Carrying at the Post Office

[pt145ss]

My CHL instructor spent quite a bit of time on post offices and carrying this last weekend. he is currently an LEO for Harris County Sheriff's office and has been an LEO in Houston for 36 years. He said that there is almost always a set of double doors to access federal employees and you could safely carry outside those double doors. New post offices don't have the double doors, but are open and have detectors. you of course are not allowed to pass the detectors. he said before you carry at any post office you should ask someone at that location.

This seems to be somewhat contradicting to what y'all are saying...

Unfortunately there is not really any case law, where an individual with a CHL has been arrested for going into or onto post office property, to more clearly define the boundaries. I think what your CHL instructor did is what many of them and us do, and that is try to set a reasonable 'line in the sand' that works to allow you to have your gun close and will 99.9% keep you out of trouble. Bottom line, there are no hard facts or guidance other than what the federal code states and everyone's lay interpretation of that statute.

Any volunteers to be a test case? - - - Hello? - - - Hello? - - - I didn't think so.

i do not think anyone wants to be a test case, however, given the inforation, i would not be overly concerned about leaving it in the car in the parking lot.

[Abraham]

Post Offices have detectors?

I'm not disputing it, but when and where and why?

[pt145ss]

Post Offices have detectors?

I'm not disputing it, but when and where and why?

ours does, but i do not think they are metal detectors. I think they are the standard merchandise detection stuff as they have merchandise laying around.

[wcalvert]

Post Offices have detectors?

I'm not disputing it, but when and where and why?

ours does, but i do not think they are metal detectors. I think they are the standard merchandise detection stuff as they have merchandise laying around.

I agree with this. I think they are merchandise detectors. Fortunately, I only go in to the post office once every 6 months and I will be locking the gun in the car if I need to.

[ELB]

Post Offices have detectors?

I'm not disputing it, but when and where and why?

ours does, but i do not think they are metal detectors. I think they are the standard merchandise detection stuff as they have merchandise laying around.

Yes. I've not been to every PO in the country, but the ones I have been to only have the loss-prevention gizmos, if they have anything at all.

[ELB]

'tis done. FAQ-man is at peace again.

FAQ: Carrying at the US Post Office

Do you have a cape and tights for that job FAQ-man?

Nope, just comfortable boxers.

[drjoker]

I've avoided carrying at the post office due to what I've read on the forum. However, I don't see a 30.06 sign at the post office. Don't they have to give notification? There used to be a "no guns" sign in front of the post office, but they've taken it down. Does that mean carry away? I'm confused. I asked my anti-gun lawyer and he said, "Well, why don't you jest leave the gun at home?" Ugh.... (no guns at home, but that's a different story for another day....) I gotta find a new lawyer....

[Bullwhip]

The PO says all guns prohibited from all property, but then has ways to mail firearms (if you have a FFL or if you are sending it to the manufacturer, and other stuff).

Sounds like they want it both ways.

[ELB]

I've avoided carrying at the post office due to what I've read on the forum. However, I don't see a 30.06 sign at the post office. Don't they have to give notification? ....

Nope. 30.06 and notification is state law. USPS and other federal facilities are not governed by that.

[ScottDLS]

I've avoided carrying at the post office due to what I've read on the forum. However, I don't see a 30.06 sign at the post office. Don't they have to give notification? ....

Nope. 30.06 and notification is state law. USPS and other federal facilities are not governed by that.

Actually if they are using 18 USC 930 to bar carry, then they DO have to provide notice as described in Federal law.

§ 930. Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Federal facilities
(a) Except as provided in subsection (d), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal facility (other than a Federal court facility), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
...
(h) Notice of the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal facility, .... and no person shall be convicted of an offense under subsection (a) or (e) with respect to a Federal facility if such notice is not so posted at such facility, unless such person had actual notice of subsection (a) or (e), as the case may be.

[drjoker]

My anti-gun wife just looked over my shoulder and read these posts. "The laws are ambiguous. If you get caught you're gonna end up in jail. Guns are more trouble than they're worth. Your lawyer is right. Don't carry your gun to the Post Office."

So, now, my wife and my lawyer are in cahoots. Ugh....

Anyways, so, what's the verdict? My post office is NOT posted. Can I carry? I usually check my p.o. box at 4 a.m. in the morning due to irregular work hours. It would be nice if I could carry.

[FL450]

I don't have the money to volunteer to become case law.

[WildBill]

My anti-gun wife just looked over my shoulder and read these posts. "The laws are ambiguous. If you get caught you're gonna end up in jail. Guns are more trouble than they're worth. Your lawyer is right. Don't carry your gun to the Post Office."

So, now, my wife and my lawyer are in cahoots. Ugh....

Anyways, so, what's the verdict? My post office is NOT posted. Can I carry? I usually check my p.o. box at 4 a.m. in the morning due to irregular work hours. It would be nice if I could carry.

I don't have the money to volunteer to become case law.

Remember it can only become case law if you are first convicted. Then, for certain you are talking big bucks for attorney fees as well as losing your CHL until the case is settled.

[FL450]

Exactly my point

[gigag04]

New wife IMO.