Is it legal to carry into a doctor or dentist office in Arizona

[gamestalker]

This.

Can anyone cite Arizona state law or federal law that prohibits carrying into a doctor office or dentist office. This is a shared building with other physicians as well.

No prohibitive signage exists.

I've read conflicting media articles, and neither my doctor or I have been successful in determining the legal facts concerning this.

GS

 

[JRWhit]

I think your best bet is to email your State Attorney General for definitive answer.

 

[X-Rap]

Places like this are a world of information.http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/arizona.pdf

 

[gamestalker]

I already did some fairly extensive research, including www.handgunlaws site, which is why I'm asking here. I was hoping someone may be better at locating and interpreting legal material than I am.

But I just thought of someone else to ask, Doug Little with Armed Personal Defense, he has all the legal answers and is a certified expert. Sorry, I should have thought of him before posting my question here.

Thanks anyway

GS

 

[Doc7]

This seems very clear to me. Why wouldn't a doctors office that otherwise has no sign posted be off limits???

Any establishment or event open to the public where the operator makes a reasonable request for you to give them custody or remove the weapon from the premises. A sign would qualify for such request. By law, cities and counties are required to offer on-site storage if they ban weapons but not all are in compliance.
The grounds of any school, other than the parking lot. In order to be legal in the parking lot the weapon must be unloaded, and, if left in an unattended vehicle, such vehicle must be locked and the weapon out of sight.
Commercial nuclear or hydroelectric generating stations.
Polling places on Election Day.
Correctional facilities (this includes the parking lot of such facilities).
You can take a firearm onto school property if you follow the procedure below.

 

[WardenWolf]

This.

Can anyone cite Arizona state law or federal law that prohibits carrying into a doctor office or dentist office. This is a shared building with other physicians as well.

No prohibitive signage exists.

I've read conflicting media articles, and neither my doctor or I have been successful in determining the legal facts concerning this.

GS

It's absolutely legal, and in Arizona signs don't carry force of law. I am a former Arizona resident (moved to Virginia in 2012) so I'm very well-acquainted with the laws. I carried in doctor's offices all the time.

 

[Frank Ettin]

...in Arizona signs don't carry force of law.

Wrong. Arizona "no guns" signs do carry the force of law. See handgunlaw.us/Arizona (page 8, at the bottom of the page).

And I addressed the question here:

...I notice that no one has cited the actual Arizona criminal trespass statute, ARS 13-1502 (emphasis added):

13-1502. Criminal trespass in the third degree; classification

A. A person commits criminal trespass in the third degree by:

1. Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully on any real property after a reasonable request to leave by the owner or any other person having lawful control over such property, or reasonable notice prohibiting entry.

2. Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully on the right-of-way for tracks, or the storage or switching yards or rolling stock of a railroad company.​

B. Criminal trespass in the third degree is a class 3 misdemeanor.​

Notice that it is criminal trespass in Arizona not only when one stays after being asked to leave. It is also criminal trespass to enter if one is on notice that entry is prohibited.

The question therefore becomes whether a "no guns" sign on private property is reasonable notice prohibiting entry by one carrying a gun. If an Arizona court would say, or has said, that it is, a "no guns" sign indeed has the force of law.

Certainly on the face of things it looks like a "no gun" sign could well be considered reasonable notice that entry to the premises with a gun is prohibited.

WardenWolf, if you still contend that a "no guns" sign doesn't have the force of law in Arizona, cite an Arizona court decision so ruling.

 

[gamestalker]

Well, my doctor and dentist also seemed to think it was perfectly legal for both myself and them to carry in their offices. I'm adamant about keeping current with our state gun laws, so I thought it would be wise to further investigate a couple of liberal toned newspaper articles that were misinforming in this respect. Again, I would never knowingly violate the law, and also feel it's my responsibility to know the current laws.

GS

 

[Twiki357]

As far as I know, a doctor or dentist office is in the same category as any private business. If it’s posted no guns, it’s no guns, otherwise no problem.
In my case:
Doctor A: posted no guns.
Doctor B: not posted and the subject has never come up.
Dentist: No problem. Actually, what shoud be a 15 minute procedure generally last about an hour because of gun talk, including “show and tell.”

 

[gamestalker]

I'm laughing so hard right now, cause every time I go to my doctor, he gets so wrapped up in gun talk and show and tell, that he'll forget about addressing my medical issues. Some visits will last an hour or so, cause he'll bounce in and out of the room taking care of other patients, while in between finishing his discussion with me about guns. Great doctor, and even better since he's a gun nut.

Thanks for the help with this question guys.

GS