Why aren't CCW holders allowed to carry into a Post Office?

[FreedomKommando]

Did you point out the relevant law mentions "hunting" and "other lawful purposes"?

Can the postal regs go beyond the authority granted by the US Congress?

Let me see if I got this right. I may legally go in and mail a package containing a firearm, but not carry concealed while I am doing it? I'm a private citizen. How can my mailing a package containing a firearm to another private party be construed as an "official purpose"?

Any real lawyers in the house?

 

[kevindsingleton]

Interestingly, when I went to visit my son at the Air Force base in Little Rock, Arkansas, I was carrying my firearm (Texas CCW), and informed the guard at the visitor sign-in gate. I fully expected him to confiscate my weapon until we left the base, but, he simply said, "I wouldn't go waving that around". This was post-9/11; probably Fall of 2002. The guard was unarmed, but there were plenty of M16s around.

When my son tried to get us to drive him down to the flight line, we were stopped by a young lady with a rifle slung over her shoulder. She tried to act tough, but her magazine well was empty. ;>)

 

[waterhouse]

Don't know about other places but here in lower Alabama a number of Post Offices have metal detectors at the door. I won't carry in a Post Office as I have no desire to be a test case.

Really? Do your keys set off the metal detector?

Most post offices have some things that look like they may be metal detectors, but they are really just security devices to make a beeping noise when you are stealing merchandise.

How can my mailing a package containing a firearm to another private party be construed as an "official purpose"?

I'm not agreeing with their policy at all, but since they are in the business of taking packages from customers and delivering them to another private party that seems like it could be one of the few actual "official purposes" of the post office.

 

[F4GIB]

18 USC 930(d)(3) doesn't apply because of the special PO statute in 39 USC 410.

The PO regulation at 39 CFR 232.1 does apply.

The PENALTY for violating the PO Reg is

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.

So it's a petty misdemeanor.

 

[rj713]

On reflection I think Waterhouse may be correct---those could be theft alarms since I've only seen them at PO with sales areas. Thanks for the info--they sure looked like metal detectors. Ralph

 

[ptmmatssc]

Couple of things I noticed .

(2) the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a Federal official or a member of the Armed Forces if such possession is authorized by law;

Does this mean an active duty soldier , with a state issued concealed permit is OK?

(3) the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.

I hunt with a pistol as well as a rifle . So , if I enter with my hunting pistol , during hunting season , is that ok?

As someone previously mentioned . It should not take a lawyer to determine what the law is . Any common man should be able to read it and know whether or not what they are doing is legal or not .

Btw , I never realized I was "breaking the law" every time I visited the post office . Apparently , my Benchmade etc is a no-no

The term “dangerous weapon” means a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does not include a pocket knife with a blade of less than 21/2 inches in length.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

How many times must it be said? 39 CFR 232.1 governs, and supercedes everything in Title 18.

This is precisely why attorney Firriolo took down his link. Because he was 100 percent dead WRONG in his assertion that Title 18 made PO carry legal. Once it was pointed out to him that the Postal Service is exempt from Title 18, he realized that he had been disseminating incorrect advice.

 

[JERRY]

well, i guess we now have the definative answer....

 

[CannonFodder]

Yeah, those are theft detectors. I accidentally walked in to a PO one time while carrying, no Happy Buzzers went off.

 

[carnaby]

How many times must it be said? 39 CFR 232.1 governs, and supercedes everything in Title 18.

Fair enough, except that they never define "official purposes" at least not as far as I can tell. I figure that mailing something is an "official purpose." Good enough for me. Besides, as someone pointed out already, the worst that happens is

(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.

I always carry at the post office.

 

[SMMAssociates]

My take, based on stuff seen here and elsewhere, (and IANAL), is that my OH CHL would cover me in a Post Office. Unfortunately, OH's CHL law excludes Post Offices and most buildings we paid for.

Same problem with schools - the Federal law seems to adequately cover CHL holders for things like picking up the kids, but OH's law again quashes that....

(I just noticed that our local Post Office isn't posted. Hm.... In the past, the outer lobby area wasn't posted, but the inner sales area was.)

Just for fun, though, I am a branch Post Office!.... eStamps.com users are.... (Or at least were.) About the only thing I can't do here, or at the drop-off box in the back of the parking lot - involves dropping off large packages. (I can still frank them....)

So I can't carry in my office?

Can't win....

Also, for the OH guys who missed the "OH pre-empts this", it's a FELONY, even though the PO rules may only make a misdemeanor out of it. The good folks in Columbus don't like us....

Regards,

 

[MrAnteater]

Why trust me to carry anywhere else but schools, hospitals, bars, and post offices when all of a sudden I'm not to be trusted?

It makes no sense at all.

 

[sonyhoppes]

Uh, guys, there's an explicit exemption in the law for carrying firearms on USPS property pursuant to lawful activity. That's the point of the thread.

The YOU go on ahead and stroll on in there like John Wayne. Right or wrong, no one wants to be a test case and, as previously mentioned, deal with the legal hassle, expense and possible jail time.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Postal workers don't like competition?

(Lord, I apologize)

 

[sonyhoppes]

Jay, you forgot the "starving pygmies" part.