I have not been able to locate the supposed new regs on carrying handguns in the national parks while hiking, etc. Does this apply to the national forest, caliber restrictions?
From what I can find , the new regulations are that you can carry concealed on all lands that come under the Dept. of Interior (NP NF BLM etc.) , as long as it is legal in the state in which the land is located, and you have a legal CC permit from your state. I would also think that your state and the state the land is in would have to honor each others CC permits though. Personally , I would call NPS and make sure before you travel just in case. I live next to NF, and carry open when I'm there because of mountain lions, bears and wolves, but it's legal to open carry here.
National Forest lands are quite different from National Parks so far as use rules are concerned. Most of them are open to hunting, for example. Definitely check with the local authorities as well as the federal ones who preside over the area.
There was a flap over the parks because some National Parks are in urban areas and many are heavily used by city types who are afraid of guns. Some areas of the bigger tourist destinations like Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone become like cities in summer, complete with city style crime, so the rangers get a little concerned, too.
__________________ Teach
Taxpayers voting for Obama are like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders.
I carry open. Arkansas Game and Fish regs are just as muddied as the NF, and NP. All I can find is nothing larger than 30 cal. except during deer or bear season.
the law goes into effect this Febuary but I'm not sure if it is on the first day of the month or another day. it is for all Dept. of Interior lands and what ever is the state law on carrying becomes the law on Fed. land.
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peace through superior firepower
It goes into effect on Feb.22 of this year. The only thing that I'm curious about is the fact that it only mentions CC. On the NRA website(if you trust them completely) they say that the change allows carry of firearms on federal lands in accordance with the regulations of the state in which they are located. We are allowed to open carry , but I will keep an ear on the news out here and let you all know if there are any residents that have a problem in Yellowstone. I know it will probably come up not to long after it goes into effect.
Until the new regulations takes effect, carrying a concealed firearms is not allowed and all possession of firearms within National Park Service lands must be in accordance with 36 CFR 2.4, which states firearms must be "rendered temporarily inoperable or are packed, cased or stored in a manner that prevents their ready use."
Information concerning the new regulations will be posted prior to the February 2010 implementation date.
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Craig
Who refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
That's what the signs say at the gates in Yellowstone. I'll be going again in July. I'm curious to see if they leave the signs up, or if they just take them down and not post the new regs so as not to scare the tourists. It's kinda ironic that people are scared to death that someone might have a firearm, but they will try to get as close to the animals as they can. If your ever there, and you hear someone yelling " HEY STUPID , THAT'S A WILD ANIMAL , YOU'RE GONNA GET KILLED " that's probably me.
Last time I was there, we were in a "buffalo jam" with a bunch of other tourists in vehicles. I kind of felt sorry for the couple in an open top Miata. There was a big bull about 10 feet from their car and another one on the other side of the road. The boys were not happy with one another and the folks in the Miata were in between them. Fortunately, the argument came to push and shove about 40 feet up the hillside and the Miata didn't get mashed. But, to prove your point, some of those idiots were out of their cars trying to get closer to the bison. Like arms length from inside your car isn't close enough.
__________________ Teach
Taxpayers voting for Obama are like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders.
If I carry a pistol in a National Park, it's for protection against 2-legged animals, not 4-legged ones. Maggots have been known to prey on hikers, campers and picnickers, ya know.
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I child-proofed my house, but they still keep getting in!
If I carry a pistol in a National Park, it's for protection against 2-legged animals, not 4-legged ones. Maggots have been known to prey on hikers, campers and picnickers, ya know.
True enough. But as long as you're going to be carrying and you're in bear country, you might as well be ready for a 4 legged one. Besides, it looks better on the application.
__________________ Teach
Taxpayers voting for Obama are like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders.
Teach
February 22, 2010 
