It’s about time, but doesn’t go far enough. How about retirees and civilian employees? Could be times when they’re the only ones in the BX or commissary in an active shooter scenario and if they’re unarmed, carnage would be maximized.
The policy should be that if retirees or civilian employees have authority from the surrounding state to carry a concealed weapon, they can carry on base too.
I’m a retiree and the AF has known me for 40 years and don’t trust me with a weapon. For crying out loud, the AF is an ARMED service! My state has known me not nearly as long and they DO trust me with a weapon. Something wrong with this picture. As it stands, I only go on base once or twice per year. I can’t just “pop in” to the base as I’m driving by because I’m usually carrying. And being a white male, they’d nail me to wall if they caught me.
In the event that you do get searched and they find a weapon most likley they would deny entry.