CCWing in a Police Station?

[db556762]

I would like to hear people's thoughts on carrying inside a police station in this particular scenario. I'm asking here first before going to my IA or the chief of the PD in question and asking their thoughts or policy. I don't want to rock the boat and force a new policy to be made where one didn't exist before.

Background: I have access to the inside of local police station (in the Bay Area) where I have regular monthly meetings with an emergency services group I'm a board member of. We, the board, have credentialed access to the secured parking area and inside the station. Meetings are always at night time and the PD is mostly empty when we are there. We never interact with any police officers as we go to and from our meeting room. We go in as a group and leave as a group.

What do people think about carrying in that scenario? I understand concealed means concealed, but I'd suspect if we interacted with any police their senses might be tuned well to see telltale signs of carrying.

Our IA did not list police station as restricted areas. Only schools, courthouses, commercial airports, bars and federal buildings. I don't see any law, yet, on restrictions at a police station.

1. Carry as usual without notifying IA/Chief?
   
2. Ask the IA their thoughts on doing this?
   
3. Ask the PD Chief if he is ok with it?

The other part of this equation is that even though I can do it, doesn't mean I should do it. It may be legal to carry, but it may not be smart to do it due risks of encountering an officer and things not going well. Besides not carrying at all, leaving in the car while inside seems to be the best option from my view without letting IA/Chief knowing that a CCWer has inside access and then having them set an official policy due to this.

Thank you

[9Cal_OC]

That’s a tough one.

IMO, if you ask, it’s going to be a “No”.

If LEOs see you there, given you have access and are in the interior of the building, would they likely assume you’re a random stranger and BOLO?

[db556762]

Yep, with the assumption that I'm already inside the secured area with visible ID, they may just conclude I'm not anything unusual to be concerned of since there are many LEOs with with inside access and firearms all the time and sometimes in plain-clothes ccwing themselves. But it is all still assumptions. Asking for a definitive opens Pandora's box.

[ACfixer]

It may be legal to carry, but it may not be smart to do it due risks of encountering an officer and things not going well...

Like how?

I carry everywhere that it's legal to do so. And I don't ask permission to not break the law. Just my 2 cents.

[db556762]

Like how?

I carry everywhere that it's legal to do so. And I don't ask permission to not break the law. Just my 2 cents.

That's the info I'm trying to get. If a LEO chimes in here, that would be helpful. If LEO thinks only LEOs can carry inside the restricted area, then if seen by LEO it could lead up to a confrontation/arrest. Similar to how recording LEOs in public, even though 1A protected, some LEOs enforced non-existing law and arrested the person recording.

So in this case, legal 2A carrying, though protected, LEOs who are not used to CCWers around (there are so few of us in the Bay Area), may escalate the encounter.

This is all speculation, hence starting the thread to see if anyone with knowledge/authority can chime in with known facts/policies.

[Dvrjon]

Talking to your IA won't work, as I suspect they will defer to the local PD interest as a common courtesy. They won't be put into the position of having the PD call the IA and wanting to know why they authorized carry into their PD.

Two viable options:

As a general courtesy, you could approach the CoP, acknowledge it's his station house and see if he has concerns. Do this without the firearm on your person.

or,

You're already inside the controlled area in the parking lot. The odds of needing to defend yourself drop significantly. Follow the law and secure the gun in a locked container out of site and go to your meeting.

If those don't work, you could try moving to N/E Tennessee and carry wherever you want to.

[9Cal_OC]

You're already inside the controlled area in the parking lot. The odds of needing to defend yourself drop significantly. Follow the law and secure the gun in a locked container out of site and go to your meeting.

This is sound advice.

If things go south, I doubt the PD may defer to you for assistance.

[mk2dave]

I sounds like you and might be in similar situations. I'm on the board with a local volunteer group with the local dept., and have talked to the liaisons about CCW while in the application process of the CCW.

To my understanding, it is 100% legal to carry at the Station. Doing so doesn't violate any PC's' dictated by the state, and is not against any guidelines laid out by my IA.

Is it SMART? In my view, no. And the reason is obvious for me.

I think you answered your own questions here (emphasis mine): "If LEO thinks only LEOs can carry inside the restricted area, then if seen by LEO it could lead up to a confrontation/arrest. Similar to how recording LEOs in public, even though 1A protected, some LEOs enforced non-existing law and arrested the person recording."

It is also against the By-Laws of the volunteer group, even with a CCW. You may want to check if that applies to your group or not.

Of course, you are with a different group with a different IA dealing with a different department, so I can't advise you on what to do.

[ACfixer]

If LEO thinks only LEOs can carry inside the restricted area, then if seen by LEO it could lead up to a confrontation/arrest

Arrest for what exactly? And you're going to base your decision based on one cop's feelings on the internet from a different agency? If you think this is a realistic scenario, then just leave the gun locked in the car.

If those don't work, you could try moving to N/E Tennessee and carry wherever you want to.

Hahaha well it's an option I chose, but it's not really a state issue.

I just see it is if it's legal, then either do it, and do it correctly and well concealed... or don't. Your choice, but no reason to ask permission to not break the law. It's possible another person at the meeting is carrying and if you go asking and it screws it up for them.

[p7m8jg]

You're in a "police" station.
You're carrying a gun.
Everyone there is aware that bad guys want to kill them. Haven't you watched Terminator??????

What about this doesn't scream "be one of the good guys, tell them right away!"

[CSACANNONEER]

Does YOUR IA have a written policy against it?

Is there a local law against doing so?

Are you in any area where prisoners EVER go? I haven't looked into state laws (and have no idea where you are so, I can't look at your local laws) or local laws but, I'm assuming that your LTC wouldn't be valid in those areas.

[Djantlive]

If you remove the pistol and stow it in your car, just be sure it’s done out of sight. If someone sees you doing it, you might be misunderstood…

If you wear it, no one will challenge you unless you are printing or if there is an activity that would make you have to excuse yourself in order not to print. In either case, I doubt you will be confronted.

Personally, I think it’s 50/50. I would just keep carrying to avoid the hassle.

[db556762]

Does YOUR IA have a written policy against it?

Is there a local law against doing so?

Are you in any area where prisoners EVER go? I haven't looked into state laws (and have no idea where you are so, I can't look at your local laws) or local laws but, I'm assuming that your LTC wouldn't be valid in those areas.

No IA written policy around this.
No local law that I'm aware of.
Never around prisoners. General office space areas. We meet in the CoP's private conf room.

I'm taking all the comments in. No decision, yet, what I will do. It won't be until Feb that I'm there again.

[freedomweek]

I carry everywhere it is legal to do so.

[Usual_Suspect]

My only thought would be if you are around any trustees. I would not carry in a PD, leave it secure in the car, but I doubt there is anything they can do in the way of an arrest if you choose to. I would ask as a courtesy the Watch Commander, or whomever your liaison is for the room schedule and usage.