The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued pre-emption authority this week for security forces at nuclear facilities in New York and California to carry certain firearms.
This issuance overrides local, state and federal laws that would otherwise restrict firearms at NRC-licensed facilities. The NRC has this authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Security forces at the Indian Point, James A. FitzPatrick, R.E. Ginna and Nine Mile Point nuclear power plants in New York and the Diablo Canyon and San Onofre nuclear power plants in California will be allowed to carry firearms and ammunition. Forces also will be authorized to carry at spent-fuel storage facilities associated with these power plants.
The NRC said pre-emptions such as this one allow plants to ensure that all aspects of their respective security plans and capabilities are maintained to satisfy NRC requirements for nuclear generation operations.
