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My Coast Guard
Commentary | May 6, 2022

Change in household goods calculations: gun safes

By Chief Warrant Officer 4 Allyson E.T. Conroy, MyCG Staff

As an active duty or reserve service member, when you transfer from one permanent duty station to another, you can transport professional gear (pro-gear): books, papers, and equipment as well as required medical equipment in your household good (HHG) shipment. The weight of this pro-gear isn’t counted against the total weight you are allowed to ship. Effective May 2, the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) now allow active duty and reserve service members to ship their empty gun safes, in addition to their prescribed HHG weight allowance to their next permanent duty station. This includes the home of record or home of selection, upon leaving the service. The weight of gun safes (up to 500 pounds) will be included with other pro-gear and not counted against the maximum weight allowance for HHGs.

If your gun safe weights more than 500 pounds you can still ship it, however the additional weight of the safe will be counted against the total maximum weight allowance for your HHGs.

“Safes are an important item for those that choose to have firearms at home, but they can be heavy,” said Capt. Anthony Williams, acting director of Military Personnel. “So, when PCS time rolls around, it is nice to know that our families don’t have to consider gun safes if they are struggling to stay under their max allowed HHG weight. The Coast Guard applauds the Department of Defense’s efforts on this policy, it will help keep our families safe.”

The Department of Defense (DoD) requested this item to celebrate April as the President’s Month of The Military Child due to the importance gun safes are for overall gun safety/child safety. The DoD also requested this in support of the President’s Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention Strategy in recognition of May as the National Mental Health Awareness Month.

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