BLM Wyoming Requirements Governing the Management and Use of Firearms by Non-Law Enforcement Personnel

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Wyoming State Office
P.O. Box 1828
Cheyenne, WY  82003-1828
www.blm.gov/wy

In Reply Refer To:
4730 (930) P
                            June 5, 2019

EMS TRANSMISSION:  6/6/2019
Instruction Memorandum No. WY 2019-012
Expires:  09/30/2022    

To:               District Managers

From:           State Director

Subject:        Authorize Use of Firearms to Euthanize Wild Horses and Burros by Non – Law Enforcement Personnel 

Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) establishes the requirements of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming relating to the on-the-job transport, possession, and use of firearms by non-law enforcement personnel.  This IM provides guidance for complying with Part 446 of the Department of the Interior Departmental Manual; the BLM Manual 4730; and the BLM Handbook 1112-1 – Chapter 37, pertaining to the authorization, qualification, use, and storage, of Bureau issued firearms to wild horse and burro personnel.  This policy does not apply to law enforcement personnel.

Administrative or Mission Related:  Mission Related

Policy/Action:  Non-law enforcement personnel who have completed the firearms qualifications course may be authorized to transport, possess, or use a firearm while on official duty for the purposes of reducing the number of undesirable, crippled, or infected animals.  Personnel must be individually and formally authorized to do so and will strictly follow the training, safety, and operational requirements stated in (Attachment 1), “BLM Wyoming Requirements Governing the Management and Use of Firearms by Non-Law Enforcement Personnel”.

In accordance with Federal Regulations, 18 U.S. Code § 930, firearms are prohibited inside Federal facilities.  Exceptions are made for law enforcement personnel, and for the checking out and returning of firearms from an approved secured storage container.

Timeframe: This IM is effective upon issuance.  Compliance to this IM should not add any significant time delays to the management of wild horses and burros.

Budget Impact: Costs associated with the implementation of this IM will include the procurement of weapons, ammunition, lockable hard-sided cases, trigger locks, gun-cleaning kits, and securely anchored gun safes for each Field Office that manages the wild horses.  Annually recurring direct costs include the purchase of ammunition for training and the cost of range fees for completing qualification live fire.

Background:  The BLM Wyoming is responsible for training wild horse and burro personnel, which include field specialists, facility supervisors, and support staff.  At times, these positions require access to, and the use of firearms to perform some of the duties of the Wild horse and Burro Program.  Allowing employees who are not law enforcement officers to carry firearms in the field is a sensitive matter.  Our firearms program is subject to intense scrutiny by our agency and the public.  Highly competent and trained professionals, constant situational awareness, accurate data, and strict adherence to these policies will help ensure the continued use of firearms in the field.

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: This IM complies with Part 446 of the Department of the Interior Departmental Manual; the BLM Manual 4730; and the BLM Handbook 1112-1, pertaining to the authorization, use, storage, issuance, and qualification with the Bureau issued firearms by wild horse and burro personnel. 

Coordination: The requirements outlined in this policy have been reviewed by the BLM Wyoming field specialists, the BLM Wyoming Wild Horse and Burro Program Lead, the BLM Wyoming Chief Ranger, and the BLM Wyoming Safety Office.

Contact: For additional information, contact June Wendlandt, Wyoming Wild Horse and Burro Program Lead (307) 775-6097.

Signed by:                                     Authenticated by:
Kristen Lenhardt                           Jessica Camargo
Acting State Director                    State Director’s Office

Attachment
1 - BLM Wyoming Requirement Governing the Management and Use of Firearms by   
     Non-Law Enforcement Personnel (5pp) 

Distribution:
  Asst. Director (200), 5646 MIB     1(w/atch.)
  Field Managers (All)                      1(w/atch.) 
  CF                                                   1(w/atch.)