I got this (20 second) message on our ministry voice mail this afternoon: Voice Message
To answer the man’s question: Jesus did!
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
So unless we are on private property, then we are authorized to hand out tracts!