Pennsylvania State Parks - Handguns?

[waynesan]

I am planning on going to Penn. for a short vacation and will no doubt be going into some of the State Parks. I have found conflicting info on handgun possession. I know you can't carry open or concealed; however, I was wondering if you can have a gun locked up in your trunk and still be legal. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[General Geoff]

The legality of firearms in state parks is tricky. State parks are not highlighted as off limits areas in the Uniform Firearms Act, but park regulations stipulate that no firearms are allowed. If you were to be caught carrying a weapon in a state park, I believe all they could do is fine you. Same would go for having it locked up in your trunk, I'd imagine.

 

[Kael]

From the PA state park regulations; this was the only reference to firearms I could find:

prohibited w/out written permission of the Department;

(4) Possessing an uncased device, or uncasing a device, including a firearm,
archery equipment or slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a
projectile, except as provided in paragraph (2) or (7), or except in the owner's
building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence, or in the owner's vehicle
or trailer.
(5) Failing to keep a device, including a firearm, archery equipment or
slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a projectile, in the owner's
building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence or in the owner's vehicle
or trailer. This prohibition does not apply to either of the following:

"the following" refers to hunting or target shooting in approved areas.

IANAL, but to me that reads a cased handgun in your vehicle would be ok.

hope that helps.

 

[MartinBrody]

This is their website page with rules & regs.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findinfo/rulesregs.aspx

Click on Rules & Regs PDF at the bottom of the page. In quotes below is the section on weapons that I believe applies to your situation.

My interpretation is that your situation would not violate their rules. If you have any concerns, please call them, based on my experience they will be very helpful.

You may want to check on state laws too, regarding driving around with a handgun in the car. I will see if I can find them, I have the state laws in paper form, I will try to look it up and repost when/if I find anything.

§ 11.215. Weapons and hunting.
The following activities are prohibited without written permission of the
Department:

(4) Possessing an uncased device, or uncasing a device, including a firearm,
archery equipment or slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a
projectile, except as provided in paragraph (2) or (7), or except in the owner's
building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence, or in the owner's vehicle
or trailer.

(5) Failing to keep a device, including a firearm, archery equipment or
slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a projectile, in the owner's
building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence or in the owner's vehicle
or trailer. This prohibition does not apply to either of the following:

(i) A person licensed by the Game Commission to hunt, and in possession of a
device that is lawful for hunting under the Game and Wildlife Code, during
hunting season as established by the Game Commission, in a State park open for
hunting.

(ii) A person engaged in target-shooting under paragraph (7).

 

[waynesan]

Thanks guys. That was mighty quick responses. I too thought that it sounded like a weapon "uncased" being illegal, implied that it would be legal if cased. I have a permit to carry a handgun from Tenn. which is honored in Penn. but some of these various State Park laws can be confusing.