sirpuma
Regular Member
On Sunday, May 22 2011, my wife, friend and I were visiting the Hiram M.
Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks). I was openly carrying my Beretta 92F in a Blackhawk SERPA holster. We visited the site for about 45 minutes. As we were about to leave I was approached by an employee and was told that I would have to take my firearm out and secure it in my vehicle. He said that the locks are Federal property and that the provisions of 36 CFR prohibiting firearms are applicable. He did say that I could cover it up though. I was even given an internal memo and an USACE regulation pamphlet.
Of course having read the pamphlet, according to 36 CFR §327.13 (a) 4, the prohibition can be lifted by written permission from the District Commander. It also doesn't say anything about having it concealed being OK. So I wrote the district commander to request permission to carry. I also mentioned that there is no signage or any place to check in a weapon if someone were to walk in or come by mass transit.
I also had emailed through the USACE website and the other day got a response saying they would have to check with their lawyers.
Now I get an email from NRA ILA Alerts. "H.R. 1865, THE RECREATIONAL LANDS SELF-DEFENSE ACT: Urge your Member of Congress to Cosponsor this Important Legislation -- As we previously reported, on May 12, Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio) and Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) introduced H.R. 1865, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act, which is designed to protect the rights of gun owners on lands owned or managed by the Army Corps of Engineers."
I will update this if I get a response from the commander, but somehow I doubt I will. I've OCd there many times and this is the first I've had any encounter. But I will say they were very friendly, understanding, sympathetic and yet still very professional.
Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks). I was openly carrying my Beretta 92F in a Blackhawk SERPA holster. We visited the site for about 45 minutes. As we were about to leave I was approached by an employee and was told that I would have to take my firearm out and secure it in my vehicle. He said that the locks are Federal property and that the provisions of 36 CFR prohibiting firearms are applicable. He did say that I could cover it up though. I was even given an internal memo and an USACE regulation pamphlet.
Of course having read the pamphlet, according to 36 CFR §327.13 (a) 4, the prohibition can be lifted by written permission from the District Commander. It also doesn't say anything about having it concealed being OK. So I wrote the district commander to request permission to carry. I also mentioned that there is no signage or any place to check in a weapon if someone were to walk in or come by mass transit.
I also had emailed through the USACE website and the other day got a response saying they would have to check with their lawyers.
Now I get an email from NRA ILA Alerts. "H.R. 1865, THE RECREATIONAL LANDS SELF-DEFENSE ACT: Urge your Member of Congress to Cosponsor this Important Legislation -- As we previously reported, on May 12, Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio) and Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) introduced H.R. 1865, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act, which is designed to protect the rights of gun owners on lands owned or managed by the Army Corps of Engineers."
I will update this if I get a response from the commander, but somehow I doubt I will. I've OCd there many times and this is the first I've had any encounter. But I will say they were very friendly, understanding, sympathetic and yet still very professional.