Did I unintentionally break the law?

[birdman253]

I tried to find the answer, but either my search skills failed, or it hasn't been addressed in a prior thread.

Here is the question. Friday on the way home from work, I needed to mail a letter. I swung by the post office, drove through the parking lot to the outside drop box, rolled down the window, deposited the letter in the box, and proceeded to exit the lot, and continued on my way. After I was driving home, I began to wonder if I broke the law, because I was carrying my Glock at the time. I never got out of the car.

I know post offices are off limits by federal law. Does this include the parking lot? Does MPA change anything when you are in your car? For clarification, the weapon was concealed on my body, inside my car.

Any help from the more knowledgeable members of the forum will be appreciated.

[JCole]

I'm guessing you probably were in violation.

"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."

[Jumping Frog]

You were technically in violation.

However, the same regulation states it can be no more than a $50 fine and no more than 30 days incarceration.

This is not a regulatory violation I would personally lose my sleep over.

[SATX-Scrub]

I'm guessing you probably were in violation.

"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."

Anyone care to define "official purposes" to me? That seems a bit ambiguous.

[Dadtodabone]

I'm guessing you probably were in violation.

"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."

Anyone care to define "official purposes" to me? That seems a bit ambiguous.

I would suspect that the regs are referring to LEOs, federal, state and local.

[baldeagle]

My official purpose is, as a law abiding citizen of the United States, to defend myself and my family.

[Wodathunkit]

I've called the law, they are on there way, but they are going to stop and pick me up first.

[birdman253]

Thanks everyone!

I had thought through it, and came to the conclusion that it was a violation, but wanted to make sure.

[handog]

Glad you didn't go postal dropping off that letter. It can be stressful.

I avoid the PO as much as possible. When I do go I always park in the restaurant parking lot and stash my gun in the glove box and then walk over.

[MoJo]

Glad you didn't go postal dropping off that letter. It can be stressful.

I avoid the PO as much as possible. When I do go I always park in the restaurant parking lot and stash my gun in the glove box and then walk over.

Yes technically you broke the law. I once asked a postal inspector (Post Office Cop) about this. He told me as long as someone doesn't bring the gun in with them about all you will get is a talking to and be told not to do it again. My theory is $15.00 a month for Stamps.com cuts down on my trips to the P.O. When I do have to go I park across the street lock my carry gun in the car and do my business. Living in a small town the Post office is less than a mile away so leaving my gun home is another viable option if going to the P.O. and back home. I feel naked without my gun, wallet, watch and phone so most of the time park across the street.

[Purplehood]

Wow. I never even thought about it.

I simply park outside, put my weapon away and go into the Post Office. I never realized that I was doing something 'wrong'.

[Dave2]

Wow. I never even thought about it.

I simply park outside, put my weapon away and go into the Post Office. I never realized that I was doing something 'wrong'.

You weren't; it was merely illegal.

[Jaguar]

Shame on you, you have sinned.

For your penance say two "Our Obama's" and five "Hail Hillary's"

Your sins will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I love Big Brother.

[sugar land dave]

Glad you didn't go postal dropping off that letter. It can be stressful.

I avoid the PO as much as possible. When I do go I always park in the restaurant parking lot and stash my gun in the glove box and then walk over.

I know what you mean. I hate going to the post office and have my wife go anytime I can talk her into it. When I must go, I place my firearm in the car gun safe. I sure do feel naked for those few minutes in the facility.

[Beiruty]

My local post office, is a private company handling US post duties. If I have to do something like sending a parcel to Canada, I would have to go downtown US postal office.

I assume that this local office is like a FedEx or USPS, a private company. If I carried there, it would a deep carry anyway and none has a clue, like always.