MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Although not outlawed in Japan, Marine Corps Air Station Order 5500.4E restricts the use and provides guidance of the storage for all weapons including paintball guns, pellet guns, air soft guns and replicas. Most units on station allow the possession of weapons although the usage and storage of these in the barracks is prohibited.Firearms can be stored in the armory with proof of proper registration from the Provost Marshal’s Office. To register a firearm, take the weapon to PMO’s pass and registration section.“Whether Marines can have a pellet gun(or not) is up to their chain of command,” according to Sgt. Elizabeth A. Lopez, PMO community resource section chief and native of Marysville, Pa. She further explained, PMO does not charge those possessing pellet guns. They report the incident to the service member's unit for additional action.The Marine Corps Bases Japan Order 5500.2C, which also provides guidance to storage and dangerous instruments is punitive, meaning Marines will face consequences whether they knew the rules or not.“The Marines have been notified and it’s in the (H&HS barracks) duty binder. I also give a class to corporals during the Corporal’s Course on how to stand duty and one thing I bring up is weapons in the barracks,” said Gunnery Sgt. Stephen Garcia, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, squadron gunnery sergeant and native of Houston.According to the Station order, weapons will be logged in by PMO within five working days of purchase or arrival and kept in the armory. Only residents 18 or older can own weapons.“If the Marines have questions about anything they just have to ask and find out. Either way all the information is in the order,” explained Garcia.So far there have been no incidents on station other than replica guns found during health and comfort inspections.Violation of the Station order can result in non-judicial punishment, forfeiture of pay and loss of rank as the maximum punishment. This punishment can easily be avoided by following the order and having all weapons registered and stored in the armory.