CCW in National Forest in NC

[BigWoolyBanjo]

If I have a CCW permit from a state the NC honors, I should be able to carry in a National Forest in NC, correct? Didn't the law last February make it legal to carry in a National Park or Forest, if you could legally carry elsewhere in that state?

The reason I ask is that handgunlawus says on their NC page that state & national park carry is not allowed.

 

[hermannr]

It's always been legal to carry in a NF, how else are you going to hunt?

The new change made it legal in NP and other areas like NWR, as per local gun laws.

If NC restricts your ability to carry in a PARK, then it is a local gun law you need to abide by, but National Forests? they have always been open to my knowledge.

The new change just says that the state laws are the laws that apply on federal land.

 

[RETG]

I know years ago (late 90s), it was illegal to carry into a National Forest in North Carolina. I had a forest ranger stop while I was changing a flat tire on my Jeep at the parking lot for Whitewater Falls. It was hot, and my shirt rode up over my SIG and he saw it.

Without asking any questions, and acting like a complete jerk, he pulled his handgun (never pointed it at me, but had it in his hand pointed at the ground) and informed me that it was against the law to carry a concealed weapon in a National Forest in NC. My first reply was since you can see it, it is not concealed. My second response was to tell him I was going to slowly reach into my pocket and pull out my ID, and little badge.

Needless to say, the Ranger boys in the forests take it seriously, or at least they did back then. So, my advice would be to call NC AG, or one of the National Forests located in NC.

 

[Hangingrock]

I would check with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission their in the mix with Game Lands and National Forest. Under I could be wrong there I believe some prohibitions.

 

[Sam1911]

Always go check www.handgunlaw.us first for questions like this.

Gary's site (http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/northcarolina.pdf) says:

Carry Allowed in these Areas:
State Parks: NO 15A NCAC 12B .0901

State/National Forests: NO 15A NCAC 09C .1243

WMA’s: NO 15A NCAC 10D .0102 Any Cal. Only in designated camping areas for defense of persons and property. - 22-caliber pistols with barrels, not greater than 7.5 inches in length and shooting only short, long or long rifle ammunition, may be carried as side arms on game lands at any time, except by hunters during the special bow-and-arrow and muzzle loading firearms deer hunting season.

NC is strange.

 

[Storz]

That is an insane law about only being able to carry a .22 cal in the NF here in NC. I don't think many of our legislators have ever spent time in the back country MILES from any sort of help.

I am going to contact GRNC to see if there is some way to get the process started to change that law.

As the law is currently stated it appears that carrying while in a campground IS legal...true?

"Only in designated camping areas for defense of persons and property."