CCW in parks (National, state, etc)

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  • CJGarza

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    Ok, another question I should have asked while taking my course but: Is it legal to carry (CCW) in state/national parks? I figure it's ok in State parks, but I don't want to assume, after all we know who assumption is the mother of, right ?

    What about at least having a shotgun in the truck? I had been thinking about staying the night at the National Seashore and mabe the Black Gap in West Texas and call me paraniod but Rattlesnakes (2 legged and the slithering kind) make me a bit nervous. That being said, I don't want to break any laws!
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    Floyd_Droid

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    I was out rappelling a couple weekends ago at Mineral Wells State Park, and this question came up from one of my buddies. They don't have any trouble CCW as long as it was indeed concealed, you can have you handgun in your vehicle as long as it's out of plain sight.
     

    JAFO

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    I was glad to find this thread, as I also wasn't too sure and I'm going camping this weekend with my 1-week old CHL.

    Edit to add: FYI, since Kerrville-Schreiner is no longer part of the state parks system, I called just to be sure of their CHL policies. I didn't want to risk driving out there only to find a 30.06 sign. They informed me that as long as I abided by the normal rules of concealment, they allow it.
     

    JKTex

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    So would this mean I can have my gun in my pickup while at a state park, even though I don't have a CHL?

    I think I'm gonna scream if this comes up again.....

    Having a CHL and legally carrying a hand gun (I assume you mean hand gun, not long gun) in a vehicle have nothing to do with each other.

    If you're not breaking the law, you're not breaking the law.
     

    carneyman

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    I was out rappelling a couple weekends ago at Mineral Wells State Park, and this question came up from one of my buddies. They don't have any trouble CCW as long as it was indeed concealed, you can have you handgun in your vehicle as long as it's out of plain sight.

    This is what I was asking about. I assume you wouldn't have to have a CHL to have a handgun in your vehicle. I was wondering if it would be legal to have the gun in the vehicle the same as you could if you were "traveling", not carrying it concealed.
    Originally Posted by carneyman
    So would this mean I can have my gun in my pickup while at a state park, even though I don't have a CHL?
    I think I'm gonna scream if this comes up again.....

    Having a CHL and legally carrying a hand gun (I assume you mean hand gun, not long gun) in a vehicle have nothing to do with each other.

    If you're not breaking the law, you're not breaking the law.

    I wasn't asking carrying with or without a CHL. I was wondering about having a handgun in a state park, without a CHL, leaving it in the vehicle.
     

    carneyman

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    I was mainly asking because I found this the other night, and since it was previously said that you could carry, I wanted to make sure no one got the wrong idea and did something illegal, without meaning to.

    (f) Arms and Firearms.
    It is an offense to:
    1. possess a firearm with a cartridge or projectile in any portion of the mechanism, except when authorized by the commission or the director;
    2. display a firearm, except when authorized by the director; and
    3. discharge across, in, or into a state park any arm, firearm, or device capable of injuring or killing any person or animal or damaging or destroying public or private property except when authorized by the director.

    TPWD: Texas State Park Rules and Regulations
     

    JKTex

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    This is what I was asking about. I assume you wouldn't have to have a CHL to have a handgun in your vehicle. I was wondering if it would be legal to have the gun in the vehicle the same as you could if you were "traveling", not carrying it concealed.


    I wasn't asking carrying with or without a CHL. I was wondering about having a handgun in a state park, without a CHL, leaving it in the vehicle.


    Again, CHL has nothing to do with having a hand gun in your vehicle. There are no less that 24982 threads citing the law over and over regarding legally having a hand gun in your car. Traveling has nothing to do with it, CHL has nothing to do with it. But it does need to be out of plan sight, which could be as simple as laying in a seat with a towel over it.

    There are stickied threads pertaining to Texas Hand Gun Laws that include HB 1815 (which is the bill you're needing to know regarding your question) and the changes that have been in effect for a little over a year.
     

    carneyman

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    Again, CHL has nothing to do with having a hand gun in your vehicle. There are no less that 24982 threads citing the law over and over regarding legally having a hand gun in your car. Traveling has nothing to do with it, CHL has nothing to do with it. But it does need to be out of plan sight, which could be as simple as laying in a seat with a towel over it.

    There are stickied threads pertaining to Texas Hand Gun Laws that include HB 1815 (which is the bill you're needing to know regarding your question) and the changes that have been in effect for a little over a year.

    I know CHL has nothing to do with it. I was just wondering about guns in state parks in general, license or no license.
     

    JKTex

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    I know CHL has nothing to do with it. I was just wondering about guns in state parks in general, license or no license.


    Ok, that's much more clear. You adding CHL and in the car and traveling was clouding your real question.

    As far as I know, and it's never come up or been an issue, State Park yes, Federal Park no.
     

    carneyman

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    Just got back from Purtis Creek (state park) and they had the "no firearms" signs up everywhere...but not the 30.06...
     
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