Holloman embraces LEOSA, selected staff arming

  • Published
  • By 49th Security Forces Squadron

When the Defenders of the 49th Security Forces Squadron are on duty, they are issued a weapon and charged with the protection of the Holloman family.

At the end of their shift they turn in their weapon and their duty is done for the day.

Now, their duty can extend beyond the duty day.

Off-duty Defenders can now be authorized to carry a concealed weapon out of uniform.

The 49th Security forces implemented these changes April 25 to increase their capability to detect, deter and defeat an active shooter. 

These changes are not the result of a direct threat, but address the everyday possibility of an active shooter incident occurring here.

The change is the result of guidance from the Secretary of Defense and Headquarters Air Force that stemmed from an after-action review, which took place following the shooting at a recruitment center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

After coordination with Holloman's Staff Judge Advocate office, Qualified Law Enforcement Officers are now permitted to carry their concealed, Privately Owned Firearm on base -- providing they maintain qualifications outlined in the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act and Air Force Manual 31-125.

The LEOSA allows QLEOs to carry their own firearms in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories. Congress enacted LEOSA following the 9/11 attacks after recognizing the need to place more trained law enforcement officers in the public. Armed, off-duty law enforcement officers have been effective in countering active shooters. 

By implementing LEOSA on Holloman, security forces has increased the number of trained and armed off-duty law enforcement officers on base who may respond instantly if they encounter an active shooter.

There are two classes of QLEOs: the active serving officer and the retired or separated officer.

At Holloman, only active serving QLEOs are allowed to carry their concealed weapons inside most federal facilities while on-base. However, these law enforcement officers are barred from carrying concealed POFs in facilities that sell on-site alcohol for consumption, dormitories, Holloman school property, medical group facilities, and restricted or controlled areas. 

All retired or separated QLEOs must securely store their POF inside their locked vehicle and out of public view while visiting base facilities. All law enforcement officers must declare they have their firearm during a vehicle inspection, search or traffic stop and that they are carrying under the authority of LEOSA.

Active, retired or separated security forces, security police and air police should visit www.leosaonline.com to check requirements and application procedures for their LEOSA credentials.  All QLEOs from outside law enforcement agencies must receive their LEOSA credentials from their active or retired agency.

In addition to off-duty qualified officers carrying concealed POFs, Security Forces also implemented Security Forces Staff Arming.  This allows Holloman to have more armed and trained police officers throughout the base without placing an additional manpower burden on their augmentee pool.  Prior to SFSA, the only personnel carrying weapons day-to-day were those conducting base defense, security and law enforcement operations.

Now, those who work various administrative duties throughout the Security Forces Squadron are armed on a daily basis.  This heightens response times to any incidents when additional forces are required.

With the increased frequency in the amount of active shooter incidents across the country and on military installations, QLEOs and SFSA are two ways Holloman is placing more armed Defenders into the base populace that could respond immediately to an active shooter while they conduct their normal day-to-day business.

All of these changes are designed to make Holloman a safer place both on and off-duty.