Post Office Visit / What To Do With Your Handgun?

[Abraham]

I understand carrying into the Post Office is illegal.

I also understand the same goes for leaving your handgun in your vehicle while parked in the Post Office parking lot.

What do you do?

(park somewhere off P.O. property or is any of the above incorrect ...?)

[Wildscar]

TXI has fun with these I'll let him give you his answer. It will be very informative.

[Liberty]

I understand carrying into the Post Office is illegal.

I also understand the same goes for leaving your handgun in your vehicle while parked in the Post Office parking lot.

What do you do?

(park somewhere off P.O. property or is any of the above incorrect ...?)

I wouldn't admit on a public forum to breaking the law. Even if it was a very minor law that I think is illegal, almost never enforced and the risk of being found out is next to nothing and the penalty is not really a big deal. Even if I have never had to spend more than 10 minutes in a post office.

[frankie_the_yankee]

I understand carrying into the Post Office is illegal.

I also understand the same goes for leaving your handgun in your vehicle while parked in the Post Office parking lot.

What do you do?

(park somewhere off P.O. property or is any of the above incorrect ...?)

I wouldn't admit on a public forum to breaking the law. Even if it was a very minor law that I think is illegal, almost never enforced and the risk of being found out is next to nothing and the penalty is not really a big deal. Even if I have never had to spend more than 10 minutes in a post office.

Neither would I.

[Abraham]

I wasn't angling for admissions of any sort of illegal doings, but I am interested in whether my 'facts' are just that.

If they are facts, what would the "hypothetical approach" to this rather problematic situation be?

Anyone?

[Liberty]

I wasn't angling for admissions of any sort of illegal doings, but I am interested in whether my 'facts' are just that.

If they are facts, what would the "hypothetical approach" to this rather problematic situation be?

Anyone?

I believe that it is against the rules.

It isn't a law that is enforced often.

If you are just running in doing quick business no one is likely to know.

If you somehow are caught and prosecuted it is a rules violation and you could be fined (under $100 I heard). I am not a lawyer, but I don't believe it would be cause to lose your CHL.

Discretion is king.

[rm9792]

leave it in its holster and handle your business. Much ado about nothing.

[shootthesheet]

If you are going to remove it then do so while stopped, off Post Office property, and where you can't be seen. Have another holster or a rug to put it in and then into a safe or stashed out of sight. I park off post office property which may not be possible for most. Removing a paddle holster is better but, I don't like them much. You can remove the entire rig and stash it before leaving your destination. I personally would not suggest carrying into a Post Office either. We know nothing can happen to any of us in any place where someone has made a law or rule that forbids CHL.

If you do choose to disarm, it is easer and safer to do it outside the vehicle. It can be done inside but, it takes total awareness of reholstering especially and to make sure you are not seen. IWB? Remember to tighten you belt. I almost dropped my pants when I first started carrying because I forgot. The cure to the whole situation is to take a spouse or non-CHL buddy. Let them go inside and you "keep the car warm".

[frankie_the_yankee]

If you do choose to disarm, it is easer and safer to do it outside the vehicle. It can be done inside but, it takes total awareness of reholstering especially and to make sure you are not seen.

I have to disagree here. I think that disarming/rearming outside the vehicle makes it too easy for you to be observed doing so.

I disarm/rearm frequently, and always do so inside my vehicle. I carry IWB. Yes, you have to remember to adjust your belt. And you have to be aware of your surroundings, particularly other vehicles that may be higher than yours allowing for a view inside.

But I can't imagine disarming/rearming outside of the vehicle, essentially in the street. There's no way you could be sure that someone couldn't see you.

And counting on ducking into a public restroom is not a good solution either. Frequently, there is none available in the vicinity of the post office.

Just choose a type of holster that allows for making the whole transition without removing the gun from it and you'll have no safety issues.

[Renegade]

I wasn't angling for admissions of any sort of illegal doings, but I am interested in whether my 'facts' are just that.

If they are facts, what would the "hypothetical approach" to this rather problematic situation be?

Anyone?

If we are going to deal in facts, then the first order of business is to post the US Code/CFR that states carrying in/on Post Office is illegal.

[Keith B]

I wasn't angling for admissions of any sort of illegal doings, but I am interested in whether my 'facts' are just that.

If they are facts, what would the "hypothetical approach" to this rather problematic situation be?

Anyone?

If we are going to deal in facts, then the first order of business is to post the US Code/CFR that states carrying in/on Post Office is illegal.

It is 18 USC Sec. 930. Here is a link to the code LINK

[Renegade]

It is 18 USC Sec. 930. Here is a link to the code LINK

(a) Except as provided in subsection (d), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal facility (other than a Federal court facility), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

(d) Subsection (a) shall not apply to—
(1) the lawful performance of official duties by an officer, agent, or employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof, who is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of law;
(2) the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a Federal official or a member of the Armed Forces if such possession is authorized by law; or
(3) the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.

1) It seems to only cover inside the facility. Parking lot is OK.
2) When inside, it does not apply to the lawful carrying of firearms. CHL is lawful carry, FFL mailing out handgun is lawful carry, etc.

[seamusTX]

I would like to know if a CHL holder or other person who was legally carrying in any state has been arrested under this law.

I've never heard of one. I can't find anything on the NRA, GAO, or SAF web sites.

- Jim

[propellerhead]

You don't need to remove your holster. Just unholster and walk in. There's nothing illegal about wearing an empty holster in a Post Office.

[Xander]

1) It seems to only cover inside the facility. Parking lot is OK.
2) When inside, it does not apply to the lawful carrying of firearms. CHL is lawful carry, FFL mailing out handgun is lawful carry, etc.

'Cept for that's not the only applicable regulation. The postal code adds:

(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.

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wais ... 32_03.html