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: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???
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
