Ocotillo camping trip ticket

[BigDogatPlay]

If the revolver was locked up and unloaded or if you have a CCW I'd fight it.

^^^This^^^... however, if you just had the revolver in your tent unsecured and / or <<< shudder >>> loaded, then that would be why you got pinched.

Since it sounds like you were in the State Park where possession is otherwise banned those would be the only two grounds for dismissal that I'm aware of.

Agree 100%... unless the discovery of the revolver was as result of a dirty search, however it wouldn't be much of a stretch for the ranger to articulate that the presence of pellet guns (also illegal in the park) opened the door to a further search of your person and stuff for other arms, air powered or otherwise.

I would follow the recommendations above to engage the services of a competent criminal defense attorney. This is a criminal charge and you don't want to play fast and loose with it. And be prepared to be "booked" with prints and pictures taken at some point after your initial court appearance, assuming an attorney doesn't get it dismissed at that initial appearance for some reason.

Also as above.... say no more about the circumstances of the case here or in any other public forum.

Not to beat a dead horse, but stuff like this double underlines what Mud Camper put in his thread and what I know from having worked and been friends with many state park rangers.... firearms are officially not welcome in any California state park except under very specific conditions. Unloaded and locked away in secure storage, or on a CCW.

[caoboy]

No firearms in state parks unless unloaded and locked up.

Also, depending on how the state plays it, an air rifle can be considered a 'firearm' as well as bows, slingshots, etc.

That's how my city ordinance plays their cards, so do your research before you try to fight it.

I got in trouble for shooting a CO2 powered BB gun, but the day before when we were shooting (same ranger) clear/orange tipped spring powered air soft pistols at each other they just smiled and waved. *this was in caswell state park, don't go there, the place is not great and there are no fish in the river area due too many people in the water *

[GrizzlyGuy]

Not to beat a dead horse, but stuff like this double underlines what Mud Camper put in his thread and what I know from having worked and been friends with many state park rangers.... firearms are officially not welcome in any California state park except under very specific conditions. Unloaded and locked away in secure storage, or on a CCW.

Or... you could live up here in a relatively free county where state park regulations and various other gun laws are often ignored and you can shoot biathlon in the local state park.





(For the record, you are of course correct): Can I have a firearm in a state park?

[BigDogatPlay]

Or... you could live up here in a relatively free county where state park regulations and various other gun laws are often ignored ...

The farther you get from Sacramento, the more things are ignored or otherwise permitted. There's even been depredation hunting done in some state parks from time to time. The militant environmentalist community had a fit, for instance, when DPR decided to cull the deer on Angel Island but the state went ahead anyway.

[trigger619]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice.Lots of good info here.
I'll keep it updated. My court date is not till April.Wish i could just get it done already.

[Big-Bob]

I always camp on the south side of the road past county line. It is BLM land and the rangers do not go around site to site like they do on the north side. The only time you will see Rangers on the south side is if someone is injured.

When I shoot out there I go down south pole line road a ways and have never had a problem. The only encounters I have had down south pole line is from Border Patrol, they usually stop and ask if I have seen any illegals walking through the area and ask to report to them if we see any. Never have they checked our firearms or asked for any form of identification.

[trigger619]

Just updating this post. We all got a violation correction letter from the park ranger.
Changed it from misdemeanor to an infraction. We all went to court last Monday
and paid our $475 fine. Glad its over.

[The Shadow]

Not that it matters anymore, but were you at Occotillo Wells in San Diego County, or Occotillo, in Imperial county ? And lastly, who gave you the ticket ?

[Crom]

That's a rather large infraction. It's good they lowered it to an infraction. I'm curious if you retained an attorney, or did you fight it alone?

[Casual_Shooter]

I'd be curious to know if the search was legal.

[FERGUSON]

any updates from the OP?