It's well known, and I've posted threads here before about it, that we cannot carry on military installations. I could never figure out why these policies existed. I've complained on critiques and even talked to commanders myself about the firearm policies of military bases. The answers I always got were, "well it's a Wing policy, you can't change it." After not being happy with that I've always been searching and I've finally found it. How I've never found this before I don't know.
Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 44 - FIREARMS
Sec. 930 - Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Federal facilities
Though I know we will probably never get TRUE carry on federal installations, my beef is that I can't even leave a gun in my car for self defense on the way home. I've passed murder scenes at midnight driving home on swing shift and it really bothers me that my government who arms me to protect them doesn't allow me to be armed to protect myself. It's like when I leave the gate they say "good luck." When I brought this issue to my Group Commander using that example he said, "sounds like you should move! get some buddies together and move...." He was being serious. This really bothered me, because I'm stationed here. Where can I move other than a few blocks down? Where can I move where there is a perfect world and no one commits crime?
Can anyone think of a reason WHY self defense while driving home would not be considered a lawful purpose allowed under subsection (3)? If it is indeed a lawful purpose, as I see it is, does the military have the authority to outlaw something that is lawful under U.S. CODE when referring to Federal Facilities?
Does "part thereof" in the definition of facility include an entire base? Or just the buildings on the base?
On a side note:
It isn't like the government/military doesn't care about my life. It is that they have gone out of their way to make laws and regulations that put me in danger on a daily basis. How in the world did this legislation get passed? What American would have allowed this to happen?
Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 44 - FIREARMS
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 or attempts to kill 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, shall be punished as provided in sections 1111, 1112, and 1113.
(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.
(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm in a Federal court facility, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to conduct which is described in paragraph(1) or (2) of subsection (d).
(f) Nothing in this section limits the power of a court of the United States to punish for contempt or to promulgate rules or orders regulating, restricting, or prohibiting the possession of weapons within any building housing such court or any of its proceedings, or upon any grounds appurtenant to such building.
(g) As used in this section:
(1) The term "Federal facility" means a building or part thereof owned or leased by the Federal Government, where Federal employees are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
(2) The term "dangerous weapon" means a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does not include a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2 1/2 inches in length.
(3) The term "Federal court facility" means the courtroom, judges' chambers, witness rooms, jury deliberation rooms, attorney conference rooms, prisoner holding cells, offices of the court clerks, the United States attorney, and the United States marshal, probation and parole offices, and adjoining corridors of any court of the United States.
(h) Notice of the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal facility, and notice of subsection (e) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal court facility, and no person shall be convicted of an offense under subsection (a) or (e) with respect to a Federal facility if such notice is not so posted at such facility, unless such person had actual notice of subsection(a) or (e), as the case may be.
Though I know we will probably never get TRUE carry on federal installations, my beef is that I can't even leave a gun in my car for self defense on the way home. I've passed murder scenes at midnight driving home on swing shift and it really bothers me that my government who arms me to protect them doesn't allow me to be armed to protect myself. It's like when I leave the gate they say "good luck." When I brought this issue to my Group Commander using that example he said, "sounds like you should move! get some buddies together and move...." He was being serious. This really bothered me, because I'm stationed here. Where can I move other than a few blocks down? Where can I move where there is a perfect world and no one commits crime?
Can anyone think of a reason WHY self defense while driving home would not be considered a lawful purpose allowed under subsection (3)? If it is indeed a lawful purpose, as I see it is, does the military have the authority to outlaw something that is lawful under U.S. CODE when referring to Federal Facilities?
Does "part thereof" in the definition of facility include an entire base? Or just the buildings on the base?
On a side note:
It isn't like the government/military doesn't care about my life. It is that they have gone out of their way to make laws and regulations that put me in danger on a daily basis. How in the world did this legislation get passed? What American would have allowed this to happen?