Article on National Park Carry - Effective Feb 22 2010

[allingeneral]

Here's a good article about the upcoming law change allowing National Park carry.

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/20 ... 1265575410

A controversial rule change concerning firearms in national parks takes effect February 22, a change likely to cause confusion and raise concerns over personal safety, but one also that could go largely unnoticed and give some a measure of personal security.

Foisted upon the National Park Service in a most curious way -- attached as an amendment to legislation that had nothing to do with national parks but everything to do with addressing credit cards -- the legislation has kept Park Service staff meeting for months on how to clear the way for park visitors to carry not just concealed weapons if they hold the requisite permits, but to openly carry rifles and shotguns.

[Read the full story]

[MountainCat]

Good article. It opens up a lot of questions that I haven't thought of as well as things that could possibly get someone into a lot of trouble.

It seems to me that the lawmakers need to make a concerted effort to define what a Federal Facility is as it relates to gun laws. After all, there is a difference between a Federal Court house or the Capitol building and a bathroom stall at a Ranger station.

[Flavet]

"After all, there is a difference between a Federal Court house or the Capitol building and a bathroom stall at a Ranger station."

You got it, Mountain Cat! When you leave a bathroom stall at a Ranger station you feel a hell of a lot cleaner than when you walk out of a Federal courthouse or the Capitol.

[Virginia2AM]

"In Virginia the state law says if it’s a gathering of children, it’s prohibited"

should this be "school activity"? or any "gathering of children" is off limit?

[allingeneral]

Another question received via email - how do you all interpret the definition of "National Park"?

*** From email ***
The only thing on that NPS list that is called a "National Park" is Shenandoah National Park; all the other entries are called something other than a "National Park." What does the law pertain to? For example, GW Parkway? Wolftrap? Appalachian Trail?
** end email **

My personal interpretation (IANAL) of "National Park" is anyplace within the United States which is designated as a Federally Reserved/Regulated Area and is under the control of the National Park Service.

So, under this definition, GW Parkway, Wolftrap, etc would fall under the new law.

Do you agree with this interpretation?

[zephyp]

GW Parkway, Wofltrap are listed as national parks. Here's the list in VA:

http://www.nps.gov/state/VA/index.htm

[allingeneral]

The point being that the words "National Park" do not have to exist in the title of the location for it to be a National Park. i.e. Assateague Island National Seashore - although not called "Assateague Island National Park" is still a National Park.

[zephyp]

I just had a thought. Lots of DC is national park.... I wonder what the law is for those. They are national parks...

[OakRidgeStars]

I just had a thought. Lots of DC is national park.... I wonder what the law is for those. They are national parks...

Nice try, but you would still have to pass through DC to get there. Maybe an air drop?

[zephyp]

I just had a thought. Lots of DC is national park.... I wonder what the law is for those. They are national parks...

Nice try, but you would still have to pass through DC to get there. Maybe an air drop?

Pennsylvania avenue is listed as a national park on the web site. It starts in MD...you could drive all the way down to the white house which is another national park and then Mall another national park. I wonder...

[Leonidis]

One major factor that needs to be considered:

"Permission to carry a firearm into a park and the actual restrictions on such possession will vary by state, since the new federal law is governed by each state's firearms laws."
Ed O'Keefe
Federal Eye - Washington Post

[allingeneral]

One major factor that needs to be considered:

"Permission to carry a firearm into a park and the actual restrictions on such possession will vary by state, since the new federal law is governed by each state's firearms laws."
Ed O'Keefe
Federal Eye - Washington Post

AHA! Thank you for bringing DK back to reality lol

umm...but Washington DC isn't a state!

[zephyp]

One major factor that needs to be considered:

"Permission to carry a firearm into a park and the actual restrictions on such possession will vary by state, since the new federal law is governed by each state's firearms laws."
Ed O'Keefe
Federal Eye - Washington Post

AHA! Thank you for bringing DK back to reality lol

umm...but Washington DC isn't a state!

And the Post isnt exactly the authority on laws either. Furthermore its a liberal rag and if it reported the sky was blue I'd go outside to see for myself...

[Leonidis]

From the NRA's website:

"The Coburn amendment, passed last spring by an overwhelming bipartisan vote in the U.S. Senate, will allow people to possess, carry and transport firearms in national parks, in accordance with state law.

"Because state laws vary greatly, before you visit a national park, you should check the park’s website or call the park headquarters for more information."

[allingeneral]

So, we need to get together after the 22nd and make some phone calls and track exactly what is and is not allowed at every "Park" listed on the National Park Service website at http://www.nps.gov/state/VA/index.htm

Then we can document our findings here in a separate thread specifically for that purpose.

[MountainCat]

"In Virginia the state law says if it’s a gathering of children, it’s prohibited"

should this be "school activity"? or any "gathering of children" is off limit?

That had me wondering if there was another new law. Luckily there's an answer in the comments signed by 'VCDL President'.

"In Virginia the state law says if it’s a gathering of children, it’s prohibited. So if you were at an amphitheater conducting a children’s program in the summer, in the state of Virginia, they will say that during that program you can’t have a firearm."

That statement is simply not true. No such law exists. The closest law is one that says that a handgun cannot be carried into an area being used EXCLUSIVELY for a K-12 school function. If it's not exclusive, then the prohibition doesn't apply.