Title 51National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73

§20134 Arrest authority

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - General Program and Policy Provisions › Chapter CHAPTER 201— - NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE PROGRAM › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › § 20134

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Employees and contractor staff who are allowed to carry guns may arrest without a warrant for U.S. crimes they see or for serious federal crimes they reasonably suspect, under rules set by the Administrator and approved by the Attorney General, and only while protecting Administration property or facilities.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §20134

National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Under regulations prescribed by the Administrator and approved by the Attorney General, employees of the Administration and of its contractors and subcontractors authorized to carry firearms under section 20133 of this title may arrest without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony. Persons granted authority to make arrests by this section may exercise that authority only while guarding and protecting property owned or leased by, or under the control of, the United States under the administration and control of the Administration or one of its contractors or subcontractors, at facilities owned by or contracted to the Administration.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 2013442 U.S.C. 2456a.Pub. L. 85–568, title III, § 304(f), as added Pub. L. 100–685, title II, § 206, Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4090.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 20134

Title 51National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73