You Can Now Bear Arms in a Post Office Parking Lot

A federal judge rules it is OK to bring a gun to a USPS parking lot, but not inside the facility. Fill in your ‘going postal’ pun here.

By Brian Resnick

Tab Bonidy was polite enough to ask before he brought a gun into a Colorado post office. In 2010 his lawyer sent a letter to USPS asking whether Bonidy would be prosecuted if he brought a firearm inside the facility or left one in his car while, let’s say, purchasing stamps. And he got a response.

According to Thursday’s ruling by District Judge Richard Matsch, the USPS legal counsel responded to Bonidy, saying, “Regulations governing conduct on postal property prevent (Bonidy) from carrying firearms, openly or concealed, onto any real property under the charge and control of the Postal Service.”

She was referring to Title 39 of the Federal Regulations, which dates back to 1972:

Weapons and explosives. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation, no person while on postal property may carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed, or store the same on postal property, except for official purposes.

Feeling his rights were being violated, Bonidy teamed up with the National Association for Gun Rights to file suit against this provision.

Read more at the National Journal