This rule seems to change state to state and who you are.
this is off of a ploce web page that i asked this question. You can see it changes with each person and each statet
kels
Not in the federal courthouse in Wichita Ks.
Even in uniform.
No complaints, just a fact.
JediGlock19
It probably depends. If you let them know ahead of time you should be ok, unless they dont allow ANY firearms, then you might be able to secure it in a locker or something. Ive done it at the Social Security Admin building, putting it in a locker, at a corrections facility also. I went to Statue of Liberty in 2004 and I had to sign in and they put a band on me to be able to ID me as being armed. No probelms. At a post office? They dont have detectors so they never know Im armed when I go there. If they knew I was a LEO, they wouldnt care anyway.
series1811
I work in a federal building where we have a pretty steady stream of local and state LEO's coming and going. I can't even imagine asking police officers who come in to hand over their firearms.
Federal courthouses are a different ballgame for a very logical reason. US Marshals can't know everyone by sight. They need to know anyone carrying a firearm, who is not one of them, is fair game.
Same thing in lock ups and jails. It's not a question of jurisdiction, it's a question of logic and common sense to have strict controls on firearms.
Mvpel
Federal law exempts on-duty law enforcement officers from the prohibition against firearms possession at federal facilities and federal courthouses.
See 18 USC 930(d)(1) and (e)(2).
5802
Possible scenario...
So let's say I'm pi$$ed at a federal judge (or maybe an IRS agent), and decide to do him in. How can I get close to him in the Federal building? Dress up like a cop, maybe. Uniforms are easy to come by, and you can order a fake badge easily enough. Conceal my pistol in plain view. Walk in, pop him, and surrender.
Can't say I blame the USMS if they disarm local cops at the door. Most federal courthouses are in larger metro areas, so Marshals can't possibly be familiar with all local LEO's. Federal buildings usually house a lot of agencies who are not popular with some elements of the general public: ATF, IRS, DEA, Tax Court, Federal Court, and in some cases, ICE, just to name a few. Safest policy is not to allow anyone but USMS personnel to be armed in the building. It would be redundant to remind a bunch of cops about how many nutcases there are out there.
When you pi$$ off as many people as the Socialist Security Administration does, you'd be well-advised to disarm all who enter -- or to clean up your act.
Post offices? May be illegal, but it's a law most people break with impunity, and without a second thought.
car541
I have testified in federal court twice in uniform, I have kept my weapon on both occassions.
Federal building and post offices are OK. However, I would expect to be disarmed at the federal courthouse in plain clothes, I cannot articulate the basis of the expectation, but it is there nonetheless.
HunterCO
pointed out that section also states a citizen such as my self may also carry on federal property. The only exception is federal court houses or secured areas such as the secured area of an airport.
Here is a link from a NY attorney that explains carrying on federal property. He addresses post offices but it is relevent to all federal property.
http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/rtc-usps.html
mvpel Re: Possible scenario...
quote:
Originally posted by 5802
Can't say I blame the USMS if they disarm local cops at the door. Most federal courthouses are in larger metro areas, so Marshals can't possibly be familiar with all local LEO's. Federal buildings usually house a lot of agencies who are not popular with some elements of the general public: ATF, IRS, DEA, Tax Court, Federal Court, and in some cases, ICE, just to name a few. Safest policy is not to allow anyone but USMS personnel to be armed in the building. It would be redundant to remind a bunch of cops about how many nutcases there are out there.
Whether they decide to disarm cops and military at the courthouse door, and how they verify credentials, is a different question than whether a cop is breaking a federal law if they don't disarm him at the door and he carries his firearm while on duty conducting official business in the courthouse. The answer to the latter question is "no."
quote:Originally posted by 5802
Post offices? May be illegal, but it's a law most people break with impunity, and without a second thought.
The thing is, I don't think it's against the law, at least in New Hampshire. I view my carry license and various state laws and Constitutional provisions as establishing self-defense as a "lawful purpose" which is exempt from the prohibition.
If I wind up having to argue with a prosecutor on that point and be the "test case," that'll be my bad luck, but I think I'd win the argument.
Falling Crow
USMS rules at our courthouse require LEOs appearing in the Federal Courthouse for any reason (testify, etc.) to secure their firearms in a provided lock box. This goes for all other federal agencies (FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Probation,etc.). Bottom line is the only ones carrying in a federal courthouse are U.S. Marshals.
GovtMan
quote:
Originally posted by mvpel
Whether they decide to disarm cops and military at the courthouse door, and how they verify credentials, is a different question than whether a cop is breaking a federal law if they don't disarm him at the door and he carries his firearm while on duty conducting official business in the courthouse. The answer to the latter question is "no."
The LEO might not be violating 18 USC 930, if he/she is performing an official act; however, the LEO could be held in contempt of court, if the court has promulgated its own rules prohibiting the carrying of weapons. See 18 USC 930(f).
For example, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has promulgated internal operating procedures stating, “(I) Weapons – Except for Security Personnel [meaning a US Marshal or Deputy Marshal, Court Security Officer, or a member of the Federal Protective Service Police], no person shall be admitted to or allowed to remain in the building with any object that might be employed as a weapon unless authorized in writing by the court to do so," and "(J) Enforcement - Security Personnel shall enforce these security provisions and any other provisions the court might implement. Attorneys and parties who violate these provisions are subject to, inter alia, contempt proceedings and sanctions.”
OXCOPS
I have carried in the offices of several federal LE agencies. Most of the time I was in uniform on business. We are a small enough community that partnership is understood and accepted. It's never been an issue. We have bigger things to do when I visit.
As for the federal courthouse across town, I lock my weapon up in the car before I even go in. The CSOs are good about not making a production about it, but won't let you carry.
That's OK though since the USMS has more firepower in that building than the local national guard branch. If I needed a piece, they have plenty to spare.