PennDot No Firearms Allowed?

[PA_PB&J]

Cliff notes version:
You are not welcome at PennDot if you are carrying a firearm.

Does state law allow the Dept. of Transportation to bar entry to people carrying firearms without making accommodations for them (no lockers provided)?



Long version?
Just recently had to visit PennDot in Center City (8th and Arch) and saw a pictogram 'no guns' sticker on the door. Since I came into Center City alone via Septa this meant I lost half and afternoon, I did not go in.

I returned weeks later (unarmed) and after getting my paperwork done, inquired about the label, the customer service/security guard was very professional and did point out that he did not have details on this policy but had been directed to "not tell" visitors that they could go in with firearms.

I was directed to "Ormond" a supervisor who assured me that it is PennDot's statewide policy to not allow firearms and I quote "only police officers are supposed to have firearms". Feeling some of my neurons withering at that, I departed.

Is Ormond correct (on the policy question)? Is PennDot even empowered by law to make such policies?

I googled PAFOA before heading over and did not find any previous report of anti gun PennDot policy; is this new?

[streaker69]

Extensive conversation about this here: http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-14...-response.html

I'm not sure what the current status of this is, I know there were some working on getting real answers to it.

[DennisH82]

Cliff notes version:
You are not welcome at PennDot if you are carrying a firearm.

Does state law allow the Dept. of Transportation to bar entry to people carrying firearms without making accommodations for them (no lockers provided)?



Long version?
Just recently had to visit PennDot in Center City (8th and Arch) and saw a pictogram 'no guns' sticker on the door. Since I came into Center City alone via Septa this meant I lost half and afternoon, I did not go in.

I returned weeks later (unarmed) and after getting my paperwork done, inquired about the label, the customer service/security guard was very professional and did point out that he did not have details on this policy but had been directed to "not tell" visitors that they could go in with firearms.

I was directed to "Ormond" a supervisor who assured me that it is PennDot's statewide policy to not allow firearms and I quote "only police officers are supposed to have firearms". Feeling some of my neurons withering at that, I departed.

Is Ormond correct (on the policy question)? Is PennDot even empowered by law to make such policies?

I googled PAFOA before heading over and did not find any previous report of anti gun PennDot policy; is this new?

Considering a State let alone a Government agency would gladly pay for a MATCHING sticker to be put on their place of business I would guess that that sticker is an ANTI invention. I CC at the DMV every time I go, I could care less about employee opinion.

[comsubin61]

I just renewed my license at the DOT in Norristown and did not see the " No gun" sticker at the door.

And come to think of it I was also at the one in Media about 2 months ago and did not see it there either.

It must be a Philadelphia thing.

[sgtsandman]

The PENN DOT center in Chippewa is posted as well.

[twency]

I just renewed my license at the DOT in Norristown and did not see the " No gun" sticker at the door.

And come to think of it I was also at the one in Media about 2 months ago and did not see it there either.

It must be a Philadelphia thing.

Not just Philly, there are apparently a number of locations with such stickers around the state. But not all, as you've seen, which strongly suggests it's not actually a PennDOT policy.

See the thread streaker referenced above for more details.

[knight0334]

State law does not allow PennDOT to prohibit carrying in their facilities.

The Department of Transportation was not granted any authority in law to regulate such, nor does PA law name PennDOT centers as prohibited.

However, that is not to say that the police wont be called and you cited for trespassing.

In the single remarkable act of AG Kane during her tenure, she did rule against the Gaming Commission's forcing of casinos to post their properties as part of the licensing for the establishment. ...which kinda reflects upon things like this for PennDOT or even PA's DNCR for state parks and such.

[BobGun]

PennDot claims that the company running the photo centers for them are putting up the stickers. This is the information supplied by Jessie White's office when I asked them about it. If Penndot wanted they could have the stickers removed because it is in the contract that the company signed that only Penndot approved signs are legal to be posted. This is just an excuse to not allow the carrying of firearms in PennDot locations.

When I called Senator Solbay's office they told me they would not push the issue as they had to work closely with PennDot.

[Hamltnblue]

Here's a good thread on the subject in a lawyer forum.
Basically as property owners they can prohibit firearms, just as any business can.

http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/ca...n-1645798.html

[streaker69]

Here's a good thread on the subject in a lawyer forum.
Basically as property owners they can prohibit firearms, just as any business can.

http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/ca...n-1645798.html

I wouldn't consider that a good thread. Apparently the lawyers there aren't actually versed in the UFA and how it prohibits such activities.