Carry in National parks

[donotknowme]

Search wasn’t working for me and I’ve seen 3 different answers in google.

Carry open/concealed in National Parks legal or not?

[free]

You can certainly conceal, if you stay out of the buildings.

I dunno about open.

[ett]

National Parks and National Monuments follow the carry/gun laws of the state in which they are located.
I think National Forests may also follow state carry/gun laws.
The one good thing done during Obama administration.
And as Free stated; buildings are no carry.

I think it's a question of being managed by National Park Service.

[alpacaheat]

Be careful in Gettysburg, some monuments count as buildings.


Example: PA Monument

Please correct me if I'm incorrect.

Also the entire GROUNDS of the visitors center. https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/manag...ndpolicies.htm

[ett]

Be careful in Gettysburg, some monuments count as buildings.


Example: PA Monument

Please correct me if I'm incorrect.

Also the entire GROUNDS of the visitors center. https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/manag...ndpolicies.htm

Not certain if the bolded was meant as reply to my "and National Monuments" or just a heads-up for Gettysburg.

Either way; I think I should clarify what is a National Monument.
A National Monument does not have to be what in layman's terms is a man made object.
Many National Monuments are simply a park that has not yet been elevated to status of National Park.
One example is Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Here are a couple useful links for this thread:

National Park Service info page on the subject of Firearms in National Parks
https://www.nps.gov/articles/firearm...onal-parks.htm

A Complete List of US National Monuments
https://nationalparkobsessed.com/lis...nal-monuments/

USCCA info page on the subject of firearms in National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, Forests & Airports
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/res...ral-locations/

[Manxdriver]

My understanding was that the *buildings* restriction was for buildings/structures/specific areas where an employee might be stationed. Restrooms are included because there might be a janitor in the restroom while you are there.
I may be wrong on that, but it came from conversations with a few Nat Park employees, and maybe a waitress with a neck tattoo and a gold tooth.

[esh21167]

Be careful in Gettysburg, some monuments count as buildings.


Example: PA Monument

Please correct me if I'm incorrect.

Also the entire GROUNDS of the visitors center. https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/manag...ndpolicies.htm

Seems that may be a PA pre-emption violation? After a bit of looking, likely not. The visitor center is owned by the Gettysburg Foundation, so technically it's not part of the National Park. Private entity, so they can do that.

My understanding was that the *buildings* restriction was for buildings/structures/specific areas where an employee might be stationed. Restrooms are included because there might be a janitor in the restroom while you are there.
I may be wrong on that, but it came from conversations with a few Nat Park employees, and maybe a waitress with a neck tattoo and a gold tooth.

Perhaps the better source.

So does anyone think a national park building should then have firearm lock box areas like PA county courthouses (are supposed to)...

[tl_3237]

My understanding was that the *buildings* restriction was for buildings/structures/specific areas where an employee might be stationed. Restrooms are included because there might be a janitor in the restroom while you are there.
I may be wrong on that, but it came from conversations with a few Nat Park employees, and maybe a waitress with a neck tattoo and a gold tooth.

Restrooms within a properly posted facility would be off-limits. Stand alone restroom without proper signage would be arguably OK insofar as Federal proscriptions.

18 USC 930

(g) As used in this section:

(1) The term *Federal facility* means a building or part thereof owned or leased by the Federal Government, where Federal employees are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.

(h) Notice of the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal facility, and notice of subsection (e) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal court facility, and no person shall be convicted of an offense under subsection (a) or (e) with respect to a Federal facility if such notice is not so posted at such facility, unless such person had actual notice of subsection (a) or (e), as the case may be.

[gnbrotz]

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^

"Buildings" are not off limits. "Federal facilities" (as defined) ARE, and signage/notice is required to be present at such locations.

[heatheroo]

CC'ed in Acadia NP last month. No issues.