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Oh, and I meant to add this: even employees can leave instead of being searched.

We don't search employees unless there is very, very good intelligence that a specific person will be in possession of a specific item at a specific time and place. But stupid criminals will be stupid criminals, even when they work for the government, and "You don't mind if I look in your truck, do you? You don't have anything to hide, do you?" seems to get 'em every time.

Thankfully, we hire a pretty high class of folks here. I've only known of three employee searches in 14 years, and only one of them produced anything (a fifth of vodka in his truck).

Kevin

stevie_d_64 wrote: uh-ohhh...

So all this time that I go to visit a "friend" in a federal detention facility in Beaumont (they are in the "camp" facility) where I am not subject to a "stop" before I park my vehicle, go "into" the building facility to check in and conduct my visit...

I know before hand that it might not be a good thing to take a firearm inside, so if I leave it locked inside a safe, and then lock that inside a vehicle, is that not rendering the weapon "inacessable" to anyone who does not have the key to first get in the vehicle, much less the key to open the safe...

I have only heard, yet not confirmed, that if I do these two things, I can enter the property (premises) of that federal facility, not undergoing "any" scrutiny before I park my vehicle, lock everything up, and only take my drivers license, and some pocket change for the vending machines, and conduct my visit???

I haven't been to the Beaumont complex, but on your next visit, look for signs along at the entrance or driveway. The 18 USC 930 citation should be posted on a sign, warning all sorts of dire consequences for bringing guns, knives, explosives, metal-cutting tools, weapons, alcohol, or anything else without the permission of the warden. The verbiage will be similar to what's found on the "Notice to Visitors" form that you sign before visiting:

It is a Federal crime to bring upon the institution grounds any firearm, destructive device, ammunition, other object designed to be used as a weapon, narcotic drug, controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, currency, or any other object that threatens the order, discipline, or security of a prison, or the life, health, or safety of an individual without the knowledge and consent of the Warden. 18 U.S.C. §§ 1791 and 3571 provides a penalty of imprisonment for not more than twenty years, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both, to a person who provides, or attempts to provide, to an inmate any prohibited object. All persons entering upon these premises are subject to routine searches of their person, property (including vehicles), and packages. The Warden, upon reasonable suspicion that a person may be introducing contraband or demonstrating actions that might otherwise endanger institution safety, security, or good order, may request the person, as a prerequisite to entry, to submit to a visual search, pat search, urine surveillance test, breathalyzer test, or other comparable test. A visitor has the option to refuse any of the search or test or entrance procedures, with the result that the visitor will not be permitted entry to the institution.
NOTE: Your refusal of these procedures means that you will not be permitted entry to the institution, and you will be allowed to leave the institution property, unless there is a reason to detain and/or arrest you. The use of cameras or recording equipment without permission of the Warden is strictly prohibited; violators are subject to criminal prosecution. Once a visit with an inmate begins, if a visitor leaves the visiting area, the
visit will be terminated. Any exception must be approved by the visiting room officer.


Like the form says, visitors are not subject to a forced search, but anyone refusing must leave the grounds. If we have sufficient reason to believe that a visitor is in possession of contraband, we will effect an arrest, make the search, and call the FBI or Marshals to arrange charges and proper processing at the nearest jail.

In case you're wondering, in 14+ years I've never known of a visitor's vehicle being searched. The only arrests we've made have been when we've been warned a visitor had an outstanding felony warrant.

Kevin

txinvestigator wrote:

KBCraig wrote: The federal law requires notice to be posted to be effective. My PO doesn't have any kind of signage at the door, much less the parking lot.

I wonder where your instructor received his information. It is not part of the DPS instructor training......

What instructor? I don't have a CHL. But I do have the law, namely 18 USC 930. You quoted part of it in another reply, but you stopped reading too soon:

18 USC 930 (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.

Like I said, the federal law requires notice to be given.

Kevin

GrillKing wrote:

Bubba wrote:While at the local Post Office to rent a P.O. Box (yes, I left my gun in the truck)

I thought even leaving your gun in your vehicle in the parking lot was a no-no. It's still federally controlled property. In my CHL class, we were told, don't even go on the parking lot or the drive through drop box lane with your weapon. It's a violation. It has nothing to do with the building, it's the entire property. Anyone know different?

Not unless they've posted the parking lot with the relevant federal statute.

The federal law requires notice to be posted to be effective. My PO doesn't have any kind of signage at the door, much less the parking lot.

Kevin