new law allows loaded guns in National Parks

[haven]

Starting next week, if you can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, you will be allowed to carry loaded guns in National Parks. Previous rules allowed visitors to keep unloaded guns in vehicles.

There still are a few restrictions, so check with the Park Service to be sure. For example, firearms may not be brought into visitor centers or ranger offices, since these are considered to be federal buildings.

While the blanket prohibition against firearms by the Park Service has been lifted, the gun owner still has to obey state and local laws. For example, some states prohibit driving with a loaded gun in the car, while others permit it. Guns are not permitted at the Statue of Liberty because New York's laws prohibit it, and so on. The rule that applies depends on the state where the National Park is located.

So far as I'm aware, discharging a firearm continues to be prohibited in any National Park. If you know otherwise, please post.

Chip Haven

 

[ThomD]

That "federal building" requirement will be fun to interpret. What about buildings operated by consessionares? Restrooms? Etc, etc.

It's a moot point to me, but I'm glad to see some restrictions lifted on princple.

Now, how about a lift on the "no mountain bikes" rule? Yes, I know there are exceptions.

 

[Gunnslinger]

Excellent news. I haven't been to a National Park for many years for this reason.

"I am not afraid to go unarmed...I simply detest being unarmed. It is a contemptible and undignified condition in which to find oneself." - anon

 

[Dave Bennett]

Good

 

[Wonderland]

SHAAWEET!!!!:wings:

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

I'm not much of a Dodge fan, but that is one sweet ride!!

 

[kcowyo]

This going to be a clustermess waiting to happen... one of those "problems" that didn't really need "solving" IMO. Our tax dollars at work...


From the National Parks Traveler -

For all, including Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, who thought the rules change concerning carrying concealed weapons in national parks would simplify life, Yellowstone National Park is proving the case of some of what's wrong with that rule change.

The problem, you ask? One park, three states, three different sets of gun regulations. Indeed, apparently Idaho has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the country when it comes to honoring another state's concealed weapons permit, while Wyoming has reciprocal agreements on concealed carry with 23 other states, Montana with 40.

Cory Hatch of the Jackson Hole News & Guide points out that while a gun owner from West Virginia could legally enter Yellowstone in the Bechler region in the park's southwestern corner, which spills over into Idaho, once that individual crosses into Wyoming they'd be breaking the law since Wyoming doesn't honor West Virginia's gun permits. But if that same individual made it quietly up to Mammoth Hot Springs, which is in Montana, they'd be legal once again.

Beyond the state laws, Yellowstone officials still are trying to sort out exactly what is a "federal building," which are off-limits to guns. While it's obvious a visitor center is a federal facility, how are lodges -- which in most cases technically are owned by the federal government but run by concessionaires -- categorized?

And what about trailhead restrooms? If the later is off-limits to guns, what will an armed hiker, who just came off the trail, do with their weapon if they want to use that restroom?

While Secretary Kempthorne applauded this rule change as a step towards simplifying gun laws in the parks, Yellowstone's situation would seem to run contrary to that interpretation. And, of course, there are other parks that span multiple states: Death Valley, Great Smoky Mountains, Natchez Trail Parkway. Blue Ridge Parkway just to name four.

.

 

[Pskhaat]

I certainly won't stop carrying my bells and spray, but this makes hiking in Yellowstone and the Tetons every-so-slightly more inviting with the fam.

 

[Pskhaat]

...the rules change concerning carrying concealed weapons in national parks would simplify life, Yellowstone National Park is proving the case of some of what's wrong with that rule change.

Open carry.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

SHAAWEET!!!!:wings:

Dang! Now I want a Dodge just like that!

 

[chrismc]

I couldn't care less about guns. I just wish you could take your dogs more than 100 feet from the pavement in National Parks. Its a given for me that when I go on vacation, my dogs come with, and this restriction makes a big dent in my travel plans.

 

[dzzz]

These new rules are too complicated.

Shooting at geysers: go or no go?

 

[SunTzuNephew]

These new rules are too complicated.

Shooting at geysers: go or no go?

Go, but now they shoot back

 

[SunTzuNephew]

I couldn't care less about guns. I just wish you could take your dogs more than 100 feet from the pavement in National Parks. Its a given for me that when I go on vacation, my dogs come with, and this restriction makes a big dent in my travel plans.

What parks don't let dogs more than 100' from pavement? I usually just have to keep them on leash. I even got a citation (later quashed) for having them on too long a leash (I have a 50' leash, with a handle at 6' and thats what I was using - in Kings Canyon NP

 

[Wonderland]

I dunno, my dog and I don't get messed with in National Parks. Rangers don't give me any gripe for letting him off leash...