Thank golly they had guards...::sigh::

[BrokenPaw]

So I had to go to the Social Security office today, to get a letter proving that my SSN is my SSN, and I only have one SSN[0].

So as I'm walking into the SS office, I see the big signs they have posted on the wall, with black silhouettes of guns and big red circles and slashes, and excerpts from 18 USC and so forth. Ok. So I go back and lock my pocket gun in my truck, and go back inside. I take a number, and sit down.

As I'm sitting there waiting for the droids behind the desk to figure out whether 43 comes after 40, or if there's a 41 in there somewhere, first,[1] I happen to look over at the Rent-a-Cop that's manning the security desk, and I notice a few things:

1. He's got his back to a plate-glass window to the parking lot.
2. He's got a nylon Uncle-Mike's-looking OWB holster with thumb-break retention strap.
3. The strap was snapped securely closed...
4. ...on nothing at all. No gun. Not even a magazine-less gun, like I've seen some security people carry. Nothing.

It's a good thing that he was there protecting us, in case a crazed lunatic had come in. Of course, said lunatic would have seen the "No Guns" signs and would have returned his sawed-off shotty to the car and assaulted us all with imprecations and rude gestures.

So I felt all safe.

-BP

[0] Some drooling lackwit at Experian decided that because one of my bill account numbers had 9 digits, it must be a Social Security number, and I must therefore be attempting to use a fake SSN, and I must therefore be an identity thief. And he put a note in my credit report to that effect.

[1] You think I'm kidding. But I'm not.

 

[Gus Dddysgrl]

Uh that might just be in Virginia. Maybe. Here we have one that sits in the corner of the room opposite the door. So he has a good view of the parking lot, door, and all the interactions at all the desks. He was carrying, but I couldn't tell what. Course the only problem with him that I saw was that he was about 3 times my size and couldn't move quickly. If someone had tried to run for some unknown reason he wouldn't have been able to keep up. He seemed nice and aware of his surroundings.

Hope everything got worked out for ya.

Gus

 

[Devonai]

18 USC Sec. 930. - Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Federal facilities


(a) Except as provided in subsection (d), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal facility (other than a Federal court facility), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

(b) Whoever, with intent that a firearm or other dangerous weapon be used in the commission of a crime, knowingly possesses or causes to be present such firearm or dangerous weapon in a Federal facility, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(c) A person who kills any person in the course of a violation of subsection (a) or (b), or in the course of an attack on a Federal facility involving the use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be punished as provided in sections 1111, 1112, 1113, and 1117.

(d) Subsection (a) shall not apply to -

(1) the lawful performance of official duties by an officer, agent, or employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof, who is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of law;

(2) the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a Federal official or a member of the Armed Forces if such possession is authorized by law; or

(3) the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.


Funny how they don't print subsection D on the signs, huh?

 

[sturmruger]

I wish the AG would comment on all of the rules about carrying on Fed property. I used to carry in the post office, but I don't know that I would do it on any other federal property.

 

[EricOKC]

(3) the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.

That would seem to imply that CCW holders would not have to leave anything in the car when they go into the post office. Am I reading that right?

 

[Azrael256]

the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting

Wait a sec... So if I stalk a deer into the national archives, I'm covered?

 

[BrokenPaw]

That would seem to imply that CCW holders would not have to leave anything in the car when they go into the post office. Am I reading that right?

That's the way I read the code, myself.

However, comma, the signs that were posted at the SS office had bold red text at the bottom, that said words to the effect of: "A state-issued CCW license does not grant an exception to this federal law." ::shrug::

I decided that (since the chances of my mortgage refi failing due to screwy SSN records in my credit report were greater than my chances of running afoul of criminal activity in the Social Security office in Manassas, Virginia) I'd leave the gun in the truck and deal with it.[0]

And them come here and gritch impotently about it to 'yall.

If I have the time and inclination, I might print out the entire relevant section of the US Code that Devonai helpfully posted, and take it back there and demand that they take the signs down.

It's safer to rock the boat when you're already across the river.

-BP

[0] I know "concealed means concealed", but in this case, "accidental printing" meant "hundreds of dollars a month extra on my mortgage."