Concealed carry at the post office

[S&W645]

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.

That same problem pops up with those who are from out of state visiting Ohio and get stopped when/after going thru a GFSZ if your CWP is tied to your D/L. Or if you leave Ohio and travel to SC.

 

[mrjam2jab]

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.

Is that a flaw in the PO law...or in the Must Inform law? leasantry:

 

[Caribou]

Look, those of you that think the Second Amendment gives you the right to carry in the post office are preaching to the choir. Should you be allowed to carry where ever you want? I believe so. The reality is, if I walked into the PO bristling with enough weapons to look like a Pancho Villa want to be, most of the people behind the counter would pretend not to notice. If the post master saw a suspicious bulge under my clothes he would call the cops with glee. If liberal Lucy Dogood is unhappy that you can legally pack at at church (you can here)or the grocery store don't for one minute think that she won't drop a dime on you to the cops. Forget the thirty days or a year in jail, if you have an extra $10,000 or $50,000 to protect your right to carry for the rest of your life use it to file an injunction or other legal action. Is it a waste of time and money? Not if enough of the get filed. Better, contribute to the campaign of a pro gun candidate or run for office yourself.
Do you really think it is going to matter that there is no sign on the door? I have found no law in my State that would prohibit me from carrying a loaded gun into a police station therefore it is legal. NO WAY am I going to do that. Legal or not that would be asking for trouble. There are ways to fight the system. Being stupid is not illegal it is also not required.
We have options people, buy your postage online, schedule a pickup, use Mailboxes Etc. or a similar service, UPS/FedEx, emails, drive by drop boxes, I'm sure you can add to this list. Probably ten thousand people will "pack heavy" in the post office for everyone arrested but that one makes us all look bad. Please, don't pack where you are not supposed to. If you get caught you will probably loose your right to carry or own a gun. Someone else will hear of your travail and decide that it is just not worth the risk and we lost someone else. Every time someone loses their right to carry or just gives it up our country becomes a more dangerous place.
We carry a gun because of the remote chance that we might need to fight a physical battle. We tend to forget that we are in a political battle every day to maintain this right so that we might retain all our other rights. Are you politically active, good write a few letters. If you are not politically active why not.
Okay, you caught me the real reason I don't want you packing in the post office is that I am a tax payer and I am cheap. I don't want to pay your room and board, not even for a month.

 

[rdc2co]

Comment by Caribou

You are absolutely correct. I hope someone took this comment seriously

 

[Chiefmeister]

You are not allowd, Federal Felony, however if it is concealed properly...

 

[mrjam2jab]

You are not allowd, Federal Felony, however if it is concealed properly...

Folks need to quote what they are responding to...so the rest of us know...

Now, assuming your are referring to carry in post office....

39 CFR 232.1

(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.

Doesn't sound like felony to me.

 

[Chiefmeister]

PO Carry

I am in my local PO to empty my box at least once a week, and I am carrying for the couple minutes I am there. I guess that plus the 9mm in the truck would give them fits.

One day I went looking for the sign (I had been a customer of this PO for over 2 years) and finally found it next to the service door, nowhere near where most customers go as part of their transactions.

:no:

 

[Punch]

When I go to the Post Office, my pistol is locked, unloaded, in a car safe under the seat. I am NOT "carrying" a firearm, nor am I "storing" a firearm on Postal Property since my vehicle has been determined by the courts in this state to be private property (mine). Also, since both my vehicle and my safe are locked, they would require a warrant for entry. As to the accident in the parking lot scenario, since I am not carrying a concealed weapon (as defined by the law), I am under no obligation to tell a LEO anything about the weapon (since state law only requires me to inform the officer IF I am carrying the weapon as a concealed weapon). Now, none of these points may protect me against a crusading anti-gunner looking to make trouble. But then again, how would they pick me out from the hundreds, if not thousands, of people conducting business at that post office during the day. Another reason that I do not openly carry, or poster my car with NRA and other pro-shooting items. As it currently stands, no LEO would have ANY probable cause to search my vehicle or obtain a warrant to do so. But then again, nothing is 100% certain anymore.

 

[JrFreak]

Does anyone know if State legal carry of a firearm is legal under federal law, or USPS rules within a post office?

Some post offices have a sign. Some don't.

There was some comments on another thread regarding this.

The post office sign says you can carry, if you are there on official business. Mailing a package may be official business. It may not be official enough.


The other part I didn't understand, was violation of the sign, might be violation of a rule, or violation of a federal law.

Penalty for the former is a small fine, the later, imprisonment.

I was thinking how easy it would be to forget I was "heavy" and walk into the post office. A federal felony is not a good idea.

I know that postal workers are prohibited from having firearms. A few years ago, a few troubled individuals went "postal".

Tis a no-no in PA... No carry in Government buildings...