Is open carry of a Handgun legal In Yellowstone National Park?

[mechanicworkman]

I will soon be visiting yellowstone National Park on vacation in July. I have checked the NPS website and it goes over some basic concealed weapon laws that changed due to the credit card act that this law fell under allowing firearms to be carried inside National Parks my question is?

Can I openly carry my handgun on my hip while in yellowstone as long as i do not enter any Federal building inside the park? As i understand that is still definitly illegal.

I have been to the states that encompass yellowstone and seemed that open carry may be allowed

What is the general consensus of this!

I want to stay fully within the law. I am a concealed weapon permit holder but as I have found out that in the summer when it is really warm hiding a .45under a pair of light shorts and teeshirt is sometimes more difficult than it is in the winter when i can hide it under a hooded Tee Shirt.

Appreciate everyone's help for those that help with this thank you in advance!

 

[NavyLCDR]

Yes. It is as simple as that.

 

[irishelcid]

interesting question. i actually just returned from there today (i live just outside the park in montana). i'm pretty sure you have to follow the ccw rules of the state the park is in, in this case its wyoming. wyoming does allow open carry, but i don't know if the NPS would appreciate you open carrying. i didn't see anyone doing it today. also, be warned that all the buildings run by xanterra (they run most of the big lodges and restaurants) have posted no concealed weapons signs at every entrance.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The park is mostly in Wyoming, with parts extending into Montana and Idaho. The laws of those states would be the ones you have to follow.

 

[wishin]

In some States printing a CCW is not a problem, so you can "hide" the gun under a T-shirt without legal worry. Don't know about Yellowstone States. My biggest complaint is having the gun right up against my skin.

 

[mechanicworkman]

NPS.gov website

FIREARMS IN PARKS

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, was enacted May 22, 2009 and will become effective February 22, 2010. Section 512 of this law; Protecting Americans from Violent Crimes, supersedes the uniform treatment of firearm possession in the national park system outside Alaska under the regulations found at 36 C.F.R. 2.4.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. Yellowstone encompasses parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Each state has different regulations and these are listed below.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park (such as visitor centers, government offices, etc.); those places are marked with signs at all public entrances. Hunting and discharge of firearms remain prohibited in Yellowstone National Park.

Firearms should not be considered a wildlife protection strategy. Bear spray and other safety precautions are the proven methods for preventing bear and other wildlife interactions.

WYOMING:

Open Carry Allowed
Handgun = Yes
Rifle = Yes
In Vehicle = Yes
Age Requirement = None

Concealed Carry Allowed - Permit Required
Person = Yes
Vehicle = Yes
State Reciprocity = 23 states
Age Requirement = 21 years of age

MONTANA:

Open Carry Allowed
Handgun = Yes
Rifle = Yes
In Vehicle = Yes
Age Requirement = 14

Concealed Carry Allowed - Permit Required
Person = Yes
Vehicle = Yes
State Reciprocity = 40 States
Age Requirement = 18

IDAHO:

Open Carry
Handgun = Yes
Rifle = Yes
In Vehicle = Yes
Age Requirement = 18

Concealed Carry Allowed - Permit Required
Person = Yes
Vehicle = Yes
State Reciprocity = 46 States

 

[mechanicworkman]

From what the NPS.gov website says it seems that open carry would be fine as long as i don't enter a building. One person said that he didnt know if the NPS would appreciate me open carrying but is there anything out there Legally preventing me from doing so?
Do any of you that live around there or from that state know of anything?

 

[NavyLCDR]

As far as firearms regulations in the National Park System, just erase the National Park boundaries. Whatever method of firearm carry and transportation is legal outside the national park in that state is legal inside the national park.

And it also does not matter what the NPS "appreciates" or not. The Federal statute that went into effect on Feb 22, 2010 stripped the NPS of being able to make any regulation or take any action regarding the carry/transportation of firearms. The NPS is now only able to enforce the applicable state law.

In a park such as Yellowstone, that is spread out over 3 states, the state law where the person is standing at the time applies. If they are in the Idaho portion of the Yellowstone, Idaho laws apply. If in the Montana portion, Montana laws apply.

In all three states of Yellowstone; Idaho, Montana and Wyoming open carry is completely legal, with no license required, both inside and outside of a vehicle.

Bottom line is, just pretend the National Park boundary does not exist in regards to carrying/transporting firearms.

Also, the only buildings in the National Park that are ILLEGAL to carry in are those buildings where Federal employees are regularly present performing their duties. If any other building is posted with a no firearms sign, than it is the private operators of that building which prohibit firearms and not Federal statute. This is also true of Federal buildings outside the National Park as well, though. There are no different rules inside the park.

 

[mechanicworkman]

NavyLT thank you that was the same thing that i was thinking!

 

[copper top]

thanks for the info guys im on my way thear on 7/11/10 and did a google and you all made my life easer im in nevada. thanks

 

[AlaskaMan]

Just in case...
the existing NPS regulation:

Title 36 CFR
Sec. 2.4 Weapons, traps and nets
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Chapter, a person
may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable
firearms within a national park area in accordance with the laws of the
state in which the national park area, or that portion thereof, is
located, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable Federal law.

NavyLt is correct. Wherever the laws are where your feet are standing are the ones that apply. This also applies to city, county, bourough, parrish or other local laws.

However, the discharge of the weapon is still prohibited under almost all circumstances (unless you are legally hunting). So target shooting, plinking, sighting in your rifle, etc., are all still prohibited throughout all units of the National Park System.
(36 CFR 2.4 (a)(2)(ii)
When used for target practice at designated times and at facilities or locations designed and constructed specifically for this purpose and designated pursuant to special regulations.)

 

[ArmedBear]

In all three states of Yellowstone; Idaho, Montana and Wyoming open carry is completely legal, with no license required, both inside and outside of a vehicle.

I don't know about the other states, but unlicensed concealed carry is also perfectly legal in Idaho while engaging in "any lawful outdoor activity" outside city limits.

Note that Montana's definition of "concealed" is quite different from what it is in most places, e.g. AFAIK a loaded gun in a backpack isn't "concealed", but a loaded gun in a belt holster with your jacket covering any part of it is "concealed" even if it's obvious you're carrying the gun. I don't know about Wyoming's definition; Idaho's is more conventional, where the backpack would be considered concealed, but the belt holster wouldn't be. All three states are "gun-friendly", but you still need to read up on their specific laws and make sure you are familiar with them.