Post Office No Guns Sign

[Mr. Habib]

CMP Garand mail to someone. Yes, it has happened.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

Here is a Post Office question for the local southsiders and Beech Grove Ingoers. Are the four parking spaces on Main St in front of the BG post office considered post office property? Asking for a friend.

I'm going to say no, because if I recall correctly there are no signs indicating they are USPS property. And they are separated from the building by a public sidewalk. Take it for what it is worth.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

CMP Garand mail to someone. Yes, it has happened.

They always just delivered them directly to my house.

 

[chubbs]

Not only is it a federal crime to carry into the building, it is a federal crime to have the gun in your car in their parking lot. I was very disappointed in the 10th Circuit when they overturned Bonidy, and was hoping for an appeal to SCOTUS.

Subchapter D. Section 232.1
(l) Weapons and explosives. No person while on postal property may
carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either
openly or concealed, or store the same on postal property, except for
official purposes.

And "Official purposes" is defined elsewhere. Nothing a private citizen does will qualify.

In some small towns, the township owns the property the post office is on. Would one in your vehicle be an issue then?

 

[xwing]

In some small towns, the township owns the property the post office is on. Would one in your vehicle be an issue then?

It depends whether the parking lot is considered "Post Office property". If the parking lot is specific to the post office, it probably is. If it's a shared parking lot, probably not. But proceed with caution, as the definition is inexact, and the consequences are major...

 

[HoughMade]

...we need to pass laws saying that Indiana does not recognize the federal no gun zones.

Which will do what?

 

[Quiet Observer]

There was a ruling by a federal judge in 2013 that it was allowed in parking lots on post office property.
That was reversed in2015 by the 10th Circuit Court.

No guns on post office property, says U.S. appeals court

A federal appeals court said a U.S. Postal Service regulation banning firearms on postal property is constitutional, and reversed a lower court ruling that would have let people keep weapons inside their vehicles in post office parking lots.

www.reuters.com

 

[jbombelli]

So it’s no revolvers in the post office, and no berettas in some Meiers? This is getting confusing!

I've never understood what so many places have against Berettas. But I carry a CZ or a HiPower, so ... whatever.

 

[bwframe]

Which will do what?

Ask the stoners in Cali, Colorado, Oregon, Illinois, etc...


.

 

[HoughMade]

Ask the stoners in Cali, Oregon, Illinois, etc...


.

Not a comparable situation.

See what happens if they spark a doobie in a post office or federal courthouse regardless of what the state law is.

 

[bwframe]

Not a comparable situation.

See what happens if they spark a doobie in a post office or federal courthouse regardless of what the state law is.

Alright then, the IN LTCH exemption from the federal law on schools, school parking lots, etc.

Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[HoughMade]

Alright then, the IN LTCH exemption from the federal law on schools, school parking lots, etc.

Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

If you are saying that carrying in a "school zone" is not a federal crime because the federal law creates an exception for those licensed by the state, I agree. However, that's because the federal law creates the exception.

If the federal law did not have that exception (I am leaving out whether it is constitutional), there is nothing Indiana could do on its own to make it not a federal crime.

States can choose not to enforce federal laws. States cannot declare federal laws invalid or unenforceable. The feds can enforce federal laws in any state, state law notwithstanding.

 

[Amishman44]

Not only is it a federal crime to carry into the building, it is a federal crime to have the gun in your car in their parking lot. I was very disappointed in the 10th Circuit when they overturned Bonidy, and was hoping for an appeal to SCOTUS.
Subchapter D. Section 232.1
(l) Weapons and explosives. No person while on postal property may
carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either
openly or concealed, or store the same on postal property, except for
official purposes.
And "Official purposes" is defined elsewhere. Nothing a private citizen does will qualify.

It's the 'on property' thing that catches most people...because one might think to leave their firearm in their vehicle when they make a quick run inside, not realizing that the parking lot outside is considered 'postal' property.
Even at schools (in Indiana) a parent or teacher can bring their weapon to school with them and, as long as it stays secured in their vehicle, they're okay having it 'on-property.'
Interestingly, the USPS is not a federally 'owned' program...it is a federal 'funded' and federally 'protected' business...many don't know the difference. Doesn't mean their regulations aren't 'valid' it just means that it's not a true government program.

 

[areamike]

Well, since Criminals/Psychos ALWAYS obey Gun Laws and Gun Free zones, it's all good.

 

[Mgderf]

Federal misdemeanor, don't do it.

*Not saying it is right, but it is a criminal violation.

Understood, but does the "Parking lot" law come into play here?

 

[Cameramonkey]

Understood, but does the "Parking lot" law come into play here?

No. “Anywhere on the property”. And they are in the exemptions carve out I believe.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Understood, but does the "Parking lot" law come into play here?

The case in the 10th Circuit? Bonidy?

 

[US1882]

Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, Sect 232.1. No person on US Postal Service property may carry or store firearms, explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons either openly or concealed, Except for official purposes.

 

[bwframe]

Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, Sect 232.1. No person on US Postal Service property may carry or store firearms, explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons either openly or concealed, Except for official purposes.

Isn't that unconstitutional?

 

[ditcherman]

Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, Sect 232.1. No person on US Postal Service property may carry or store firearms, explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons either openly or concealed, Except for official purposes.

Well I’ll have you know I’m always on official purposes!
Am I being detained?!?