Are guns allowed on Valley Metro buses and light rail trains? : AZ IMC

It sounds like the bureaucracy at Valley Metro is just as screwed up as at the IRS.

It takes the idiots at Valley Metro 15 minutes to figure out that guns are NOT allowed on Valley Metro buses and light rail trains, and they got the answer WRONG.

In these two emails Valley Metro was asked again if guns were allowed on Valley Metro buses and light rail trains.

In the first e-mail they said that it would take 5 to 10 days to come up with that answer. Then in the second e-mail they said that yes indeed it was legal to carry guns on Valley Metro trains and buses. Of course that answer conflicts the 15 minute phone call in which they said it was illegal to have guns on Valley Metro buses or trains, unless you were a cop.

From: Customer Assistance Form sr@valleymetro.org

Dear **********

Thank you for your email communication with Valley Metro regarding passengers carrying guns on city buses. Valley Metro does not prohibit guns on city buses as provided by State Law. City buses do not have the same laws as Interstate Vehicles.

Sincerely,

Teri Collins
Program Supervisor
Valley Metro RPTA

Subject: 86720
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 8:30 AM
From: csr@valleymetro.org

Dear *******************:

Thank you for your recent e-mail submitted to our office. We apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced. Your comments have been forwarded to the operating contractor who will personally review the incident and contact you about the resolution. This usually takes 7-10 business days. If you have not had any response within 10 days or you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at (602) 253-5000 or via e-mail. Thank you for your support of Public Transit.

Sincerely,

Vazquez, Alma
Customer Relations Department

Since ASU is a Gun Free Zone I didn't know if
having a gun while riding on one of the light rail
and passing thru one of the two stations at ASU
would be considered illegal.

This ASU cop seems to say it is OK to have a gun
when you are on light rail and pass thru one of
the light rail stations on the ASU campus in
Tempe.

The e-mail I received from the ASU cops follows.

Subject: Weapons Question
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 3:50 PM
From: "Jay Spradling" Jay.Spradling@asu.edu

To Whom it May Concern:

You weapons question to ASU was forwarded to me for response.

It is lawful for you to carry your weapon in plain view while riding the Metro Light Rail. You can also lawfully get off at any of the transit stations with your weapon fully exposed. If you exit a transit station and proceed to non-ASU property, you are not violating any law (assuming you are not acting recklessly, etc.). However, the campuses of Arizona State University (ASU) are deemed to be weapons-free zones and are posted as such. Walking into a campus with an exposed weapon could result in an arrest for Trespassing (13-1502).

In the event that you do wish to attend a meeting or function at ASU, you are welcome to go to one of the ASU Police facilities to secure your weapon for the duration of the meeting or event. However, I must remind you that you cannot walk through our campuses with a weapon to get to the Tempe or Downtown Phoenix police facilities. These buildings are accessible without walking through the campuses.

If you are in need of further assistance regarding this issue, feel free to contact me directly.

Respectfully,

Jay Spradling

Assistant Chief

Arizona State University Police Department

FAX: 480.965.2111 |

On this issued I contacted the Tempe police and
they said guns are legal on the light rail. The
woman even contacted Homeland Security to verify
it. She was real nice.

Oddly the idiot at the Phoenix police told me
guns were not allowed on light rail. I am sure
he is wrong.

If I remember correctly the Mesa cops who have
one light rail station answered the question
both ways. Guns are allowed unless a cop or
Valley Metro employee gets a hair up his ass
and says guns are not allowed.

I also contacted Valley Metro and they said
guns are allowed on Light Rail. Only if
unloaded. I think the unloaded part of the
answer is wrong.