No guns in a post office -- what about bullets?

F

FUD

Moderator
I run into a post office to mail a package and I'm carrying a J-frame revolver in an inside the waist belly band (about as big as I can go in the Florida summer heat). It's a felony to go inside the building with the gun so I leave it hidden in the car somewhere. I also have bullets in one of the bouches of the belly band. To be PERFECTLY legal, do those need to be left behind as well (bit of a pain to do this sitting down behind the steering wheel in a parked car without having people looking at you funny and drawing attention to yourself)?
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
 
BE careful. I once almost wandered into a courthouse with a speed strip. Luckily, the nice security guard gave me the chance to flee. He told me that I should have been busted.

Eek!
 
You may have a problem just being in the parking lot if it is owned by the Post Office. Where does it say you can't have the ammo? Last time I went into the SSI office they made me go back and put my handgun in the truck and I went thru a metal detector with my spare mag and ten bullets with that knowledge known to the Federal Officer that was on duty. What branch of the government do these officers come from anyway? MWT
 
Post Office laws forbid gun posession on the premises, BUT exempt posession for "other lawful purposes" (go figure). Go read the no-guns sign that's posted: it says no guns except as exempted by three subsections...and they only show you two of them, leaving out the "other lawful purposes" one.

The text of the law is available here.

That said, word is they try REALLY HARD to read that "lawful purpose" clause in the narrowest way possible, so if someone finds you carrying on the premises, you may be legal but have to convince a judge of that fact while shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit.
 
Fud,

I strongly suspect the "Other Lawful Purposes" section does NOT ordinarily apply to CCW holders, since it directly follows the standard "police and military" exception. The bottom line is simple: it is illegal to carry on a Federal facility. This is a particular problem for me since, as a retired Naval officer, I frequently drive onto various bases to use facilities such as the Exchange, Commissary, and so forth. In addition, I have noted that Post Offices have been very careful to provide clear "no firearms" notices on their entrances and to have metal detectors in-place.

My advice is DON'T DO IT. The potential hassles just are not worth it.

Regards.
 
Here in OKC you can have a gun in your vehicle at ANY federal instution/building/post office. Ya just can't take it inside. Only parking lots that you cant have your gun at is at schools and the like.

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Try to take away my gun...and you will see my 2nd Amendment Right in ACTION!!! -Me
 
As a retired Postal Employee, I can tell you that Extreme Parinoia is rampant in the P.O.

Best to not even talk about gun ownership during duty hours.

Our employee parking lot was "Postal Property" and I could not have a firearm, or ammo, or accessories ( empty mags ) in my car, even locked in the trunk.

Vehicles were subject to random searches.

Major PITA

The only guns on Postal Property are in the pockets of the Postal Inspectors.

Jim

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Lay up some blackpowder and flints
The rest we can build, if need be
 
Mr. Bigglesworth,

Practically speaking, I don't doubt that you can "get away with" having a firearm in your car in the parking lot of a Federal institution in Oklahoma City. However, I guarantee you it is illegal to do so. Pursuant to 18 USC 930: "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."

Let me add some hands-on experience; I served as a Naval officer for twenty years, including many routine Officer of the Day (as a junior officer) and Command Duty Officer (as a senior officer) "watches" on major Navy instillations. As a general rule, Federal -- not state or local -- law applies on US Government reservations, laws are enforced by Federal LEOs, and crimes are prosecuted in the Federal Courts. When, for example, a civil service or military policeman discovered a firearm in a car exiting from a Naval base -- specifically including random "gate checks" for contraband -- the owner was arrested, charged, and brought before a Federal Magistrate (if a civilian) or his Commanding Officer (if military).

This applied to CCW permit holders and it may even apply (local agreements govern) to local/state LEOs. I strongly suspect it would also pertain at Oklahoma military bases, such as Tinker AFB.
 
Well, guys and ladies, what the deal on taking ammo only into the post office? How about taking it in to mail it to someone as long as it is safely packed? I'm talking reloads not store bought stuff. What's the story on that? I couldn't anything on that tacked up on the post office wall.

Jim
 
RWK-
"Other lawful purposes" is in the sentence that explicitly exempts "posession incidental to hunting". That clearly (by reason, which the powers that be won't use) lowers the bar to sporting and life-supporting activities.

I'm convinced it's legal to carry in a PO.
I'm also convinced that getting caught doing so will land you in a world of hurt.
Just because something is legal doesn't mean that powerful people won't f- you up and get away with it.
 
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