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Johnson Space Center
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:53 pm
by Right2Carry
I will be attending a Cub Scout Camp-in this Saturday at the Johnson Space Center. I did a search and found out the property is federal property and prohibits firearms. Is this still true and can I lock my firearm up in the trunk? Any help would be appreciated especially from those that have been to the Johnson Space Center recently. Thanks in advance.
Would there be any place that I could store my firearm in that area while I attend the camp in?
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:04 pm
by sjfcontrol
FYI -- As I recall, you go thru metal detectors whenever you board busses for any of the excursions. This was a couple of years ago.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:10 pm
by cbunt1
It is acceptable to leave your pistol in the car (to my knowledge...I always do).
When you board the buses to go from the "Space Center Houston" to the actual "Johnson Space Center" they will check knives and such--done that numerous times as well. They're setup for it, and it'll be no surprise to them.
This is just my experience. I haven't been there in about 6-8 months.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 7:00 am
by jacobsd8195
According to Space Center Houston's website:
http://www.spacecenter.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Space Center Houston is the Official Visitors Center of NASA's Johnson Space Center, which is the home of astronaut training and Mission Control. We are a separate 501(c)(3) organization, not a government agency."
I've been to several events there where you don't actually go to the Johnson Space Center. Since I've only had my CHL a short time, I don't know if you could carry to SCH as long as you were not going to the actual NASA side...
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 7:02 am
by stevie_d_64
Yep, leave everything (weapons) locked up in your vehicle in the Space Center Parking lot...No clip knives either...
Enjoy the tour!!! If you don't go to NASA very often, you better get out there soon...May not be much activity, or interest after next year...
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:53 am
by LarryH
jacobsd8195 wrote:According to Space Center Houston's website:
http://www.spacecenter.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Space Center Houston is the Official Visitors Center of NASA's Johnson Space Center, which is the home of astronaut training and Mission Control. We are a separate 501(c)(3) organization, not a government agency."
I've been to several events there where you don't actually go to the Johnson Space Center. Since I've only had my CHL a short time, I don't know if you could carry to SCH as long as you were not going to the actual NASA side...
The signs at the entrance to the SCH building (not 30.06 compliant)
imply that SCH is federal property and
state that weapons, including knives, are forbidden. The security guard specifically asked me if I was carrying a knife, the last time I took the grandkids there. The next time (and every other future time) my wife gets the grandparent duty.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:57 am
by LarryH
Right2Carry wrote:I will be attending a Cub Scout Camp-in this Saturday at the Johnson Space Center. I did a search and found out the property is federal property and prohibits firearms. Is this still true and can I lock my firearm up in the trunk? Any help would be appreciated especially from those that have been to the Johnson Space Center recently. Thanks in advance.
Would there be any place that I could store my firearm in that area while I attend the camp in?
Will you be going directly on-site, or will you be going through SCH?
You
cannot legally take guns through
any JSC gate (not even locked in the trunk) and the security building has no provision for you to store your gun while you are on site.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 10:27 am
by Keith B
Space Center Houston IS federal property, so no 30.06 needed. It is managed by the 501(c)(3) but the property actually belongs to the feds. They check bags going in and the signs state no firearms. I personally would try to leave it in the hotel if it can be secured, but at minimum leave it locked and secured in the car in the parking lot (gray area there, but should be OK.)
As LarryH said, JSC is totally off-limits and even taking a firearm onto property will be a total no-no. And, they have guard gates and the right to search your vehicle, so best leave it somewhere else.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 10:43 am
by Right2Carry
Keith B wrote:Space Center Houston IS federal property, so no 30.06 needed. It is managed by the 501(c)(3) but the property actually belongs to the feds. They check bags going in and the signs state no firearms. I personally would try to leave it in the hotel if it can be secured, but at minimum leave it locked and secured in the car in the parking lot (gray area there, but should be OK.)
As LarryH said, JSC is totally off-limits and even taking a firearm onto property will be a total no-no. And, they have guard gates and the right to search your vehicle, so best leave it somewhere else.
The problem is we are spending the night somewhere on the grounds in one of the buildings so leaving it at the hotel isn't an option. This is a camp-in but I am unsure if we will be spending the night on HSC or JSC grounds. I guess I need to find out exactly where we will be parking for the event.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:41 am
by LarryH
Keith B wrote:Space Center Houston IS federal property, so no 30.06 needed. It is managed by the 501(c)(3) but the property actually belongs to the feds.
Didn't know that, but it makes sense. That whole area was inside the fence when I started working there in '77. I just assumed that because SCH was a foundation that it was no longer Federal property.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 12:18 pm
by Dragonfighter
We used to do the home school days out there. Once upon a time, there were no metal detectors unless you were going to Mission Control, then they simply said all handbags and fanny packs go in the lockers, keep the key. THEN you went through a scanner. Since 9-11 it's a whole different environment.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:09 pm
by ELB
I recently went to JSC museum (or whatever it is). There was no security control going into the parking lot, just a couple board kids collecting the parking fee. The unarmed security guy at the door to the museum asked if we had any weapons, but there was no metal detector or bag check (at least for purses). At the tram/train that took us to the NASA buildings, there was a metal detector and uniformed armed cops. I threw all my metal (coins, keys flashlight, small pocket knife) into a basket-- one of the cops picked out the pocket knife, rubberbanded half of a numbered coupon to it, and said I could pick it up at the booth when I came back. Which I did.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:09 am
by Keith B
ELB wrote:I recently went to JSC museum (or whatever it is). There was no security control going into the parking lot, just a couple board kids collecting the parking fee. The unarmed security guy at the door to the museum asked if we had any weapons, but there was no metal detector or bag check (at least for purses). At the tram/train that took us to the NASA buildings, there was a metal detector and uniformed armed cops. I threw all my metal (coins, keys flashlight, small pocket knife) into a basket-- one of the cops picked out the pocket knife, rubberbanded half of a numbered coupon to it, and said I could pick it up at the booth when I came back. Which I did.
Just remember ANY type of sign or notification or no firearms/guns is valid on federal property.
Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:36 am
by mkosmo
LarryH wrote:The signs at the entrance to the SCH building (not 30.06 compliant) imply that SCH is federal property and state that weapons, including knives, are forbidden. The security guard specifically asked me if I was carrying a knife, the last time I took the grandkids there. The next time (and every other future time) my wife gets the grandparent duty.
Last time I went, they also asked me this question. I was wearing the 5.11 tactical khakis with the hidden pockets, and I had my S&W knife hidden in the thigh pocket and forgot about it, so I told them no. When it came time to board the tram for the tour, the wander found it. All they did was check it - no interrogation or anything. When we got back, I went to the check station to get it back, and all I said was "I'm here to pick up my knife" and they instantly handed me MY knife - no ticket check... so I must have been the only person that day trying to "smuggle" a knife on to JSC

Re: Johnson Space Center
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:40 pm
by ericlw
nasa security can and will give you a hard time about any type of weapon. They do have millitary police on the grounds and usually at the main gate.