possesion of 'scanner' at airport a federal offense: per police officer

Status
Not open for further replies.

mdfillipp

Member
Database Admin
Joined
Oct 5, 2002
Messages
322
Location
Orange County CA
'paid a visit to a local airport recently, bringing a 'scanner' (RS Pro-94) along to monitor ATC. Was 'advised' at the end of my visit by a uniformed municipal law enforcement officer that possesion of a 'scanner' at an airport, or any federal facility, is a felony under federal law. Officer may have even said the law applied to a radius of 7 miles around any federal facility as well. Not sure I was more stunned at the idea of such a law, or at how I could have possibly not heard of it. Is it possible the officer confuses a 'scanner' with a handheld aircraft radio ?
 

kma371

QRT
Joined
Feb 20, 2001
Messages
6,204
I think he's just misinformed. Even a portable airband radio wouldn't fall under that because pilots use them as backups if comms fail in the plane
 

VFN05

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
68
Location
Norfolk, VA
First I have ever heard of such a thing. I fly with my PRO-106 in my carry on bag frequently and have never had an issue. If you don't mind me asking, which airport and/or LE agency was involved with your "encounter".
 

W8RMH

Feed Provider Since 2012
Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
8,110
Location
Grove City, OH (A Bearcat not a Buckeye)
There is no such law. I occasionally park on international airport property and monitor ATC. The airport police have even stopped and socialized with me and even played with my scanner.
 

Tahoe1970

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Apr 5, 2008
Messages
110
Location
Los Angeles (Southbay), CA
Whenever I fly I typically carry at least one scanner and always in my carry-on. Never once have I even been questioned about a scanner, nor have I ever had any issue while listening in a terminal. I do of course keep it low key inside the terminal while using earbuds and keeping in or on top of my bag. Additionally, I often monitor LAX from several of the viewing points (all near the borders of the airport fencing). Many of the plane-spotters use scanners plainly in the open as well and I have never witnessed a police officer ever stopping to even talk to anyone, and this includes several visits when Air Force One was arriving and/or departing. If there is any such Federal law, either it is brand new (since Jan. 1) or for some other reason, even the Secret Service doesn't know about.
 

bravo14

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Feb 18, 2005
Messages
4,823
Location
Polk County FL
When I flew from one state to another state I had no problems carrying the radio in the carry on bag. I don't take it out. I had no one question me about it at the screen process.
 

n5ims

Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Messages
3,993
'paid a visit to a local airport recently, bringing a 'scanner' (RS Pro-94) along to monitor ATC. Was 'advised' at the end of my visit by a uniformed municipal law enforcement officer that possesion of a 'scanner' at an airport, or any federal facility, is a felony under federal law. Officer may have even said the law applied to a radius of 7 miles around any federal facility as well. Not sure I was more stunned at the idea of such a law, or at how I could have possibly not heard of it. Is it possible the officer confuses a 'scanner' with a handheld aircraft radio ?

Perhaps you should contact the FBI and ask them about this and request that they send you the specifics on that law, including the complete text of were it indicates it would be illegal. If, as we expect, they indicate that no such law exists, you should contact a supervisor at the agency that told you that and pass along the information that you received from the FBI and ask them for clarification on what their officer said. If the supervisor confirms what the officer says, request the information like what was requested from the FBI from them and if not request that the officer be counseled on the inaccuracy of what you were told by the officer and request that officer to refrain from giving incorrect and misleading information out to the public.
 

N1JGE

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
50
Location
Lowell, Ma.
I wouldn't want to be the one to tell him it's not and find myself in detention for the next few hours.
 

wtp

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
5,914
Location
Port Charlotte FL
similar question

take out your pad and pen (you do have a pad and pen right?)
and ask what number the law is so you can be in compliance with it.
like does it say radio, scanner, transceiver or whatever.
 

rsa2000

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Messages
1
I have worked at a couple airports and currently help manage one. This is unfounded. I even had a HF setup at a national airport at one time and transmitted daily! With the TSA and all the security I operated and had radios all the time. Now if there was interference to the airport comms there would be an issue. But no laws that I have even heard of involve scanners/receivers. Another case of the "law" not knowing the laws!
 

majoco

Stirrer
Joined
Dec 25, 2008
Messages
4,278
Location
New Zealand
Did you get his badge number and name? Make a written request to the commanding officer of the officer's station requesting clarification of his interpretation of the law he is quoting.

If he want's to drop you in the doo-doo, then at least you have something in writing from his superior.

Mind you, you could find yourself surrounded by patrol vehicles carrying out a firearms/drugs/anything search, so perhaps it's just best to say "Yessir, Nosir, Sorrysir, won't do it again sir"!
 

Audiodave1

Member
Database Admin
Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
1,853
Location
Chadds Ford, PA
Nope...not a chance that is a law.
Fly with scanners as carry on often (2 days ago). Always discrete using them @ an airport.
 

RRR

OFFLINE
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
1,970
Location
USA
An officer has to have a code section (statute) to charge someone with a crime. Kindly ask what code section you would be violating.
 

ecps92

Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2002
Messages
14,360
Location
Taxachusetts
Call the airport manager and start from there.

'paid a visit to a local airport recently, bringing a 'scanner' (RS Pro-94) along to monitor ATC. Was 'advised' at the end of my visit by a uniformed municipal law enforcement officer that possesion of a 'scanner' at an airport, or any federal facility, is a felony under federal law. Officer may have even said the law applied to a radius of 7 miles around any federal facility as well. Not sure I was more stunned at the idea of such a law, or at how I could have possibly not heard of it. Is it possible the officer confuses a 'scanner' with a handheld aircraft radio ?
 

pgnsucks

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2006
Messages
168
Location
Central Florida
Not that you don't have a right to challenge an officer however with the first encounter I might play it easy. Try to get his name, badge#, agency and, "Just so I can tell others officer what Statute are you referencing? I would like to educate other members of my radio club".

Then do a little research maybe find a superior officer Sergeant, Lieutenant with his agency. If you then felt comfortable talking to a supervisor, tell them what happened. Yes you can outright challenge him and he can either find other PC (Probable Cause) for some other charge. Or just tie you up for an hour or two.

If you call the US Department of Justice they will not be able to tell you the number of laws on the books. Federal, State, County, City, Municipality etc no one knows the numbers. Even a road Deputy will arrest you for one charge then get with the crew for additional charges.

Just an idea:wink:
 

szron

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2009
Messages
404
Location
Livonia, MI
Sounds like a regular case of a overzealous cop who is gonna "slam you with that federal felony charge for possessing a teleradiophonic terrorist device".

Ignore, perhaps complain to commanding officer. Up to you.
 

SmitHans

Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
156
Location
Arizona, USA/Sonora, MEX
Cops think they know everything, and few people are going to argue with them. No such law exists. Another case of a dumbass cop throwing his power around because he can.
 

elk2370bruce

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
2,060
Location
East Brunswick, NJ
Did you get his badge number and name? Make a written request to the commanding officer of the officer's station requesting clarification of his interpretation of the law he is quoting.

If he want's to drop you in the doo-doo, then at least you have something in writing from his superior.

Mind you, you could find yourself surrounded by patrol vehicles carrying out a firearms/drugs/anything search, so perhaps it's just best to say "Yessir, Nosir, Sorrysir, won't do it again sir"!

You don't need his name and shield number. Just write your letter to the Chief of Police and request the information and legislative citation (federal, state, or local). Why get into some kind of urinating contest when you don't have to.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top