FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION

DOD 5030.49-R prescribes procedures and outlines eligibility requirements for the importation into the United States of privately owned firearms and ammunition by DOD personnel. It also specifies controls to ensure compliance with regulations and documentation requirements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and the U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

Procedures for the intrastate movement of privately owned firearms and ammunition, and importation of other than privately owned firearms and ammunition are contained in Navy regulations. Procedures for the export of privately owned firearms from the United States are also contained in Navy regulations and in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR).

Military Customs Inspectors (MCIs) are responsible for the following:

1. Counseling members on their responsibilities for documentation and shipment requirements for privately owned firearms and ammunition

2. Ensuring that owners are furnished the criteria for evaluating handguns and advising owners to consult Rod and Gun Clubs, base exchanges, or ship's stores to ensure that firearms purchased through such facilities meet importation requirements.

3. Ensuring that owners are provided information relative to state laws and locally published ordinances.

4. Complying with the shipping and packing requirements outlined in this chapter.

5. Ensuring that firearms and ammunition shipments are supported with ATF-approved import permits, necessary proof, declarations or certificates, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of DOD 5030.49-R.

6. Ensuring that all firearms are unloaded

7. Executing Section E, Customs Inspector's Certificate, on DD Form 1252-1 upon completion of 5 and 6 above.

8. Indicating, by drawing a red diagonal line on the DD Form 1252, 1253, or 1253-1 and on the first page of the DD Form 1252-1, those shipments containing firearms and/or ammunition, which require the attention of U.S. Customs officials at the U.S. port of entry. The above forms must be redlined when any of the following conditions exist:

a. The member fails to produce an AFT Form 6 for weapons or ammunition needing it.

b. There is insufficient documentation to support a member's claim that the firearms or ammunition are importable without an AFT Form 6.

c. The weapons are dutiable.

Owners of privately owned firearms and ammunition are responsible for

1. consulting with the local transportation officer to determine the importation requirements for firearms and ammunition;

2. complying with state laws and local ordinances regarding shipment of firearms and ammunition into their state of residence; and

3. following the processing and shipping procedures.

TRAINING AND APPOINTMENT

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Determine who is responsible for the training of military customs inspectors. Explain training guidance for the various categories of customs inspection services. Describe how training assistance is obtained and identify the requirements for appointment as a Military Customs Inspector.

Training is the responsibility of the appropriate overseas command. Commands to which U.S. Customs Service (USCS) or Department of Agriculture (USDA) advisors are assigned should establish and conduct locally managed training programs using training materials provided by HQDA, USCS, USDA and other border clearance agencies. Training programs in overseas commands without assigned advisors will be conducted under the purview of USCS and USDA. These agencies, as appropriate, may designate or otherwise authorize DOD personnel assigned to the command to conduct training on their behalf.

Candidates for training and certification as MCIs must be carefully screened to ensure that they have an unimpeachable record and possess the highest standards of personal integrity.

MCI candidates should be trained in accordance with the requirements of their specific duties (such as passenger and baggage inspector, household goods inspector, agriculture inspector). On-the-job (OJT) instruction should be used to supplement formal training in those areas where the inspector will perform his or her duty.

Instructions should include, but not be limited to, the following subjects:

^1. Customs, agriculture, and immigration orientation

^2. Preparation of border clearance forms

3. Exemptions

^4. Art of inspection

5. Drugs and drug enforcement

6. Firearms and ammunition

7. Restricted and prohibited articles

8. Customs enforcement

9. Inspection workshops (on-the-job training under supervision)

^10. Smuggling methods of operation, concealment, and detection techniques