FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- Residents and non-residents of Fort Belvoir who are authorized AAFES customers may now purchase firearms at the new Home and Garden Center firearms counter that opened Feb. 24.
Post resident Cpl. John Lumpkin, National Capital District Veterinarian Command, said it was "great to see AAFES selling firearms. This is where I'll be coming from now on to get all my hunting gear, ammunition, and guns."
The firearms counter sells handguns, rifles, shotguns, and ammunition that complement the expanded selection of hunting, camping, and outdoor gear at AAFES. The new hunting and firearms sections are located at the far back left of the Home & Garden Center near the Appliance section.
According to Raul Garcia-Rosario, the Home & Garden store manager, each individual is responsible for compliance with federal, state and installation firearms possession laws and regulations.
"Once they come here, they will be asked for [identification] to verify age and authorization as customers. Be prepared to fill out a package of forms," he said.
Garcia-Rosario said all customers are given a memorandum to read and sign before taking ownership of their weapon. The memorandum explains the basic requirements the firearm owner must follow on Fort Belvoir.
"It was important that [Fort Belvoir] help to ensure that all customers approved for the purchase of a firearm at AAFES do not unknowingly violate a post policy, guideline or established laws," said Deputy Director Frank Hentschel, Fort Belvoir Directorate of Emergency Services.
The memorandum covers standing policies and touches on a new area of concern regarding non-residents purchasing firearms on post.
"For non-resident customers, all weapons purchased at AAFES must be immediately be removed from post," said Hentschel. "This is a new area of concern that we will be addressing in an upcoming update to the Fort Belvoir Regualtion 190-2.
For post residents, the weapon must be registered within 72 hours from the time of purchase with the Visitor Processing Operations Center. Of course, anytime a resident or non-resident transports a firearm, the weapon must be encased, stored separately from ammunition, and not be immediately accessible," he said.
The VPOC is located at the Tulley Gate entrance to post at 9500 Pohick Road, Fort Belvoir, Va., in Building 1409. The VPOC is the same facility that issues decals for vehicles registered on post.
According to DES, residents registering their weapons will fill out Fort Belvoir Form 100 - Weapon Registration Card. By providing the information and completing the card, residents will be able to store their weapon in family or bachelor quarters. Residents living in troop quarters must store their weapon(s) in the unit arms room or off post.
Persons who fail to comply with the current guidelines of FB Regulation 190-2 and the memorandum provided at the time of purchase could be barred from the installation or held accountable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Hentschel explained.
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