carrying in a national forrest in florida

[harmon rabb]

I am camping with fiance for the new years weekend in Ocala National Forrest in florida (alexander springs). I want to be sure as to what I can carry.

According to what I've found, I *think* I can open carry, as it is a national forrest. I also *think* I can concealed carry, as I have a florida concealed weapons permit.

Does anyone actually know? Trying to negotiate these gun laws can be a pain.. and I'm a lawyer

help?

 

[MrWesson]

you may open carry in florida while camping,boating,hunting,and target practice and technically to and from such places(no vehicle carry). National forests honor state laws so you should be good.

 

[brboyer]

I am camping with fiance for the new years weekend in Ocala National Forrest in florida (alexander springs). I want to be sure as to what I can carry.

According to what I've found, I *think* I can open carry, as it is a national forrest. I also *think* I can concealed carry, as I have a florida concealed weapons permit.

Does anyone actually know? Trying to negotiate these gun laws can be a pain.. and I'm a lawyer

help?

You can Open Carry or Carry Concealed, regardless if you have a Florida CWFL because you are camping. See Florida Statutes 790.25(3)(h)

 

[brboyer]

you may open carry in florida while camping,boating,hunting,and target practice and technically to and from such places(no vehicle carry). National forests honor state laws so you should be good.

Boating - Nope, Fishing - Yes.

 

[oneounceload]

You best be carrying extra blankets - it's going to be cold here this weekend......

 

[harmon rabb]

you guys rule

now, how about this.. of handguns i'd consider bringing (and have holsters for)... xd 45, gp100 in .357, or tokarev?

 

[MrWesson]

YOU MAY NOT CARRY CONCEALED UNLESS YOU ARE A CWL HOLDER OR IN YOUR HOME! and yes you can carry while boating I will post statutes shortly. I suppose you could argue only fishing but you would be splitting hairs.

790.053 says "you can't open carry" and 790.25 says "except under these circumstances"

(3) LAWFUL USES.--The provisions of ss. 790.053 and 790.06 do not apply in the following instances, and, despite such sections, it is lawful for the following persons to own, possess, and lawfully use firearms and other weapons, ammunition, and supplies for lawful purposes:

(h) A person engaged in fishing, camping, or lawful hunting or going to or returning from a fishing, camping, or lawful hunting expedition;

 

[divemedic]

Who says he can't carry concealed?

 

[MrWesson]

I just read that he has a Concealed weapons permit(didnt catch that at first) so obviously he can just conceal carry(legal in national parks in FL). I thought someone commented that he could conceal carry while camping without a cwl. Anyway for anyone else the above statutes are a continuation of an open carry statute and only pertains to open carry. Even if you do not have a concealed permit you can open carry while fishing,hunting or camping in florida.

 

[GunsAmerica Fan]

When ur bumping around in the woods and a mag could fall out and you may not hear it, I'd go with the Ruger bud. Not a lot of multiple assailant crimes in national parks.

 

[more forty fives]

I think this is great shooting weather here nice and cool.Ya know there's a public range right down the road SR40 there's a sign on the road if you get cold you can shoot a little to worm up.

 

[brboyer]

I just read that he has a Concealed weapons permit(didnt catch that at first) so obviously he can just conceal carry(legal in national parks in FL). I thought someone commented that he could conceal carry while camping without a cwl. Anyway for anyone else the above statutes are a continuation of an open carry statute and only pertains to open carry. Incorrect. Even if you do not have a concealed permit you can open carry while fishing,hunting or camping in florida.

You are really confused....
Anyone 18 years or older, not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms in Florida may carry a firearm concealed or openly in any of the locations or while performing any of the actions provided as exceptions in 790.25(3)

Here is a quote: (I've added comments to assist the reader)

LAWFUL USES.--The provisions of ss. 790.053 [General prohibition against Open Carry] and 790.06 [License required to carry concealed] do not apply in the following instances, and, despite such sections, it is lawful for the following persons to own, possess, and lawfully use firearms and other weapons, ammunition, and supplies for lawful purposes:

What that means is if you are doing anything in sections (a) - (p) you may disregard the law against open carry and you may also disregard the law that says you are required to have a license to carry concealed.

 

[wayneinFL]

Thanks for the infomation.

Still it may be wise to have a permit anyway. I've had FWC officers tell me different. They may be wrong, but with a permit, you may be able to make your point without going to jail to prove it to them.

 

[Curator]

I think the Federal law that permits CCW in National parks and forrests goes into effect January 21, 2010 or there-abouts. Ocala is a NATIONAL forrest and Federal rules apply until then. Exemptions for hunting CAN apply IF you have a valid Florida hunting license and have entered via the official checkpoints. Ocala has a peculuar mix of Florida FWC and Federal Wildlife officers enforcing their strange mix of laws. Don't take any advice you get from non-officials--get written opinions from Ocala NF Officials, and carry them with you while there. Few if any of the LEOs there know the laws but most will happily arrest you and confiscate your firearms. Lawyers, money, and several court appearances may be neccessary to get things straightened out. You may or might not get your firearms back.

 

[divemedic]

I think the Federal law that permits CCW in National parks and forrests goes into effect January 21, 2010 or there-abouts.

Negative. National forests have no prohibition against firearms. Heck, I used to hunt the Buffalo National River, and Ocala National forest. The real restriction is that you must stay out of the wildlife refuge area with firearms. They are off limits when it comes to firearms, in order to prevent poaching. 50 USC 27.41

 

[harmon rabb]

With respect to the law for national PARKS, I believe concealed carry is allowed if you have a permit as of january 2009, not '10.

 

[Dave P]

"Not a lot of multiple assailant crimes in national parks." But Ocala NF is known for the bums that live there year-round, and meth labs and pot growers.

Alexander Springs is a great campground. But I would expect to see a "No firearms" rule there. And the springs will be very cold for swimming!

 

[wishin]

While it may be splitting hairs, as suggested by wb carpenter, I would strongly advise having a fishing device of sorts when boating with a firearm there. Why take a chance on a ranger having a bad day and thus taking it out on you.

 

[dmazur]

With respect to the law for national PARKS, I believe concealed carry is allowed if you have a permit as of january 2009, not '10.

No. Out of date info. See

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=494995

February 2010 is the effective date for the law that permits carrying a gun in National Parks (and Wildlife Refuges, too, I believe) in accordance with state law. In some states that allow open carry, open carry should be permitted in the National Park. This could be interesting...

 

[GunsAmerica Fan]

Aren't bums kinda loners though? I don't think I've ever heard of a pack of bums attacking someone. If you walk into a pot field, xd or no xd, I recommend you leave quickly. I think a revolver would be the better choice as a pack gun.

 

[harmon rabb]

well, we returned today due to the weather. in any event, i did NOT see a "no firearm" sign anywhere in the campgrounds. i asked the guy at the check-in station, who said no firearms were allowed, but he could not produce anything written for me stating that. considering the fact that he didn't even know what a bear safe was when i inquired about them, i think he was talking out of his arse.

based on what i read of the florida statutes, i believe i was legally allowed to concealed carry at all times there, so i did. i kept my lcp in my pocket always, and carried by cz-82 in a IWB holster while hiking (it's the most powerful pistol i own that i have a IWB holster for. fyi, if anyone is wondering, the uncle mike's holster for a bersa thunder 380 fits the cz-82 perfectly).

 

[oneounceload]

Many folks carry in the Ocala Forest all the time - there are houses and businesses in the forest.

The Rainbow folks are typically in the Forest and can hassle folks a lot. There are also, as mentioned, meth heads and other undesirables and black bears, so having a gun is usually a good idea.

Glad your trip was "uneventful" in that regard