consealed pistol license, visiting an inmate, ?

I

ithinkyoubrokeit

Inactive
I have a Washington state consealed pistol license. My brother is confined at the prison in Monroe.

I know that when I visit the courthouse or police station here in Seattle, I have the option to bring my weapon and have it checked before passing through the security checkpoint. Does anybody know if prisons (or specifically this one) would offer a similar option?
 
you could bake a (big) cake

Nah, just kidding....

If you are legally entitled to carry, take your gun, have your permit & photo ID..... & check it in at the door.....

Either that, or leave it in your car.... it should be safe in a locked car in a prison carpark? (maybe??):eek::D
 
Every prison I've ever seen, whether the local jail upto a state facility (Pennsylvania) has signs out front saying that firearms and other weapons are specifically prohibitied from the property unless you are a police officer.

I would suspect that most states have similar restrictions.
 
in Indiana, even minimum security prisons a firearm is a no-no on the property, and you could end up getting to visit your brother DAILY if you do, I would suggest you do not take it with you.

but I'm in Indiana not Washington.


still I wouldn't do it.
 
I would no way no how walk up to a prison guard and ask them to, "hold this."

I've been to many prisons, and like the earlier post said, all of them had signs about contraband, including guns, on the premises.
 
OK, I did your homework for you...

From the STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DOC 420.340 "SEARCHING AND DETAINING FACILITY VISITORS"

POLICY:
I. The Department requires searches of volunteers, contractors and vendors and their agents/employees, and other facility visitors on facility grounds. Searches will be conducted as needed to enhance the security and safety of staff, offenders, and the public by minimizing the introduction of contraband into Department facilities.

II. Contraband
A. Contraband found during searches will not be permitted inside the facility.
B. If contraband is discovered, the offending person will be denied access pending review by the Superintendent/designee. Any person found to be in possession of any form of contraband may be subject to permanent denial of access.

Contraband is defined as:
Includes illegal items, explosives, DEADLY WEAPONS (emphasis added by me), alcoholic beverages, drugs, tobacco products, controlled substances, and any item that is controlled, limited, or prohibited on the grounds or within the secure perimeter of a correctional facility as defined by Department and facility policy.

-----------------------

So in other words, leave your gun in the car and don't risk having them interpret the law for you!

Scott
 
I was a felony trial court judge...

...for over 21 years and have seen and dealt with a lot of Corrections employees.
The permit...and perceived right...to carry notwithstanding, a bit of prudent discretion would be to leave your firearm locked in your vehicle and then present yourself for the visit...without further comment.
I don't wish to start a firestorm, here, but showing up at a state prison entrance armed with a handgun is about as smart as, in the words of one US Supreme Court Justice, standing up in a crowded theatre to yell "fire" in the name freedom of speech.
Even though I don't live in Washington, one thing is certain: that firearm isn't going inside the walls. I guess it's all a question of how you want it secured...under their terms or yours?
 
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I just don't see any good coming from carrying a firearm to a prison facility. Sometimes you just have to say to your gun: "I love you, but I just can't take you everywhere I go".
 
Sorry to hear your brother's in the slammer. If you don't mind me asking, where did your upbringing go right and his go wrong?
 
I don't know about your state, but in mine it's a felony to bring a deadly weapon onto the grounds of a penitentiary. So, locking it in the car would still be committing a felony here.

As an appellate criminal defense lawyer, I have to go into prisons sometimes. I have been able to leave my weapons locked in a locker at the gate, but I agree that one should call and confirm before assuming this.

Of much greater importance is to know the actual law you have to obey, and OBEY it. As always, I would suggest that getting legal advice from a bunch of people on the internet is a terrible idea.

You're not my client, so I'm not giving you advice, but you should SIMPLY NOT CARRY ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE CONSIDERED A DEADLY WEAPON WHEN VISITING AN INMATE. If you have any doubt whatsoever, just DON'T CARRY THAT DAY.
 
I used to work at a Prison in Maine, and if we had even suspected that a visitor had alcohol/drugs/weapons in the car, it was searched and if anything was found, there were criminal charges and visits were denied. Remember, Prison staff tend to get a bit paranoid (for good reason), and some can be quite "overzealous".

If I were you, I would leave that pistol at home!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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One point though: WA is one of those states where STATE and LOCAL government agencies are required to stash your gun in a lockbox if they want to disarm you.

By statute.

I would strongly recommend that any WA state CCWer find that statute and read it. See if there's an exception for jails/prisons.

This cannot apply if you're dealing with a Federal lockup. They don't have to follow a state law.
 
ummmmm yeah..... im gonna say thats a bad idea. i live in TN (a very gun friendly state) and thats a big ole' no-no in these parts. so im gonna go out on a limb here and guess that its probably not ok on that coast over there.:D

ps. the pacific NW is great (used to live in the bay area CA), but the gun laws arent exactly lenient....
 
csmsss wrote:
Sorry to hear your brother's in the slammer. If you don't mind me asking, where did your upbringing go right and his go wrong?
Click to expand...
With all due respect, why is this any of your business and how is it in any way relevant to the discussion at hand??

Scott
 
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