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S. 1821 114th Congress Senate

Armed Forces Self-Defense Act

Official title: A bill to permit service members to carry firearms on military installations, including reserve centers and recruitment offices.

Introduced: July 21, 2015 Introduced by: Ron Johnson Republican · Wisconsin See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of DefenseFirearms and explosivesMilitary command and structure
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Military facilities and propertyMilitary personnel and dependentsNational Guard and reserves
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 21, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Jul 21, 2015
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action July 21, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Armed Forces Self-Defense Act

This bill states U.S. policy that Department of Defense (DOD) personnel shall be appropriately armed and have the inherent right to self-defense.

Current regulations and directives, or any provision in any other rule, regulation, or executive order prohibiting military personnel trained in firearms from carrying personal firearms on U.S. military installations shall have no further force or effect with regard to such military personnel, and they shall not be prohibited from carrying personal firearms on U.S. military installations.

The bill directs DOD to establish a process by which the commander of a military installation in the United States may authorize a qualifying member of the Armed Forces assigned to duty at the installation to carry a concealed personal firearm on the installation if the commander determines it to be necessary as a personal-protection or force-protection measure.

The commander of the installation shall consult with appropriate state and local elected officials and take into consideration state and local laws law regarding carrying a concealed personal firearm.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1815 A bill to require a process by which members of the Armed Forces may carry a concealed personal firearm on a military i…
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1821: Armed Forces Self-Defense Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-1821/
MLA
"S. 1821: Armed Forces Self-Defense Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-1821/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1821, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-1821/.
Markdown link
[S. 1821: Armed Forces Self-Defense Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-1821/)
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