Carry at Local Law Enforcement Agency

[Citizen]

My local LE Agency has no signs on building about carrying. They have no metal detectors. I am doing some community volunteer work and in the process of getting involved consent to a background check. Before the first meeting I ask the officer with whom I will be meeting their policy on carrying with a permit in the building. He says, "best to leave it in the car". I honor his suggestion, but every time I go back as I get a relationship with him and the other officers involved in the project, I am thinking I would like to bring up the subject again.

Did I make a mistake by bringing it up in the first place?

What would you do at this point?

[bigrich]

what would I do?

best to leave it in the car.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by Citizen

My local LE Agency has no signs on building about carrying. They have no metal detectors. I am doing some community volunteer work and in the process of getting involved consent to a background check. Before the first meeting I ask the officer with whom I will be meeting their policy on carrying with a permit in the building. He says, "best to leave it in the car". I honor his suggestion, but every time I go back as I get a relationship with him and the other officers involved in the project, I am thinking I would like to bring up the subject again.

Did I make a mistake by bringing it up in the first place?

What would you do at this point?

As a volunteer, you are representing that agency. If you shoot someone, that agency could be held accountable. And you probably wouldn't have the same protections as the police officers would in that same situation. And why would you need to carry in a police station any way? That's probably the safest place you could possibly be. When seconds counts, the cops are already there. haha

[mjones]

Carrying within a local LE building is illegal regardless of whether or not its posted (PC 171b) ... However, there is a legal exemption for those Licensed to Carry.

I'm both a former LEO and a current volunteer with countywide access to all of the county facilities. Even though it is technically legal; I do not ever carry, I always lock-up in the car.

[rkmagicman]

Awhile back I asked my Issuing angency about carring in the building, his answer was quite simple and straight forward---> "We gave the permit to you, why couldn't you carry in our building".

I guess it is up to each IA on how they feel about letting you carry inside their building.

RK

[Arondos]

On the comment about a police station being safe. Wasn't there just an ICE agent shot and killed in a building that was shared by multiple law enforcement agencies? ICE and Federal parole office I believe.

I'd respect the wishes of the agency you are working at. Call me paranoid but there are degrees of safety, nowhere is totally safe.

[David2531]

Originally Posted by rkmagicman

Awhile back I asked my Issuing angency about carring in the building, his answer was quite simple and straight forward---> "We gave the permit to you, why couldn't you carry in our building".

I guess it is up to each IA on how they feel about letting you carry inside their building.

RK

Was that deputy Aguirre it sounds like something he would say.

[rkmagicman]

Originally Posted by David2531

Was that deputy Aguirre it sounds like something he would say.

Actually Deputy Yezzo, but you are correct Aguirre is a great person as well.

RK

[Rob P.]

Originally Posted by rkmagicman

Awhile back I asked my Issuing angency about carring in the building, his answer was quite simple and straight forward---> "We gave the permit to you, why couldn't you carry in our building".

I guess it is up to each IA on how they feel about letting you carry inside their building.

RK

Yeah, I always though it weird that my IA trusts me enough to issue me a permit but I can't carry in their lobby.

I believe it's because their internal training standards are so lax that their officers don't know the law. Thus these officers may tend to overreact if they happen to spot a concealed handgun carried by someone they don't know to be another cop. Shoot first, apologize later is a poor standard.

The problem is that it will take actual dedication and effort to train the officers AND be willing to punish the officers if they offend after being trained. Right now all that exists in most places is Lip Service. Few departments will take on that challenge because it will result in "poor officer morale."

Which is an euphemism for "we don't wanna and you can't make us..."

[G36 Steve]

Originally Posted by Arondos

On the comment about a police station being safe. Wasn't there just an ICE agent shot and killed in a building that was shared by multiple law enforcement agencies? ICE and Federal parole office I believe.

I'd respect the wishes of the agency you are working at. Call me paranoid but there are degrees of safety, nowhere is totally safe.

I completely understand your concern but if you as an unfamiliar, unrecognized, non-employee draw your weapon inside a police station the assumption by the employees is that you are the bad guy.
If ever there were shots fired in that situation you stand a better chance if you get down and find cover.

[mitchg]

No sign, no restriction.

Cops can read our minds, we can't read theirs.

[Rob P.]

Originally Posted by G36 Steve

I completely understand your concern but if you as an unfamiliar, unrecognized, non-employee draw your weapon inside a police station the assumption by the employees is that you are the bad guy.
If ever there were shots fired in that situation you stand a better chance if you get down and find cover.

The issue is: "Why in the heck would I EVER draw a gun inside a cop shop?"

I am not a cop. I cannot act like a cop. I only carry to defend myself because there isn't a cop in my pocket.

So if I'm inside the lobby, there are cops all around the place who carry guns and who would automatically engage the BG. I would have no NEED to draw or display my weapon unless LEO failed to stop him and he was coming in my direction with an evil intent. Such a situation is beyond remote.

[1buba]

Originally Posted by Rob P.

The issue is: "Why in the heck would I EVER draw a gun inside a cop shop?"

I am not a cop. I cannot act like a cop. I only carry to defend myself because there isn't a cop in my pocket.

So if I'm inside the lobby, there are cops all around the place who carry guns and who would automatically engage the BG. I would have no NEED to draw or display my weapon unless LEO failed to stop him and he was coming in my direction with an evil intent. Such a situation is beyond remote.

In the last 10 years i can remember a handful of shootings at PD lobbies... To be honest, I know my skill level. I don't know the officers' skill levels. While some cops I know are great shots and have level heads, i also know some that are not and do not. Like the general population, there are some that are great, some not so much. In all circumstances, if my family or I need protection, I'd rather do it myself. YMMV.

[TaxMan]

Originally Posted by 1buba

In the last 10 years i can remember a handful of shootings at PD lobbies... To be honest, I know my skill level. I don't know the officers' skill levels. While some cops I know are great shots and have level heads, i also know some that are not and do not. Like the general population, there are some that are great, some not so much. In all circumstances, if my family or I need protection, I'd rather do it myself. YMMV.

+1

[mjones]

Originally Posted by G36 Steve

I completely understand your concern but if you as an unfamiliar, unrecognized, non-employee draw your weapon inside a police station the assumption by the employees is that you are the bad guy.
If ever there were shots fired in that situation you stand a better chance if you get down and find cover.

Precisely why I've chosen not to carry