Firearms in Forests and Parks

[Jason95357]

this text is taken directly out of the Yosemite national park web page concerning firearms "Weapons/Firearms

Firearms

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.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, visit the California Attorney General's website.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Discharging a firearm for any reason is illegal.

Other Weapons
The possession, use, or discharge of pepper spray (including bear spray), pellet guns, and BB guns in Yosemite National Park is prohibited."

so that being the case you can carry a firearm in a national park but under no circumstance is it to be discharged is that correct ?

As you quoted from the Yosemite Weapons/Firearms page, the Superintendent of YNP does not even allow possession of weapons in YNP.

Having said that, it depends on the National Park. It's up to the Superintendent of each specific NP per Title 36 (see page 1 of the Yosemite Superintendent's Compendium linked below).

From the Yosemite Superintendent's Compendium:

That's it, end of story for legal possession in YNP (other than CA CCW holders) unless you can get the Superintendent replaced.

Having said that, I don't plan to go back to Yosemite without my CCW.

[vaka]

this text is taken directly out of the Yosemite national park web page concerning firearms "Weapons/Firearms





Firearms

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.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, visit the California Attorney General's website.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Discharging a firearm for any reason is illegal.






Other Weapons
The possession, use, or discharge of pepper spray (including bear spray), pellet guns, and BB guns in Yosemite National Park is prohibited."

so that being the case you can carry a firearm in a national park but under no circumstance is it to be discharged is that correct ?

[mej16489]

please excuse my ignorance but I am really confused. I am going to Yosemite national park next week and looked on their web site and they have a bear and wild animal sighting counter for the week. this week there have been some bear and cougar sightings. my question is can I carry a hand gun loaded or not into a national park like Yosemite while hiking. please help me understand the law as I don't want to break the law but don't want to take a chance of me and my family running into a bear or cougar and I have a stick in my hand to protect my family

I didn't look it up, but I'm 99% sure that discharge is prohibited in Yosemite National Park. That therefore prohibits LOC & UOC.

However, if you have a LTC, it is valid in the Park and you may carry 'as issued' However, you must abide by federal law with regard to federal buildings within the park.

[vaka]

please excuse my ignorance but I am really confused. I am going to Yosemite national park next week and looked on their web site and they have a bear and wild animal sighting counter for the week. this week there have been some bear and cougar sightings. my question is can I carry a hand gun loaded or not into a national park like Yosemite while hiking. please help me understand the law as I don't want to break the law but don't want to take a chance of me and my family running into a bear or cougar and I have a stick in my hand to protect my family

[mej16489]

After reading through much of this thread, I'm still a bit confused.

Is it legal to UOC in National Forests in CA after AB144 went into effect?

Unless you are exercising one of the UOC specific exemptions - its basically legal to LOC anywhere its legal to UOC.

So, why bother UOCing in a National Forest when its likely possible to LOC?

Ultimately what you need to know is whether the area is prohibited to shooting. If it is, both LOC and UOC are illegal.

[snorky]

After reading through much of this thread, I'm still a bit confused.

Is it legal to UOC in National Forests in CA after AB144 went into effect?

[Super Chicken]

ya wow this is too complicated. I wanna do some backpacking in my near future and would like to carry my new handgun. However sounds like they have made it soo complicated that its almost not worth it. So even if i am in the backwoods UOC could still get me in trouble?

Best bet IMO, is to get a hunting license. That cuts down on the BS by maybe 30%... Remember THEY want you not to carry, so stick it to the man and go hunting!

On another note, a big high five and should I ever meet MudCamper I'm buying you a frosty pint for taking the time to make and update this thread.

Cheers.

[Thedomsaww]

ya wow this is too complicated. I wanna do some backpacking in my near future and would like to carry my new handgun. However sounds like they have made it soo complicated that its almost not worth it. So even if i am in the backwoods UOC could still get me in trouble?

[Bainter1212]

Yes. NP is different from NF. There is a difference. A big one.

[MudCamper]

Soo to be very safe in NP UOC would be your best bet?

No. AB144 passed and created PC 26350, banning UOC of handguns in prohibited areas. The entire Park system is a prohibited area.

[Bainter1212]

^^^ Based on the above 16 pages, I don't think we still know for sure, which is EXACTLY what Sacramento wants.

Basically, yes. Still better to arm yourself with info. Let a pushy LEO know that you can quote the penal codes by heart, and you can bet he won't want to fight you in court. Let him know you will raise a fuss online and in letters to his supervisor. Let him know that you will call Calguns if he ignores the law and cites you. Lots of LEOs know about Calguns, and fear them.

[CrazyCobraManTim]

^^^ Based on the above 16 pages, I don't think we still know for sure, which is EXACTLY what Sacramento wants.

[Thedomsaww]

Soo to be very safe in NP UOC would be your best bet?

[knerona]

[QUOTE=MudCamper;11741203]I like to know where the legal lines are. Plus, I enjoy figuring it all out. I guess it's like a puzzle to solve. And I get to help other people figure out how to carry while avoiding legal trouble./QUOTE]

This thread is a super helping resource, thank you for the time and effort. :thumbup:

[MudCamper]

I've been neglecting this thread for quite some time. I'll try and catch up.

my dad and i used to shoot on the edge of the yolo basin wetlands back in the 90's. anyone know the legalities these days of shooting there? the land is managed by the department of fish and game.

Lands managed by State Fish and Game Wildlife are generally pretty restrictive. You'll need to find the website or office that manages it and find out what their restrictions may be.

Hey MudCamper great info, super helpful.

My main question is as far as carrying a shotgun in National Parks in CA goes, wouldn't H.R.627 s 512 (b)(2) make it illegal to carry the gun in CA Nat' Parks at all because its illegal to carry it completely in state parks under State CCR Title 14, Div 3, Chap 1, s 4313.

You are making a classic mistake here. You mention National Parks in CA and then you go on to cite a State of California regulation for California State Parks. California State Parks are owned and regulated by the State of California. National Parks (in California or elsewhere) are owned and regulated by the Federal Government. They are two totally different things.

And given my above argument doesn't apply, could I UOC a shotgun in Yosemite (CA natl park) if I was hiking and not yet at my campsite? If not how would I do it, I am very confused, would I have to lock/conceal/unload it while hiking to my campsite and then once there could UOC it?

You appear to be confusing laws for handguns and long guns. Generally there are no locking/concealing related laws for long guns. Technically, you could carry your unloaded long gun around in a NP, but it will end badly for you. Personally I'd advise against it.

My question is why do some lose sleep over this crap? You can interpret the laws to death and still not have it right. Just do what you feel you need to do and keep calm and carry on.

Don't get me wrong, I do my best to comply too but with all the gray areas regarding gun laws I just do my best to do what I think is right When I am carrying.

I have a ccw so maybe its easier for me to think that way but all these nitpicky laws are just mind boggling and there is more important things to worry about. In My Opinion.

Common sense to begin with will keep most of us out of trouble.

You have a CCW. Most of us don't have that privilege. (And it is a privilege in this state.) So it's easy for you to sit back and call us crazy. But for me (no CCW ever possible) I like to know where the legal lines are. Plus, I enjoy figuring it all out. I guess it's like a puzzle to solve. And I get to help other people figure out how to carry while avoiding legal trouble.

Are fire roads considered "roads"? Going camping in Eldorado NF outside of official campgrounds.

Not entirely clear. Most probably not. But if the road is a county or state road, or is maintained by a county or state, then it is definitely.

Quick question guys - I typically UCC when I fish in the NF. I am meeting my buddy on Friday to do some fishing and camping. He would also like to UCC while we are out......he is a NV resident though and he will be bringing his new, off-roster Springfield EMP. Do the penal codes apply equally to non-CA residents??? Don't want him to get screwed over.

No difference for state resident or not. He just needs to make sure he doesn't bring in any magazines larger than 10 rounds capacity.