Car burglaries @ Houston Heights post office parking lot

[RHenriksen]

Well, lunch today was interesting.

I had to make an exception to my general rule to avoid the USPS, in order to mail a certified letter. (CHL app for my girlfriend!!) The tiny post office parking lot at Yale & 11th street was jammed with five HPD cars and two Postal Police cars surrounding a white sedan. Nobody was waving guns or anything, so I figured it was safe to pull in and go about my business. I made sure to draw my pistol & stick it in the glovebox before I entered the parking lot; didn't want to excite the LEO The parking space I pulled into had broken glass in the space, which was definitely a red flag for me. Hate having to leave my firearm in the car...

While in the office doing my business, I learned that they'd been suffering from car burglaries for the past several MONTHS, and they had just apprehended the guy. While I don't know whether the BG was just snatching purses, or was smart enough to know there's a higher possibility of stealing a pistol in the USPS parking lot, it's certainly something to think about.

I haven't invested in a small car-appropriate safe to secure my pistol. I very rarely need to leave it behind in the car, and just resent the hell out of having to do so.

[baldeagle]

It's $20. Don't put it off any longer.

[RJGold]

I haven't invested in a small car-appropriate safe to secure my pistol. I very rarely need to leave it behind in the car, and just resent the heck out of having to do so.

http://www.amazon.com/GunVault-NV200-Na ... nano+vault" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The one I use in my pickup...

It's worth every penny for the piece of mind...

[G26ster]

I was under the impression that it was also illegal to have a gun anywhere on Post Office property, including the parking lot. Am I incorrect?

[RJGold]

I was under the impression that it was also illegal to have a gun anywhere on Post Office property, including the parking lot. Am I incorrect?

I believe you are. I found a few things out there to support that as well but too many to cite or post...

Thanks for the reminder. I got hung up on answering the "no safe" issue, I did not think about the Postal Property issue.

[cbunt1]

I was under the impression that it was also illegal to have a gun anywhere on Post Office property, including the parking lot. Am I incorrect?

As I understand the law, you are correct; the mere presence of a firearm on Post Office property (Federal property, actually, just being specific here) is indeed a crime. Again, as I understand the law, you are no more or less in violation to leave it in the car than to carry it on your person.

Many here are known to park OFF the post-office premises (read property here, and not our usual understanding of "premises" for CHL purposes) and leave the gun in the car, and thus avoid the question. Another option is to use a Post Office that is co-located in another facility (i.e. in a strip center or mall). In that case, the Post Office itself (as is our usual understanding of "premises") is off-limits, but not the parking lot (Public/private--specifically NOT Federal property).

I am not a lawyer...just another Texas CHL holder and instructor who is baffled at some of the inconsistencies around State vs. Federal law and enforcements of same...

[A-R]

I was under the impression that it was also illegal to have a gun anywhere on Post Office property, including the parking lot. Am I incorrect?

This is a very gray area. Post office will tell you unequivocally that guns are prohibited in parking lot. At least one postal employee has been convicted for having gun in his car, and there is at least one currently pending legal case (in Colorado I believe) about this issue. (I'm on my phone, don't have sources handy).

[baldeagle]

Title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations (hereinafter CFR) Chapter 1, Subchapter D, Part 232.5(5)(i) states "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."

The question then is what is the definition of "property" as cited here. Unfortunately, I can't find that definition, so you would have to fall back on the courts to win the argument that the parking lot does not constitute the property of the USPS for purposes of CFR 39,1,D,232.5(5)(i).

Personally I disarm in the parking lot and lock the weapon and magazines in the safe before exiting my vehicle.

The whole issue is so tiresome. If I am qualified to carry a weapon, I should be able to carry it anywhere I go. My personality, my qualifications, my training, my skills, my predilictions, none of these change merely by crossing some imaginary line - except in the mind of politicians who think they should be able to carry anywhere and I should be able to carry nowhere.

[RHenriksen]

The whole issue is so tiresome. If I am qualified to carry a weapon, I should be able to carry it anywhere I go. My personality, my qualifications, my training, my skills, my predilictions, none of these change merely by crossing some imaginary line - except in the mind of politicians who think they should be able to carry anywhere and I should be able to carry nowhere.

Amen

[RHenriksen]

Well, funny how things work out. I made a purchase for work this morning from Amazon that turns out included a $35 gift card/promo code. I turned around and ordered this:

http://www.amazon.com/GunVault-NV300-Na ... s=gun+safe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;