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The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal]-
If you work at one federal installation, you may be at liberty to have a gun in your vehicle for self-defense; at another facility you may face a felony charge for gun possession.
It is this inconsistency, and the fact that certain installation commanders do not allow guns to be carried in vehicles that have some federal employees fearing for their safety because they are forced to go unarmed in their vehicles to and from work.
This especially applies to federal workers that have long commutes. With no secure place to leave their weapon upon arriving at work, they are vulnerable and virtually defenseless on the highway.
According to United States Code, an installation commander can make their own rules and policies concerning guns.
The federal workers that contacted the Tennessee Conservative News on this issue feel that federal law should dictate the policy of all installations, making provisions for guns to be carried in vehicles for self-defense.
One Middle Tennessee resident that has a long commute to work commented as follows for this news report.
“18 U.S.C. § 930 prohibits possessing firearms in federal facilities, including military installations, unless explicitly authorized, while DoD Directive 5210.56 reinforces this by banning personal firearms on DoD property, including in privately owned vehicles (POVs), without installation commander approval. It’s absurd that personnel with Secret, Top Secret, or higher clearances, entrusted with national security, are deemed untrustworthy to store firearms securely in their POVs on most bases. This blanket restriction, driven by uniform federal and DoD policies, ignores the reality of rising threats in areas like Nashville, where one base commander wisely permits double-locked firearms in POVs after training—an exception highlighting the inconsistency and overreach of the broader rule. For many, like those commuting to Huntsville, this leaves cleared personnel defenseless, unable to secure even a holstered weapon in their vehicle despite their proven reliability.” – said Reggie Dotson, Franklin County
The Tennessee Conservative News will follow this issue and report as congress addresses the self-defense problems identified by federal workers.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
