Airport parking and weapons in vehicle

oldguysrule · April 30, 2013, 05:48 AM

I had heard that now it is allowed to keep a firearm in a locked vehicle on airport property in certain states. I work for an international company that expressly forbids any type of firearm on property but all company parking lots are actually on airport property and not owned by the company. I've heard the company is in the process of ammending this due to new legislation but can't find any information on this subject.

WC145 · April 30, 2013, 06:27 AM

I wasn't aware there was ever any restriction on keeping a gun in a vehicle in an airport parking lot, there may be something local to where you are, but nothing federal. In fact, IIRC, there is no federal restriction on carrying guns in airports except in the restricted/secure areas.

Rifleman1776 · April 30, 2013, 07:56 AM

In some cities the biggest concern is the car being ransacked and the gun stolen. In Memphis an FBI vehicle filled with guns was once stolen by some punks. In fact, in Memphis you are lucky if your car is anything more than a shell when you return from a trip. A city near me has private, secured, parking that is cheaper than the airport lot and they shuttle you back and forth. No brainer for me.

kayakersteve · April 30, 2013, 07:58 AM

It's OK as long as its legal in your state and you are legally allowed to own a gun. The restrictions apply to entering the boarding area only as I understand it.

**Spats McGee** · April 30, 2013, 08:27 AM

Welcome to TFL, oldguysrule!

This seems like more of a legal question than a general handgun question, so I'm going to ship it down to Law & Civil Rights.

**Tom Servo** · April 30, 2013, 12:45 PM

As others have mentioned, there haven't been any laws passed on the federal level on this. There may be local or state restrictions where you live.

62coltnavy · May 1, 2013, 12:39 AM

Simply because the airport technically owns the parking lot does not mean that the employer does not lease the lot exclusively for its business--in which case it could impose a private restriction on the presence of a firearm in a vehicle. The only exception would be those states that have passed laws expressly forbidding employers from banning guns in company parking lots. It is very unlikely that the airport has any private restriction--which would be ineffective in any event unless posted, and if the parking facility is generally open to the public (meaning open to persons not there on the employer's business), the employer would have a difficult time imposing any restrictions. The only other circumstance that should be considered is if you are driving an employer owned vehicle or operating your own private vehicle on the employer's business. Violating such a rule is often grounds for termination.

Gaerek · May 1, 2013, 11:57 AM

The company you work for can certainly prohibit you from keeping a firearm in a car you own in a parking lot they own/lease. However, the Feds have no law pertaining this, and actually, the only place a firearm is expressly prohibited by Federal law being carried is in the "Sterile" area beyond a checkpoint.

I've carried my gun concealed at Tuscon International many times, of course, not when travelling.

KyJim · May 1, 2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

The company you work for can certainly prohibit you from keeping a firearm in a car you own in a parking lot they own/lease. . . .

To clarify, this is the rule in probably a majority of states. A few states have laws that expressly forbid an employer from banning an employee from storing a firearm in their vehicle, even while parked on company property. I would be surprised if the state of Washington has such a law.

carguychris · May 1, 2013, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaerek

However, the Feds have no law pertaining this, and actually, the only place a firearm is expressly prohibited by Federal law being carried is in the "Sterile" area beyond a checkpoint.

+1. I feel it's also helpful to point out that most airports without scheduled airline service do not have any sterile areas. In these cases, certain commercial aircraft operators may be required to screen passengers for weapons before they enter an aircraft, but there is no generalized federal prohibition on the carriage of firearms or other weapons elsewhere on airport property; it's solely a matter of state and local law.

taltyman · May 16, 2013, 08:56 PM

I live in Texas and where I work we have to park in our employers parking lot. They have a no tolerance policy for firearms and or ammo in the building or parking lot. However Texas law prohibits them from banning those items in a personal vehicle in the parking lot. I keep my mouth shut and my gun locked in the truck in my gun vault. They also have it in their policy to search at any time and if we refuse we are terminated. I suppose if push comes to shove I can win legally but still be fired as they will find some other reason.

April 30, 2013, 05:48 AM	#1
oldguysrule Junior Member Join Date: April 12, 2012 Location: Washington Posts: 2	Airport parking and weapons in vehicle I had heard that now it is allowed to keep a firearm in a locked vehicle on airport property in certain states. I work for an international company that expressly forbids any type of firearm on property but all company parking lots are actually on airport property and not owned by the company. I've heard the company is in the process of ammending this due to new legislation but can't find any information on this subject. __________________ 9/11/01 NEVER FORGET NEVER FORGIVE NEVER AGAIN

April 30, 2013, 06:27 AM	#2
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,836	I wasn't aware there was ever any restriction on keeping a gun in a vehicle in an airport parking lot, there may be something local to where you are, but nothing federal. In fact, IIRC, there is no federal restriction on carrying guns in airports except in the restricted/secure areas. __________________ "If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge or jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - LtCol Jeff Cooper

April 30, 2013, 07:58 AM	#4
kayakersteve Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 925	It's OK as long as its legal in your state and you are legally allowed to own a gun. The restrictions apply to entering the boarding area only as I understand it. __________________ See Ya!

April 30, 2013, 08:27 AM	#5
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Welcome to TFL, oldguysrule! This seems like more of a legal question than a general handgun question, so I'm going to ship it down to Law & Civil Rights. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

April 30, 2013, 12:45 PM	#6
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	As others have mentioned, there haven't been any laws passed on the federal level on this. There may be local or state restrictions where you live. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

April 30, 2013, 07:56 AM	#3
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	In some cities the biggest concern is the car being ransacked and the gun stolen. In Memphis an FBI vehicle filled with guns was once stolen by some punks. In fact, in Memphis you are lucky if your car is anything more than a shell when you return from a trip. A city near me has private, secured, parking that is cheaper than the airport lot and they shuttle you back and forth. No brainer for me.

May 1, 2013, 12:39 AM	#7
62coltnavy Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2011 Posts: 356	Simply because the airport technically owns the parking lot does not mean that the employer does not lease the lot exclusively for its business--in which case it could impose a private restriction on the presence of a firearm in a vehicle. The only exception would be those states that have passed laws expressly forbidding employers from banning guns in company parking lots. It is very unlikely that the airport has any private restriction--which would be ineffective in any event unless posted, and if the parking facility is generally open to the public (meaning open to persons not there on the employer's business), the employer would have a difficult time imposing any restrictions. The only other circumstance that should be considered is if you are driving an employer owned vehicle or operating your own private vehicle on the employer's business. Violating such a rule is often grounds for termination.

May 1, 2013, 11:57 AM	#8
Gaerek Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 939	The company you work for can certainly prohibit you from keeping a firearm in a car you own in a parking lot they own/lease. However, the Feds have no law pertaining this, and actually, the only place a firearm is expressly prohibited by Federal law being carried is in the "Sterile" area beyond a checkpoint. I've carried my gun concealed at Tuscon International many times, of course, not when travelling.

May 16, 2013, 08:56 PM	#11
taltyman Junior Member Join Date: April 5, 2013 Posts: 5	I live in Texas and where I work we have to park in our employers parking lot. They have a no tolerance policy for firearms and or ammo in the building or parking lot. However Texas law prohibits them from banning those items in a personal vehicle in the parking lot. I keep my mouth shut and my gun locked in the truck in my gun vault. They also have it in their policy to search at any time and if we refuse we are terminated. I suppose if push comes to shove I can win legally but still be fired as they will find some other reason.