My First OC

[FogleDW]

Well today I did my first OC, I started off with my leg holster on that use at the range when I left my house when my buddies picked me up to go to the range. Well on the way we needed to stop at Gander mountain so I decided to take the holster off the leg mount and mount it to my belt, (wasn't sure if drop holsters are legal to OC with or a smart way to walk around in public), and in we went. I must say it after a min or two I didn't ever think about it and on one even looked at me or made a comment. Now grant it it was a sporting goods store but its a start I guess. So we leave and get to the range and a game cop is standing next to his truck so we all get out and he looks right at me and asks :

GC: Is that thing loaded
Me: Yes Sir
GC: You know you can't walk around like that
Me: PA is a open carry state and its my right
GC: Yes I know that, but on a State Game Land range you can not walk around with a loaded firearm
Me: Ok,

So I unloaded, figured he was being nice and not a ass, plus I didn't want to ruin our day of play. He then checked if we had range permits or hunting lic. As he was checking my friends, I check the rules and he was right so lesson learned. So all in all I think it was a good first day.

[ViperGTS19801]

The details here are awfully fuzzy, but the "game cop" sounds awfully ignorant. State law does not distinguish between a "loaded" firearm and an "unloaded" firearm unless you're transporting it without an LTCF, as far as I know. If you were in a State Park, you can't OC, but other than that...and someone else more knowledgable than myself will clarify or correct me here...the "game cop" was full of horseshit.

[ByblosHex]

Where was this?

[FogleDW]

The details here are awfully fuzzy, but the "game cop" sounds awfully ignorant. State law does not distinguish between a "loaded" firearm and an "unloaded" firearm unless you're transporting it without an LTCF, as far as I know. If you were in a State Park, you can't OC, but other than that...and someone else more knowledgable than myself will clarify or correct me here...the "game cop" was full of horseshit.

Sorry the Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer, was saying that while at the gun range you can not walk around with a loaded firearm. this just while at the range. Plus this is at State Game Land not a State Park, the shooting range itself has a different rules for saftey. The WCO was in no way ignorant.

Where was this?

State Game Land 242 off Rt 74

[StonewallRabbitry]

Most gun ranges have signs that say no loaded firearms down range and that chambers must be left open when targets are being checked.

Why would you need a hunting license to use a range? Befor the one closed in York New Salem you did not need anything to use the range but it has been closed for several years

[PisnNapalm]

Most gun rangers have signd that say no loaded firearms down range and that chambers must be left open when targets are being checked.

Why would you need a hunting license to use a range? Befor the one closed in York New Salem you did not need anything to use the range but it has been closed for several years

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=937842&mode=2

Beginning April 1, 2011, those who shoot firearms at one of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s State Game Lands public shooting ranges must possess and carry with them either an annual $30 range use permit or a current general hunting or furtaker license. Individuals without a range use permit or hunting or furtaker license will be fined.

[C27433]

§135.181. Rifle and handgun ranges.

.....

(b) Prohibited acts. At a rifle and handgun range located on land under Commission ownership, lease or jurisdiction, except when authorized by the appropriate regional director or a designee, it is unlawful to:

(1) Possess a loaded firearm, except at an established shooting station on the firing line.

IMO it's a stupid law, but the OP is correct. This is usually posted on all public ranges for everyone to see. It's arguable that once HB40 goes into effect, this could be challenged as a state agency regulating possession of a firearm in violation of the UFA, but until then, it does not fall under pre-emption.

As they say, "Them's the rules."

[ByblosHex]

IMO it's a stupid law, but the OP is correct. This is usually posted on all public ranges for everyone to see. It's arguable that once HB40 goes into effect, this could be challenged as a state agency regulating possession of a firearm in violation of the UFA, but until then, it does not fall under pre-emption.

As they say, "Them's the rules."

There is an exception for LTCF carriers and Law Enforcement Officers, otherwise the warden is also in violation of the statute.
I always OC at the SGL range, up and down range. It is not located within the State Park as far as I know.

[soberbyker]

The details here are awfully fuzzy, but the "game cop" sounds awfully ignorant. State law does not distinguish between a "loaded" firearm and an "unloaded" firearm unless you're transporting it without an LTCF, as far as I know. If you were in a State Park, you can't OC, but other than that...and someone else more knowledgable than myself will clarify or correct me here...the "game cop" was full of horseshit.

The OP was at a State Game Land Range, not park, so yes, the unloaded rule applies while on the range except at a firing station.

.

[FogleDW]

The funny thing is its cheaper to buy a hunting lic then to buy the permit.