SteveD
Member
Can anyone tell me if it is legal to carry a loaded handgun on public/state hwy across an Indian reservation?
ccw on Indian Reservations
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KMBRTAC45
Member
Yes it is legal, it's Federal & State property, just do NOT get off the highway except at state rest areas. Once you get off the highway you will be on the reservation and could possibly get arrested if caught. That means do not stop at those neat little stand the Indians set up on the side of the road to sell their hand made stuff.
Pat McCoy
Member
Depends greatly on the reservation, and what tribal government has decided.
On the Wind River Reservation (Wyoming) it is no problem if you have a Wyoming permit (or one accepted by Wyoming).
On the Wind River Reservation (Wyoming) it is no problem if you have a Wyoming permit (or one accepted by Wyoming).
larry_minn
Member
I was told in MN if on Reservation. "Do NOT speed,weave, get off road for any reason" Even if gun is unloaded in trunk of car. If you do get hassled by Tribal Police be very "receptive" if THEY bring up you paying cash for your "fine" (do NOT suggest it)
41magsnub
Member
On the Rez I have the most experience with Salish and Kootenai Tribes up the Flathead in Montana they tribal cops can't do anything to a non-tribal member except for hold you until the HP or Sheriff show up as appropriate. They don't even issue a speeding ticket. The state or county cops just follow state law.
sailortoo
Member
on the rez
All of the above are valid. The real problem is that the different reservations are autonomous "Nations", some are local gun law friendly, some very much not. Traveling through on the highways should be OK, as long as that is all that you do. Best bet is to find a way to check the actual tribal laws involved, where possible. There are some on-line sites with this info.
sailortoo
Semper Paratus (also)
All of the above are valid. The real problem is that the different reservations are autonomous "Nations", some are local gun law friendly, some very much not. Traveling through on the highways should be OK, as long as that is all that you do. Best bet is to find a way to check the actual tribal laws involved, where possible. There are some on-line sites with this info.
sailortoo
Semper Paratus (also)
Crunker1337
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(sigh)
Please refer to your "Indians" as Native Americans.
Indians and Native Americans traditionally have nothing to do with each other, except for a mistake that has been perpetuated for centuries.
Please refer to your "Indians" as Native Americans.
Indians and Native Americans traditionally have nothing to do with each other, except for a mistake that has been perpetuated for centuries.
sailortoo
Member
"Native American" - hells fire, thats me! I was born here, my parents were born here, my grand parents were born here - I'm native of the United States of America, no where else! The colloquial term generally used for the people residing in the Americas prior to the Europeans arriving, is Indians (Columbus's mistake). I notice the Navajo sometimes convert that to "Induns" - their term, not mine. 
sailortoo
Semper Paratus (also)
sailortoo
Semper Paratus (also)
209
Member
Yeah, I have a bit of Indian blood as my Great-Great-Granddad married a young woman of the Sioux Nation. A cup of coffee costs me the same regardless of the fact I say Indian or Native American. But, then again, my surname would seem to indicate I'm mostly Italian and I'm not. But, it doesn't offend me when people say I am. But, for the most part, I guess I was born into a generation that had thicker skin.
As to the original post, it does depend on the reservation laws. Now, I’m not a legal expert, but I find calling the source works best. I did a large loop through AZ and NM a few years back. We stayed in one reservation in AZ. I called ahead on that visit and they didn't have a problem with me having a handgun [in the car]. I did leave it unloaded in a box in the trunk for the two days we were there per their request.
The rest of the time we were just driving through various reservations and I just carried as I normally would. In AZ, you pretty much have to drive through a reservation when going from one side of the state to the other, particularly in the northeast corner of the state. Prior to my visit, I called the AZ Highway Patrol. I was pretty much told if I could legally carry in the state, go ahead and just follow the state law. The officer I spoke to may or may not have been right, but I encountered no problems. (Interestingly enough, we spend two days at the Grand Canyon which is a federal park and I thought guns were prohibited, and I called ahead on that visit. The Park Police told me I could transport it in; just don't carry while out-and-about in the park.)
So... I usually follow that advice when I have a question about possession in a certain place. I just call ahead and ask. It won’t necessary stop me from getting in trouble, but it gives me a way to articulate why I am doing it.
PS- always write down the name of the person you talked to. This isn't the perfect way to do it, but it at least makes some sense. The other way is to just not carry.
41magsnub
Member
As far as the Indian/Native American thing.. too much PC going on here. I've never heard of an indian refer to themselves as a native american and I spent years on the Rez. I'm sticking with Indian and you can stick the PC stuff.
Str8Shooter
Member
Most American Indians do not object to the use of the term "Indian". In fact, many of them dislike being called Native Americans. Here's a good link to read on the subject:
http://www.allthingscherokee.com/articles_culture_events_070101.html
http://www.allthingscherokee.com/articles_culture_events_070101.html
Although not gun-related, I did have a tribal policeman on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation advise me and a bunch of other students a number of years ago that if we ever get arrested on the reservation for DUI to waive jurisdiction to the tribal courts. He said it was a $300 fine, you keep your license, and your insurance company never finds out about it. It may be BS, but an interesting story nonetheless.
damien
Member
If you can convince the Bureau of Indian Affairs on this, I will be convinced also.
Wild Bill
Member
Must be a Canadian thing.
Back in the frozen north the aboriginal people refer to themselves as "First Nations". It's historically and geographically more accurate. Seems to work.
Cheers
Back in the frozen north the aboriginal people refer to themselves as "First Nations". It's historically and geographically more accurate. Seems to work.
Cheers
sailortoo
Member
"First Nations". In their minds, I'm sure, but there is a bunch of studies to try to figure our just who were "the first". Not at all clear at this point, as much is speculation, until new material is developed. "Kennewick Man" type problems keep cropping up, mucking up the scene. So far, a very imperfect science. The "First Nations" (far north tribes) seem to be some of the last to arrive on this continent, but lots more study needed.
sailortoo
Semper Paratus (also)
sailortoo
Semper Paratus (also)
kd7nqb
Member
I got a pretty hard shoot down for not using First Nations as the term at my University. That being said the Indian Vs. Native debate is not a gun board topic.
In Oregon you have to get a letter from a Tribal judge I heard that if you "happen" to mention that you are going to spend some cash at their casino you increase you chances of approval. I dont know that this is true but it seems like good business.
In Oregon you have to get a letter from a Tribal judge I heard that if you "happen" to mention that you are going to spend some cash at their casino you increase you chances of approval. I dont know that this is true but it seems like good business.
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