Carrying a Gun at a National Park

Can you carry a firearm into a national park? What is the federal law? The Armed Attorneys break down the gun law that applies to your next camping or hiking trip.

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Richard D. Hayes, II: @TXGunLaw
Emily Taylor: @2A_Attorney

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[randyblackburn]

Out of sight, out of mind saves a lot of grief while preserving the element of surprise

[danbreejen]

Many years ago we were in Glacier National Park when a Ranger asked me what I had on My hip. I responded, ".357 magnum" (I was open carrying). She said, "You should have brought something bigger." And that was the end of the conversation.

[Harleyever]

Carry always...carry everywhere...carry on.

[MeLancer]

In Texas I'm not aware of statutes preventing the carry of a fire arm in public or state parks. The only restriction that jumps out at me is they are prevented in judicial courts.

[jeremypow]

Parks should be the first place you are allowed to carry. I've run into quite a few sketchy characters in the middle of nowhere and I know for a fact that because I was open carrying it kept me out of some trouble.

[SveninColorado]

Good to learn another nuance where, once again, state law supersedes federal law.

Thanks!

[wdefghjuefhdegtfthtgf]

Also it may be for a 4legeg threat not two if deep in the woods or wilderness this brings up a point about a long gun in a backpack as in most states a hunting license is basily a long gun carry permit

[jimlongley]

I went on a tour in San Antonio and without prior warning we were taken to both State and National parks. The National facilities were all posted 18 USC XXXX(?) and I took the chance because I didn't have a safe way to secure my carry gun on the bus, and I didn't get caught. It would have been nice if the tour operator had notified us first.

[LarryEArnold]

You mentioned not carrying in 'buildings." I was in a park not too long ago which had "no guns" signs on the restrooms.

[Scott-jhgo]

When I do go to Pennsylvania I always go about 10 miles on a hike of the Appalachian trail and Texas handgun permit is recognized in Pennsylvania

[evanwindom]

Also -- be careful where a park might straddle state lines, such as Yellowstone does.

[georgecrutchfield]

The Supreme Court needs to nullify the NFA and GCA of 1968!

[sailor]

Yes you may in most Parks, but do not fly a toy quadcopter or they'll be all over you.

[haroldbelcher]

But, Out of Sight, is also why the general public is afraid when they see one. If we all started open carry then maybe the general public would not freak out. No one had a second thought when Hitchcock was carrying.

[rmeddefense]

I once open carried in Carlsbad Caverns, NM which is a National Park (I mistakenly thought it was part of a National Forest where open carry is legal). Went through buildings, cave and elevator. Several park rangers saw me and said nothing. This was before the DOI rule change that had NPs switch from prohibited to state law guidelines. I could have been in violation but nobody bothered me. Also note that Bureau of Land Management and National Wildlife Refuges are part of DOI and can have different rules than National Forest which is USDA.

[AlaskaErik]

One thing a lot of people don't seem to realize is that it is still illegal to possess a firearm on Army Corp of Engineers property and camp sites. This prohibition is total and complete. You can't have a firearm anywhere on your person, vehicle or travel trailer/motorhome.

[robgrey]

I live in Teton County Wyoming. Grand Teton National Park is in Wyoming. All the metal trailhead signs in GTNP had to be modified to conform to Wyoming law. A pine cone cop had to go around with a cordless grinder and grind out "no firearms".

[__-pljg]

I'd like your videos to show the cited law codes as you discuss them. It's not enough to simply hear someone say something is legal. Otherwise, great content. Thanks for starting this channel!

[daviddean]

Thanks, we need to keep up on these laws

[rudypatrick]

Appreciate what you two are doing! I'm sure there's a great joke in here somewhere about outhouses being "federal facilities". I've been telling it in my CCW classes the last couple years. Keep it up!!!