National Forest and CCW

[Sniper X]

Anyone ever been confronted by a Park Ranger while CCW in a National Forest, or National Park? Anyone know the rules? I will be fishing in a couple National Forests at a few lakes in said NATL Forests this week and weekend. I will be CCW because there be Bars thar! And, there have been sightings of very close stalking Mountain Lions. I can't believe the Rangers would try to jack you up for carrying in the NF while there have been so many sightings, plus THEY carry, so what makes it an enforceable law?

 

[jlbraun]

National Forests are A-OK for carry if the state is. National Parks are a no-no.

 

[JesseL]

Generally National Forests have the same restrictions and requirements as the state they're in.

CCW in National Parks on the other hand, is currently verboten.

 

[TallPine]

I usually open carry on the national forests, or sometimes concealed depending on weather, etc. Since I normally go to fairly remote places, I seldom see or at least talk to forest circus personnel.

One time (a Labor Day weekend) we were camped at a fairly remote spot and a couple of FS guys came by on ATVs. Oddly, they asked us if anybody had been bothering us - we said "no" - and then he said "well, it looks like you can take care of yourselves" when he noticed my .45 Vaquero on my hip.

 

[ZeSpectre]

An additional cautionary note. Some National FORESTS (carry okay) have concessions run by the National PARKS department. If you carry in the concession building you are in violation so keep an eye open for the NPS logo to keep yourself out of trouble

 

[fletcher]

What everyone else said.

My correspondence in NC indicated that it was completely OK to carry in Uwharrie National Forest.

 

[Mainsail]

Why wouldn't you just open carry in the NF? Seems it would be much more comfortable.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Has anyone heard from the guy who's hiking the length of the Appalachian Trail? He had initially asked a simular question regarding legality of carrying concealed.

 

[Sniper X]

I would only CCW because so many peopole freak out and call the authorities if they see someone carrying a gun these days. Open would be better if needed very quickly for threat removal for sure, but this is going to be at a couple of lakes where a bunch of you know what types, ok Ill say it, hippies and gun haters/fradey cats tend to hike and "camp". So the more stealthy the better in my opinion. Looks like only one of the three lakes I am going to is in a National Park.....

 

[AntiqueCollector]

You can generally also target practice in national forests if you stay away from trails/people. I wouldn't worry about open carry either. Complaints from hippies about open carrying people won't accomplish anything, they can't stop you if it's legal in your state, so don't bend to their pressure.

 

[MT GUNNY]

If hunting in national forests in MT no ccp needed to ccw.
Other than that i open carry every time Im in national forest,
RAAAAAHHR!!!!!

 

[TallPine]

If hunting in national forests in MT no ccp needed to ccw

Actually anywhere outside city limits

The conjunction in the statute is "or" - which means that I suppose technically you could ccw in town without a permit if you were "hunting, ranching, logging, or other outdoor activity" (having a picnic in the park...?)

 

[kbarrett]

You should just OC in Montana ... help scare away californicators ( from any state ).

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Anyone ever been confronted by a Park Ranger while CCW in a National Forest, or National Park?

There are no Park Rangers in National Forests. National Forests are run by the Department of Agriculture, and their primary purpose is to ensure a supply of timber (although they have other missions, too.) In a National Forest, you might meet a Forest Ranger whose primary concern is the health of the forest.

Generally, firearms are prohibited in National Parks (except the Buffalo National River in Arkansas). National Parks are run by the Department of the Interior, and their Park Rangers are basically law enforcement officers.

 

[TexKettering]

Any Texas CHLs want to back me up on this?

CCW is perfectly legal in Texas National Parks.


Edit: Just checked Big Bend and they say no firearms allowed...?

 

[lacoochee]

TexKettering

CW is perfectly legal in Texas National Parks.

Huh? Do you mean Texas State Parks? If so yes they are fine for concealed carry with a permit.

If you mean National Forests in Texas, they too are also legal for concealed carry with a permit.

If you mean National Parks located in Texas, then no, you are on Federal property and their rules apply.

 

[Mannlicher]

In October 2006, a new Florida Law went into effect that made it legal to have a firearm in National Forests at times other than hunting season. This is regulated by the State Park system. The compromise allowed by the legislature was that even though the bill states anyone can carry anything in Florida State Parks and National Forests now, the Park Service stipulates that only CCW permit holders can possess a firearm.
I am sure this will go to court, because only 2% of Floridians hold a CCW permit.

 

[TexKettering]

K, thanks for clearing that up lacoochee. I wasn't aware there was something special about National Parks that prevents us from protecting ourselves.

 

[Sniper X]

great replies guys, Ill double check but think ony one of the three lakes I am going to is in a National Park. All others are in National Forests and legal to carry in which I will do!

thanks again guys!

 

[Ukraine Train]

Last time I hiked in a NF I had a shotgun strapped across the top of my pack (bear country). Stopped to talk to a ranger on the trail and he just made a joke about me being prepared.

 

[Caimlas]

I would only CCW because so many peopole freak out and call the authorities if they see someone carrying a gun these days. Open would be better if needed very quickly for threat removal for sure

Lessie here...

Option 1: Carry openly and possibly offend the 'sensibilities' of some nambly pambly limpwrist and then maybe have a park ranger unfamiliar with the law harass you about it.
Option 2: Carry concealed and not offend the sensibilities of idiots, and maybe, possibly end up having a cougar eat around the firearm in order to get to the good tender groin or flank meat.

 

[brighamr]

Watch Out!

National forests are OK for open carry, IF you don't shoot within 100 yards of any road, don't shoot any trees, don't carry in a car for any reason (unless you have CCW) and don't have bay area mountain bikers call the NSF on you.

Here's the story:

rant:
My two brothers and I drive 3 hours into the forest to camp and target shoot. It's 9am in the morning and we are shooting. 9:30am, the NSF agent shows up stating "some mountain bikers reported that you were blasting away with fully automatic weapons". NSF agent notices our targets which were leaning against a dead tree. "It's destruction of national property to shoot at a living tree. That tree still has branches attached so it must be alive" (Yes it had branches which were dried and cracked when broken. no greenery anywhere = dead tree). "Also, you are within 100 yards of that road" (It was a dirt 4x4 trail that was a good mile off the NSF fire road) "It's illegal to own fully automatic weapons in this state. How many do you have? Bring them here for inspection" She then inspected our sks, saiga, xd9mm and S&W 357... She noticed some trash about 50 yards away from our camp. "it's illegal to dump trash on NF land"

Long story short, we did nothing wrong. We were well away from a real road, only shot at a dead tree, picked up all our trash and frankly we left the camp site far better than when we first got there. What did we get for being such good campers? A 2 hour lecture from the NSF agent who didn't know that a sks is semi-automatic, we had to pick up trash that had probly been there for years and we were told to leave. (the worst part was having someone who doesn't know the difference between full-auto and semi-auto inspect my guns. they got a thourough cleaning...) The only good thing was that we weren't fined for $2k, which she had threatened. My brothers have a magic gift of BSing their way out of sticky situations, It's something I'll always be envious of

I hope this story will get one point through: Yes it's legal to open carry, but cover your ass and don't CCW in a car unless you have a permit. Don't shoot anywhere near a tree, and don't bring targets with you or you will be blamed for any trash found within 100 yards of your camp.

/rant

 

[MT GUNNY]

kbarrett Thats a good idea Ill keep it in mind.

 

[Zundfolge]

Lessie here...

Option 1: Carry openly and possibly offend the 'sensibilities' of some nambly pambly limpwrist and then maybe have a park ranger unfamiliar with the law harass you about it.
Option 2: Carry concealed and not offend the sensibilities of idiots, and maybe, possibly end up having a cougar eat around the firearm in order to get to the good tender groin or flank meat.

Flag on the play: False Dilemma Fallacy of Logic

I can generally draw from concealment as fast as I can draw from an open carry holster (many people open carry in the woods with cheaper nylon "thumb break" type holsters whereas many IWB holsters are open topped molded leather).

If I'm going to open carry, I'll pack a long gun instead thankyouverymuch.

Otherwise, I'm plenty comfortable with my IWB holster, and I won't miss a bug chunk of my day-off-enjoying-nature being hauled down to the ranger station by some uninformed ranger with an over developed "authority figure complex" to sit for a couple hours until they figure out I wasn't doing anything wrong (or risk some Sarah Brady Wannabe deciding (s)he's going to "take out a gun nut" by lying about me waving my piece around, pointing it at small children and asking them if they've ever seen the devil dance by the pale moonlight).

 

[Bob R]

I was hiking in the Flathead Nat Forest the other day and had a 12 gauge stoked with slugs and a S&W 45 colt revolver in a cross draw holster. The ranger I talked to didn't bat an eye. He did ask if I left any food in my car, there are bears out there.

bob