Postal Carry
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It depends on your state
I would go to packing.org and click on state ccw info. They have a pretty good break down of the laws for each state. I am pretty sure here in NC that the post office is considered a government building therefore it would be off limits to carry.
I would go to packing.org and click on state ccw info. They have a pretty good break down of the laws for each state. I am pretty sure here in NC that the post office is considered a government building therefore it would be off limits to carry.
I will try to find it later, but there is a webpage that lists the full federal law. It turns out that the law is as clear as mud, but it does not strictly say that a CCW permit is invalid in a post office.
Keep in mind most states will make an exception for the P.O. in their state law anyway.
Texas does not list a postal office as one of the businesses that do not have to post a Section 30.06 sign for carry there to be illegal. Therefore since no federal law I am aware of specifically says no carry, and no state law specifically says no carry, I look to see if there are Section 30.06 compliant signs on the doors. Some of the offices have them, and some don't. I've even seen one that had a no gun sign but it did not comply with the law (It did not have 1" tall block letters, was not in English and Spanish, etc.), therefore... well figure it out.
As far as I'm concerned, if it's not expressly prohibited, it's fair game. That and concealed means concealed as some of the other board members are so fond of saying.
Keep in mind most states will make an exception for the P.O. in their state law anyway.
Texas does not list a postal office as one of the businesses that do not have to post a Section 30.06 sign for carry there to be illegal. Therefore since no federal law I am aware of specifically says no carry, and no state law specifically says no carry, I look to see if there are Section 30.06 compliant signs on the doors. Some of the offices have them, and some don't. I've even seen one that had a no gun sign but it did not comply with the law (It did not have 1" tall block letters, was not in English and Spanish, etc.), therefore... well figure it out.
As far as I'm concerned, if it's not expressly prohibited, it's fair game. That and concealed means concealed as some of the other board members are so fond of saying.
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25,483 Posts
Rick - not totally sure re the ''Federal'' nature of USPS and its offices.
In PA we essentially have two prime no-no's - schools as per about everywhere, and courthouses. federal does also include state parks, I realize that too, but I have always carried everywhere else.
It is rare I go into a PO but now and again I use one of two very small local units - know the folks running them and they know me. And of course - concealed is concealed too :wink: If I heard a definitive dictum that shows we can't do it here I would of course comply.
Fortunately churches, banks, and numerous other places are Ok - it saddens me how some states ''give with one hand - take away with another'' - meaning - they pass CCW then make such a huge list of no-no's it all but trashes the carry ability!!
Oh and let me add - if someone up to no good was going to take a gun into a PO and ''go postal'' - there'd be little to stop them - and they'd almost for sure be criminal in category so - flount any laws anyways!
In PA we essentially have two prime no-no's - schools as per about everywhere, and courthouses. federal does also include state parks, I realize that too, but I have always carried everywhere else.
It is rare I go into a PO but now and again I use one of two very small local units - know the folks running them and they know me. And of course - concealed is concealed too :wink: If I heard a definitive dictum that shows we can't do it here I would of course comply.
Fortunately churches, banks, and numerous other places are Ok - it saddens me how some states ''give with one hand - take away with another'' - meaning - they pass CCW then make such a huge list of no-no's it all but trashes the carry ability!!
Oh and let me add - if someone up to no good was going to take a gun into a PO and ''go postal'' - there'd be little to stop them - and they'd almost for sure be criminal in category so - flount any laws anyways!
I can't sight the law.Just,and repeat,just seems to have heard that a post office is ok for CCW as long as the "intent" is not to break the law or something to that extent. I seemed to have heard/read it in the Federal Laws. In Fla. I go in and out of PO's fairly often. Do not and will not teach this to my students though.(It has never came up in class) Check the Fed.Statutes. Pls let us know if anything is found. Thanks ---------
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418 Posts
Chris,
Surprisingly I learned today, from the Brady Bunch nonetheless that school carry in PA isn't necessarily a no-no.
As for courthouse carry, I read on packing.org that in Jefferson County that it was ruled you can carry in a court house, just not in the Judge's cambers and I think the actual courtroom. Not sure I'd test either of the two, but it seems the law on the few restricted places is hazy at best.
Post Office: They are federal workers, therefore, I can only assume that it's a federally owned building, but like anything else with the government that doesn't necessarily have to be true.
Surprisingly I learned today, from the Brady Bunch nonetheless that school carry in PA isn't necessarily a no-no.
(note: got to love the "easily-obtained" propaganda they put in there.) Conceivably "lawful purpose" could be anything.
As for courthouse carry, I read on packing.org that in Jefferson County that it was ruled you can carry in a court house, just not in the Judge's cambers and I think the actual courtroom. Not sure I'd test either of the two, but it seems the law on the few restricted places is hazy at best.
Post Office: They are federal workers, therefore, I can only assume that it's a federally owned building, but like anything else with the government that doesn't necessarily have to be true.
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129 Posts
CCW in PO
Here's a good link to check out:
http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/rtc-usps.html
Your state may have more restrictive laws, in which case all bets are off. However, if it doesn't then it's a gray area.
If you ask the PO, they say no. No guns allowed at all anywhere on the property. Yet they ship guns, so I'm not sure how you're supposed to ship them without bringing them on the property...
I asked the WA attorney general, he sided with the PO but was very wishy-washy about it. I think he was just playing it safe.
I say you can, but my advice is worth what you pay for it
Nobody has ever pressed the issue or become a test case yet and we desperately need one. If you read the law (see link above), there's a part that says "Subsection (a) shall not apply to - the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.". Since licensed CCW *is* a lawful purpose for having a firearm it's legal.
IMO the intent of the law is to simply add a federal charge on to any gun violence actions perpetrated in a PO (or other "Federal Facility"), but the PO reads it as banning guns. It's very poorly worded. Come on, "hunting or other lawful purposes." Hunting in a PO? "Duck stamps! Fire!"
Here's a good link to check out:
http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/rtc-usps.html
Your state may have more restrictive laws, in which case all bets are off. However, if it doesn't then it's a gray area.
If you ask the PO, they say no. No guns allowed at all anywhere on the property. Yet they ship guns, so I'm not sure how you're supposed to ship them without bringing them on the property...
I asked the WA attorney general, he sided with the PO but was very wishy-washy about it. I think he was just playing it safe.
I say you can, but my advice is worth what you pay for it
Nobody has ever pressed the issue or become a test case yet and we desperately need one. If you read the law (see link above), there's a part that says "Subsection (a) shall not apply to - the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.". Since licensed CCW *is* a lawful purpose for having a firearm it's legal.IMO the intent of the law is to simply add a federal charge on to any gun violence actions perpetrated in a PO (or other "Federal Facility"), but the PO reads it as banning guns. It's very poorly worded. Come on, "hunting or other lawful purposes." Hunting in a PO? "Duck stamps! Fire!"
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418 Posts
DarthMuffin, (great name)
Federal gov't owns a ton of property, more than any other entity in the world if I'm not mistaken, so hunting is permitted on a lot of their land. Only problem I see, is the law states "...in a Federal facility...". In a facility, on facility lands, like you said poorly worded.
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25,483 Posts
500 - indeed yes - that clause re schools is gray in the extreme - ''lawful purpose''. Well I naturally read that lawful purpose as defence of self following possession of a lawful CCW! But so much gray out there it really has to be handled with great care.
I conceal 100%, I am discrete and do not seek trouble so - I reckon my odds of having problems are remote enough I will not be too concerned, while tho still trying diligently to follow the letter of the law in my state.
Many borderline decisions have to be taken by the individual - based on their personal risk assessment.
I conceal 100%, I am discrete and do not seek trouble so - I reckon my odds of having problems are remote enough I will not be too concerned, while tho still trying diligently to follow the letter of the law in my state.
Many borderline decisions have to be taken by the individual - based on their personal risk assessment.
Guys and Gals, I appreciate the quick response and I did not carry anything buy my Crkt Folder. It would seem that CCW for the good guys would not limit us no where but schools. Since I am school mental health counselor I agree that much. Well anyway thanks again.
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143,948 Posts
Pennsylvania
In PA they give you brochure with your LTC that tells ya where you can & cannot carry. No Post Office mentioned.
My local post office is posted on the door but, it says:
No Dogs Are Allowed In The Post Office!!! :tongue:
No mention of firearms.
I don't know of anybody that was ever frisked while walking into a PO to buy a book of stamps or to mail a package.
As usual...I guess...check your local restrictions.
In PA they give you brochure with your LTC that tells ya where you can & cannot carry. No Post Office mentioned.
My local post office is posted on the door but, it says:
No Dogs Are Allowed In The Post Office!!! :tongue:
No mention of firearms.
I don't know of anybody that was ever frisked while walking into a PO to buy a book of stamps or to mail a package.
As usual...I guess...check your local restrictions.
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10,368 Posts
Montana Statute #45-8-328 specifies that even if a person has a CWP, they may not exercise that CWP in a bank, a bar or a public building.
The statute defines a public building as one owned or leased and occupied by the local, state or federal government, excepting unstaffed buildings such as parking garages and highway rest stops. This would seem to include the Post Office.
The statute defines a public building as one owned or leased and occupied by the local, state or federal government, excepting unstaffed buildings such as parking garages and highway rest stops. This would seem to include the Post Office.
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143,948 Posts
Pennsylvania
I remember years ago some POed guy went into the Federal Building Downtown & and shot/killed some judge?
I don't remember the exact story as it was a long time ago but, that must be where the No Carry in the Fed Building/Buildings Courthouse came from.
I remember years ago some POed guy went into the Federal Building Downtown & and shot/killed some judge?
I don't remember the exact story as it was a long time ago but, that must be where the No Carry in the Fed Building/Buildings Courthouse came from.
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1,080 Posts
When I went through my CCW class I asked specifically asked this question and I was told here in AZ it's legal because of 18 U.S.C. § 930 and because there is no state law that specifically limits this. To me this would be one of those places where concealed means CONCEALED. However, I have never tried this; I haven't been in a Post Office off base in over two years. Hope this helps.
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