U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Fact Sheet 2005–3012

April 2005

Firearms Safety Program

Printed on recycled paper

The U.S. Geological Survey provides appropriate firearms 

safety training for any employee or USGS volunteer who uses, 

handles, carries, or stores a firearm as a part of his or her official 

duties. Firearms are used by USGS employees for defense 

against potentially dangerous wild animals and for specimen 

collecting for biological research. Firearms may also be used for 

signaling and survival in emergency situations. 

In 1978, the USGS developed firearms safety training for 

defense against wild animals following a near-fatal attack on a 

USGS geologist during the 1977 field season in Alaska. The 

firearms safety training for personnel involved in specimen collection (biological research) was developed after the National 

Biological Service was integrated into the USGS as the Biological Resource Discipline (BRD) in 1997. 

Although firearms safety remains a constant emphasis and 

is a key element of any firearms safety training program, there 

are substantial differences in the two programs. In the USGS 

Defense Against Wild Animals (DAWA) training program, 

firearms are restricted to those action and model types that 

can handle powerful, large-caliber cartridges. The firearm is 

a tool of last resort and is only used when other deterrents are 

exhausted or impractical. The Specimen Collection (SC) training program deals with a broad range of firearm types, from 

rimfire to large-bore calibers, and includes almost every type of 

firearm action, make, and model. 

These curriculums will have specific instructor certifications, and USGS personnel and managers will soon be able to 

choose which type(s) of training will best satisfy their science 

program needs.

Obtaining Firearms Authorization

With supervisory permission, any employee or volunteer can 

be authorized to carry a firearm while on official duty once he 

or she has completed the following requirements, as specified 

in Chapter 29 of the Occupational Safety and Health Program 

Requirements Handbook, SM 445-2-H. These include:

1. Successful completion of the appropriate Basic or 

Refresher Firearms Safety Training Course as listed in Ch. 

29.3, part B, Firearms Training, http://www.usgs.gov/usgsmanual/handbook/hb/445-2-h/ch29.html.

USGS firearms policy and training methodology have 

continually improved since the tragic incident in 1977. Current doctrines are the result of extensive field experience by 

USGS personnel, and many of the training concepts have been 

adapted from professional firearms training schools. Both the 

DAWA and the SC firearms training programs are constantly 

changing as new information from actual field experiences is 

incorporated into the curriculum and firearms training techniques from other professional training programs are reviewed 

and tested. 

A number of more specialized USGS Firearms Safety curriculums are being developed to better address USGS training 

needs. In addition to the DAWA program, separate curriculums 

and courses are being developed that include Wild Animal 

(Bear, Cougar, etc.) Behavior, Bear Pepper Spray and Other 

Less-lethal Deterrents for Wild Animals, Collection of Waterfowl, Precision Shooting, and Small-Caliber Firearms for Trapping. Others will be added as needed. 
2. Completion of a Certificate of Need as listed in Ch. 29.3, 

part A, Certificate of Need and Qualification Inquiry: 

http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/handbook/hb/445-2-

h/a291.doc.

3. Completion of a Qualification Inquiry, as listed in Ch. 

29.3, part A, Certificate of Need and Qualification Inquiry: 

http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/handbook/hb/445-2-

h/a292.doc.

USGS Firearms Instructors must be able to independently and 

effectively teach the fundamentals of firearms safety and safe 

firearms handling. Instructor certification requires approximately 

150 hours of formal training including a USGS Firearms Instructor Class and apprenticing as an assistant instructor. Detailed 

requirements for USGS firearms instructorship are listed in SM445-H, Ch. 29.3, part D, Firearms Instructors, http://www.usgs.

gov/usgs-manual/handbook/hb/445-2-h/ch29.html.

3. Firearms and ammunition transported on commercial 

airlines must be declared, and a signed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tag, stating that the firearm is 

unloaded, must be with the firearm. For field aircraft, the 

firearm must be declared to the pilot or authorized representative prior to boarding.

4. Any personnel authorized to use a firearm must follow the 

State and municipal laws concerning the transportation and 

mode of carry of firearms in motor vehicles.

5. Any personnel authorized to use a firearm must follow the 

State and municipal laws concerning the personal carry 

of firearms. Only Bureau-authorized firearms may be 

carried. State permits authorizing concealed carry are not 

recognized by the USGS. 

Contact Information

Both Bureau and regional management personnel oversee 

the USGS Firearms Safety Program. For further information on 

USGS firearms regulations, policies, and training, contact the 

appropriate person(s) as follows:

BUREAU

Charles D. Blome Denver, CO 

Firearms Program Manager 303-236-1278 

cblome@usgs.gov

EASTERN REGION

Wayne E. Martin Reston, VA

Eastern Region Firearms Manager 703-648-5289 

wmartin@usgs.gov

CENTRAL REGION

Mary E. Cast Denver, CO

Central Region Firearms Manager 303-236-3463 

mecast@usgs.gov

WESTERN REGION (except Alaska)

W. Karl Gross Menlo Park, CA

Western Region Firearms Manager 650-329-4845

kgross@usgs.gov

ALASKA REGION

Vacant 

USGS Firearms Instructor Course for Defense Against Wild Animals, 

Santa Clara, CA, 2002.

Storage, Security, and Transport

Details for firearms storage, security, and transport are found 

in section 29.5 of the USGS Physical Security Handbook at 

http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/handbook/hb/440-2-h.html.

1. All firearms and ammunition shall be stored in a secure 

area under lock and key in accordance with USGS Physical Security Handbook (sections 10-4 to 10-7), SM 440-2-

H at http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/handbook/hb/440-

2-h.html. 

2. A U.S. Department of the Interior memo on Child Safety 

Locking Devices for Handguns implies that any firearm 

(government or personally owned) used by USGS personnel shall be under lock and key when (1) not being used in 

the field, (2) in transit, or (3) the firearm is not under the 

direct control of the cognizant person.