Concealed carry at the post office

theicemanmpls

theicemanmpls

Banned
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".
 
This subject has been debated for years. In SC according to the Palmetto Gun Club SLED told them that CC in a Post Office is OK as long as you don't go behind the counter. See half way down on page 6 under CWP COURSE NEWS/NRA COACH SCHOOL Link Removed There is still no clear cut ruling on this.



See Code of Federal Regulations Title 36, Chapter 1, Section 232.1

(l) Weapons and explosives . Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation, 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.

...

(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.
 
The official business portion is not regarding whether or not you're doing, "post-office stuff." Carrying on official business is regarding LEO/MIL members who are on duty, and therefore have a right to carry their weapon with them into a federal building.

If in doubt...ask. If I have a question regarding a concealed carry law, I'll research it, and if that doesn't help, I'll try asking a police officer if I run into them at the gas station, or someplace else.

I decided not the carry into a Navy Federal Credit Union, because I figured it says federal in the name, so it must be off-limits. I asked the female cop who was on-duty there, and she told me that it was indeed prohibited. I then was able to ask her about the laws regarding voice recorders, and she was very helpful and friendly about everything.

Be cautious though, when they're on-duty. Be friendly, professional, and depending on the nature of your question, it might be a good idea to have your CCW license ready to display, should they ask. In the end, you're still talking to a cop, so choose your questions and words wisely.
 
According to the Florida Gun Attorney Guru who literally writes the book on the subject says...
(My Words) - Post Office carry is a No No..

PITA for me.. I ride a motorcycle most of the time.. So.. What do I do???
Pull my pistol in Public, put the pistol in my saddle bag and leave it unattended while waiting on line at the post office.. Then remove it from my saddle bag, and reinsert into my holster??? Really..
Thankfully I don't go to the Post Office often and I usually take the car if I KNOW that I'm stopping there.
 
Aresye said:
The official business portion is not regarding whether or not you're doing, "post-office stuff." Carrying on official business is regarding LEO/MIL members who are on duty, and therefore have a right to carry their weapon with them into a federal building.

If in doubt...ask. If I have a question regarding a concealed carry law, I'll research it, and if that doesn't help, I'll try asking a police officer if I run into them at the gas station, or someplace else.

I decided not the carry into a Navy Federal Credit Union, because I figured it says federal in the name, so it must be off-limits. I asked the female cop who was on-duty there, and she told me that it was indeed prohibited. I then was able to ask her about the laws regarding voice recorders, and she was very helpful and friendly about everything.

Be cautious though, when they're on-duty. Be friendly, professional, and depending on the nature of your question, it might be a good idea to have your CCW license ready to display, should they ask. In the end, you're still talking to a cop, so choose your questions and words wisely.
Click to expand...


Be careful when asking a police officer or any LEO for "legal advice" as in "is it legal to do _____?" :eek: Many LEO aren't clear on the local firearms laws and some very bad things have happened to good people for asking what would seem to be a simple and innocent question. If you want to know what is "legal" in a particular area, find an attorney who is familiar with the firearms laws in that area and ask them. Depending on a LEO for "legal advice" can cost you a lot of time and money, and often times answers from LEO vary from one LEO to another LEO.

As for Navy Federal Credit Union being a "federal" facility, it isn't necessarily a "federal" facility because it has the word "federal" in their name. There are numerous credit unions out there that have the words "Federal Credit Union" in their name. In the case of credit unions, the "FCU" or "Federal Credit Union" simply states the type of business they are, like a "Savings Bank" would be the the ending part of other types of financial institutions.



gf
 
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.

IMO, according to this paragraph, state law rules. What ever applies to the ice cream store, applies to the post office. IMO.

Thanks for the post redhat.

Hope I am reading this correctly.
 
Officially post office carry is PROHIBITED. I asked a postal inspector at a meeting once just to be certain and he was pretty solid in his answer of NO CARRY!

If I can't carry there, I wish they would at least put in a bar, it would make the prohibtion seem to make more sense and would help to pass the amazining amount of time I can spend in line there more enjoyable. :sarcastic:
 
2beararms said:
Officially post office carry is PROHIBITED. I asked a postal inspector at a meeting once just to be certain and he was pretty solid in his answer of NO CARRY!

If I can't carry there, I wish they would at least put in a bar, it would make the prohibtion seem to make more sense and would help to pass the amazining amount of time I can spend in line there more enjoyable. :sarcastic:
Click to expand...

There is no law against BYOB at the post office. :biggrin:
 
Because of this I always do my package mailing and buying of stamps at a UPS store or other private mailing company like Mailboxes, etc. They have no such silly rules and the service is way better.
Don't take a chance at the post office. Suppose you had a medical emergency like a heart attack and they found the concealed weapon on you.
 
Glock Fan said:
Be careful when asking a police officer or any LEO for "legal advice" as in "is it legal to do _____?" :eek: Many LEO aren't clear on the local firearms laws and some very bad things have happened to good people for asking what would seem to be a simple and innocent question. If you want to know what is "legal" in a particular area, find an attorney who is familiar with the firearms laws in that area and ask them. Depending on a LEO for "legal advice" can cost you a lot of time and money, and often times answers from LEO vary from one LEO to another LEO.

As for Navy Federal Credit Union being a "federal" facility, it isn't necessarily a "federal" facility because it has the word "federal" in their name. There are numerous credit unions out there that have the words "Federal Credit Union" in their name. In the case of credit unions, the "FCU" or "Federal Credit Union" simply states the type of business they are, like a "Savings Bank" would be the the ending part of other types of financial institutions.



gf
Click to expand...

Very good point, as LEO's are definitely not the end all, know all of legal regulations and policies. Some could be just stating what they think the law is. I'm also pretty sure an LEO is likely to give you an inaccurate answer, than no answer at all.

Also a good point on the name's of certain institutions. In the case of Navy Federal, turns out it actually is a considered a federal facility. In the end, when in doubt, I don't carry, until I find out for certain.
 
Glock Fan said:
Be careful when asking a police officer or any LEO for "legal advice" as in "is it legal to do _____?" :eek: Many LEO aren't clear on the local firearms laws and some very bad things have happened to good people for asking what would seem to be a simple and innocent question. If you want to know what is "legal" in a particular area, find an attorney who is familiar with the firearms laws in that area and ask them. Depending on a LEO for "legal advice" can cost you a lot of time and money, and often times answers from LEO vary from one LEO to another LEO.

As for Navy Federal Credit Union being a "federal" facility, it isn't necessarily a "federal" facility because it has the word "federal" in their name. There are numerous credit unions out there that have the words "Federal Credit Union" in their name. In the case of credit unions, the "FCU" or "Federal Credit Union" simply states the type of business they are, like a "Savings Bank" would be the the ending part of other types of financial institutions.



gf
Click to expand...

As for Navy Federal Credit Union being a "federal" facility, it isn't necessarily a "federal" facility because it has the word "federal" in their name.

Good point. Similar to the fact that the Fedeal Reserve is in no way a part of the Federal Government or Federal Express either.
 
I will Not Mention What I do... or if I had a Concealed Gun when I entered the Post Office in Question, Not wise (stupid) on Internet...
BUT, When I was in Florida just recently, (I live in Florida when in the USA) and Licensed to Carry... I went to a Local Post Office to Mail some packages.... A sign was On the wall near the Stamp machine, NOT on the Door when Entering...It Read:

"Carrying of Firearms and Weapons Prohibited on US Postal Property". Blah Blah Something Something with Codes and Sections....
One Could have a Case that it wasn't posted on the Door...and so By entering, you were NOT aware. But, Tell The Police That as You are Handcuffed. I still go with my Montra, If Its Concealed and No One Sees it, Then Its Not a Worry... It Becomes a Worry if Someone Sees it... If they Do, You Did Something wrong....
Officially I wouldn't Carry on Federal or "Federal" protected Property... Govt Buildings, Courts, Ports, Post Offices, Airports..etc.
God Bless. Captain
 
GLOCK9 said:
I will Not Mention What I do... or if I had a Concealed Gun when I entered the Post Office in Question, Not wise (stupid) on Internet...
BUT, When I was in Florida just recently, (I live in Florida when in the USA) and Licensed to Carry... I went to a Local Post Office to Mail some packages.... A sign was On the wall near the Stamp machine, NOT on the Door when Entering...It Read:

"Carrying of Firearms and Weapons Prohibited on US Postal Property". Blah Blah Something Something with Codes and Sections....
One Could have a Case that it wasn't posted on the Door...and so By entering, you were NOT aware. But, Tell The Police That as You are Handcuffed. I still go with my Montra, If Its Concealed and No One Sees it, Then Its Not a Worry... It Becomes a Worry if Someone Sees it... If they Do, You Did Something wrong....
Officially I wouldn't Carry on Federal or "Federal" protected Property... Govt Buildings, Courts, Ports, Post Offices, Airports..etc.
God Bless. Captain
Click to expand...

Some good advice on this here thread.
1. Don't spout stuff on the internet, or to a cop, or anywhere, that could be incriminating. If you do, you've voluntarily given up your 5th Amendment right. That goes for places you might carry illegally, scenarios in which you'd shoot down everybody in sight, etc. Regardless of what you might ACTUALLY do.
2. Don't carry on Federal Property. Post Offices, Federal Bldgs, etc. unless you are a sworn LEO with duties at the property and are otherwise legal. (Example: i work in a federal bldg. As an senior employee, i bypass the metal detector and security, but still wouldn't even consider bringing a gun to work despite its ease). If you're going to carry anyway, DON'T ADVERTISE THE FACT.
3. Know your laws. State law can't trump federal law, but might allow for more severe penalties for the same crime. Also, states are free to declare more gun-free zones that just what the feds define. Know your laws.

That said, all of us are probably going to inadvertantly go somewhere, remember we're carrying once it's too late, and just have to deal with it. :fie: If you're carrying properly in the first place, chances are you'll go undiscovered. Play it cool, remain invisible, and get out once you can. :pleasantry:
 
I carry in there a couple of times a week. My wife has to ship packages about twice a week for Ebay and such. She prints her own shipping labels, so I'm just in and out. I've never seen a sign on a Post Office here that says no CCW. I probably wouldn't care anyway since I never spend more than a minute or two in there. Just drop them off and leave. If they really pushed the issue, I wouldn't go. I'd have the delivery people pick the packages up, or I would refuse to use them and call Fed Ex for a pick up.
 
And it helps when you have a cop in the family. My brother is a Cleveland police officer, and questions like this are put to him (by me) all the time.
 
Daugherty16 said:
State law can't trump federal law
Click to expand...

Actually it can, it's a common misconception that they don't, but they do.

The power structure as written by the framers;

1) The people
2) The state
3) The feds

That being said, a post office is Federal property.
 
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