allow service members to ship empty gun safes, not to exceed 500 pounds, in addition to their prescribed Household Goods weight allowance to their next permanent duty station, home of record, or home of selection upon leaving the Service.

In this article, we take a closer look at recent updates to Department of Defense regulations for military members who are moving. Specifically, we look at how gun safes are now considered separate from household goods' weight allowances, and what this means for service members who own firearms.

We also cover the House of Representatives' approval of a pilot program that provides personal gun safes to enrolled military members. The 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 announced updates to its regulations for military members who are moving. One significant change for 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 created 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:

As of May 2022, military members are able to ship their gun safes without those safes counting toward the weight limit of their household goods. This is a positive development for service members who own firearms, since it means they can ensure secure transportation of their gun safe during a move without giving up capacity for other household goods.

The goal of the revision is to stop service members from second-guessing their household goods' weight allowance when shopping for gun storage solutions.

House Approves Pilot Program for Personal Gun Safes

The House approved a pilot program (SEC. 599E) under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 that would provide personal gun safes to some enrolled military members to help curb high rates of suicide within the military and increase child safety. The program aims to promote safe firearm storage as a way to reduce quick access to firearms among those at risk of suicide, and to 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. Providing personal gun safes is a simple, effective step toward reducing suicide incidents among military members and protecting children from accidental shootings.

Why Proper Firearm Storage Matters

Proper firearm storage is a meaningful factor 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 to prevent children from accessing firearms without adult supervision. A quality gun safe also provides added protection against theft and damage.

While a gun safe alone is not a comprehensive suicide prevention solution, here is where it can help:

1. Reduces access to firearms. A gun safe can help reduce quick access to firearms among service members at risk of suicide, which is a key factor in suicide prevention. If firearms are properly stored, it becomes more difficult to use one in a moment of crisis.
2. Provides a secure storage option. Gun safes offer a secure storage option for service members concerned about theft or damage to their firearms. Knowing that firearms are safely stored can provide peace of mind and reduce stress.
3. Helps protect children. For service members with families, a gun safe can help protect children from accessing firearms without adult supervision, reducing the risk of accidental shootings and increasing overall safety in the home.

Expert Gun Safe Assistance

We take pride in supporting our military and are dedicated to helping service members safeguard their firearms. If you want to ensure the proper storage and security of your guns, reach out to our team and we will help you buy the right gun safe to meet your needs.