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Asked to remove holster from Federal Building...

S

sopranos27

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Messages
37
Location
Arkansas
This happened Friday morning when my wife and I went to the Federal Building for a SSD hearing and I was already fully aware of the no firearms policy so I left my firearm locked and secured in my car. We entered the building and went through the security checkpoint and emptied my pockets, took off my belt and removed my Foxx IWB holster and placed them in the xray tray. The security guard noticed the "empty" holster and informed me that if I did not take it back to my vehicle he would not let me enter the building. I asked him why and he stated that it violated the "no firearms" policy and I could be fined for doing so. I did not want to be late for the hearing so I grabbed my holster all while firmly asserting that a empty holster is not considered a firearm... Did he have the right to do this? What would he think would have happened? I get mad and throw my holster at somebody!
 
Grapeshot

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
That is extremely funny.

File a complaint - then maybe he will learn that an empty holster is not a gun.
 
S

sopranos27

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Messages
37
Location
Arkansas
Grapeshot said:
That is extremely funny.

File a complaint - then maybe he will learn that an empty holster is not a gun.
Click to expand...

Trying to find out who they contract out to so I can file a complaint and did not get a good look at company name on their sleeve.
 
V

VanillaBK

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2013
Messages
44
Location
Idaho
Ridiculous! I would formally complain and request a response in writing.

I probably would have become a little sarcastic and asked if I needed to leave my trigger finger in the car as well.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
 
MKEgal

MKEgal

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Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
4,383
Location
in front of my computer, WI
I had almost the same problem at our county courthouse one time.
The rent-a-cop asked if my holster was for my GPS.
When I said no, it's for my pistol, he got upset & told me I couldn't have it 'cause of the no gun policy.
I pointed out it wasn't a gun, picked up my property & went to the elevator.
They actually had one of their RACs follow me to the courtroom, got a bailiff (who also tried to tell me that a holster is a gun), then they called a real deputy on the radio.
If you've never seen a "you idiot, you called me for what?" sort of look, this deputy did a really good one.
He sent the RACs away, talked with me for a minute, admitted that the holster was essentially the same as my backpack (both black nylon), then left.
I wrote a nice letter about him to the Sheriff, being sure to point out the idiocy of the RACs.
(Oh, and the ADA persecuting me made sure to mention it in his remarks to the judge, to which I pointed out that it's perfectly legal. He didn't have anything to say after that.)
 
Jamesm760

Jamesm760

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2013
Messages
429
Location
Salisbury, NC
VanillaBK said:
Ridiculous! I would formally complain and request a response in writing.

I probably would have become a little sarcastic and asked if I needed to leave my trigger finger in the car as well.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

:lol: I like your style!
 
S

sopranos27

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Messages
37
Location
Arkansas
Best I can tell is that FPS (Federal Protective Services) is who they use but how to get in contact with them at the Fed Building is what I'm trying to figure out... Any suggestions?
 
davidmcbeth

davidmcbeth

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Jan 14, 2012
Messages
16,167
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earth's crust
Grapeshot said:
That is extremely funny.

File a complaint - then maybe he will learn that an empty holster is not a gun.
Click to expand...

It will do nothing. Go back and do the same thing except DON'T remove it ... then he'll either arrest you or not. Either way its a win for you.

I understand-you had a hearing to attend.

I had a deputy at a courthouse telling me I could not wear my hat in the courthouse(I was outside a courtroom). I just let him scream and yell to his heart's content -- I did not remove it. He's the one who looked foolish.
 
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KBCraig

KBCraig

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Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
4,886
Location
Granite State of Mind
sopranos27 said:
Best I can tell is that FPS (Federal Protective Services) is who they use but how to get in contact with them at the Fed Building is what I'm trying to figure out... Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

FPS aren't contractors, they're part of DHS. They used to be the security service from General Services Administration (who operate most federal buildings), then got rolled into the DHS boondoggle.

Which court building?
 
S

sopranos27

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Messages
37
Location
Arkansas
KBCraig said:
FPS aren't contractors, they're part of DHS. They used to be the security service from General Services Administration (who operate most federal buildings), then got rolled into the DHS boondoggle.

Which court building?
Click to expand...

I've given up on trying to find contact #'s for them... It's the building on W. Capital in Little Rock. If I ever have to go back in there I'll be sure to arrive extra early and stand my ground.
 
davidmcbeth

davidmcbeth

Banned
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Jan 14, 2012
Messages
16,167
Location
earth's crust
sopranos27 said:
I've given up on trying to find contact #'s for them... It's the building on W. Capital in Little Rock. If I ever have to go back in there I'll be sure to arrive extra early and stand my ground.
Click to expand...

Or go in w/o your holster, get your business done ... then go to your car, get it, and return with your holster ...
 
S

sopranos27

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Messages
37
Location
Arkansas
KBCraig said:
That only narrows it down to a couple of blocks full of "federal buildings" on W. Capitol.

Is it the U.S. District Court?
Click to expand...

700 W. Capital Ave. Little Rock, AR... that Federal Building. That's where they hold all Social Security cases.
 
okiebryan

okiebryan

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Messages
447
Location
Director, Oklahoma Open Carry Association
Long ago, back when we were still fighting for open carry in Oklahoma, I started wearing an empty holster everywhere I went. Once on the the OHP Troopers working the security checkpoints at the State capitol asked me what the holster was for. I told him it was "lawfully protected political speech" and I never EVER had another issue. I've also used this before with police officers who have asked about why I was carrying an empty holster, and it had immediately ended the contact.
 
C

countryclubjoe

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
2,505
Location
nj
MKEgal said:
I had almost the same problem at our county courthouse one time.
The rent-a-cop asked if my holster was for my GPS.
When I said no, it's for my pistol, he got upset & told me I couldn't have it 'cause of the no gun policy.
I pointed out it wasn't a gun, picked up my property & went to the elevator.
They actually had one of their RACs follow me to the courtroom, got a bailiff (who also tried to tell me that a holster is a gun), then they called a real deputy on the radio.
If you've never seen a "you idiot, you called me for what?" sort of look, this deputy did a really good one.
He sent the RACs away, talked with me for a minute, admitted that the holster was essentially the same as my backpack (both black nylon), then left.
I wrote a nice letter about him to the Sheriff, being sure to point out the idiocy of the RACs.
(Oh, and the ADA persecuting me made sure to mention it in his remarks to the judge, to which I pointed out that it's perfectly legal. He didn't have anything to say after that.)
Click to expand...

Surely you won your case against this idiot ADA?

I could see it now.

ADA, Your Honor the Defendant today is wearing an empty gun holster in court.

Judge to Defendant, A empty gun holster in court< Defendant, yes your Honor, I also have a brief case and an empty wallet in court today.

Judge, CASE DISMISSED. lol
 
J

joanie

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
306
Location
..
Wow, that umm, holster could be used to hold your reading glasses, sun glasses, pencils, pens, hair brush, cell phone, I don't know if they allow cellphones in the courthouse. You know, I'll bet theres cops who testify in court, and they have their guns, I've been in court and seen them showing off their guns to eachother, a few sheriffs, a highway patrol, and a couple city police. All wearing guns.

I think it's all about how to make us criminals, possible domestic terrorists, people not to be trusted, getting used to following orders, putting us in our place, at their feet licking their boots. You know?, condisioning the public to be slaves.
 
XD40sc

XD40sc

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
402
Location
NC
Rent-a-cop, or federal LEO?

I watched the rent-a-cops at the federal bldg. and a 90+ year old man on 2 aluminum crutches. They couldn't understand that he can't walk through the metal detector without his crutches, and wouldn't clear him to enter the building until he did. I was on my way out, so never saw how it was resolved, but is was sadly comical.
 
MAC702

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
Wear loose pants and no underwear.

Wear a holster that requires belt removal.

Do as they say...
 
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