Concealed carry at the post office
- Thread starter theicemanmpls
- Start date
Actually, what "Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation" means is that no law such as a state's CCW law will overrule the prohibition of firearms at the Post Office, causing carry to be legal there.
You will find this sign posted at Post Offices, notice the reference to 18 USC 930:
However, the 39 CFR 232.1 exists to create even more restrictive prohibitions at the Post Office than 18 USC 930. For example, 18 USC 930 requires the signs to be conspicuously posted at the entrances to the facility, and no signs=no convictions. 39 CFR 232.1 only requires the signs to be posted on the property, not at the entrances, AND there is no consequence listed in 39 CFR 232.1 for the signs not being there.
18 USC 930 would not prohibit storage of a firearm in a vehicle in the parking lot, but 39 CFR 232.1 does.
Here's a version straight from .gov website:
Link Removed
S&W645
NRA Life Member
Actually, what "Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation" means is that no law such as a state's CCW law will overrule the prohibition of firearms at the Post Office, causing carry to be legal there.
You will find this sign posted at Post Offices, notice the reference to 18 USC 930:
However, the 39 CFR 232.1 exists to create even more restrictive prohibitions at the Post Office than 18 USC 930. For example, 18 USC 930 requires the signs to be conspicuously posted at the entrances to the facility, and no signs=no convictions. 39 CFR 232.1 only requires the signs to be posted on the property, not at the entrances, AND there is no consequence listed in 39 CFR 232.1 for the signs not being there.
18 USC 930 would not prohibit storage of a firearm in a vehicle in the parking lot, but 39 CFR 232.1 does.
Here's a version straight from .gov website:
Link Removed
Funny how they fail to list the exceptions that they cite in their sign. And again from a previous post, who is going to search your vehicle? That right stops at the signed, fenced area for the PO. Nothing says the PO security is allowed to search outside their fence without a warrant. There is the gotcha of your vehicle being your property and private property. There are no signs at our PO saying Federal Property except on the fenced areas. Plus you can ship firearms by mail if you have an FFL. Long guns even if not one inside the state you are mailing from.
PS: Playing devil's advocate as I disagree with them defining them gun free zones. And our PO doesn't even have the sign in color saying no guns. It's a Xerox b/w copy and poor quality at that. Not even sure it has everything on yours on it.
constmantx
New member
I can't believe so many people are mis-informed. It is illegal to carry in the post office, period.
mckaloz1
New member
Just being devil's advocate here. First off, in Michigan, we MUST notify a LEO when in a vehicle and pulled over, that we have a CPL and whether or not we are carrying.
My local Post Office is in a strip mall with several other businesses including a restaurant. I go to the restaurant atleast a couple of times a year. They have a common parking lot. The entrance to the post office is shared with another business. So, what part of the parking lot and sidewalk would be considered Post Office Property? Would it be immediately infront of the post office and if so, how far out does that extend? 10 feet, 20 feet?
What is everyones take on this?
mrjam2jab
New member
Almost. If you are not carrying you do NOT have to inform that you have a permit.
If the PO is in a strip center with a common parking lot then the only area prohibited once you step inside the PO's door. The sidewalk is common ground and is not prohibited. Parking would only be prohibited if the PO had dedicated parking spaces...rare occurrence I would think.
None. Unless there are parking spaces marked for Post Office Use Only. Right up to the door should be strip mall property, not under the control and charge of the US Postal Service.
Agreed with Constmantx
I mentioned this to my Captain, and the Major was just behind me. They agreed and told me of a guy he arrested for exactly that reason. You are right, Constmantx. For everyone else, I wouldn't consider it, even though I'm LEO. I'm not willing to be that other guy.
I mentioned this to my Captain, and the Major was just behind me. They agreed and told me of a guy he arrested for exactly that reason. You are right, Constmantx. For everyone else, I wouldn't consider it, even though I'm LEO. I'm not willing to be that other guy.
Thank you BC1 for the one and only answer that means anything. Many of you sound like washerwomen gossiping with measurements and a little here and a little there and magic property lines etc etc etc. For heavens sake you are CC and you probably have never been strip searched or car searched as you drove your car into the post office parking lot. It is 100% certain that you cannot CC in the post office proper. So you take it off BEFORE you enter their parking lot if you are going into the office, lest some idiot know it all calls the neighborhood swat team on you, and you leave it in place if all you are doing is dropping a package at one of the drive by mail boxes. Enough already--how simple can this be?
m1gunr
New member
Post Office Property
Cite please? What law makes it "illegal to carry at the post office, period"?
Cite please? What law makes it "illegal to carry at the post office, period"?
Hey m1: Some people have too much time on their hands and in this stupid country you can sue for about anything anytime. Absolutely ridiculous and a waste of time. Too bad there are not penalties for losers in law suits brought by them like a penalty and paying for the defense lawyers--it would end frivolous lawsuit crap, but we all know who really run this country-lawyers----they make the laws, they run the government and they are the judges--talk about a monopoly and a very sick society.
You are JOKING, right? Second post in this thread: 36 CFR 232.1.
S&W645
NRA Life Member
Hate to drag it up but did find out a little more about our local main PO. Turns out that they would have a very hard time with someone leaving their weapon in the vehicle before entering. The main PO is on leased property so the building is off limits as is the fenced area. Parking lot is iffy. And as the PO inspectors can only check vehicles entering or leaving the fenced areas, doubt if anything will ever be said to anyone. Which also might explain why no signs are on the main entrance doors and only inside the counter area at this PO. Mail boxes are outside the counter area.
But here's what will tee some people off, the rent is more than $30,000 a month. With the USPS having to pay all the operating/maintenance bills.
But here's what will tee some people off, the rent is more than $30,000 a month. With the USPS having to pay all the operating/maintenance bills.
Lile you say S&W, enough is enough. Lets face it has anyone ever been searched entering a PO parking lot with their car? Has anyone ever been found with their gun on their person or in the car when entering a PO parking lot. Unless you are lying in a reply or are driving around just looking for the law to stop you because you are acting like a complete moron, the answer is no. Bottom line---do what you wanna do and odds are nothing---absolutely nothing will happen--you are, after all, CC, which means concealed. If you feel an ounce of responsibility about being CC, you follow the law, even if its idiocy means you, in most cases, cannot even have the firearm in your car. Did like the $30K, however. Hey, its all Chinese money anyway.
Of course, in a must-inform state like Ohio, you could find yourself in a sticky situation if there is a parking lot accident. What do you do when the cop shows up to take the accident report?
Obey Ohio law and inform the cop you are licensed and have a gun with you? Saying nothing won't work because Ohio ties carry licenses to drivers licenses. As soon as the cop runs your license, he will know you have a concealed handgun license. If you haven't informed, what will you say when he asks if you are carrying?
If you inform him of your gun, I guess you could hope he doesn't bother passing that info to the Postal Inspectors.
Obey Ohio law and inform the cop you are licensed and have a gun with you? Saying nothing won't work because Ohio ties carry licenses to drivers licenses. As soon as the cop runs your license, he will know you have a concealed handgun license. If you haven't informed, what will you say when he asks if you are carrying?
If you inform him of your gun, I guess you could hope he doesn't bother passing that info to the Postal Inspectors.
Great reply rt48. It amazes me how these forum replies can come up with something that I miss. You have stated a very obvious flaw in trying to sneak around the law. Since I do not CC very much and a trip to the PO as I go around town in daylight is typical non-CC, this does not affect me. Those 24/7 CC guys out there should be wary though, although having the gun in the glove compartment and not directly on you is not, I believe, a cause to inform an LEO, even if you have a CCWP (at least in SC). If the firearm is not on your person, you are not CC. Anyone in SC can have a gun in their glove compartment, CC or not.
