Posted on 11/15/2010 11:11:59 AM PST by Blueflag
Question: With the new laws in Georgia, is it, or is it NOT legal to carry concealed (with a permit) into the public areas (ie wait in line to mail a package) of a Federal Post office?
I know it is illegal to carry into 'behind the counter' areas of ANY Federal building unless you are a LEO.
Please cite the law or supply a link if you can.
FReegards, Blueflag
I know it is illegal to carry into 'behind the counter' areas of ANY Federal building unless you are a LEO.
Please cite the law or supply a link if you can.
FReegards, Blueflag
Do not know about Ga but here in Fl you cannot carry in any Govt building of any kind at any time.
Thanks! I went to Georgia Carry and the state’s own website and could NOT seem to locate current law.
NET: NO. You cannot concealed carry in to a Post Office, but you can lock it in your car on premises.
Not even in the parking lot.....
Only Postal employees are allowed to have guns inside Post Offices - that makes sense, right?
(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.
I would guess the Feds would use that Supremacy Clause thingy.
Read subsection (d). It’s important.
The regulation stipulates “Postal Property”.
This includes both inside and outside buildings. Most likely their vehicles as well.
Leave the heater at home when you go to the P.O.
Yep.
You don’t want to be the ‘test case’....
Very good point. Active Military take note.
Actually the GA law says ya can lock it in your car, but you can also approach security and ask.
see below:
In a government building.
— “Government Building” means:
The building in which a government entity is housed (Please see the definition for “government entity” below for more infomation)
The building where a government entity meets in its official capacity; provided, however, that if such building is not a publicly owned building, such building shall be considered a government building for the purposes of this Code section only during the time such government entity is meeting at such building; or
The portion of any building that is not a publicly owned building that is occupied by a government entity. (if a government entity rented out space in a mall and actually occupies it with people, only the “store” space they rented would be off limits)
—”Government Entity” means an office, agency, authority, department, commission, board, body, division, instrumentality, or institution of the state or any county, municipal corporation, consolidated government, or local board of education within this state (This part of the law is kind of vague depending on who exactly is included regarding an “office” or “department” as to where they are “housed” or “occupied”. The meaning most favorable to a person charged with violating this law (which is the way a court should rule) is limited to the location that contains the person that is in charge of the entire entity.
Example: Your local tax office has 3 locations (all publicly owned) where you can make payments, the county tax commissioner is housed in building A and is off-limits, buildings b and c are not off limits becuase they do not house the Office of the tax commissioner. The meaning least favorable to a person charged with violating this law (which is a way police and prosecutors could interpret it and a court might rule) includes any location where an employee operates out of. Example: Your local tax office has 3 locations (all publicly owned) where you can make payments, all 3 locations are off limits. This does not include a blanket ban on all publicly owned buildings since the law says that a publicly owned building is only off-limits if an entity is housed or meets in the building).
In a courthouse (a building occupied by judicial courts and containing rooms in which judicial proceedings are held)
In a jail or prison
In a place of worship
In a state mental health facility as defined in Code Section 37-1-1 which admits individuals on an involuntary basis for treatment of mental illness, developmental disability, or addictive disease
In a bar unless the owner permits carry (the owner has to grant permission for you to be able carry, a bar is defined as an establishment that is devoted to the serving of alcoholic beverages for consumption by guests on the premises and in which the serving of food is only incidental to the consumption of those beverages, like taverns, nightclubs, cocktail lounges, and cabarets)
On the premesis of a nuclear power facility (punishment for carry is a misdemeanor, carry with intent to do bodily harm is a felony)
Within 150 feet of a polling location
*** READ THIS PART ***
A person with a Weapons Carry License may have a weapon that is under their control while in a car or the weapon can be left inside a locked compartment, container, or rack on the vehicle parked in a designated parking facility (the place people are supposed to park when visiting one of the unauthorized locations).
A person can also approach security upon arrival and notify them of the presence of the weapon and you must follow the instructions for removing, securing, storing or temporarily surrendering the weapon or long gun.
Please see my post #12 below/ above which quotes from the Ga law.
This is why ‘common sense’ laws still aren’t quite common sense yet.
I think you CAN LEGALLY lock it in your car at the Post Office. ... if I read this correctly.
Key phrase in the US Code — “ in a Federal facility “
The GA law says outside is OK.
< sigh >
I don't think it's just active military. If one has a CHL, then carrying a handgun for defense should be a "lawful purpose".
Unfortunately, I don't think the federal government views it that way. I've heard anecdotal claims that it did go to court, and a federal judge ruled against the CHL holder. But, I don't have an authoritative cite of the case to confirm it.
I go into the Bartow County courthouse with mine all the time... of course, I hand it over to the Deputies at the security desk as I come in and pick it up when I leave.
Well if its concealed who’s going to know? I won’t tell if you won’t.
dude, stop the hate.
I understand the law.
The Post Office isn’t a GA state government facility. It’s Federal. Different rules.
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