Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB454

Introduced
1/15/25  

Caption

Safe Bases Act of 2025This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Defense (DOD) to allow a service member to carry a concealed firearm while on any military installation. DOD must establish a single authority within the department to issue permits for this purpose. To be eligible for a permit, the service member must be on active duty and must not be prohibited under federal law from purchasing, owning, or possessing a firearm.

Impact

If enacted, HB454 would significantly alter existing policies regarding firearms on military properties. Currently, most military installations have strict prohibitions against unauthorized weapons, including personal firearms. By allowing service members to carry concealed weapons, the legislation could lead to a shift in regulations concerning military security protocols. This bill opens the discussion on how to balance individual rights to self-defense with the overarching safety and security of military facilities.

Summary

House Bill 454, titled the 'Safe Bases Act of 2025', seeks to establish a legal framework for members of the Armed Forces to carry concealed firearms on military installations. The bill directs the Secretary of Defense to create a regulatory authority responsible for issuing permits to active duty military personnel who meet specific criteria for firearm ownership. This initiative is intended to enhance personal safety and security within military bases by allowing service members to be armed in their place of duty, thereby potentially deterring threats and unauthorized intrusions.

Contention

The proposed legislation could provoke debate regarding the implications of armed military personnel on bases. Proponents argue that allowing soldiers to carry weapons could enhance their ability to protect themselves and their fellow service members, especially in light of previous incidents of gun violence at military facilities. Conversely, opponents may raise concerns about safety, suggesting that the presence of more firearms, even in the hands of trained individuals, could lead to unintended accidents or escalation of conflicts. This tension between personal rights and collective safety may be a significant point of contention in future legislative discussions surrounding this bill.

Congress_id

119-HR-454

Policy_area

Armed Forces and National Security

Introduced_date

2025-01-15

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB391

Safe Bases Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Defense (DOD) to allow a service member to carry a concealed firearm while on any military installation. DOD must establish a single authority within the department to issue permits for this purpose. To be eligible for a permit, the service member must be on active duty and must not be prohibited under federal law from purchasing, owning, or possessing a firearm.

US HB38

Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the carry or possession of concealed firearms across state lines. Specifically, an individual who is eligible to carry a concealed firearm in one state may carry or possess a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. It sets forth requirements for the lawful concealed carry across state lines. The bill preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry and establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by interference with a concealed-carry right established by this bill.

US HB10488

To establish an advisory committee on military financial services in the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

US HB453

Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2023 or the AMERICANS Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate. Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason. Under the bill, DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers. Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions. This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.

US HB341

Protect Our Military Families' 2nd Amendment Rights Act This bill broadens the scope of allowable firearms transactions involving active duty service members and their spouses. Specifically, the bill allows a licensed gun dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States. Current law already allows a licensed dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States. The bill also specifies that, for purposes of federal firearms laws, a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or his or her spouse, is a resident of the state in which (1) the member or spouse maintains legal residence, (2) the permanent duty station of the member is located, and (3) the member maintains a home from which he or she commutes to the permanent duty station.

US SB5528

A bill to require an updated assessment of the public schools on installations of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

US HB2482

To require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on the accessibility of mental health care providers and services for members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, and for other purposes.

US SB5520

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the provision of military housing to members of the Armed Forces and their families through private entities, and for other purposes.

US HB354

LEOSA Reform Act This bill broadens the authority for certain law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms across state lines. Specifically, the bill allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms and ammunition (including magazines) in school zones; in national parks; on state, local, or private property that is open to the public; and in certain federal facilities that are open to the public. Further, the bill permits states to reduce the frequency with which retired law enforcement officers must meet certain qualification standards.

US HB52

Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish voluntary best practices for safe firearm storage solely for the purpose of public education. DOJ must give at least 90 days public notice and afford an opportunity for a hearing before establishing such best practices. The bill authorizes DOJ to award grants for the development, implementation, and evaluation of Safe Firearm Storage Assistance Programs. The bill also provides for a new tax credit through 2030 for 10% of amounts received from the retail sale of a safe firearm storage device for use in the United States.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.