Carry on federal property?

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OAKVILLE SHOOTER

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I just read the thread about the Republican debate and got to thinking....yes I know that is dangerous:neener:, but any way. I know that it is illegal to carry on federal property, courts, post office, etc. I assume that the White House is federal property, so if any elected President is a gun owner, can they keep personal firearms at "home" in the White House?
 
I'll tell you a little secret, there are guns inside the Congress and Senate (per my understanding).

I remember seeing a photograph on a former President standing on the lawn of the Whitehouse with a revolver in a holster.
 
I'll tell you a little secret, there are guns inside the Congress and Senate (per my understanding).

I remember seeing a photograph on a former President standing on the lawn of the Whitehouse with a revolver in a holster.
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So then is it legal for them to do so, or are they "above the law" that they themselves make? That would be a shock, I'm sure.

I have also heard that the Taurus Judge got it's name because of the number of judges that carry them in the court room. It may or may not be true that The Judge is their weapon of choice, but it does imply that judges routinely carry while court is in session. So is there a loophole/provision for judges to carry in a place that Joe Citizen cannot? Why would they feel the need to carry? Sure it might be that they are concerned for their safety after a particular ruling or verdict. Wait a minute, isn't there an armed ballif standing right next to the bench? I mean police are there for our protection right? So the judge doesn't trust the police to protect him? Novel concept.
 
We had a judge here many years ago trying a violent biker gang. He kept an entire 870 folder under his robes.

But yeah, I think congresscritters are exempt from the no carry prohibitions.
 
Betty Ford had a licensed handgun while Jerry Ford was serving as VP and President. She kept it in the Whitehouse. (current biography of First Ladies)
 
I'll tell you a little secret, there are guns inside the Congress and Senate (per my understanding).
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As I recall, Trent Lott has several blackpowder rifles on the wall of his office, including Jefferson Davis' Mississippi rifle. There are allowances for those Senators and Congressman to have the guns in the building- that was made public after that Virginia congressmans aid got caught bringing his bosses pistol over (they aren't excluded).
 
There is also the circulated rumor of some folks being granted U.S.Marshall status in order to skirt the D.C. laws. Haven't seen a Senator brandishing a badge yet though.

It's not so much being above the law as it is knowing how to work the law to your personal needs.
 
Not all federal property. You can carry on Fort Huachuca, in Arizona. I was surprised to see it, but it's true. I assume there are a few other places, too....
 
Carrying on Federal property doesn't apply to those "authorized". I would think the President as the Chief Executive can authorize whoever he wants, as Commander-in-Chief I would think that would give him legal standing to have guns wherever he wants.
 
ISTM that the president can carry in the White House because it's his residence. Congresscritters would have to have some other exemption, but the President, living there, can certainly carry in his "own house".

Springmom
 
The government is not above the law; they interpret it similarly to other gun owners. Even in states where open carry is illegal, you can carry however you choose in your own home or place of business, and may grant permission for your family or employees to do the same. You see it everywhere in gun stores; every employee of that store has a hip holster with a 1911 cocked and locked in it.

The government does the same thing; officials of the state are allowed to carry in their place of business (the government building in which they work) IF their boss allows it. Said boss, like any private employer, largely has the right to deny carry on his property. Officers of the law, including uniformed officers in court, must carry as a part of their job description, and are therefore allowed to do so in the government buildings they spend a lot of time.

The President, like any other citizen, is allowed to own firearms and to keep them in his place of residence. He may however be subject to rules regarding WHERE in the House he is allowed to keep them (probably a secure, guarded locker in the basement along with SS armaments), as though it may be his residence, he does not own it and he has far more visitors of varying familiarity than you or I. I'll bet you anything that any guns the President owns, kept safe along with the President by two Secret Service tactical teams and a plainclothes SS team, are far more secure and far less likely to be used illegally than your own. And think of this. If the President of the United States, the leader of the free world, does not have the RKBA, what the hell chance do you have?
 
i bet the president's guns are under lock and key by the SS.... for the same reason that i bet the president never cleans his guns, either. it would look terrible if the president accidentally shot himself w/ an AD.
 
I recently accompanied a family member to court to support her in her divorce.

Given some of the caliber of people that I saw there, I wasn't very comfortable disarming myself when I went in.

I felt even less comfortable when the bailiff was unarmed. At least without a sidearm, he may have had a concealed sidearm.

Just a comment
 
Title 18 DOES NOT prohibit carry on federal "property", it prohibits "dangerous weapons in federal facilities". It then goes on to define "facility" as "any building, or part thereof, owned or leased by the federal gov't where federal employees go to perform their duties." This would definitely include the White House.
 
I dont have the text of Title 18 however I was under the impression is that it had a permission clause. That is to say "No guns in federal buildings without prior permission" Also as commander in chief (s)he may get a military exemption.
 
Members of Congress can legally have a firearm in their office because Congress is a separate branch of government and is not bound by District of Columbia law. Interstate Transportation of Firearms law would give someone the right to bring it to a congressional office via their car. They just couldn't carry it outside the congressional complex. Many members have historic firearms on display in their office. Former Rep. Charlie Wilson used to display an AK he receive from Afghan rebels.
 
There's an exception in the law for "lawful purposes" but whether or not that means carrying in a post office actually is legal is controversial...the post offices don't post the entire law with the exceptions on their signs.
 
AntiqueCollector said:
There's an exception in the law for "lawful purposes" but whether or not that means carrying in a post office actually is legal is controversial...the post offices don't post the entire law with the exceptions on their signs.
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I was going to point out that Post Offices were not necessarily off-limits. Before posting, I decided to look at the statute again, and read through some legal discussion on the issue. I decided to not say anything because it is simply unclear to me. I am unaware of any court rulings that set legal precedent.
 
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