Carrying in a National Forest - Legal?

[Birukun]

Gosh, you think the illegals growing pot in the forest have discussions about National Parks vs. National Forests? They open carry, from what I heard.

Thanks for the info - looks like my camping will be in the forest, not any park....

Bill in SD

 

[RussianRifle]

About 7 years ago, at a/the main ranger station at Big Bend National Park. Ranger asks the guy in line ahead of us if he had "a firearm with him today". Guy stated he had a handgun in his truck. Ranger just told him he needed to keep in in the truck while he was inside the park.

As for Texas state parks and firearms: This is copied directly from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department web site listing the rules for state parks:

(f) Arms and Firearms.
It is an offense to:
1. possess a firearm with a cartridge or projectile in any portion of the mechanism, except when authorized by the commission or the director;
2. display a firearm, except when authorized by the director; and
3. discharge across, in, or into a state park any arm, firearm, or device capable of injuring or killing any person or animal or damaging or destroying public or private property except when authorized by the director.

That tells me that in a Texas state park you can carry a firearm as long as it is unloaded and concealed. Although in the words of John Wayne "...a gun that 'aint loaded 'aint good fer nuthin."

 

[Gung-Ho]

Why would you provoke them by refusing to show them your ID? This behavior is only asking for trouble.

Last time I checked we were not living in Nazi Germany, and required to carry papers.

 

[Upriver]

An often over-looked loophole for National Parks is that many of the units classified as "National Recreation Areas" allowing hunting in season, and correspondingly you can carry. Usually their regulations are a combination of state hunting regs (you'll still need a state license) and .gov policy (they may or may not allow certain types of firearms, or ammunition).

Unfortunately, there's no blanket policy, so you've got to call ahead, and plan on getting an alarmist, or un-helpful, response.

Most of my buddies bagged their deer in the local National Recreation Area this year...with a substantially noticable lack of hunting pressure.

So, plan on visiting during hunting season, and wear orange!

 

[Guns_and_Labs]

What I've never figured out is, what about state highways through National Parks?

OK, the rules in National Parks about weapons are clearly posted and in print. But... the state highways through the parks -- as through Yosemite -- would seem to be under the jurisdiction of the state, being state property or a state easement. So, my logic, flawed as it may be, is that CCW should be legal on the highway.

Then I get way confused when I research the laws and regs involved. The state penal code is clear on when and where I can carry. It's in clear conflict with the park regulations. But shouldn't the penal code supercede federal administrative regulation if there's a conflict? So maybe the park regulation is nullified?

I'm confused again. Oh well.

 

[scout26]

What about carry in a "National Tallgrass Praire". We've got one here in






Illinois........






nevermind....... :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[thrjj77]

Some good posts here and other places online. I just wanted to post some links because I have spent hours and hours digging through posts, and opinions without links to an actual goverment written document supporting them. I was looking for florida firearm national forest or state park laws (that's for you googlers). Please note the below comments are my opinion, as I do not, and cannot render legal advice. I'm just trying to help guide someone like me in the right direction...

In summary:

1. As of the new law effective Jan 9, 2009 the laws governing the use and carry of firearms in national parks, and wildlife refuges are under the jurisdiction of of the state in which they (the park or refuge) resides. Check your state laws.

Link : http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=09000064807d56ed
or go to www.regulations.gov and type "firearms national forests" in the search menu
(This is an explanation of how the new law overrides the old 36 CFR 2.4) and why they did it)

2. As far as Everglades National Park in Florida: Year round, not hunting season, you may carry concealed firearms here if you have your concealed permit, and only applies to concealed firearms per the new federal law. Meaning you may carry concealed firearms ( a handgun) loaded and "operable" here that would be otherwise legally allowable in other places in Florida. Remember the key term is concealed.

-The new law does not allow the state to allow other types of weapons such as crossbowes, knives, stun guns, etc. These still have to be stored and transported according to the previous laws. (old 36 CFR 2.4)
- New law only applies to concealed firearms. No open carry of firearms under CFR
- Not in federal buildings. Park offices, etc. classify as Federal buildings.

Link 1:
http://www.nps.gov/ever/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm
(This link is from the National Park Service website and explains the new laws relating to Everglades National Park and has a link to the new compendium.)

* So what about hunting and long guns?

Link 2:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/general_info/Laws_ Regarding_ Firearms_ NF_Lands.pdf
(This explains seasonal use of other weapons and open carry for hunting at National Forest Lands)

- I did not find anything on hunting on Everglades National Park's website. I'm not a hunter so some of you may be more familiar with those laws, but:
- The above document states that guns must be kept unloaded and in a case except either when hunting legally under the provisions outlined, or (as we just learned) if it is a concealed handgun and you have your concealed permit.

Link 3:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/julqtr/pdf/36cfr2.4.pdf
(Old 36 CFR 2.4 of 2004 I believe)

3. Other very good info for Florida on concealed weapons and weapons in general. Here you will get all you need to know about Florida's gun laws on the books other than the ones from above:

Link 1:
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html
(Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Licensing - Everything about the concealed weapon program in Florida)

Link 2:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/in...tm&StatuteYear=2008&Title=->2008->Chapter 790
(Florida State Senate website: flsenate.gov - All of Florida's weapons and firearms laws under chapter 790)

Link 3:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0790/SEC06.HTM&Title=->2008->Ch0790->Section%2006#0790.06
(Licensing process and requirements to carry a concealed weapon in Florida)

Link 4:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0790/SEC01.HTM&Title=->2008->Ch0790->Section%2001#0790.01
(Carrying concealed weapons in Florida)