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Exchange opens firearms sales at Tinker

  • Published
  • By John Stuart
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Patrons who visit the renovated Tinker Exchange will notice it packs a punch. But tucked away, in the back of the store, lies an all-new department that's bringing even more firepower to the customers.

As of Sept. 17, the Exchange now sells firearms and ammunition, a new service offered as part of the renovation. While some Exchange stores offer this service elsewhere, it's the first time Tinker has had such offerings. With more than 10,000 people browsing though the store over the reopening weekend, the numbers show firearms are a hit.

On the opening day alone customers purchased 70 guns, about $40,000 worth. The five-person staff is excited about offering this new service to patrons and expects to sell at least five to 10 guns per day, on a slow day, said department manager Thomas Goode.

"Customers may buy their first weapon or they may buy their 50th weapon here but it's really good to spread the word about gun ownership," Mr. Goode said. "We have information on a lot of guns and we can get pretty much anything you want."

The gun department works in conjunction with the two largest arms distributors in the world, Mr. Goode said, further emphasizing their ability to order even rare models.

Currently the store offers some 50 models of handguns and about 25 models of rifles and shotguns. They stock ammunition from .22 to .50 and offer competitive, tax free prices.

Routine federal and state firearms laws apply for purchasing guns at the Exchange. Gun buyers must be Oklahoma residents or, for military personnel, have PCS orders for Oklahoma.

Additionally, the Exchange gun department had to be constructed to Department of Defense standards for firearm storage. Working in conjunction with 72nd Security Forces on base, the gun department was built to military specification, explained Jim Rollings, chief of installation security.

Routine gun transportation laws apply for customers who purchase guns at the Exchange, Mr. Rollings explained. This means if you live off base, you must immediately drive off base after purchasing a weapon. All gun buyers residing on base must register their firearms with Security Forces within 24 hrs of purchase.

If you live in base housing, you must immediately transport the weapon to your quarters, register your firearms with Security Forces by completing an AF form 1314, (available online or at the Pass & ID complex, Bldg. 590) and you are allowed to store your weapon in your home. In accordance with Oklahoma state law, residents with children under the age of 18 must store firearms utilizing two levels of protection (i.e. trigger lock or gun safe and a secured door to the quarters).

Personnel living in dormitories must also complete the AF form 1314 and register firearms with Security Forces Pass and ID section and house them in the base armory, Bldg 1036.

"The base is an inherently safe community," Mr. Rollings said. "But we must ensure people are still compliant and they keep up with regulations of transporting firearms on base."

When transporting firearms on or off base, the weapons must be unloaded, in the rear most portion of the vehicle (away from the driver). Drivers on base must go directly from the Armory or their housing unit to the gate and vice versa. No stops along the way are allowed. Off base residents are not allowed to transport weapons onto the installation.