LEOSA concealed carry Published July 18, 2016 Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- All personnel, including those with a state issued permit, are prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon on base, unless sanctioned by the commander of the 5th Bomb Wing. There are credentials that Airmen with the 5th Security Forces Squadron can obtain to carry concealed weapons off duty under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act. “This authorizes active security forces members and anyone who has been involved in the federal law enforcement for more than 10 years to carry,” said Staff Sgt. Alexander Northrup, NCO in charge of police services at the 5th SFS. “This allows us a wider range of where we can conceal, and instead of receiving state certification, it is a blanket credential issued by a governing agency.” Personnel that do not meet the criteria for LEOSA must apply for a state-issued concealed carry permit. “Military members must show proof of military orders or a utility bill showing they have taken residency to apply for a North Dakota state-issued license,” said Senior Officer Aaron Moss, a crime prevention officer with the Minot Police Department. “If we have reciprocity, meaning if their home state recognizes our permits, they do not need a North Dakota license as we will recognize their permits, however, if there is not reciprocity, they must start the application from the beginning as there is no transfer process.” All firearm owners on base may transport weapons to and from authorized storage facilities while unloaded and placed in the rearmost compartment of the vehicle with ammunition stored in a separate area. Weapons must be cleared and placed on safe, and it is recommend to equip all weapons with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device. For those personnel who do not have a concealed carry permit or proper LEOSA credentials, they will not stow their weapon in a manner to appear as concealed. All personnel that own or possess privately owned firearms must comply with requirements outlined in Air Force Instruction 31-101, Integrated Defense, Minot Air Force Base Integrated Defense Plan 31-1 and Air Force Manual 31-125, Security Forces Implementation of the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act. LEOSA credentialed personnel may carry concealed weapons in accordance with AFMAN 31-125 and Minot AFB IDP 31-1 while on the installation. Personnel that acquire LEOSA credentials are unauthorized to carry concealed at work if the member is employed in any capacity on base, within the bar areas of J.R. Rockers and the Jimmy Doolittle Center, within any restricted areas or within the 5th Medical Group facility. If a LEOSA credentialed member must enter an unauthorized area, he must secure his firearm in a locked vehicle in a locked compartment placed in an area not visible from the outside of the vehicle. If any personnel have any type of firearm, locked or concealed, they are required to immediately identify the presence of the weapon to any law enforcement officer if they have interaction with them, whether it be at the entrance gates to the installation or while local law enforcement are fulfilling their duties. If stopped by law enforcement while carrying concealed on base, LEOSA members must produce their credentials and proof of training to the law enforcement officer. LEOSA credentials do not supersede the rules for on base storage, registration and safety.