PA State Park Regs

[ShortRound45]

Can some one tell me what this means? It sounds like you can only discharge a firearm in the course of hunting or target shooting?

No provision for self-defense?
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§ 11.215. Weapons and hunting.
The following activities are prohibited without written permission of the
Department:
(1) Hunting, pursuing or intentionally disturbing woodchucks, also known as
groundhogs. Paragraph (2) does not apply to this activity.
(2) Hunting, pursuing or intentionally disturbing wildlife unless:
(i) The person engaging in the activity is licensed by the Game Commission to
hunt and is engaged in hunting in accordance with the Game and Wildlife Code.
(ii) The activity takes place in an area designated by the Department for
hunting. At Presque Isle State Park, waterfowl hunting may take place only from a facility designated by the Department as a waterfowl blind, and shooting shall be directed away from State park land and over the adjacent waters.
(iii) The activity takes place during hunting season as established by the Game Commission.
(iv) The firearm, archery equipment or other device used for this activity is
lawful for hunting under the Game and Wildlife Code. A device operated by air,
chemical or gas cylinder by which a projectile can be discharged or propelled is not lawful for hunting under the Game and Wildlife Code.
(3) Using a device, including a firearm, archery equipment or slingshot, that is
capable of discharging or propelling a projectile, except as provided in paragraph (2) or (7).
(4) Possessing an uncased device, or uncasing a device, including a firearm,
archery equipment or slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a
projectile, except as provided in paragraph (2) or (7), or except in the owner's
building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence, or in the owner's vehicle or trailer.
(5) Failing to keep a device, including a firearm, archery equipment or
slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a projectile, in the owner's building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence or in the owner's vehicle or trailer. This prohibition does not apply to either of the following:
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(i) A person licensed by the Game Commission to hunt, and in possession of a
device that is lawful for hunting under the Game and Wildlife Code, during
hunting season as established by the Game Commission, in a State park open for hunting.
(ii) A person engaged in target-shooting under paragraph (7).
(6) The trapping of wildlife. This prohibition does not apply to a person
licensed by the Game Commission to engage in trapping, during trapping season as established by the Game Commission, in an area designated by the Department for hunting.
(7) Target-shooting with a device, including a firearm, archery equipment or
slingshot, capable of discharging or propelling a projectile, except in an area
designated by the Department for this purpose and in accordance with posted
requirements and restrictions.
(8) Dog training, except from the day following Labor Day through March 31,
in an area designated by the Department for hunting.

[donm]

You won't find self defense on any list of things that are explicitly permitted. You will have committed a crime (shooting someone, or even pointing a gun in their direction, is a serious crime everywhere). SD is an affirmative defense, meaning that you admit to having committed a crime, but were justified in doing so as the "lesser of evils." We have explicit permission to carry a gun, but never to use it.

[ShortRound45]

Ah, I understand. I wasn't explicit enough. What about this part about possesion:

(4) Possessing an uncased device, or uncasing a device, including a firearm,
archery equipment or slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a
projectile, except as provided in paragraph (2) or (7), or except in the owner's
building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence, or in the owner's vehicle or trailer.

[gnbrotz]

Ah, I understand. I wasn't explicit enough. What about this part about possesion:

(4) Possessing an uncased device, or uncasing a device, including a firearm,
archery equipment or slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a
projectile, except as provided in paragraph (2) or (7), or except in the owner's
building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence, or in the owner's vehicle or trailer.

Partially nullified by new state law about a year ago now.

(m.2) Inconsistent provisions.--Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7506 (relating to violation of rules regarding conduct on Commonwealth property), 75 Pa.C.S. § 7727 (relating to additional limitations on operation) or the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L. 89, No. 18), [FN3] known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, and regulations promulgated under that act, a firearm may be carried as provided in subsection (a) by:

(1) a law enforcement officer whose current identification as a law enforcement officer shall be construed as a valid license to carry a firearm; or

(2) any licensee.

[donm]

Ah, I understand. I wasn't explicit enough. What about this part about possession:

(4) Possessing an uncased device, or uncasing a device, including a firearm,
archery equipment or slingshot, that is capable of discharging or propelling a
projectile, except as provided in paragraph (2) or (7), or except in the owner's
building on a leased campsite, in the owner's residence, or in the owner's vehicle or trailer.

If you look at the rules and regs on the DCNR web site for each individual state park, you'll see something like: "In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park."