Is it Legal to Carry Guns in National Forest in Oregon and Wash?

[4Freedom]

Hi, I just got back from a conceal carry class in Oregon today. The instructor said some disturbing things that made me shudder. I am not sure, but he seems to consider himself well learned on firearm laws so I wanted to hear opinions from people on the board. He said many things that disturbed me, but one that stuck out more than the others was what he said about carrying guns in National Forests. He said that as of last week that people can no longer carry guns into National Forests in Oregon. This means that all hunting and any other activity, even for self-defense, would be prohibited with using a firearm. Well, I said I couldn't believe the state of Oregon would essentially ban hunting as well as self-defense in the forest. Well, I know I am not going to the woods naked no matter what, cause the two-legged threats are out of control out there. Anyhow, I like to hear if anyone can confirm what this guy said? DId he get his facts wrong or are all Oregon, perhaps Americans, no longer allowed to carry guns into National Forests? Is hunting now banned in NF in Oregon as well?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Pizzagunner]

He's wrong. You can't carry in a National Park, and those rules are being batted about in the courts right now. National Forests conform to local firearms laws to prevent confusion.

 

[Isher]

Here's the latest.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090319/ap_on_go_ot/guns_national_parks

isher

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Thanks for the media fluff, I personally found that article utterly useless in respect to answering the OP question. No offense intended, you didn't write it.

 

[Oro]

National Forests are fine for carry (open is OK in WA, don't know about OR). Only Nat'l. Parks are banned. This is because they are two diff. federal agencies. NF's are maintained by the Dept. of Agriculture. NP's are Dept. of the Interior.

It is also legal to shoot in most places in national Forests - just not across roads or near buildings.

 

[moooose102]

yep, just what i want to do, walk around in a place where a bear or cougar can eat me without any kind of protection other than a sharp stick. thanks oblama

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

yep, just what i want to do, walk around in a place where a bear or cougar can eat me without any kind of protection other than a sharp stick.

I worry much more about two-legged varmints.

The CCW instructor is wrong about National Forests, possibly confusing these with National Parks.

 

[Travis Bickle]

It is legal to carry a gun in a national forest as permitted by the laws of the state wherein the national forest is located. If it wasn't, how would people hunt there?

 

[Guitarslinger46]

Perfectly legal in Oregon. It's National Parks that just recently got the ban. I'm assuming your concealed carry instructor did go over other places where concealed carry is prohibited such as courthouses, federal buildings, schools, etc.

 

[dmazur]

National Park Service, under the Department of the Interior, administers our National Parks (and National Monuments, etc. to make it confusing...) These guys are the ones that recently adopted a rule which said "CCW OK in National Parks if it is permitted by State law in that State", more recently suspended by a restraining order.

US Forest Service, under the Department of Agriculture, administers our National Forests (and National Grasslands, etc. to make it confusing...) These guys are the ones with their heads on straight that followed State law originally. So far, no additional restrictions not already imposed by your State.

There are US Army Corps of Engineers lands, and others, which are neither of the above.

Each seems to have their own set of rules, and I'd swear they are all in league to drive the visitor absolutely nuts trying to keep them straight. However, they aren't. It is just our normal government in action -- each department fights for its budget and doesn't play well with others.

(I manage a hydroelectric facility surrounded by National Forest, near a National Park, so I'm familiar with visitors who can't tell the difference between the two.)

 

[MountainBear]

It is perfectly legal to carry and hunt and shoot in Oregon National Forests. I walked right by a sheriff's deputy on USFS land the other day carrying my guns and he didn't say a thing. Call your district office and ask if you have any questions. They'll probably refer you to the Forest LEO and he'll answer your questions for you (most of them are pretty good guys to know anyway).