Any advice on how to go to a US POST OFFICE?

[ATDM]

I must not know the laws, because I always leave my gun in the car at the post office.

Yep. Apparently, it's a major no-no. I believe, people go to prison for that, not on probation. The Feds come after you like after a terrorist, if they catch you... Instead of treating you like a law abiding citizen, who simply made a mistake. CHL holders I know are some of the most honorable, honest, rational people I know. And that has even been verified and certified during their background checks. The State and Federal Governments should be happy that such people are armed and able to defend themselves and others instead of relying on 911 calls that come minutes later at best.

I don't know, why they even bothered creating a law that won't even let them park near a post office with a gun. That's how governments manage businesses in general. That's one of the reasons businesses like USPS and other ones are not even viable. When it belongs to a government — it belongs to no one. I believe the Soviet Union proved that point by falling apart when the government owned everything.

[nyj]

I know federal buildings are off limits, but in places such as Big Bend National Park, you can be armed in the parking lot premises of the federal visitor/info. center.

'Merica.

[Keith B]

I know federal buildings are off limits, but in places such as Big Bend National Park, you can be armed in the parking lot premises of the federal visitor/info. center.

'Merica.

I think what you are saying is you CAN'T go in the Visitor Center or any building where there are federal employees in the park, but you can carry in open areas like the parking lot.

[ATDM]

I know federal buildings are off limits, but in places such as Big Bend National Park, you can be armed in the parking lot premises of the federal visitor/info. center.

'Merica.

I think what you are saying is you CAN'T go in the Visitor Center or any building where there are federal employees in the park, but you can carry in open areas like the parking lot.

Keith B: Are the parking lots of Federal Buildings subject to the same law as the USPS parking lots (meaning, you can't have the gun in your car in their parking lot)?

Thanks

[Keith B]

I know federal buildings are off limits, but in places such as Big Bend National Park, you can be armed in the parking lot premises of the federal visitor/info. center.

'Merica.

I think what you are saying is you CAN'T go in the Visitor Center or any building where there are federal employees in the park, but you can carry in open areas like the parking lot.

Keith B: Are the parking lots of Federal Buildings subject to the same law as the USPS parking lots (meaning, you can't have the gun in your car in their parking lot)?

Thanks

If the property is federally owned, then yes they are. So, parking lot of a Federal Courthouse, IRS, FBI, etc if owned by government is off limits.

[RoyGBiv]

^^^^ but National Park parking lots follow local law...
National Park buildings are off limits..

For USPS, here's a reference: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2003-t ... c232-1.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

See 232.1(L)

(l)
Weapons and explosives.
No person while on postal property may carry
firearms, other dangerous or deadly
weapons, or explosives, either openly
or concealed, or store the same on
postal property, except for official pur-
poses.

It's a stupid rule, and possibly on its way out. Hopefully.

[ATDM]

If the property is federally owned, then yes they are. So, parking lot of a Federal Courthouse, IRS, FBI, etc if owned by government is off limits.

Thanks.

I guess, if I ever have to go to one of these places, I would have to go home first to drop off the gun... I really prefer to carry every day, even if I know that the chance of me actually needing the gun is low. My philosophy is I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Besides, I believe in exercising my 2nd Amendment rights every single day.

I really believe that these parking law aspects of the law are completely irrational, but I am going to follow them.

[ATDM]

See 232.1(L)

(l)
Weapons and explosives.
No person while on postal property may carry
firearms, other dangerous or deadly
weapons, or explosives, either openly
or concealed, or store the same on
postal property, except for official pur-
poses.

It's a stupid rule, and possibly on its way out. Hopefully.

The use of word "carry" is a point of controversy here. If the gun is safely locked in my car — it is not being "carried" technically. I am simply transporting it at that point. But, apparently, it has been made clear by multiple arrests and prosecutions... I, too, hope that this rule is on its way out — regarding the parking lots of ALL Federal Buildings.

[RoyGBiv]

See 232.1(L)

(l)
Weapons and explosives.
No person while on postal property may carry
firearms, other dangerous or deadly
weapons, or explosives, either openly
or concealed, or store the same on
postal property, except for official pur-
poses.

It's a stupid rule, and possibly on its way out. Hopefully.

The use of word "carry" is a point of controversy here. If the gun is safely locked in my car — it is not being "carried" technically. I am simply transporting it at that point. But, apparently, it has been made clear by multiple arrests and prosecutions... I, too, hope that this rule is on its way out — regarding the parking lots of ALL Federal Buildings.

See the word "store"...

Edited quote...

(l)
Weapons and explosives.
No person while on postal property may store the same on
postal property, except for official pur-
poses.

[ATDM]

See the word "store"...

Edited quote...

(l)
Weapons and explosives.
No person while on postal property may store the same on
postal property, except for official pur-
poses.

Yep. Thanks... It's been a long day!

[mikeloc]

I must not know the laws, because I always leave my gun in the car at the post office.

Yep. Apparently, it's a major no-no. I believe, people go to prison for that, not on probation. The Feds come after you like after a terrorist, if they catch you... Instead of treating you like a law abiding citizen, who simply made a mistake. CHL holders I know are some of the most honorable, honest, rational people I know. And that has even been verified and certified during their background checks. The State and Federal Governments should be happy that such people are armed and able to defend themselves and others instead of relying on 911 calls that come minutes later at best.

I don't know, why they even bothered creating a law that won't even let them park near a post office with a gun. That's how governments manage businesses in general. That's one of the reasons businesses like USPS and other ones are not even viable. When it belongs to a government — it belongs to no one. I believe the Soviet Union proved that point by falling apart when the government owned everything.

You've gone way overboard on this. The post office and parking lot law is federal, not state. You have to go way out of your way to get a local or state officer to arrest you or give you a ticket for this. The federal offense is a fine for less than fifty dollars. I'll bet you cannot find one case were someone has been charged with a gun in the post office parking lot.

Mike Lochabay

[ATDM]

You've gone way overboard on this. The post office and parking lot law is federal, not state. You have to go way out of your way to get a local or state officer to arrest you or give you a ticket for this. The federal offense is a fine for less than fifty dollars. I'll bet you cannot find one case were someone has been charged with a gun in the post office parking lot.

Mike Lochabay

You may be right. I have to double check it. If you are right, I am thinking of something else then (it's been a long day for me with 16 hours of working, while checking the forum). I am a physician and have been doing charts all day! If you are right, it's not as big of a problem as I thought, but still, I would like to see that law changed.

I remember reading something a few months ago about a case, in which a seemingly minor offence triggered a 5-year sentence. Now, that I think about it, it may have been a school, not a post office.

Do you know, if they suspend or revoke your CHL for the USPS parking lot offence?

Thanks.

[mikeloc]

You've gone way overboard on this. The post office and parking lot law is federal, not state. You have to go way out of your way to get a local or state officer to arrest you or give you a ticket for this. The federal offense is a fine for less than fifty dollars. I'll bet you cannot find one case were someone has been charged with a gun in the post office parking lot.

Mike Lochabay

You may be right. I have to double check it. If you are right, I am thinking of something else then (it's been a long day for me with 16 hours of working, while checking the forum). I am a physician and have been doing charts all day! If you are right, it's not as big of a problem as I thought, but still, I would like to see that law changed.

I remember reading something a few months ago about a case, in which a seemingly minor offence triggered a 5-year sentence. Now, that I think about it, it may have been a school, not a post office.

Do you know, if they suspend or revoke your CHL for the USPS parking lot offence?

Thanks.

Not if you just get a ticket. You might check this site http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/11/us/guns-post-office" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also by federal law you can lock you handgun in the trunk under the travel law. Since you're legal when you start out and legal when you complete you destination.

I'm going to see if I can find the sign posted in the post office, but I believe it's a fine.
I would not recommend carrying in the post office, but I would not worry about the parking lot.

Mike Lochabay

[mikeloc]

See Code of Federal Regulations Title 36, Chapter 1, Section 232.1

(l) Weapons and explosives . Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation, no person while on postal property may carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed, or store the same on postal property, except for official purposes.

...

(p) Penalties and other law. (1) Alleged violations of these rules and regulations are heard, and the penalties prescribed herein are imposed, either in a Federal district court or by a Federal magistrate in accordance with applicable court rules. Questions regarding such rules should be directed to the regional counsel for the region involved.

(2) Whoever shall be found guilty of violating the rules and regulations in this section while on property under the charge and control of the Postal Service is subject to fine of not more than $50 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both. Nothing contained in these rules and regulations shall be construed to abrogate any other Federal laws or regulations of any State and local laws and regulations applicable to any area in which the property is situated.


Mike

[ATDM]

quote]


Not if you just get a ticket. You might check this site http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/11/us/guns-post-office" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also by federal law you can lock you handgun in the trunk under the travel law. Since you're legal when you start out and legal when you complete you destination.

I'm going to see if I can find the sign posted in the post office, but I believe it's a fine.
I would not recommend carrying in the post office, but I would not worry about the parking lot.

Mike Lochabay

I am still going to err on the side of caution regarding the parking lot issue. I talked to a [Pre-paid legal service] lawyer, and he was very clear about this issue and recommended parking at another building's parking lot and then walk to the USPS office. I just hope they are going to realize the irrationality of these parking lot rules and toss them out.

Thanks.