Gun Laws in the National Parks

vanit

[Doctor 2Brains]

If I recall correctly, the gun laws in the national parks correspond to the state laws in which the park is found. Yes, no? I'm going to the GW National Forest in VA this weekend, and I'm told that there's a big "NO GUNS" sign at the entrance. This is bogus, yes? I have a CC permit in VA, and I've open carried there in the past. Who can help a poor gunslinger from the Old Dominion?

Thanks

[WorkingClassFilth]

National parks are gun banning, but national forest are not - to my knowledge. Things may have changed in the last couple years but I have hunted in national forests and been fine.

[bigheadfred]

FOREST SERVICE RULES George Washington & Jefferson National Forests

Weapons are not allowed on national forest lands
outside of hunting seasons.

[Yo-Yo]

Your best friend is handgunlaw.us

Here is the information for VA:

Carry In State Parks/State & National Forests/WMA/Road Side Rest Areas

Carry Allowed in these Areas:

State Parks: YES
State Forests: YES
National Forests YES 4VAC15-40-60 (Concealed Only No Open Carry)
WMA’s: YES 4VAC15-270-60 (See Places Off Limits)
Road Side Rest Areas: YES

[cripplecreek]

Pictured Rocks National lakeshore

“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.”

http://www.nps.gov/piro/parkmgmt/firearms.htm

[jntrees]

Just be careful about taking the concealed weapon into a “federal builging” like the Welcome center or even the port-a-john. No joke! I understand these to be off limits.

[IYAS9YAS]

Weapons are not allowed on national forest lands outside of hunting seasons.

Yes, they are. Depends on the state in which the forest resides. I've open carried in Idaho, and in New Mexico in national forests outside of hunting season, completely within the law.

[snooter55]

TAKE YER PISTOL PARTNER ! ! “ Ain't nothin’ illegal til ya git caught” ! ! Be discreet . . .

[donmeaker]

best to call your lawyer.

[bigheadfred]

D2B is asking specifically about the George Washington National Forest in Virginia. A simple search leads me to THIS PDF

That is all I know.

[Inyo-Mono]

In your headline you ask about national parks, but your question concerns GW National Forest. National Parks and National Forests are not the same thing. One is administered by the Interior Dept., the other the Dept. of Agriculture and have different goals and rules.

[Yo-Yo]

D2B is indeed asking specifically about the George Washington National Forrest in Virginia.

The law in Virginia states specifically:

4VAC15-40-60. Hunting with dogs or possession of weapons in certain locations during closed season.

(Sections A through E omitted)

F. It shall be unlawful to possess or transport any loaded firearm, or loaded crossbow in or on any vehicle at any time on national forest lands or department-owned lands.

G. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the possession, transport and use of loaded firearms by employees of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries while engaged in the performance of their authorized and official duties, nor shall it prohibit possession and transport of loaded concealed handguns where the individual possesses a concealed handgun permit as defined in § 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia.

If you don't know, don't guess.

[Caipirabob]

Gun Laws in the National Parks

The gun laws correspond to the biggest threat you believe you will run into.

You are in the wilderness, on your own. Prepare accordingly and listen to socialist bureaucrats at your own risk.