Firearms in Forests and Parks

[Southwest Chuck]

Welcome to Calguns, Lawrence !

Hello I am going to be backpacking this spring in Yosemite National Park and was wondering if it would be legal to carry my firearm (1911) as we walk the trails whether it's in a holster unloaded and just keep a magazine loaded separately or if it would be illegal. We will be hiking for multiple days and setting up tents as we need at night with the proper permits. I can legally own a firearm in California and am an armed guard but do not have a CCW due to living in Santa Clara County where even after selling your soul you'll still get denied.

I'm sure someone else will chime in here, but the short answer is that your firearm must be in a locked container, unloaded. You cannot Carry it unloaded openly in a holster. National Park Carry restrictions are based on the local (state) jurisdiction the Park is located in. Since discharge is prohibited, no LOC or ULOC for you, sorry. While "in your immediate campsite" and in your tent, you can load up for personal protection if you want. Step one foot outside of that parameter and you've broken the law.

Just be prudent. Although the above is legal, the less other campers / hikers see your weapon, the better, even within your campsite. Don't want any snowflakes having a cow and reporting "a man with a gun" to Park Officials. Avoid that type of complication at all costs would be my advice.

EDIT:
I use a soft case with eyes through the zippers and attach a small combo lock as my locked container in scenarios such as yours with a loaded mag within reach. A 1911 is a GOOD choice too. That's what I carry when my 10mm isn't enough

[deltafunk0]

If you are actually hunting, you can LCC or LOC. But if you are just traveling to/from you can only UCC. So if while you are hiking, you are looking for game to shoot, yes that is hunting and you can LCC or LOC.

...

Now if you also have a hunting license, you've got that extra exemption, so you could UCC through the campground on your way to/from your campsite.

Thanks MudCamper. You clearly know a lot about the subject, specifically about exemptions around hunting and camping.

I am also planning on taking a trip to that area soon. I was hoping to do some target shooting in the El Dorado National Forest or nearby National Forest. I am not a licensed hunter and do not plan on hunting, and do not even plan on camping. Just hiking for a given day and target shooting while I'm there. Paper targets, possibly taped to trees, proper backstop, shooting with a rifle, and clean up afterwards. I do not plan to openly carry the rifle slung over my shoulder, though I'd sure like to (after 150 yards from civilization).

In your opinion would you say it's ok to target shoot in the El Dorado NF without hunting or camping, and should I keep my rifle in a soft case until ready to fire?

[deltafunk0]

I called the Forest Ranger station today. The nice lady I spoke to seemed to make it seem as though I could show up as I hoped and find a nice quiet, safe place in El Dorado and target shoot, but mentioned I should not shoot trees. She would not comment on anything involving hunting exceptions.

[sgtmrangel]

Great information, thanks for all the leg work.

[anthony_93306]

Thank you for all the good info. I'm a rookie. Lots of info and reading but gotta do it. I love camping but with the family gotta protect them.
Good chart

Making it hard for the honest man and easy for the bad guy.

[Willie Two Fingers]

Is the Tiger Creek Quarry near Pioneer CA still active and safe to go shoot?

[Redeyedrider]

If you have fishing tackle (even an As-Seen-On-TV! Pocket Fisherman), and you have a valid fishing license with you, and you are on your way to or from fishing, then you can use PC 25640 and carry unloaded and concealed (provided you aren't passing through a "school zone".) While you are fishing, and have your valid fishing license, you may be able to load, if you are someplace where shooting is not prohibited.

What if you are fishing somewhere that recreational shooting is prohibited, but hunting by licensed hunters is approved. For example: Carson-Iceberg Wildlife Area within Stanislaus National Forest.

Recreational shooting is prohibited. But, if I'm on a fishing expedition do the UOC, LOC, UCC, LCC exemptions in PC 25640 apply.

What a cluster f***!

[Southwest Chuck]

What if you are fishing somewhere that recreational shooting is prohibited, but hunting by licensed hunters is approved. For example: Carson-Iceberg Wildlife Area within Stanislaus National Forest.

Recreational shooting is prohibited. But, if I'm on a fishing expedition do the UOC, LOC, UCC, LCC exemptions in PC 25640 apply.

What a cluster f***!

I'm sure Mudcamper will pop in here sooner or later, but I'll give you my 2 cents worth in the mean-time .... . I would get a hunting license in the example you give, even if you're fishing. Why risk relying on a hunting exemption, while you're fishing? I doubt that would fly ... . I can see LEO or a game warden giving you the stink eye over that one ... .

I certainly would err on the side of caution, my friend

[Redeyedrider]

I'm sure Mudcamper will pop in here sooner or later, but I'll give you my 2 cents worth in the mean-time .... . I would get a hunting license in the example you give, even if you're fishing. Why risk relying on a hunting exemption, while you're fishing? I doubt that would fly ... . I can see LEO or a game warden giving you the stink eye over that one ... .

That's what one would think, but all of the hunting and fishing prohibitions appear to be cast within the same net

Either way I'll be sure to print out some literature incase I need to educate a ranger.

The good news is I'm actually just outside of the "wilderness area" so restrictions will be minimized

[ja308]

Its never a bad idea to be armed enough to stop a threat!

Even on a trail in Sequoia Nation park that has signs posted against firearms and other assorted items.

[Jeepergeo]

Bookmark. Nice summary in Post 1 and 2. Thanks.

[ja308]

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/28/ghanaian-raped-german-victim-camping/

The Ghanaian migrant accused of raping a German student whilst threatening to kill her boyfriend if he intervened has branded his victim a “prostitute” in court.
Identified only as Eric X. in local media, the failed asylum seeker is accused of raping the 23-year-old victim in a meadow near Bonn, after slashing the camping couple’s tent with a machete and demanding their valuables.

Although we are NOT disarmed Europe its possible for this type crime to happen. Its especially more likely where the previous democrat admin brought in people who do not respect women!

This calgunner can only imagine the outcome if this "Immigrant" tried that in free state Arizona !

[seabee1]

Tagged

[NickPro]

Mudcamper, or anyone who is interested in following this.

My understanding of the laws in NPs is that one could theoretically UOC a rifle/shotgun since it was not explicitly prohibited by 26350, only handguns.

Not much attention has been paid to AB7 since it had very limited scope, but now that AB7 has been signed it appears to remove the legality of carrying an unloaded long gun in National Parks by the prohibited language of 26400 (a) 2

SECTION 1. The heading of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 26400) of Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
CHAPTER 7. Carrying an Unloaded Firearm That is not a Handgun
SEC. 2. The heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 26400) of Chapter 7 of Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
Article 1. Crime of Carrying an Unloaded Firearm that is not a Handgun
SEC. 3. Section 26400 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

26400. (a) A person is guilty of carrying an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun when that person carries upon his or her person an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun outside a vehicle while in any of the following areas:

(1) An incorporated city or city and county.
(2) A public place or a public street in a prohibited area of an unincorporated area of a county.
(b) (1) Except as specified in paragraph (2), a violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

[Jason95357]

Mudcamper, or anyone who is interested in following this.

My understanding of the laws in NPs is that one could theoretically UOC a rifle/shotgun since it was not explicitly prohibited by 26350, only handguns.

Not much attention has been paid to AB7 since it had very limited scope, but now that AB7 has been signed it appears to remove the legality of carrying an unloaded long gun in National Parks by the prohibited language of 26400 (a) 2

SECTION 1. The heading of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 26400) of Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
CHAPTER 7. Carrying an Unloaded Firearm That is not a Handgun
SEC. 2. The heading of Article 1 (commencing with Section 26400) of Chapter 7 of Division 5 of Title 4 of Part 6 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
Article 1. Crime of Carrying an Unloaded Firearm that is not a Handgun
SEC. 3. Section 26400 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

26400. (a) A person is guilty of carrying an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun when that person carries upon his or her person an unloaded firearm that is not a handgun outside a vehicle while in any of the following areas:

(1) An incorporated city or city and county.
(2) A public place or a public street in a prohibited area of an unincorporated area of a county.
(b) (1) Except as specified in paragraph (2), a violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

What is "a public place"? Buildings, parks, forests, Federal lands (BLM, Army Corp of Engineers), camp grounds?