Carry in car onto NASA?
Moderator: carlson1
Carry in car onto NASA?
Later this month, I have to drop somebody off at NASA HQ in Clear Lake in the morning, and pick them up later in the afternoon. We are from out of town, so won't be able to go back home in between. I was hoping to kill the time by going to the Arms Room range, but I would have to transport my guns in the car. While I have a CHL, I will be going on Federal property and subject to search.
I thought I read somewhere according to Federal penal code that only the buildings were prohibited (I know about Post Office prohibitions), and therefore I would be OK leaving my stuff locked in the trunk while parked the parking lot.
Does anybody know the statutes or can point me to the relevant references of whether I will be legal doing this or not? I haven't had much luck with Google, maybe not looking for the right thing. Texas3006.com didn't turn up anything either.
I thought I read somewhere according to Federal penal code that only the buildings were prohibited (I know about Post Office prohibitions), and therefore I would be OK leaving my stuff locked in the trunk while parked the parking lot.
Does anybody know the statutes or can point me to the relevant references of whether I will be legal doing this or not? I haven't had much luck with Google, maybe not looking for the right thing. Texas3006.com didn't turn up anything either.
USMC, Retired
Treating one variety of person as better or worse than others by accident of birth is morally indefensible.
Treating one variety of person as better or worse than others by accident of birth is morally indefensible.
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
Do you have a NASA ID card?oohrah wrote:Later this month, I have to drop somebody off at NASA HQ in Clear Lake in the morning, and pick them up later in the afternoon. We are from out of town, so won't be able to go back home in between. I was hoping to kill the time by going to the Arms Room range, but I would have to transport my guns in the car. While I have a CHL, I will be going on Federal property and subject to search.
I thought I read somewhere according to Federal penal code that only the buildings were prohibited (I know about Post Office prohibitions), and therefore I would be OK leaving my stuff locked in the trunk while parked the parking lot.
Does anybody know the statutes or can point me to the relevant references of whether I will be legal doing this or not? I haven't had much luck with Google, maybe not looking for the right thing. Texas3006.com didn't turn up anything either.
If not you won't be able to enter through the security checkpoint gates onto Johnson Space Center.
The only place you can enter the property without a badge is the visitor/guest parking lot so that you can get badged in.
Last edited by WildBill on Sun May 25, 2014 6:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
NRA Endowment Member
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
If the vehicle is subject to search, I wouldn't risk it, regardless of how the law defines federal facility.
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http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/930" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
Here's my programming:
IF "Federal Property or Similar" THEN
Dont_Risk_It;
END IF

IF "Federal Property or Similar" THEN
Dont_Risk_It;
END IF

I don't fear guns; I fear voters and politicians that fear guns.
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
OldCannon wrote:Here's my programming:
IF "Federal Property or Similar" THEN
Dont_Risk_It;
END IF

NRA Endowment Member
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
I did the research on NASA a few years ago. NASA has a specisl section on the law that makes carry on the grounds unlawful. The NASA specific law does not use the phrase "federal facility".
I know someone will ask, So I will see if I can fimd it again.
I know someone will ask, So I will see if I can fimd it again.
Texas CHL Instructor
Texas DPS Certified Private Security Classroom and Firearms Instructor
TCLEOSE Instructor (now TCOLE)
Texas DPS Certified Private Security Classroom and Firearms Instructor
TCLEOSE Instructor (now TCOLE)
- tx mountaineer
- Member
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- Location: Clear Lake
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
Carrying on site at JSC is a big no no. Leave the gun outside the gate.
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
That's why I said "or similar".jbarn wrote: The NASA specific law does not use the phrase "federal facility".
You can be CERTAIN that the current federal administration will hit you up with a wide variety of charges based on the technicality (or not) of whether it's federal property. If you succeed defending yourself against all charges, well congratulations, you will have only spent 5 or so years in jail and will be utterly bankrupt for the rest of your life. Yes, you COULD argue that protecting your life/family is worth the risk, but financially, the outcome will be the same if not worse.
I don't fear guns; I fear voters and politicians that fear guns.
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
Federal facility is a defined term in the law. It is unlawful to carry in a federal facility. A federal facility is a building or portion of a building owned or leased by the federal government where federal employees are regularly scheduled for work.OldCannon wrote:That's why I said "or similar".jbarn wrote: The NASA specific law does not use the phrase "federal facility".
You can be CERTAIN that the current federal administration will hit you up with a wide variety of charges based on the technicality (or not) of whether it's federal property. If you succeed defending yourself against all charges, well congratulations, you will have only spent 5 or so years in jail and will be utterly bankrupt for the rest of your life. Yes, you COULD argue that protecting your life/family is worth the risk, but financially, the outcome will be the same if not worse.
Many people think that for ALL federal property it is only buildings that are off limits. They cite the federal facility law as proof. However, federal law has other provisions that make all property off limits for specific locations.
I recently visited the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, a federally owned and managed location. I carried there, but the visitor center is off limits as a federal facility.
Post offices are covered in a provision of the Code of Federal Regulations. Postal PROPERTY is off limits, not just the facility.
NASA property is off limit limits umder federal law, not just the buildings.
Texas CHL Instructor
Texas DPS Certified Private Security Classroom and Firearms Instructor
TCLEOSE Instructor (now TCOLE)
Texas DPS Certified Private Security Classroom and Firearms Instructor
TCLEOSE Instructor (now TCOLE)
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
WildBill wrote:OldCannon wrote:Here's my programming:
IF "Federal Property or Similar" THEN
Dont_Risk_It;
END IF
A short and sweet program.

Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid.
John Wayne
NRA Lifetime member
John Wayne
NRA Lifetime member
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
Looks like I'm changing my plans. I don't plan to be a test case. Maybe I can find a storage locker near by.
Appreciate all the inputs.
Appreciate all the inputs.
USMC, Retired
Treating one variety of person as better or worse than others by accident of birth is morally indefensible.
Treating one variety of person as better or worse than others by accident of birth is morally indefensible.
- ShootDontTalk
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Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
Perhaps they all need a no LEGAL carry of weapons allowed sign. Then they restrict it to illegal carry and declare the facility a, "HUMAN HUNTING PRESERVE - MASS MURDERS WELCOME" like the Navy Yard, Ft Hood, schools etc etc. Wonderful logic.
"When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk!
Eli Wallach on concealed carry while taking a bubble bath
Eli Wallach on concealed carry while taking a bubble bath
- Longhorn-breeder
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Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
Check with the Arms Room they may be able to help you out
Longhorn-breeder
Central TX
Central TX
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
Longhorn-breeder wrote:Check with the Arms Room they may be able to help you out

NRA Endowment Member
Re: Carry in car onto NASA?
I had thought of that, thanks.
USMC, Retired
Treating one variety of person as better or worse than others by accident of birth is morally indefensible.
Treating one variety of person as better or worse than others by accident of birth is morally indefensible.