MEMORANDUM FOR PERSONNEL CONCERNED 21 May 2016
SUBJECT: ARMS ROOM STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP)
1. References.
a. DoD 5100.76-M, Physical Security of Sensitive Conventional Arms, Ammunition and Explosives b. AR 190-11, Physical Security of Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives c. AR 190-13, The Army Physical Security Program d. AR 190-14, Carrying of Firearms and Use of Force for Law Enforcement and Security Duties e. AR 190-40, Serious Incident Report f. AR 190-51, Security of Unclassified Army Property (Sensitive and Nonsensitive) g. AR 710-2, Inventory Management Supply Policy Below the Wholesale Level h. FC Reg 190-11, Physical Security of Arms, Ammunition and Explosives i. FC Reg 190-13, Installation Physical Security Plan j. FC Reg 190-25, Crime Prevention k. FC Reg 700-15, Fort Carson Ammunition Handbook
2. Purpose. To establish responsibilities and procedures for the arms room.
3. Responsibilities.
a. Access to Arms Storage Facilities
(1) Command Oriented Screenings. Commanders must ensure that each person being granted unaccompanied access to arms, ammunition and explosives (AA&E) and keys to AA&E have been interviewed for suitability as required by AR 190-11, para 2-11, and that a DA form 7281-R (Command Oriented Security Screening and Evaluation) has been initiated. (2) Unaccompanied Access Rosters. Personnel being granted unaccompanied access to the unit arms room must be placed on an unaccompanied access roster. This roster will be posted in the unit arms room IAW AR 190-11, para 4-19.
b. Required Arms Room Signage.
(1) Arms rooms will be marked with a Restricted Area sign. Refer to AR 190-13, para 6-4, and AR 190-11, para 4-15, for correct verbiage and placement of signs. (2) Arms rooms will be marked with an IDS warning sign directly outside the door and on all interior walls directly outside the entrance to the arms room. Refer to AR 190-11, para 4-16 and Appx. F for sign dimensions. (3) A current copy of the DA form 4604-R (Security Construction Statement) will be placed on the inside back of the arms room door. Fort Carson DES Security and Access Control Division personnel will ensure a current copy of the form has been issued for the applicable arms room. (4) Copies of Colorado firearms laws will be posted outside the arms room for unit personnel to read.
c. Appointment Orders.
(1) Physical Security Officer [FC Reg 190-11, para 5 a (8)]. Each unit will appoint in writing a Physical Security Officer in the grade of E-7 or above.
(2) Key Custodians (Primary and Alternate). (DoD 5100.76-M, para C2.5 & AR 190-51, Appx D)
d. Storage of Night Vision Devices (NVD) & Bayonets.
(1) Night Vision Devices. All NVD will be stored within a facility equipped with intrusion detection systems (IDS) or under constant surveillance. NVD will be stored in a manner that verifies the presence of each NVD during physical counts. The person conducting the inventory must physically inspect the NVD, not just the presence of the case [FC Reg 190-11, para 7 e(1) & (2)].
e. Ammunition Storage.
(1) Only ammunition considered “operational load”, i.e. guard ammunition, is authorized storage within the arms room and may not exceed 4500 rounds. Storage of operational load within the arms room must be approved in writing by the first O-5 within the chain of command. Ammunition drawn for training must be stored at the Ammunition Holding Area (AHA). Refer to FC Reg 700-15 for additional information.
(2) Ammunition will be stored in sealed containers and recorded on all inventory records.
f. Arms Racks.
(1) Any locally fabricated and/or modified arms racks, if not already registered and serially stamped, must be approved by the Fort Carson Logistics Area Representative (LAR). For resolution of unregistered racks, coordinate with the DES Security and Access Control Division, building 2757
g. Required Inventories.
(1) Change of custody. Each time the AA&E keys are transferred from one custodian to another, a 100% inventory of the arms room and the arms room keys must occur. This inventory will be done jointly with the incoming custodian affixing his/her signature on DA forms 2062 and 5513-R.
(2) Physical count. A daily physical count inventory will be conducted upon opening and closing the arms room. The closing inventory will be conducted by a disinterested person in the grade of E-5 or higher. The closing inventory may not be conducted by the armorer. The inventory will be annotated on DA from 2062.
(3) Serial number. Arms rooms will be inventoried by serial number for 100% accountability on a weekly basis. Results of this inventory will be recorded on an informal memorandum or on the back page of the property book [FC reg 190-11, para 7 c(4)(e)].
(4) All AA&E and other sensitive items stored within the arms room will be recorded on all inventory records.
h. Locks and chains.
(1) High security lock. The arms room door must be locked with a DoD approved high security padlock (NSN: 5340-01-217-5068) and hasp [NSN: 5340-01-196-2547 (right hand doors) or NSN: 5340-01-235-6907 (left had doors). Locks can be obtained from the DoD EMALL (https://dod-emall.dla.mil/acct/) or the DLA Contract Center (877-352-2255). Additional information may be obtained from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command DoD Lock Program website at https://portal.navfac.navy.mil/portal/page/portal/navfac/navfac_ww_pp/navfac_nfesc_pp/locks/
(2) Security chains. Arms racks must be chained together to meet the minimum weight requirement of 500 pounds. Chains used to secure weapons racks will meet Federal Specification RR-C-2710, Table 4, Type 1, Grade C, Class 4, be heavy duty hardened steel, welded, straight link steel, galvanized of at least 5/16-inch thickness. These chains are available through the Defense Supply Center Richmond (NSN (5/16-inch): 4010-00-149-5583 or NSN (3/8-inch) 4010-00-184-3476).
i. AA&E administrative key control.
(1) All conventional AA&E keys must be stored at the next higher headquarters for overnight storage [FC Reg 190-11, para 7 d(4)].
(2) When AA&E keys are transferred between authorized persons (change of custody) they will conduct a 100% sensitive items inventory.
(3) Units will conduct a 100% serial number joint inventory of AA&E keys semiannually.
(4) All key inventories must include both the primary and secondary (alternate) sets.
(5) AA&E keys will be secured on a welded key ring.
j. Integrated Commercial Intrusion Detection System (ICIDS).
(1) Personal Identification Cipher (PIC). Personnel requiring unaccompanied access to their arms storage area will be issued a PIC. PICs are issued from the ICIDS monitoring station. Prior to being issued a PIC and an unaccompanied access roster and copies of the completed DA form 7281-R must be on file at the ICIDS monitoring station. The PIC is for use ONLY by the individual it is issued to. Sharing of PIC codes is prohibited and violators may be charged with violating UCMJ ART 92, Failure to Obey Order or Regulation.
(2) ICIDS activation. Prior to placing AA&E in the arms room the installed ICIDS must be activated.
(3) ICIDS deactivation. Once the occupying unit no longer has a need for the arms room, they will submit a memorandum to the DES Security and Access Control Division, requesting deactivation of the arms room. Arms rooms must be empty of all AA&E and sensitive items prior to deactivation of the system.
(4) ICIDS failure. In the event the alarm system becomes inoperative a dedicated armed guard must be posted to observe the arms room. Units will report all system failures to the ICIDS monitoring station.
(5) Walk test. Monthly ICIDS walk tests are required to ensure proper internal functioning of the IDS sensors. The results of the walk test will be recorded on FC form 83-3 and must be retained on file for 90 days.
k. AA&E and other sensitive items sign out procedures.
(1) Equipment Receipt (DA from 3749). All individuals assigned a weapon must be issued a DA form 3749 Equipment Receipt. Individuals will surrender their equipment receipt each time an assigned weapon or sensitive item is removed from the arms room. The DA form 3749 is used in conjunction with the sign-out register, FC form 83-2.
l. Security of AA&E during training and in a field environment. Commanders will take these steps to secure AA&E when deployed in the field:
(1) During field training, units should have approved arms racks or containers available to secure weapons that may be turned in for any reason.
(2) Weapons and NVD must be accounted for twice daily.
(3) Upon return to garrison, a 100% serial number inventory of weapons and NVD will be conducted and recorded before releasing personnel.
(4) Selection of personnel to perform guard duties at AA&E holding areas will be closely monitored by commanders to make sure only responsible individuals are assigned that duty.
(5) Weapons losses will be immediately reported to the Fort Carson and local authorities having jurisdiction if the loss takes place off the installation.
(6) Before leaving the field environment each unit conducts a 100% physical count of AA&E and other sensitive items. Commanders must be sure that first and second-line leaders are aware of this responsibility.
(7) Issued weapons will not be relinquished to another person except under emergency conditions.
(8) During the night, or periods of rest, unloaded weapons will be placed inside the sleeping bag with the person to whom assigned. NOTE: Under no circumstances is a weapon left unattended.
(9) When riding in a vehicle, individual weapons should be mounted in provided racks, holsters, or in the immediate possession of the individual.
(10) If weapons are stored in approved arms racks, these racks will be chained together in pairs or more using an approved padlock and chains. Locking bars on the racks will be secured with and approved padlock to prevent unauthorized access. Weapons in racks are to be kept under constant surveillance.
(11) Commanders will establish procedures for the safeguarding of weapons and other sensitive items issued to personnel who are medically evacuated from the training area or range.
(12) Ammunition and explosives may be stored in a range control building or vehicle under constant surveillance.
(13)Personnel wishing to use the Ammunition Holding Area (AHA) subsequent to down-range activities must make prior coordination with the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) at (719) 526-8621.
m. Use of force. All personnel performing guard duties for AA&E will be briefed on use of force IAW AR 190-14.
n. Security briefing. A two hour block of training can be provided for personnel designated arms room responsibilities. Unit interested in this training need to coordinate with the DES Security and Access Control division, Physical Security branch NCOIC at (719) 526-3576. Training will be conducted at the Physical Security Branch classroom in building 2757.
o. POC list:
• Chief, Security and Access Control Division • NCOIC, Physical Security Branch • Physical Security Branch: • ICIDS monitoring station • DES Central Dispatch Office (Police/Fire)
JOHN M. MISSION CPT, AR Commanding
