Armorer's Guide

xxxx-PM-PS (190-11) 20 March 1998

MEMORANDUM FOR Commanders and Armorers

SUBJECT: Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives

1. References:

a. AR 190-11, Physical Security of Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives (30 Sep 93).

b. AR 190-13, The Army Physical Security Program (30 Sep 93).

c. AR 710-2, Supply Policy Below the Wholesale Level (28 Feb 94).

d. Ft X Reg 190-11, Operating Procedures for Intrusion Detection Systems (16 Oct 97).

e. Ft X Reg 190-1, Control of Privately Owned Weapons, Explosives, and Ammunition.

2. Protecting Army property especially arms, ammunition, and explosives (AA&E) is a very important responsibility. The requirements for physical security, inventory and accountability of AA&E are all critical tasks and equally important. More than anywhere else within a unit, the arms room operation requires meticulous attention to detail.

3. The purpose of this guidebook is to provide commanders and armorers with extracts ("quick reference") of regulations, sample forms and a checklist for a typical unit arms room. Included are requirements for protection, control and accountability of arms, ammunition, and explosives (except for Category I which few units will encounter), night vision devices, and other sensitive items when stored in unit arms rooms, and during deployment. The checklist is not all-inclusive. There may be additional requirements based on local threat, which have to be implemented. However, we have tried to provide a step-by-step listing which should apply to most typical company level units.

4. Point of contact is the Provost Marshal Office, Physical Security Section (xxx-6342).

Mr X

Chief

Physical Security

DISTRIBUTION:

Unit Commanders and Unit Armorers

1. KEY AND LOCK CONTROL FOR AA&E:

Only the unit commander and key custodian, who must be appointed in writing (or alternate, if also appointed in writing), will issue and receive keys to and from individuals on the key access roster (unaccompanied access roster). Also the commander or key custodian (or alternate) is responsible for conducting required inventories and maintaining the DA Form 5513-R (Key Control register and Inventory). The S-2 is not responsible for conducting inventories of unit arms room keys nor is it the S-2's responsibility to maintain or retain a copy of the DA Form 5513-R for the unit's arms room keys.

a. Keys for AA&E will be signed out to authorize personnel, as needed, on a key control register. DA Form 5513-R (Key Control Register and Inventory) will be used. An electronically generated form may be used; however the electronically generated form must contain all data elements and follow exact format of the existing printed form. The form number of the electronically generated form will be shown as DA Form 5513-R-E and the date will be the same as the date of current edition of the printed form. Keys will be listed on the key control register by serial number; indicating the location of the lock; and the number of keys maintained for each lock. (Figure 1-1, sample of a completed DA Form 5513-R).

(1) The operational set of keys will be issued to the unit armorer by serial number. Subsequently, the unit armorer is responsible for controlling the keys. The unit armorer may control the keys using one of the following procedures:

(a) Carrying the keys on his or her person during duty hours. Keys and locks will not be removed from the Fort Xxxx Installation except when authorized by the unit commander to provide for protected storage elsewhere and that should be a very rare exception.

(b) Returning the keys to the unit key custodian at the close of business. If the keys are returned to the key custodian, the key custodian must sign for the keys using DA Form 5513-R. The key custodian and unit armorer must conduct a physical count (change of custody inventory) of weapons and other sensitive items stored in the arms room. The key custodian must sign for the weapons and other sensitive items stored in the unit arms room using DA Form 2062 (Hand Receipt). Completed hand receipts will to be retained until the next serial number inventory is successfully completed.

(c) Placing the keys in a locked and sealed container and relinquishing custody of the container to the unit key custodian. If this course of action is taken, the unit armorer must maintain a DA Form 5513-R containing the serial number of the seal that is on the container; the printed name and signature of the key custodian; and the date and time custody of the container was relinquished.

(d) Placing the keys in a locked and sealed container and relinquishing custody of the container to the Staff Duty Office or NCO. The unit armorer must follow procedures in (c) above.

(2) The alternate set of keys may be controlled using one of the following procedures:

(a) Placing the keys in a locked and sealed container and relinquishing custody of the container to the next higher headquarters (normally the S-2) or a comparable unit. The unit key custodian must maintain a DA Form 5513-R containing the serial number of the seal that is on the container; the printed name and signature of the person who received the container; and the date and time custody of the container was relinquished.

(b) Storing the keys in a safe located within the unit. When the alternate set of keys is stored in the unit, the keys will be placed in a sealed container (a sealed envelope may be used). The unit commander will seal the container in a way to determine if the alternate set of keys is used.

Responsibility for AA&E keys must be continuously fixed, and the above procedures if precisely followed will establish the required responsibility.

Definition of a sealed container in accordance AR 190-11, para 3-8f: A sealed container is a locked and sealed container, or a sealed envelope (SF 700 per AR 380-5, para 5-104) containing the key or combination