Open Carry in National Forest?

[markshere2]

There's a 20 year old young man who will be camping in Allegheny National Forest.

Being under 21, he doe not have a LTCF.

Is open carry legal in the National Forest?

Anybody know where I could look to see?

I don't want the lad to get in a jam.

Thanks

[wis bang]

We are allowed to hunt in the ANF, it is not a park.

[Mike]

Open carry on foot is legal in PA and in national forests because there is no state law preventing open carry in national Forests. In feb the same rule will apply to national parks in PA.

[fingers80002]

Open carry on foot is legal in PA and in national forests because there is no state law preventing open carry in national Forests. In feb the same rule will apply to national parks in PA.

No, only cc will be allowed in Nat'l Parks.

[Mike]

No, only cc will be allowed in Nat'l Parks.

yes, it will - the Coburn Amendment differed from the Bush regulation - adopts same rule as for national Parks and BLM land - gun carry legal on the federal land as long as it is not unlawful under state law or general federal law not specific to th eland.

frankly the Brady lawsuit was a godsend to us as the bush regulation could have been construed to only exempt concealed carry from Reg. 2.4 - sometimes this stuff works out in the end!

[tl_3237]

yes, it will - the Coburn Amendment differed from the Bush regulation - adopts same rule as for national Parks and BLM land - gun carry legal on the federal land as long as it is not unlawful under state law or general federal law not specific to th eland.

frankly the Brady lawsuit was a godsend to us as the bush regulation could have been construed to only exempt concealed carry from Reg. 2.4 - sometimes this stuff works out in the end!

Mike has it correct - PL 111-24 will allow any carry of any firearm legal under state law:

Sec 512(b) PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUALS TO BEAR ARMS
IN UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM AND THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE SYSTEM.—The Secretary of the Interior shall not
promulgate or enforce any regulation that prohibits an individual
from possessing a firearm including an assembled or functional
firearm in any unit of the National Park System or the National
Wildlife Refuge System if—
(1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from
possessing the firearm; and
(2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with
the law of the State in which the unit of the National Park
System or the National Wildlife Refuge System is located.

[firstkings18]

Mike has it correct - PL 111-24 will allow any carry of any weapon legal under state law:
Sec 512(b) PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUALS TO BEAR ARMS
IN UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM AND THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE SYSTEM.—The Secretary of the Interior shall not
promulgate or enforce any regulation that prohibits an individual
from possessing a firearm including an assembled or functional
firearm in any unit of the National Park System or the National
Wildlife Refuge System if—
(1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from
possessing the firearm; and
(2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with
the law of the State in which the unit of the National Park
System or the National Wildlife Refuge System is located.

This law is not effective until Feb. 22, 2010, 9 months after it is signed.

[LittleRedToyota]

Is open carry legal in the National Forest?

in PA, yes.

Anybody know where I could look to see?

not really. it is legal simply because there is no law against it.

kinda like trying to find a law saying you are allowed to breathe.

[firstkings18]

This law is not effective until Feb. 22, 2010, 9 months after it is signed.

I should have also noted that this law is in reference to land administered by the National Park Service, not national forests. So, yes, i believe LRToyota is correct.

[ChamberedRound]

This law is not effective until Feb. 22, 2010, 9 months after it is signed.

I should have also noted that this law is in reference to land administered by the National Park Service, not national forests. So, yes, i believe LRToyota is correct.

If I understand correctly, these statements are correct. The Allegheny National Forest is NOT a National Park under the Dept. of the Interior. Rather, it is a National Forest managed by the US Forest Service, which is under the Dept. of Agriculture. So, the DOI rule which forbade weapons in parks, and was recently overridden by law, was NEVER applicable to the national forests anyway. That law won't take effect until 9 months after its passage, but for National Forests it's a moot point.

Regardless, this information regarding firearms was on the ANF's website. Take it FWIW. Note emphasis by me, they have to allow it as it's Constitutional right in PA to OC, just don't OC in the car without a LTC. Also note this page was last update 7/27/2009, so it's relatively recent.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/

Pennsylvania Gun Laws:

To carry a concealed weapon, you must have a protection weapon permit from your county sheriff in PA. If you are from out-of state, you must have a protection permit in your state, and have a protection permit from Pennsylvania. Warren County sheriff will not issue Ohio residents a protection permit, but will issue a sportsmen’s permit that allows concealed weapons for hunting and fishing only. You may bring weapons that are not concealed (hunting rifles, shotguns, side arms). When transporting it is recommended to carry firearm and ammunition in separate areas – (i.e. Carry firearm in the trunk and ammunition in the car.) Target practice must comply with the PA. Game Commission regulations, i.e. no firing into live trees (see hunting license handbook). Target shooting is recommended at ranges set up for that purpose (sportsmen's clubs). We recommend on the ANF using stone pits with a high back wall. Contact the county sheriff for additional information.