Avoid the Post Office Gun Free Zone

Most CHL/CCW permit holders know they cannot carry a firearm in government buildings, including courthouses, the sterile area beyond TSA at airports, and in schools.  GFSZA makes it a federal violation to carry within a 1,000 feet of school property unless you have a CCW permit issued in the same state as the school you are violating. 

Yet when it comes to the Post Office many people unknowingly violate the law.  United States Code (18 U.S.C. 930) that deals with firearms in federal buildings has a section that says there are certain times you can carry concealed in a federal building… “The lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.”  

Some think that “other lawful purposes” means we can carry for personal protection because we have a valid concealed carry permit.  This is NOT true.  

In fact, the Code of Federal Regulations – Title 39 – which is named “Conduct on Postal Property” says “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.

You’re not even allowed to have your gun on Post Office Property. In other words, when you pull into the parking lot and toss your gun into the glove compartment while you go mail a letter, you violating federal law.

So since you cannot even carry onto the Post Office parking lot, what should you do? First of all, avoid the Post Office as much as possible.  I use UPS or FedEx to ship my packages.  When I do have to mail something, I prepare it at home and drop it in a mail box that is not located on Post Office property. The Post Office is losing billions of dollars.  I go out of my way not to use alternative shipping because of the USPS GUN FREE ZONE regulation.

But there will be times you need to use the Post Office. Other than leaving your gun at home, what can you do?  Where I live there is a Park and public parking lot, where I can legally carry, next to the Post Office. Most Post Offices are located next to or near businesses with parking lots where you can legally stash your firearm inside of a vehicle.

I always park in a public parking lot and stash my gun in a lock box which is bolted down inside my vehicle.  I then walk over and take care of business at the Post Office.  It’s a minor inconvenience, but for me, it’s better than the alternatives.  I won’t leave home without my firearm and I won’t violate the federal Gun Free Zone and risk losing my carry permit.  Both local cops and the Postal Inspection Service have arrested and convicted CHL/CCW permit holders for carrying a firearm on Postal Property. 

So, avoid the Post Office whenever you can. Spend your money someplace else.  Never leave home without your legally concealed firearm.