Definitive answer on carrying in State and Federal Parks

[gringogigante]

What's the final answer as far as carrying in State and Federal parks. Please site the laws if possible.

 

[majormadmax]

As of last month (22 Feb), you can conceal carry in national parks as long as state laws allow it; thanks to a change in Federal law (source).

A person can carry a loaded concealed handgun in Texas State Parks with a current and valid CHL license at anytime. Please remember that you must continue to follow all CHL rules while carrying in State Parks...

Texas Senate Bill 501 (passed in 2005) prevents any state, county, or municipality from barring CHLs from carrying on any state, county or municipality owned or leased property (except the listed places barring weapons in the penal code).

Hunting is a completely different matter and depends on the park.

Cheers! M2

 

[gringogigante]

Thank you, sir.

 

[RPB]

As you may know, the Bureau of Land Management DOI: BLM: National Home Page and the United States Forest Service US Forest Service - Caring for the land and serving people. allow the transporting and carrying of firearms on federal lands in accordance with the laws of the host state where these two agencies manage lands.

ALSO, the National Parks Service (NPS) U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home ( Wildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuge System )are governed by separate federal statutes and have developed differing sets of firearms regulations. (THESE became legal as of Feb 22, 2010)


However,

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Parks and Lakes are a completely different matter .... http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visito ... m?state=TX

Some COE lands contain shooting ranges and you may carry your unloaded gun to and from those. True Duck hunting has been legal on COE lands, under CFR § 327.8 but that has nothing to do with carrying a loaded concealed handgun.

Regarding an E-mail to TPWD asking about State Parks on boundaries of USACOE Lakes (Ray Roberts, Whitney ,,,, etc etc etc .) Asked about bank fishing/fishing standing on the shore IN the State Park versus launching a kayak FROM the State Park INTO US ARMY COE water (or wade fishing in the lake/ or from an inner tube/float tube).

TPWD Response is:

Sir,
Thanks for your question. Since you are on the waters operated and
managed by the COE you would be required to abide by their rules and
laws, therefore this would be a question for them. As I understand it,
you would not be allowed to carry a weapon on their waterway.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance,
Wes Masur
Director, State Park Law Enforcement,
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
512-389-8001 Office
512-389-8559 Fax


The e-mail from the COE last week (the most up-to- date info I have so far) says ...

From: "Weber, Carey D SWF" <Carey.D.Weber@usace.army.mil>
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 03:59 PM
Subject: RE: Lake Georgetown

Your inquiry was forwarded to me for response.
Tejas Park is at Lake Georgetown, where all property is owned and managed bythe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The wildlife management areas at Granger Lake are licensed to Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept., but remain U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property.

Attached are detailed maps showing the approximate location of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers boundary at the western and eastern limits. Some of these areas are not fenced. All other areas of the boundary are fenced. These are shown on the lake map at the following link:
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/george ... n/Maps.asp
At Granger Lake the wildlife management areas are licensed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for hunting areas, but ownership is retained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. You may contact the Granger Lake Manager at James.D.Chambers@usace.army.mil for more information. Thank you for your interest in Lake Georgetown. Carey.
--------------

§ 327.13 Explosives, firearms, other
weapons and fireworks.
The possession of loaded firearms,
ammunition, loaded projectile firing
devices, bows and arrows, crossbows,
explosives or explosive devices of any
kind, including fireworks, is prohibited unless:
(a) In the possession of a Federal,
state or local law enforcement officer;
(b) Being used for hunting or fishing
as permitted under § 327.8, with devices
being unloaded when transported to,
from or between hunting and fishing
sites;
(c) Being used at authorized shooting
ranges; or
(d) Written permission has been received
from the District Engineer.