Ever guilty of breaking the law with your firearm?

[Nwcid]

What are people in the post office gonna do if a gunman walks in? throw mail at them? no thank you.. I will take my chance, plus its a CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT that should pretty much settle it

Well if they are firearms owners I hope they have their gun on them because it is not against OR law or Federal law to have a gun in the post office.

 

[The B]

to answer the OP- i try not to be stupid about it, but without being stupidly revealing on a public forum, hades yea.

i almost bit it at the social security office, once. i went in, sat down.. waited, waited, waited. then a security guard apparently returned to his post by the door from the bathroom. he started eyeballing me.. i went to the bathroom, walking past him.. him still eyeballing me hard.. i then realized i was packing on federal property. he sat between me and the exit. so while still in the bathroom, i pulled my phone and called my wife, just to have something as cover. i went straight out of the bathroom, talking on the phone, and walked straight past him out the door. dumped the gun off in the car, finished my call, and went back in. the guard was still eyeballing me, but he didn't stop me. after i sat down, he continued to stare at me, then called me over. he pointed at my hip and opened his mouth- i got all geared up to call him a reterd fat arse and show him my (now) empty holster..... but instead he said, "let me see that knife."

the benchmade 9050AFO clipped to my pocket. a "switchblade," by federal definition. D'OH!

so i was arrested, for all intents and purposes.. no charges filed, but being stripped of my "weapon" and detained for 30 minutes while they "checked me out" was gay enough all by itself. he never did ask about the giant bulge of holster under my shirt.

i'd completely forgotten i was stepping into a building with magical special laws... not sure what i would have done had i thought about it ahead of time. knowing there was a federal security guard manning the door checking everyone out would have made me think twice, at least, i'm sure.

otherwise... im not real big on observing illegal laws.

 

[The B]

Well if they are firearms owners I hope they have their gun on them because it is not against OR law or Federal law to have a gun in the post office.

no... it's not illegal to "have a gun" in the post office. but it is illegal to carry a loaded firearm upon your person, if you're not a sworn officer.

there have been some postmasters who have opted to not enforce the rule... but all those "federal law prohibits weapons on these premises" signs aren't lying.

 

[hsullyc]

Every time we go to a casino in Oregon or Washington,I have to make the decision to carry or not.I have seen a couple situations on the shuttle that make my decision easy.

 

[tionico]

Yes, it is legal in Oregon to carry in schools. They "frown" on it, but it's legal.

I am NOT sure about Washington law though.

In Washingtonn it is legel for permitted conceal carry people to carry within the school, and buildings, IF you are escorting your own child to/from their classroom or other school event.

On school property by others, in the car is OK, I think (I should know... duh) its also legal on school grounds, things such as ball games, etc. BUT, with the above exception, no one can INSIDE the buildings used for school.

 

[tionico]

Not sure why it is illegal to carry in the Sheriff's office either. It is not a restricted area according to the law, RCW 9.41.300: Weapons prohibited in certain places ? Local laws and ordinances ? Exceptions ? Penalty. If they do restrict your carry they are required to provide a place for you to secure your firearm.


---Washington COunty is in Oregon, where I believe it is not legal to carry in a jail or law enforcemetn office. There SHOULD be signs, however, as required in Washington, and a check0in option... SHOUD, but not certain it is the law---


It is not illegal to carry in the Post Office either, Question about concealed carry in a Post Office | Robert Louis Williamson’s Weblog


---Uhh, not so fast there.. read in the comments section of his blog post. Someone turned up another USC that specifically states carry inn postal facilities is not allowed by anyone, That is the piece I've come across before. HOWEVER< further in that same USC is plainly states there MUST be signs at all entrances to the facility plainly visible statiing firearms are prohibited. Our local PO does NOT ahve those signs. Since having the signs is part of, and a condition of, the prohibition, and other parts of USC give room to carry in the PO, it could go either way. Best to lay low, not make a fuss, and hope you dn't get caught. Fussing with your carry weapon as you leave your car comld be more dangerous.. and attention gettting, than merely walking on in as though nothing is wrong... which is the case.

The Second Ammendment Foundation, I believe it is, has a lawsuit brewing in Montana, I think, suing to make post office carry for permit holders legal.. I believe it is in the Federal court system, and if it is won, will apply nationwide No details beyond that yet. ---


My biggest carry where not allowed is when I order take out. Most places you have to pick up at the bar which in WA is a "restricted area". I am not taking my gun off to pick up food.........[/QUOTE]


--when the wait staff tell you your food is ready, pick it up at the bar, tell them you cannot legally do so, and please bring it to you where you are. If they press, simply tell them state law says YOU cannot enter the bar area. Perhaps a phone call to the owner/manager explaining the situation, without identifying yourself, at a later time, would tip him off he needs to change that policy. ----

 

[tionico]

when I only had my WA carry permit, I often carried my handgun loaded in a case next the driver's seat on the floor. Easily accessible, I hadn't yet gotten a proper holster that WORKED. When down in the vancouver area one time, not even thinking abouut it, I found myself deep into Oregon territory, pistol still loaded and accessible to me, the driver. OOOOOOHHH NOOOOO.... had I been stopped and it seen (almost a certain follow on) it wouuld have been game over. Next time I could get to a safe stopping place, I unloaded the pistol, stored the loaded mags elsewhere, and continued, On the way out of town I stopped at a gunshop, found a poster about the carry class, signed up, took it... and got my OR permit. I realised I could VERY easily make that oversight again, with tragic results. Got both permits now, and proper holster rig. MUCH better. The learning curve was steep, but short.

 

[glockguy]

Iwas told that the post office is a federal building and there for illegal to carry in there am I wrong?

 

[spengo]

Nope. Absolutely never. I wouldn't even consider it. If I did I would be a very bad person indeed because that would be illegal and only things that are bad are illegal so it's good that I don't do stuff like that.

 

[tionico]

Iwas told that the post office is a federal building and there for illegal to carry in there am I wrong?

Post Office was privatised a couple of decades ago, so is no longer Federal Property. There IS a part of USC that specifically exxludes post office from any federal regs affecting (amongst other things) PROPERTY.

BUT... there is another section that says you can't have a gun in postal facilities (don't know the date it was enacted... maybe before privatixing? Would be fun to check)... but HOW can you ship a long gun (legal for anyone) through the mail without bringing it into the PO? That statute further states the building MUST be posted with signs at the ENTRANCES prohibiting firearms.
So, there is quite a bit of confusing law there... they could arrest you on one section, a goood lawyer might get the prosecutor to drop it based on another. Then, there is the case of a Postal Employee kept his handgun locked in his trunk, in the PUBLIC parking lot, while he was on duty at the PO Been throuth two levels of court, so far he's still charged. I believe it is on appeal again, higher up, May go the Black Robed Nine.......

IF you conceal well and no one sees it, never have a problem IF you get found out, and the copper's got a burn on, you may be charged... could get off, could go to jail.. this specific questionn's never been decided by a COURT< which is what would have to happen with conflicting laws. Whether you hang or walk would largely rest on the attorney you have, and wether the judge is a hanging judge and rigs the trial with denied evicence, bogus jury instructionis, etc. It would NOT be a fun ride.....

 

[Swedish K]

Once upon a time -Pre 9/11 a friend showed up on a Friday night with tickets to Vegas so he could pickup his truck. At the time we had a FFL mfg license with tax stamp. I had 30 min to pack so we loaded some AKs, an Uzi and an MP5 into the lock box but I thought I had left a 32 with a can in the shop safe. About 1/2 way to Vegas I had a small coronary when I remembered that I had last transported the 32 in my duffel that was currently above me in the overhead compartment. after we left the airport I checked the bag and sure enough I had accidentally boarded a flight with a 32, a can, a box of ammo and 3 live mags. Needless to say I always make sure my bags are empty prior to packing for a flight since that trip...

 

[MrNiceGuy]

Once upon a time -Pre 9/11 a friend showed up on a Friday night with tickets to Vegas so he could pickup his truck. At the time we had a FFL mfg license with tax stamp. I had 30 min to pack so we loaded some AKs, an Uzi and an MP5 into the lock box but I thought I had left a 32 with a can in the shop safe. About 1/2 way to Vegas I had a small coronary when I remembered that I had last transported the 32 in my duffel that was currently above me in the overhead compartment. after we left the airport I checked the bag and sure enough I had accidentally boarded a flight with a 32, a can, a box of ammo and 3 live mags. Needless to say I always make sure my bags are empty prior to packing for a flight since that trip...

That's one heck of a first post!

Welcome aboard.

 

[Redcap]

Nope. Absolutely never. I wouldn't even consider it. If I did I would be a very bad person indeed because that would be illegal and only things that are bad are illegal so it's good that I don't do stuff like that.

 

[joeroket]

In Washingtonn it is legel for permitted conceal carry people to carry within the school, and buildings, IF you are escorting your own child to/from their classroom or other school event.

On school property by others, in the car is OK, I think (I should know... duh) its also legal on school grounds, things such as ball games, etc. BUT, with the above exception, no one can INSIDE the buildings used for school.

You better re-read the laws and exceptions. a CPL holder is never allowed to carry into a school building.

Read RCW 9.41.280: Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities ? Penalty ? Exceptions. this and pay special attention to sections 3 and 6.

 

[joeroket]

Not sure why it is illegal to carry in the Sheriff's office either. It is not a restricted area according to the law, RCW 9.41.300: Weapons prohibited in certain places ? Local laws and ordinances ? Exceptions ? Penalty. If they do restrict your carry they are required to provide a place for you to secure your firearm.

Carry inside a police department is allowed only in the public areas unless you have written permission from the chief or sheriff. Also courts are the only place they are required to provide either a lock box or a person to take possession for safekeeping.

 

[Spitpatch]

Why, just the other day, I ripped a label off a mattress while my Kimber was on my hip.

 

[revjen45]

Long long ago in a galaxy far far away (which is now a Communist country) concealed carry without a permit was a misdemeanor, so I figured better tried by 12 than carried by 6. (Note that the Statute of Limitations kicked in several geological epochs back.) I do my best to avoid traversing that galaxy and will add a day's drive to a trip just to avoid the place and stay in Free America. When it reverts to Mexico and becomes La Republica de Aztlan Norte I will dance a jig because they will no longer afflict the rest of us with the Socialist morons they send to Congress.

 

[stmcelroy]

You better re-read the laws and exceptions. a CPL holder is never allowed to carry into a school building.

Read RCW 9.41.280: Possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities ? Penalty ? Exceptions. this and pay special attention to sections 3 and 6.

Correct. The law says that a CCW holder may carry their gun to drop off their student, but cannot carry in a public or private school building.

So driving up to the front door and dropping them off ok, taking them into the office not ok.

 

[SloBone21]

Why, just the other day, I ripped a label off a mattress while my Kimber was on my hip.

You didn't get caught did you?

 

[Nwcid]

The signs on Federal buildings and the PO reference THIS law. This IS the law that gives the sign power.

<broken link removed>

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 44 > &#167; 930
Prev | Next
&#167; 930. Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Federal facilities
How Current is This?

(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.

(b) Whoever, with intent that a firearm or other dangerous weapon be used in the commission of a crime, knowingly possesses or causes to be present such firearm or dangerous weapon in a Federal facility, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(c) A person who kills any person in the course of a violation of subsection (a) or (b), or in the course of an attack on a Federal facility involving the use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be punished as provided in sections 1111, 1112, 1113, and 1117.

(d) Subsection (a) shall not apply to&#8212;

(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.

(e)
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal court facility, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to conduct which is described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (d).

(f) Nothing in this section limits the power of a court of the United States to punish for contempt or to promulgate rules or orders regulating, restricting, or prohibiting the possession of weapons within any building housing such court or any of its proceedings, or upon any grounds appurtenant to such building.

(g) As used in this section:
(1) The term "Federal facility" means a building or part thereof owned or leased by the Federal Government, where Federal employees are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
(2) The term "dangerous weapon" means a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does not include a pocket knife with a blade of less than 21/2 inches in length.
(3) The term "Federal court facility" means the courtroom, judges' chambers, witness rooms, jury deliberation rooms, attorney conference rooms, prisoner holding cells, offices of the court clerks, the United States attorney, and the United States marshal, probation and parole offices, and adjoining corridors of any court of the United States.

(h) 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.





So if you are lawfully carrying for lawful purposes HOW are you breaking the law?