Originally Posted by
InkUnderNails
Reserving the right to be wrong, as I understand the federal system, before one can be issued a firearm to carry during the course of the work they do, they must be classified differently by the system. In other words, they are administrative clerks and do not have even the possibility of getting guns. For that to happen, they must be reclassified as a type of federal law enforcement. With that reclassification comes LEO-type responsibilities and constitutional requirements.
As it is, the administrative search is allowed because it is administrative. Make them law enforcement and the procedures must be realigned to comply with the requirements of law enforcement duties. The carrying of a weapon implies the authority to retain. It would be quite stupid if it did not. "Stop or I'll shoot!" "Kiss my butt moron, you can not detain me." See, quite ridiculous.
Now, if they can get guns without becoming "law enforcement," the system is screwed up more that I can imagine.
An administrative search is simply a search that does not require a search warrant. As such, any evidence gained from an administrative search cannot be used in a criminal trial. The status of the person performing the search has nothing to do with it. Their actions are what matter.
Many administrative searches are performed by law enforcement personnel. Examples would be DUI checkpoints, weapons screening at courthouses, etc. Law enforcement should be trained to understand that their authority is more restricted in such a setting.