can someone explain this

[wv hillbilly]

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 [18 U.S.C. 930(a)].



This prohibition does 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 [18 U.S.C. 930(d)].


can someone explain #3 to me. i just got off the phone with the ATF and they couldn't

[GunnyGene]

I think that #3 covers shooting ranges or federal lands that are open to hunting, etc. to the general public, or that must be traversed in order to engage in such. Such as a road thru a National Forest, etc. The EPA, Commerce and other depts. get involved in this also.

I know that some military installations (especially large ones) permit hunting on their land or have ranges that are available to active, retired and former military.

At least that's how I'd interpret it. Kinda depends on the definition of a Federal Facility.

Here's the legal definition: http://definitions.uslegal.com/f/federal-facility/

According to 15 USCS § 205c (9), [Title 15. Commerce and Trade; Chapter 6. Weights and Measures and Standard Time; Metric Conversion] the term Federal facility means “any public building (as defined under section 13 of the Public Buildings Act of 1959 (40 U.S.C. 612)[)] [40 USCS § 3301] and shall include any Federal building or construction project--

(A) on lands in the public domain;

(B) on lands used in connection with Federal programs for agriculture research, recreation, and conservation programs;

(C) on or used in connection with river, harbor, flood control, reclamation, or power projects;

(D) on or used in connection with housing and residential projects;

(E) on military installations (including any fort, camp, post, naval training station, airfield, proving ground, military supply depot, military school, or any similar facility of the Department of Defense);

(F) on installations of the Department of Veteran [Veterans] Affairs used for hospital or domiciliary purposes; or

(G) on lands used in connection with Federal prisons,

but does not include (i) any Federal building or construction project the exclusion of which the President deems to be justified in the public interest, or (ii) any construction project or building owned or controlled by a State government, local government, Indian tribe, or any private entity.”

PS: Don't know if it's still possible, but when I was in the base Special Services carried a wide variety of hunting and camping equipment that you could check out for personal use, including firearms and free ammo. Tents, sleeping bags, packs, and so on. Very handy.

[twobit]

+1 on above.
I'm reading between the lines and guessing that you are hoping #3 means a post office. I don't think it does. I would bet it does not! Besides what you are reading is Federal Code. States and state law enforcement officers enforce state laws, and many states have state laws about where and where you cannot carry a firearm even if you have that state's handgun license.

[MSGT-R]

Firearms and free ammo??
Gunny, just how old are you?

..Of course, it hasn't been called "Special Services" for a long time.

[aa1911]

post office is off limits. kinda stupid IMO but it is what it is.

I think Gunny is spot on, there are lots of federal lands with 'federal' facilities. When they opened up national parks to guns recently for example, the visitor center is technically a federal facility and guns are not allowed inside.

So it's a rare occurance for the main purpose of the prohibition but had to cover all bases I guess.

[GunnyGene]

Originally Posted by MSGT-R

Firearms and free ammo??
Gunny, just how old are you?

..Of course, it hasn't been called "Special Services" for a long time.

68 last time I checked. My first aquaintance with a 1911a1, was in fact one that my father (Navy) checked out when I was 14. The gun and 500 rounds that we took to a family get together just to keep me and my cousins from getting into trouble. Spent about half the day out in the back yard shooting it all up.