Columbus AFB gun counter update

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GunnyGene

GunnyGene

Hawkeye
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Monroe County, MS
Stopped in today to see how it was going. Starting to look like a real gun shop, except for no smith services. Ammo display is filling up pretty good, pistol counter is full, rifle carousels are full with a variety of nice long guns on display. And got a peek in the back room - looked like they had another 300+ firearms on the shelves in boxes. Bought a couple boxes of 9mm Sig 124grn V-Crown jhp - $15/20 but no sales tax or shipping of course. One other guy in AF uniform was picking up a Beretta 92F which he said was his (upcoming) retirement gift to himself. :)
 
bobski said:
is this an on base store like the PX or MWR?
Click to expand...

It's a section in the PX on base. They've been working on this for over a year, and didn't get all the paperwork approved until about a month ago. Everyone (including the ATF) who had to sign off on this was dragging feet like a Missouri mule.
 
Many PX's (Post Exchange - Army), BX's (Base Exchange - Air Force), NEX's (Navy Exchange), MCX's (Marine Corps Exchange), and CGX's (Coast Guard Exchange) over the last 10 years or so have or are starting to handle firearms, either within the exchange by exchange personnel (FFL procured by the local store) or a outside contractor FFL who rents space with the exchange complex. IIRC, it took a lot of discussion before it was allowed to happen. Not all stores carry firearms, it is really up to the Exchange manager if they want to do it.

For those without military experience, the Exchange is the "department store" on a military base. The commissary is the "grocery store". The shoppette or quick stop is the "7-11". The Class 6 store is/was the "liquor store".
 
RoninPA said:
Many PX's (Post Exchange - Army), BX's (Base Exchange - Air Force), NEX's (Navy Exchange), MCX's (Marine Corps Exchange), and CGX's (Coast Guard Exchange) over the last 10 years or so have or are starting to handle firearms, either within the exchange by exchange personnel (FFL procured by the local store) or a outside contractor FFL who rents space with the exchange complex. IIRC, it took a lot of discussion before it was allowed to happen. Not all stores carry firearms, it is really up to the Exchange manager if they want to do it.

For those without military experience, the Exchange is the "department store" on a military base. The commissary is the "grocery store". The shoppette or quick stop is the "7-11". The Class 6 store is/was the "liquor store".
Click to expand...

Just to add to yours, I should also note that this does not have anything to do with carrying, or even bringing, a firearm thru the gate even if it's locked up and unloaded in the trunk of your car. That's a totally different set of rules and directives. There are exceptions to those rules at the discretion of the installation commander however, which is another can of worms altogether.
 
I purchased two firearms while stationed in Spain. Now Spain had some fairly restrictive rules for Spanish citizens. But, at the Rod and Gun club we had a wide array of firearms available.

The two I bought were a Franchi 48L 20 ga. I still have it and it's still my favorite upland game gun. The other was a 4" Llama .357 mag. The revolver is what I carried concealed while there. When I returned to the states and was discharged money was tight and I sold the Llama.

There were Colts and Smiths available, but they carried a higher price tag, and this was just before the significant pay raises occurred.
 
"They're only allowed one bullet that they have to keep in a buttoned shirt pocket"

lol! The gun sales areas at the AF BX's that sell guns are big money makers for the Exchanges! Esp since the various riots, upraising's, Chicom plagues, etc have hit us in the last few years.

Good that new one has a good stock of weapons on the shelves, local one here is nearly down to single action revolvers, no 9mm, no 45 ACP, no .22, they do have some .45 Colt though. And that is good :)
 
Hi,

My buddy's Mom or Dad would buy us shotgun shells at the PX at NAS North Island (CA) back in the early to mid-'60s. I never went in the PX, but I think they had a small sporting goods section with a fair variety of items. Dunno if they sold any guns back then or not. I imagine GCA68 put a crimp on some of that if they did...

Rick C
 
Ugly Hombre said:
"They're only allowed one bullet that they have to keep in a buttoned shirt pocket"

lol! The gun sales areas at the AF BX's that sell guns are big money makers for the Exchanges! Esp since the various riots, upraising's, Chicom plagues, etc have hit us in the last few years.

Good that new one has a good stock of weapons on the shelves, local one here is nearly down to single action revolvers, no 9mm, no 45 ACP, no .22, they do have some .45 Colt though. And that is good :)
Click to expand...

I stopped in again a couple days ago. Wanted to get some more of that Sig V-crown (9mm, 124gr) that I bought a few days earlier. My P365 really liked it. 8) But I guess the secret is out, since it was ALL GONE!

Chatted with the manager for a few, and found out they buy everything from RSR (distributor), so they have to compete with every other retailer in the country for products. He's trying to get permission from his boss to sign up for a couple more distributors, but knowing how AAFES is, it ain't likely any time soon. They still aren't on the approved list for on-line ship to store from the AAFES web site either. :roll:
 
I guess that this is a move in the right direction, but I have yet to see any evidence that the senior leadership of the military trusts the troops to be able to keep and bear arms. I served from 1966 to 1990, and other than when in a combat theater or engaged in actual training, policy was clearly against letting soldiers, airmen, sailors or others, even officers from having firearms. Yes, as an officer I could keep firearms in my quarters (my on base housing) but all guns needed to be registered, and of cours, concealed or open carry was considered a serious criminal infraction. In fact, when I was stationed in Germany during a period in the late 1970's when anti-American terrorism was a real concern, I was ordered by my commanding general to NOT issue ammunition to the armed guards posted at the gate to our compound. The guards had firearms, but without ammunition it was merely a show, reflecting the lack of trust of loaded guns in the hands of soldiers. The irony seemed to be lost in the general's mind.

After the Ft. Hood massacre by the Islamic terrorist Army Major, you would have thought that military policy might change, but no such luck. So while it is nice to see the Exchanges able to sell guns, until we see servicemen and women treated as responsible adults and allowed to be armed when off duty, I will not believe that the leadership has evolved much at all.
 
"They buy everything from RSR (distributor)"

Yep, I knew one of the old worker/managers at the local one pretty well- a red headed Italian girl very cool lady- trying to learn guns. I tried to get them to order some Standard Arms Single Action Army revolvers other unusual cool items etc. So the troops could see some old school stuff- they wanted to but could not do it- due to the restrictions on where they can order from- etc.

Its great that they are selling guns on base, the line AF troops could use some 'extra duty' firearms training imo- some is provided by Rod Gun club etc.. but more would be useful and fun for them.

Security Forces have their own ranges and combat arms is now a shred out of SPS. (Used to be a separate AFSC).They get some good training, had a client who busted her hand, combat arms security forces instructor, I made a wood and rubber automatic pistol for her exercise and had her working the wooden slide with a theraband. She was a great shot before she got hurt, and got all of her skill back after her rehab.

Had a lot of fun with doing that- great troop!

Leadership really needs to promote more firearms training. The troops would like it for sure.
 
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