FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Owning, transporting or buying firearms on post carries a lot of responsibility, Public Safety officials said.

There are several steps that must be followed in order to purchase, own or bring personally owned weapons on post, Maj. Jay Massey, Directorate of Public Safety deputy provost marshal, said.

All personal weapons on post must be registered with DPS using a DPS 818 form. Prior to registering or purchasing a weapon on post, Soldiers of all ranksmust have permission from their unit commanders, Massey said. Any Soldier purchasing a weapon from the Post Exchange must fill out a DPS 818 form at the time of purchase.

Personal firearms may be stored in base enlisted quarters, basic officers quarters or in the unit's arms room. Soldiers are not allowed to store weapons in troop billets, Massey said.

"It's important that everyone who comes on post know and follow all regulations regarding firearms and safety," Massey said. "Some of our rules are different from state laws."

People with Alabama concealed weapon licenses are not allowed to carry concealed weapons while on post, according to U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Regulation 600-1. A concealed weapon is defined as any weapon that cannot be readily seen within a vehicle's cab or on the person.

"People don't need to take a chance by bringing an unregistered weapon on post," said Peggy Contreras, Community Police director. "State (concealed weapons) permits are not valid on federal installations."

Transporting private weapons onto post is not allowed unless it's for the purpose of engaging in a hunting or sporting activity authorized by Fort Rucker regulation 215-1, according to USAACE Regulation 600-1.

When transporting a firearm, it must be unloaded and locked in the trunk of a vehicle. The only exception to this is for trucks.

Firearms may be transported in the glove compartment, but the glove compartment must be locked. If the weapon doesn't fit in the glove compartment, it can be carried in the passenger area, but it must be unloaded, cased and in plain view. Ammunition must be locked in separate compartments away from the weapon during transport.

"Unless someone is going to a hunting event, it's best to just not bring a weapon on post," Contreras said.

Soldiers caught violating regulations will have their weapons confiscated and given to their unit commanders. Other confiscated weapons will be inventoried and stored in the appropriate arms room until the affected Soldier or civilian is counseled by his or her commander or supervisor and risks are adequately mitigated.

Nonlethal personal protection devices, such as mace or pepper spray, may not be used or transported on post, Massey said.

However, keychain mace or pepper spray in a half-ounce or smaller amount may be transported on post as long as it is concealed in a hand or shoulder bag or glove compartment of a vehicle.

Weapons such as paintball guns, bows and arrows and crossbows do not need to be registered on post, according to USAACE Regulation 600-1.

For more information, call DPS at 255-2222.