Ban on guns in post offices is unconstitutional, US judge rules

[Malachi.2.15]

So...by extension, does this potentially make it unconstitutional to ban carry on all federal property and allow us to carry on a military base?

Asking for a friend...

 

[Occam]

So...by extension, does this potentially make it unconstitutional to ban carry on all federal property and allow us to carry on a military base?

Asking for a friend...

This is course applies right now to only one person (the plaintiff), though we can imagine the 2A will eventually prevail across all circuits and in more than just post offices - but the court-o-rama carnival ride will likely take years. Even so, though, I doubt it would extend to military bases, or anyplace else where security is provided by people on duty actually carrying guns.

 

[Medusa Joe]

At any rate, when it absolutely has to get there before the Vernal Equinox, mail it inside, where they haven't learned how to steal the mail yet.

they have learned how to steal the mail inside. it's happening at the distribution centers where all of the mail comes together and gets post marked and sorted. several checks of mine were stolen from the DC center, one was washed and electronically deposited. it was a horrible "washing" (name & amount), but passed either photo deposit or ATM deposit. no teller in their right mind would have believed it was legit (unless said teller was in on the gig). luckily my credit union got took care of me and i got it all back.

rumor i heard was the post office (or distribution center in this case) was having a hard time filling positions (who wants to work after COVID?) because candidates could not pass background checks, nor drug testing. they waived those requirements just to get bodies to fill positions. and this is what happens when you hire folks like this. again rumor, as i have no proof.

 

[chale127]

18 U.S. Code § 930
Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Federal facilities

39 CFR § 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.

[edited for typo]

Just because the sign says Post Office doesn't ALWAYS mean it's "Government property" if it's located in like a strip mall....that's IS NOT Gov't Property... they lease the space

 

[teratos]

Those with access to machine tools and who know chemistry will always have the option of being armed.

I have both, and a giving spirit. I'm always ready to help a fellow man better understand science....

 

[light12pdr]

CMC

Never saw a metal detector in a post office.

Although I cannot imagine anybody being so irresponsibly brazen as to enter a US Post Office without first going home and locking up his gun before returning to mail his letter or whatever...

There are what look like metal detectors in the Edgewater, MD post office.

 

[gungate]

Just because the sign says Post Office doesn't ALWAYS mean it's "Government property" if it's located in like a strip mall....that's IS NOT Gov't Property... they lease the space

I believe this is incorrect. I think once a governmental lease is signed, the property now enjoys all the benefits of being "public" property. If in a strip mall, they (strip mall owners) can not prevent you from accessing the post office.

 

[chale127]

I believe this is incorrect. I think once a governmental lease is signed, the property now enjoys all the benefits of being "public" property. If in a strip mall, they (strip mall owners) can not prevent you from accessing the post office.

There are probably some intricacies to it for sure...but it's also a stretch to call it Government Property for sure, based on some Postal workers (not just carriers) I have spoken with

 

[gungate]

There are probably some intricacies to it for sure...but it's also a stretch to call it Government Property for sure, based on some Postal workers (not just carriers) I have spoken with

No, not even intricacies and not a stretch. If a USPS has an office, for practical purposes, the entire facility and access to it is treated as public property. I did lol at the postal employee comment though. I think no one would know less about postal laws than postal employees.

 

[chale127]

No, not even intricacies and not a stretch. If a USPS has an office, for practical purposes, the entire facility and access to it is treated as public property. I did lol at the postal employee comment though. I think no one would know less about postal laws than postal employees.

The ones that actually run/manage a given facility will know as they would have to have it maintained, etc...

 

[gungate]

The ones that actually run/manage a given facility will know as they would have to have it maintained, etc...

No, not even close. Ask one of your USPS friends if you can bring a video camera into the post office and film everything and everyone I am genuinely curious what they will say.

 

[gungate]

Will this be another "en banc" scenario where they will delay this in hopes that the SCOTUS makeup changes?

 

[chale127]

No, not even close. Ask one of your USPS friends if you can bring a video camera into the post office and film everything and everyone I am genuinely curious what they will say.

Here is the policy...

Requests for Filming and Still Photography on Postal Service Premises

 

[BurkeM]

Will this be another "en banc" scenario where they will delay this in hopes that the SCOTUS makeup changes?

It hasn't even gotten to the appeals court yet.

 

[gungate]

Here is the policy...

Requests for Filming and Still Photography on Postal Service Premises

"Professional" grade? LOL I am asking if you and I can bring a camera in and take video of everything and everyone. I know the answer; it is yes. I am betting he does not. And just proving that most postal employees have 0 clue. The postal regulation saying anyone can film is on the wall of every post office.

https://about.usps.com/posters/pos7.pdf

 

[CrueChief]

In the mid 90's I bought a new Mossberg shotgun. The trigger was messed up and I wanted to send it back to Mossberg for repairs. I had tossed the box before then......long story about that.
I called the Hampstead Post Office to tell them I had a shotgun to send back ,but I had no box.
To my surprise, the lady said to just bring it on in and they would supply an appropriate size box. I asked a second time in case she didnt hear me correctly. I asked if I needed to have it in a case or broke down and she said again to just bring it on in, just dont point it anybody.
Thats what I did and even though I felt like I was doing something totally illegal, not one person reacted in any way. I may as well have been holding a sandwich

As it should be.

 

[Alutacon]

when does this take affect

Won't affect us.

 

[Phoenix_1295]

Just because the sign says Post Office doesn't ALWAYS mean it's "Government property" if it's located in like a strip mall....that's IS NOT Gov't Property... they lease the space

In the case of a public strip mall, only the leased space is affected/covered by the USPS or Federal facility prohibitions. The strip mall public parking lot is not prohibited property.

If they lease a specific portion of lot (e.g. some lease an adjacent fenced area for their vehicles) that would be prohibited/covered also.

As opposed to a stand-alone Post Office where prohibition includes their parking lot/property.

 

[beetles]

If you have been to older post offices that have the painted murals from the 1930s WPA public arts program, there are depictions of postal workers wearing revolvers. Of course that was when payrolls were paid in cash and the postal service carried high-value materials regularly.

 

[Blaster229]

There are what look like metal detectors in the Edgewater, MD post office.

So are they searching people who have pocket knives and keys in their pockets?