Carrying in Government building

[paul@paul-fisher.com]

I have 2 questions:

1. I thought that government buildings (non-Federal) either had to allow carry or provide lockers? I was at the Maricopa County court house in Mesa and there were signs but no lockers.
2. Can I carry, either open or concealed (preferably open) inside the state Capitol?

I moved here from Wisconsin and you can open or conceal carry in government (non-Federal) buildings with a CCL as long as they aren't posted and conceal carry in the Capitol with a CCL.

 

[Rusty Young Man]

I have 2 questions:

1. I thought that government buildings (non-Federal) either had to allow carry or provide lockers? I was at the Maricopa County court house in Mesa and there were signs but no lockers.
2. Can I carry, either open or concealed (preferably open) inside the state Capitol?

I moved here from Wisconsin and you can open or conceal carry in government (non-Federal) buildings with a CCL as long as they aren't posted and conceal carry in the Capitol with a CCL.

Let me begin with the disclaimer that I am NOT a lawyer, nor do I play one on tv. My legal opinion is worth about half as much as people pay the sun to irradiate us.

To answer your questions:

1) Technically. Haven't been to a courthouse or the Capitol in some years; maybe I should find some time to do so. But that was the impression I got at the same courthouse some years back.

2) Yes in theory. But you know what they say about "in theory". :|

Technically, and I mean it in all sincerity, public establishments must have secure storage that is immediately accessible to you (the Lawfully-Armed Citizen) upon arrival and leaving. If the requirements aren't met then you SHOULD be able to carry with impunity.

Trust, but verify:

http://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=http://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03102-01.htm

ARS 13-3102.01 Storage of deadly weapons; definitions

A. If an operator of a public establishment or a sponsor of a public event requests that a person carrying a deadly weapon remove the weapon, the operator or sponsor shall provide temporary and secure storage. The storage shall be readily accessible on entry into the establishment or event and allow for the immediate retrieval of the weapon on exit from the establishment or event.

B. This section does not apply to the licensed premises of any public establishment or public event with a license issued pursuant to title 4.

C. The operator of the establishment or the sponsor of the event or the employee of the operator or sponsor or the agent of the sponsor, including a public entity or public employee, is not liable for acts or omissions pursuant to this section unless the operator, sponsor, employee or agent intended to cause injury or was grossly negligent.

D. For the purposes of this section, "public establishment" and "public event" have the same meanings prescribed in section 13-3102.

And the other part:

http://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=http://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03102.htm

Misconduct involving weapons; defenses; classification; definitions

SNIP...

N. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Contacted by a law enforcement officer" means a lawful traffic or criminal investigation, arrest or detention or an investigatory stop by a law enforcement officer that is based on reasonable suspicion that an offense has been or is about to be committed.

2. "Public establishment" means a structure, vehicle or craft that is owned, leased or operated by this state or a political subdivision of this state.

3. "Public event" means a specifically named or sponsored event of limited duration that is either conducted by a public entity or conducted by a private entity with a permit or license granted by a public entity. Public event does not include an unsponsored gathering of people in a public place.

4. "School" means a public or nonpublic kindergarten program, common school or high school.

5. "School grounds" means in, or on the grounds of, a school.

 

[Michigander]

I was in the state capitol in Phoenix 9 years ago while hanging out with my friend as he dropped off paper work. I left my Sig in the car, figuring they wouldn't allow it, but figured they wouldn't mind a pocket knife. I was wrong, they checked my damned pocket knife into a locker, and if I remember right there were metal detectors.

As I've said elsewhere, Arizona's preemption is a sick, shameful joke when it comes to government buildings, and anyone who fancies his or herself an activist who lives here needs to prioritize that. Unlicensed concealed carry, state constitution backed open carry and good knife laws are good, but what does any of that matter if you get attacked in a criminal empowerment zone?

 

[Rusty Young Man]

I was in the state capitol in Phoenix 9 years ago while hanging out with my friend as he dropped off paper work. I left my Sig in the car, figuring they wouldn't allow it, but figured they wouldn't mind a pocket knife. I was wrong, they checked my damned pocket knife into a locker, and if I remember right there were metal detectors.

As I've said elsewhere, Arizona's preemption is a sick, shameful joke when it comes to government buildings, and anyone who fancies his or herself an activist who lives here needs to prioritize that. Unlicensed concealed carry, state constitution backed open carry and good knife laws are good, but what does any of that matter if you get attacked in a criminal empowerment zone?

Was this the State Senate or House of Representatives building?

About 3 years back I found through experience that the HOR didn't have lockers (so was asked to go to the Senate building to use the restroom) while the Senate did.

Sounds like not much changed in that span of time. :/

 

[solus]

least you have the opportunity to have locker to utilize...

don't visit NC michiganer as we don't have any type of capability to bring firearms into office occupied by state employees.

ipse

 

[ISRAEL]

I did O.C. at the Az. museum, but I never went to the Az. Capitol Building, I O.C. when I go out, but I can not get into the hospitals and Drs, offices. and it is hard to leave my gun in the car specially in summer,