Firearms in Forests and Parks

[ExcuseMe]

Some of us choose to carry whenever legally possible. If not for the county that I reside in, I'd carry always.



A coyote isn't going to hurt you. It's the 2-legged predators you need to look out for.

I'm not saying one way or another, I'm just saying it is up to him to determine his need. All the same, if it were legal, I'd do the same.

[Florida]

Legal Transportation...

I drive a pick up. Can someone tell me whether i'm legal or not with ammo in the back and guns in the cab (with no gun locks in them)? I'd appreciate it!

[MudCamper]

I drive a pick up. Can someone tell me whether i'm legal or not with ammo in the back and guns in the cab (with no gun locks in them)? I'd appreciate it!

Ammo can be in the cab with the guns.

Handguns generally need to be in a fully enclosed locked case.

Long guns don't need to be cased. However, if you worry about the federal gun free school zones, then you need a lock of some kind. And next year, you will need a case (not locked) to transport your long guns outside of your vehicle when in cities.

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Transporting

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Defining_loaded_in_California

[navin r]

Thanks very mcuh for all your effort on this MudCamper; though it still is confusing.
If I may ask a question based on one of your earlier posts; in most remote areas a person would be OK transporting an unloaded rifle in the back of an SUV, and if asked by a LEO it might be helpful to have a valid Kali hunting permit on you? If asked what you're hunting say coyotes?
I understand this is just general advice; any reply is most appreciated.

[daybreak]

Does anyone have any experience LOC'ing in the Angeles Nat Forest, particularly in the Azusa and Arcadia parts? Any run ins with the rangers, and are they knowledgable in the LOC laws?

From what I've read in this thread, I can LOC unless it's posted otherwise correct? As far as my campsite, am I OK to LOC from my camp site to the bathroom at the campsite ?

[Shasta Frog]

Just keep it concealed and no one will know. The only time someone should find out is if you are in a life or death situation. And in that case you have a lot more to worry about than if you are carrying legally.

[daybreak]

worthwhile advice. I ask because I only have OWB holsters.

[hardlyworking]

FYI - This may be common knowledge but it wasn't to me:

I went up to the National Park HQ in Thousand Oaks (for the Santa Monica Mountains NP) and found a ranger (with sidearm) walking in to the front office.

I mentioned that I wanted to target shoot in the park and ask if that was cool and where was the best spot.

His answer: National PARK and National FOREST are entirely different beasts governed by different laws. No shooting in the PARK. If I want clarification on where to shoot in the FOREST, go find a forest service person, as that's not his domain.

Then he suggested buying some land outside the city and go do whatever the hell I want

[steelheadmike]

I hope this is the right place to post this.

So, I'm a little new to this whole thing but pretty good at wading through legal mumbo jumbo and I'm trying sort it out. I am pulling all this from the PC sections relating to CW and the new-ish OC section. Also, I am going through this in a general sense, not with a focus on Nat Forest/Parks and not in one's campsite

Please correct me if I'm wrong here. How's this look?

Hunting
-In non-prohibited areas (i.e, where I can fire my deer rifle; I am familiar with this idea as I am a hunter) = LCC, UCC, LOC, UOC, LUCC

-In prohibited areas = UCC, UOC, LUCC

Traveling to/from hunting (not in K-12 zone), regardless of mode or distance between = UCC, UOC, LUCC

Fishing
-In non-prohibited areas = LCC, UCC, LOC, UOC, LUCC

-In prohibited areas = UCC, LUCC

Traveling to/from fishing (not in K-12 zone), regardless of mode or distance between = UCC, LUCC

Hiking
-In non-prohibited areas= LOC, UOC, LUCC

-In prohibited areas= LUCC

What if travel to/or from my hunting expedition is multi-day?

Thanks,
Mike

[tima]

Ive got a quick question regarding Unloaded Concealed Carry. I guess this is probably pushing the grey area but want some clarification.

Lets say I am hiking with a handgun in my pack (unloaded). Now I understand this would be illegal as it was not UOC. What if I was "scouting" fishing/hunting locations but not actually doing the act of fishing or hunting? Would this be considered an "expedition" which would make UCC legal?

[GrizzlyGuy]

Lets say I am hiking with a handgun in my pack (unloaded). Now I understand this would be illegal as it was not UOC. What if I was "scouting" fishing/hunting locations but not actually doing the act of fishing or hunting? Would this be considered an "expedition" which would make UCC legal?

The exemption:

25640. Section 25400 does not apply to, or affect, licensed hunters
or fishermen carrying pistols, revolvers, or other firearms capable
of being concealed upon the person while engaged in hunting or
fishing, or transporting those firearms unloaded when going to or
returning from the hunting or fishing expedition.

I'd say that a "hunting or fishing expedition" is one in which the person intends to actually hunt or fish, and not just scout. On the way to and from the spot where you intend to actually hunt or fish, carrying it unloaded and unlocked in your pack would be legal. Carrying it that way on an expedition that is purely for scouting purposes... wouldn't be.

[thomashoward]

The exemption:


I'd say that a "hunting or fishing expedition" is one in which the person intends to actually hunt or fish, and not just scout. On the way to and from the spot where you intend to actually hunt or fish, carrying it unloaded and unlocked in your pack would be legal. Carrying it that way on an expedition that is purely for scouting purposes... wouldn't be.

Anytime I'm in the woods with a gun, I'm hunting.

[Southwest Chuck]

Anytime I'm in the woods with a gun, I'm hunting.

Yup. Coyote and Jack Rabbit season is year round .....

[Countrymile]

Thank You

Thank you for all the great info. It looks as if Jan 1 open carry unloaded is out unless you are exempted.

So... I am going camping a bit off the beaten bath on NPS land around the Sequoias. I have a fishing lic. and will have a fly rod. It seems that while hiking to campsite I can unloaded, unlic. CC. Which (after reading above) would seem to mean I am ok with a shoulder rig as long as mag is under my other armpit. After reaching campsite I may continue to carry unloaded in the same fashion as I am hiking to the stream, in the act of fishing, and returning to my campsite. However, discharge is prohibited regardless of the situation... so if a mountain lion comes after me--or a wack-a-doo human--I may not be in violation of possession, but of unlawful discharge and whatever else the situation warrents (ie bear w/o tag out of season etc).

Am I summing up/interpreting the above correctly?

[MudCamper]

Thank you for all the great info. It looks as if Jan 1 open carry unloaded is out unless you are exempted.

So... I am going camping a bit off the beaten bath on NPS land around the Sequoias. I have a fishing lic. and will have a fly rod. It seems that while hiking to campsite I can unloaded, unlic. CC. Which (after reading above) would seem to mean I am ok with a shoulder rig as long as mag is under my other armpit. After reaching campsite I may continue to carry unloaded in the same fashion as I am hiking to the stream, in the act of fishing, and returning to my campsite. However, discharge is prohibited regardless of the situation... so if a mountain lion comes after me--or a wack-a-doo human--I may not be in violation of possession, but of unlawful discharge and whatever else the situation warrents (ie bear w/o tag out of season etc).

Am I summing up/interpreting the above correctly?

Interesting. I hadn't thought of this scenario before. Yes.

Since it's legal to fish in the NP, this lets you use the 25640 exception and legally UCC in the NP while traveling to/from your fishing expedition. While in your campsite, you can legally LCC via 25605 & 26055. And while fishing, and hiking from/to camp from fishing you can UCC via 25640.

As for shooting the mountain lion or human violent criminal, you are OK there if you felt you or someone nearby was at risk of great bodily injury or death. And PC 26045 exempts you from 25850 (loaded) in this case. You would be in violation some NP infraction, but so what when life is on the line.