Carry onto government parking lot?

[TNres]

I'm a Memphis TN resident and work for the government. I have to park in a gated parking lot at work but there are no signs posted saying no firearms. Could I carry to work and leave my gun in my truck? I did I quick search but couldn't really find a definite answer. Thanks in advance for any helpful info!

 

[arkmark]

From everything that I've found the answer is no. If I'm wrong I'd love to see the info on this since I also work on federal property and pick up people for church that live on Gov. property.

 

[spdracr39]

My understanding is it is carrying into government buildings that is a problem not the parking lot. If there is no sign in Arkansas it is not an issue.

 

[Treo]

I can't say one way or the other about the law but I would caution you to read the signs on your gate very carefully and make sure there isn't one that says "Entry Implies Consent To Search".

 

[JakeT]

Federal gov't property is generally a big NO. To include parking lots.

 

[Almost_Blameless]

wouldn't your employer be the authority to ask??

 

[johnmed3]

I work for the fed. No weapons of any kind, inside building. Parking lot/garage is OK. (I asked).

 

[longslide10]

I can't say one way or the other about the law but I would caution you to read the signs on your gate very carefully and make sure there isn't one that says "Entry Implies Consent To Search".

That's a real good point

 

[imrambi]

If you are a postal employee you can not have a firearm anywhere on the premise. There are pending lawsuits but so far the parking lot of a post office is goverrnment sensivitive.

 

[jhodge83]

I work for the fed. No weapons of any kind, inside building. Parking lot/garage is OK. (I asked).

I talked to the security office on base down here and there are no guns allowed on base at all, unless going hunting and those have have their numbers run by the security folks. Can't vehicle carry or CC on base.

 

[EAHinsch]

On military installations, weapons have to be declared at the gate and checked into the armory.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[Dennis1209]

As a recently retired 32 year veteran of the Federal government, I can assure you as a federal employee, getting caught with a firearm even on the parking lot, is a termination offense if they are so inclined. When on federal property there is no need for a search warrant to search your vehicle or person. By being on the property you're a subject to federal regulations, not state or local laws.

That being the case, I worked decades mid-town ghetto St. Louis, Missouri for the Federal Government. To my knowledge they never checked any employee vehicle without cause. Had they ever randomly checked employee vehicles in the gated parking lot, I suspect 2/3 of the employees may have been subject to prosecution and/or termination and they would have had to close the facility due to few employees...

Don't know about state government laws?

 

[HootmonSccy]

If you are a postal employee you can not have a firearm anywhere on the premise. There are pending lawsuits but so far the parking lot of a post office is goverrnment sensivitive.

This burns me up.. I usually ride a motorcycle and carry.. So, what am I supposed to do when visiting my local Post Office???
Park on the street, unholster my weapon in the street, place it in plain view in an unsecured saddle bag, and go get some stamps?I have side stepped this by going to a local Ace Hardware store that has a Postal Annex.. I can carry in the store with no issue AND even do Postal business..

 

[BC1]

You may not carry in the parking lot of any federal facility if the parking lot is owned/leased exclusively by the agency. They do not have to post a sign. A good example is the VA hospitals. You may not enter the grounds with a licensed gun yet there are no signs at the entrance to the lot, only the enterance to the buildings.

Why take a chance?

 

[Wyldekard]

The answer to your question is no. Parking lots are considered part of the federal building. Check 18 USC, Chapter 44, Section 930, Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities.

 

[B2Tall]

The answer to your question is no. Parking lots are considered part of the federal building. Check 18 USC, Chapter 44, Section 930, Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities.

Here's the last part of that section you spoke of:

Notice of the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) shall be
posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal
facility, and notice of subsection (e) shall be posted
conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal court
facility, and no person shall be convicted of an offense under
subsection (a) or (e) with respect to a Federal facility if such
notice is not so posted at such facility, unless such person had
actual notice of subsection (a) or (e), as the case may be.


Looks like as long as it's not posted, it's OK to have a firearm while in the parking lot so long as you are in lawful possession of it and not using it in a crime.

 

[TNres]

@imrambi, yes I am a postal employee. Electronics Tech. Guess I'm out of luck. It's just really inconvenient to drive 45 minutes to work, then 45 minutes back home to get my firearm if I wanna go anywhere else after work.

 

[TNres]

Thanks for all the info guys. Just highly inconvenient.

 

[S&W645]

The answer to your question is no. Parking lots are considered part of the federal building. Check 18 USC, Chapter 44, Section 930, Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities.

While I'll generally agree, the PO has a slightly different set of rules. To check and see if you had a gun in the vehicle, they would have to call in law enforcement. Postal Inspector's rights to search vehicles stop at the fenced secured area without a warrant.

(2) Vehicles and their contents brought into, while on, or being removed from restricted nonpublic areas are subject to inspection. A prominently displayed sign shall advise in advance that vehicles and their contents are subject to inspection when entering the restricted nonpublic area, while in the confines of the area, or when leaving the area. Persons entering these areas who object and refuse to consent to the inspection of the vehicle, its contents, or both, may be denied entry; after entering the area without objection, consent shall be implied. A full search of a person and any vehicle driven or occupied by the person may accompany an arrest.

And then:

(l) Weapons and explosives. No person while on postal property may carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed, or store the same on postal property, except for official purposes.

But yet long guns may be shipped by mail.

(B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?
A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

That from the BATFE.

The Feds also banned guns from public housing. Fed courts have started saying otherwise in some states.

 

[jabatam]

On military installations, weapons have to be declared at the gate and checked into the armory.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Doesn't apply if you live on a military base but firearms still need to be registered and have approval from leadership to keep weapons in your on-post dwelling