Sorry to Muddy up such a nice thread but Eric asked?
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"Can I possess/carry my handgun/rifle/shotgun openly/loaded/concealed/otherwise when I am hiking/camping/hunting/other in the forest/park/campground/wilderness in California?"
First, it is very important to understand that there are many different types of "forests" and "parks" and they are all run by different government agencies with different restrictions.
Here is a list of the most common types of parks, forests, and public lands, and their respective firearms restrictions:
- National Parks, Federal, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior - firearms now permitted but CA state law applies - see *1
- National Forests, Federal, US Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture - firearms and shooting welcomed but CA state law applies - see *2
- BLM Land, Federal, Bureau of Land Management, US Department of the Interior - firearms and shooting permitted but CA state law applies - see *2
- State Parks, State, California Department of Parks and Recreation - firearms prohibited - see *3
- Regional Parks, some are county owned (example), some are city owned - firearms often prohibited per local ordinance findlaw.com municode.com
*1 - The firearms prohibition in NPs and NWRs was lifted on 2/22/10. See the "Important Notes" about HR 267 in the second post for more details.
*1 - UOC of handguns is not legal in NPs effective 1/1/12 as a result of AB144 (PC 26350)
*1 - UOC of long guns is legal, except in federal facilities (buildings with federal employees and no-firearms signs posted)
*1 - LOC, UOC, UCC, and LCC are all legal in one's campsite. (PC 26055, 26383, & 25605)
*1 - Since NPs can be near/within urban areas, school zones can be an issue. Unlocked/operable firearms are not allowed within 1000 feet of a K-12 school.
*1 - CA CCW/LTC permit holders may LCC anywhere in NPs except in federal facilities.
*2 - LOC and UOC are legal everywhere except "prohibited areas" (areas where shooting is prohibited)
*2 - LOC, UOC, UCC, and LCC are all legal in one's campsite. (PC 26055, 26383, & 25605)
*2 - Shooting is prohibited within 150 yards of any residence, building, campsite, or developed site, or on/across a road or body of water ("prohibited areas")
*2 - consensus opinion is that UOC of handguns is now illegal in "prohibited areas" of NF/BLM (AB144 / PC 26350) not all agree (PC 26388)
*2 - Forest administrators have the authority to prohibit shooting in other areas of the NF but must clearly post this information (more "prohibited areas")
*2 - BLM administrators may post closures and restrictions regarding firearms use (more "prohibited areas")
*2 - LCC is legal for licensed hunters/fishermen, while hunting/fishing, but only where shooting is not prohibited (PC 25640)
*2 - UCC is legal for licensed hunters/fishermen while hunting/fishing and while traveling to/from hunting/fishing expeditions (PC 25640)
*2 - UOC is legal for licensed hunters while hunting and while traveling to/from hunting expeditions (PC 26366)
*2 - CA CCW/LTC permit holders may LCC in NF/BLM
*3 - firearms permitted in vehicles and temporary lodgings when unloaded and "packed, cased or stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use"
*3 - CA CCW/LTC permit holders may apparently LCC firearms in California State Parks
Acronyms used in this thread:
UOC - Unloaded Open Carry
LOC - loaded open carry
UCC - unloaded concealed carry
LCC - loaded concealed carry
LUCC - locked unloaded concealed carry (also called LCC in another thread which will cause confusion)
Additional types of public lands:
- Wilderness Areas, Federal, within or part of a National Park - firearms now permitted but CA state law applies *1
- Wilderness Areas, Federal, within or part of a National Forest - shooting and/or possession may be prohibited, check with local ranger station
- National Monuments, Federal, various agencies but usually the NPS - firearms now permitted but CA state law applies *1
- National Wildlife Refuges, Federal, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior - firearms now permitted but CA state law applies *1
- US Army Corp of Engineers Recreation Areas (SF, Sac, LA) - firearms generally prohibited except for limited hunting activities
- DFG Wildlife Areas and Reserves, State, California Department of Fish & Game - firearms restrictions vary (usually very prohibitive)
- Demonstration State Forests, State, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF / CAL Fire) - firearms permitted, some restrictions - (details)
- PG&E Recreation Areas - no official restrictions, generally the same as neighboring federal lands, state laws apply (details)
- Private lands and privately owned campgrounds - firearms either permitted or restricted by the owner
- Open Space Districts (a form of CA Special District) - unknown, TBD
- Land Trusts - unknown, TBD
This thread's focus is on parks/forests/campgrounds/etc. in California. Not all of the specifics and subtleties of carry, loaded, and transport laws are covered here. So,
- For specifics about transporting firearms, see the CGF wiki page on transporting
- For details about the definitions of loaded, see Defining loaded in California.
The first three posts in this thread will be continually updated for accuracy.
If you ever suffer any harassment while legally using firearms or receive incorrect legal information from any Federal or State LEO, please report it using the form posted here.
A printer friendly version of this post is available here.
Additional PDF documents that may be useful to carry with you are linked here.
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Shooting sports activities have been enjoyed for generations and are welcomed on National Forest System lands.
Both state and federal laws apply on National Forest System lands, so you also need to check on the state laws and county ordinances which may apply to the area you will be visiting.
You also need to be in compliance with any general federal laws and regulations about weapons (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), etc). The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and many commercial publications provide this information.
The only regulations specific to use of weapons imposed by the Forest Service is that you cannot discharge a weapon within 150 yards of any structure/development or occupied area, within or into a cave, across or on a road or body of water, or in any manner that endangers a person. You also cannot use any tracer or incendiary ammunition. Forest Service regulations require that you also comply with all State laws regarding the use of firearms while hunting.
If you are planning on visiting a designated Wilderness Area, the Regional Forester or Forest Supervisor has the option to implement a special local order which additionally prohibits the mere possession of a firearm within that Wilderness Area. Although this prohibition is not common, you should contact the Forest Supervisor's office to find out whether such a restriction has been imposed.
We encourage you to use designated shooting areas or ranges. However, if you choose to shoot in an undesignated area, please ensure that your shooting does not damage any facilities or natural resources, disrupt other uses, or endanger public safety, and ensure you remove any targets, wads, shells, brass and other refuse with you when you leave. Be sure your shooting target area is free of rocks, as wildfires have resulting from sparks from ricochets. Be responsible for your action and follow outdoor ethics, in other words always, Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! on federal lands.
It is also a good idea regardless, just to contact the local Forest Service District or Forest Offices in advance of your visit to ask the same question, as they are more aware of local ranges and other opportunities, local orders or restrictions, issues and special conditions that may affect you.
thanks
doesn't sound too likely to reach a repeater at a lower elevation unfortunately.
On another topic, anybody knows the rules about firearm possession in the Sequoia NF? Didn't see anything on their web site.