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An immediate supervisor would be contacted and a decision would be made thereafter. Each situation is different, think "totality of the circumstances". I could talk 24/7 for weeks and still not be able to convey everything we must deal with. Look at it this way, people get out of prison, these people return to prison to visit the "friends" they left behind. Now, if a former inmate comes to visit another inmate and he has a weapon in the vehicle, what is to prevent him from hiding it in the parking lot so his friend can locate it while cleaning the parking lot? How many of the general public has been jeopardized? Do you see where I am going with this? My job is to keep the institution and its inhabitants safe, my job also entails keeping folks like yourself safe. It is a difficult and thankless job, but a necessary one that I enjoy doing. I have saved a few lives while endangering mine, yet you never hear about it. However, if I make a mistake, everyone hears about it. So as to help protect the public, I will err on the side of caution. As I said before, I work for you and I will do everything possible to accomodate you should you show up at my gate.

Lets try to clear this up. I am the officer at the highway gate of one the largest units in the state. Upon your arrival, you will be asked if you have any weapons in your vehicle (i am expecting you to be honest). After documenting your arrival, I will perform a comprehensive search of said vechicle. If you told me you had no weapon and I do in fact, find one, we have a problem. Now, if you told me "Yes, I have a weapon inside my car", I will advise the duty warden of the weapon. You be asked to secure your weapon and proceed with your business. I do not care that you have a CHL as one does not need one to carry within the confines of a vehicle. I will ask you to park the vehicle within my view so that I can watch over it while you take care of your business. In 12 years I have not once denied anyone entry into our facility because they had a weapon and announced that fact prior to entry. Please remember, I work for you, the taxpayer, and I will always look out for your best interest.

There are inmates that walk the parking lot on a regular basis removing trash and debris. Recently, an inmate knocked a contractor down and took her car! Remember, play the "What if" game. What if an inmate were to break into your car? What if someone forgot to lock the car? If I remember correctly, they want the firearm in a locked container inside the locked vehicle. While a warden cannot take away from the rules, he can and will enhance them to suit his respective unit on an "as needed" basis. Your best bet is to let the CO know at the highway gate, he will call his duty warden for further instructions and you will enter the facility. A little common courtesy will go a long way!