A Pennsylvania wildlife conservation officer was asked to leave a Veterans Affairs clinic in Huntingdon for carrying his service weapon, despite the fact that he’s also a sworn federal wildlife official.
Air Force veteran Stephen Hower works as a conservation officer for both the Pennsylvania Game Commission, as well as the federal Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. He was on duty Aug. 25, on his way from the commission’s regional offices in Huntingdon and stopped at the local VA clinic to inquire about prescription benefits, PennLive.com reports.
Hower was in full uniform, with a holstered commission-issued semiautomatic handgun, when he approached the receptionist, who immediately asked him to leave.
“I tried to explain that as an officer, I am permitted to be armed, even in schools and courthouses, but as I was speaking I was again asked to leave,” Hower told the news site.
The ordeal convinced Hower to pen a letter to U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey explaining his frustrations, though it’s unclear whether Toomey’s office is taking action. The senator’s communications director, Elizabeth Anderson, refused to comment on the incident “due to federal privacy restrictions,” PennLive.com reports.
VA public relations officer Andrea Young, meanwhile, attempted to downplay the incident by alleging Hower was not asked to leave. Young said police officers can only carry weapons on VA property when on “official business,” such as conducting an investigation or serving a warrant.
Young said there’s a sign on the door prohibiting weapons, and contends nurse administrator Jeanne Byron did not prevent Hower from entering the building, but rather told him he couldn’t bring in his service weapon in the future.
Hower directly disputes Young’s claims.
“She is either misinformed or intentionally lying. … she came up, put her hand on my back and said I am going to have to ask you to leave, you cannot have a firearm in here. So I left. If it happened the way she said do you think I would have called [U.S. Sen. Pat] Toomey as soon as I got in my truck?” Hower said. “There are similar signs at courthouses, schools, etc., too but it is understood that the prohibition does not apply to police officers.”
Hower said Toomey’s staffers encouraged him to write a letter to the senator, which he did. Toomey has not yet responded to the letter, other than to acknowledge he received it, Hower told PennLive.
The conservation officer explained why he thinks the incident is “ludicrous” in the letter.
“Although my enforcement efforts are concentrated on the protection of wildlife, I have full police powers and enforce other laws of the Commonwealth as well,” he wrote. “Additionally, I have been appointed a United States law enforcement officer by the Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, and as such I am authorized to enforce federal fish and wildlife laws.”
Hower wrote that he previously served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years, between 1976 and 1997.
“This is a federal building. This is our government,” he told the news site. “I am a peace officer. We should be welcomed anywhere.”
Readers online had mixed reactions to the incident.
“I know Steve Hower, I have for years,” uncle-jumbo posted. “Likely one of the nicest, even-keeled men you’ll every have the pleasure of meeting. He takes his job as a law enforcement officer seriously. The person at the VA is a petty bureaucrat and is (in) need of counseling far more than Steve Hower.”
Commenter 2nd1st posted the federal law prohibiting firearms in federal facilities, along with the exceptions.
“(d) Subsection (a) shall not apply to –
“(1) the lawful performance of official duties by an officer, agent, or employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof, who is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of law; (2) the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a Federal official or a member of the Armed Forces if such possession is authorized by law; or (3) the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes,” 2nd1st wrote.
“I would argue that a law enforcement officer being armed as part of his job and in the facility for a legitimate reason constitutes a lawful purpose,” 2nd1st added.
“This was overthought too much,” anotherowner commented. “The guy is a state and federal (law enforcement officer.) He is allowed to carry anywhere.”
Others, like poster “Unusual suspect,” disagreed that Hower has the authority to carry his service weapon on him at the clinic.
“Good. Just because he’s a game official doesn’t make him special,” Unusual suspect wrote. “I open carry and if I’m asked to leave I have to. That’s what I get out of this, (Hower is) complaining because he actually has to follow laws.”
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