ManInBlack
Regular Member
imported post
A friend and I recently went on a multi-day camping/canoe trip on the Buffalo River National River in Arkansas (an awesome experience, by the way). Before we left, I emailed the National Park Service regarding the carrying of weapons on the river. While they did not respond in time for my trip, I thought that this email might be of interest on this board. Ranger Buschkowsky seems to be pretty cool with open carry and up-to-speed on the gun laws. My original email is at the bottom.
[line]
from
Lee_Buschkowsky@nps.govto
***************@gmail.com
date
Sat, May 29, 2010 at 5:44 PMsubject
Fw: From NPS.gov: Firearms/Air Guns on the National Rivermailed-by
nps.gov
hide details May 29 (4 days ago)
Mr. **********:
You are correct for open carry on a handgun while on a "journey" and and
for a concealed handgun with a valid concealed weapon permit in Buffalo
National River. The open carry in Arkansas pertains to a "weapon" which the
state defines as a handgun, knife, or club. Since we are also a designated
Wildlife Management Area by the State of Arkansas, State regulations are
place that cover the possession of handguns and long guns in the park. With
an open carry handgun while on a "journey", as long as the person
possessing the weapon is keeping it holstered at all times, that person
should not face any possession in a WMA charge such as hunting out of
season. Since long guns are not classified as a weapon under the State open
carry on a "journey" law, they cannot be open-carried in a WMA as they are
guns associated with hunting and the "journey" does not apply to these
guns. You can possess these weapons during an applicable hunting season
with a valid hunting license and in a place not closed for hunting (such as
within 150 yards of a developed area for safety reasons). Any discharge of
a weapon, including a pellet gun or any gun for that matter, in the park is
prohibited under 36 CFR 2.4 except for hunting during a hunting season
using the appropriate caliber allowed while carrying a valid hunting
license and not violating any other 36 CFR or state law. Long guns in
vehicles in WMA's are ok as long as you don't aim it out the window, even
if just looking through a scope, as this constitutes the act of road
hunting.
In a nutshell, open carry handgun ok as long as it stays in the holster;
concealed carry handgun ok as long as person has valid concealed weapon
permit recognized by Arkansas; open carry long gun not permited outside a
hunting season. No displaying and discharge of a firearm in the park except
for legal hunting.
Hope this helps. Call me if you need clarification on anything.
Lee Buschkowsky
Upper District Ranger
Buffalo National River
(870) 446-5145
----- Forwarded by Lee Buschkowsky/BUFF/NPS on 05/29/2010 05:20 PM -----
Joyce
Umbach/BUFF/NPS
To
05/28/2010 01:14 Lee Buschkowsky/BUFF/NPS@NPS
PM cc
Subject
Fw: From NPS.gov: Firearms/Air Guns
on the National River
Joyce Umbach
Park Ranger
Buffalo National River
Tyler Bend Visitor Center
170 Ranger Road
St. Joe, AR 72675
870-439-2502
----- Forwarded by Joyce Umbach/BUFF/NPS on 05/28/2010 01:13 PM -----
***********@
gmail.com
To
05/27/2010 11:49 buff_information@nps.gov
PM cc
Subject
From NPS.gov: Firearms/Air Guns on
the National River
Email submitted from: ***************@gmail.com at /buff/contacts.htm
Greetings,
My friend and I are planning a multi-day canoe/camping trip on the Buffalo
River National River. I am inquiring as to the laws/rules/regulations
regarding the carrying of firearms and/or air guns while on the National
River.
My understanding of the recent change in federal law (per an amendment to
the Credit Card Accountability Act) is that firearms may now be carried in
lands under the control of the National Park Service persuant to state law.
As I understand it, Arkansas law permits the open carriage of long guns for
any legal purpose, but prohibits the carrying of a handgun without a
state-issued concealed handgun license, unless, among other exemptions, one
is upon a "journey." "Journey" has, in state court decisions, had various
definitions, including a trip "which takes one beyond the circle of his
friends and acquaintances," "is beyond the scope of his daily routine," and
"which detains him for an entire day."
Under the definitions listed above, it would seem that a multiple-day
canoe-trip through multiple counties in another state, such as on the
Buffalo National River, would meet the criteria for a "journey."
My questions are as follows:
1) Are handguns permitted along the Buffalo National River, without a
state-issued concealed handgun license, persuant to federal law and the
"journey" provision of Arkansas state law?
2) As federal and state law is silent on the matter, is there any National
Parks Service rule or regulation which prohibits the open or concealed
carry of a pneumatic rifle or pistol (air gun), firing a .177 caliber
projectile? If so, please cite the relevant rule or regulation.
Thank you for your time,
******** **********
A friend and I recently went on a multi-day camping/canoe trip on the Buffalo River National River in Arkansas (an awesome experience, by the way). Before we left, I emailed the National Park Service regarding the carrying of weapons on the river. While they did not respond in time for my trip, I thought that this email might be of interest on this board. Ranger Buschkowsky seems to be pretty cool with open carry and up-to-speed on the gun laws. My original email is at the bottom.
[line]
date
hide details May 29 (4 days ago)
Mr. **********:
You are correct for open carry on a handgun while on a "journey" and and
for a concealed handgun with a valid concealed weapon permit in Buffalo
National River. The open carry in Arkansas pertains to a "weapon" which the
state defines as a handgun, knife, or club. Since we are also a designated
Wildlife Management Area by the State of Arkansas, State regulations are
place that cover the possession of handguns and long guns in the park. With
an open carry handgun while on a "journey", as long as the person
possessing the weapon is keeping it holstered at all times, that person
should not face any possession in a WMA charge such as hunting out of
season. Since long guns are not classified as a weapon under the State open
carry on a "journey" law, they cannot be open-carried in a WMA as they are
guns associated with hunting and the "journey" does not apply to these
guns. You can possess these weapons during an applicable hunting season
with a valid hunting license and in a place not closed for hunting (such as
within 150 yards of a developed area for safety reasons). Any discharge of
a weapon, including a pellet gun or any gun for that matter, in the park is
prohibited under 36 CFR 2.4 except for hunting during a hunting season
using the appropriate caliber allowed while carrying a valid hunting
license and not violating any other 36 CFR or state law. Long guns in
vehicles in WMA's are ok as long as you don't aim it out the window, even
if just looking through a scope, as this constitutes the act of road
hunting.
In a nutshell, open carry handgun ok as long as it stays in the holster;
concealed carry handgun ok as long as person has valid concealed weapon
permit recognized by Arkansas; open carry long gun not permited outside a
hunting season. No displaying and discharge of a firearm in the park except
for legal hunting.
Hope this helps. Call me if you need clarification on anything.
Lee Buschkowsky
Upper District Ranger
Buffalo National River
(870) 446-5145
----- Forwarded by Lee Buschkowsky/BUFF/NPS on 05/29/2010 05:20 PM -----
Joyce
Umbach/BUFF/NPS
To
05/28/2010 01:14 Lee Buschkowsky/BUFF/NPS@NPS
PM cc
Subject
Fw: From NPS.gov: Firearms/Air Guns
on the National River
Joyce Umbach
Park Ranger
Buffalo National River
Tyler Bend Visitor Center
170 Ranger Road
St. Joe, AR 72675
870-439-2502
----- Forwarded by Joyce Umbach/BUFF/NPS on 05/28/2010 01:13 PM -----
***********@
gmail.com
To
05/27/2010 11:49 buff_information@nps.gov
PM cc
Subject
From NPS.gov: Firearms/Air Guns on
the National River
Email submitted from: ***************@gmail.com at /buff/contacts.htm
Greetings,
My friend and I are planning a multi-day canoe/camping trip on the Buffalo
River National River. I am inquiring as to the laws/rules/regulations
regarding the carrying of firearms and/or air guns while on the National
River.
My understanding of the recent change in federal law (per an amendment to
the Credit Card Accountability Act) is that firearms may now be carried in
lands under the control of the National Park Service persuant to state law.
As I understand it, Arkansas law permits the open carriage of long guns for
any legal purpose, but prohibits the carrying of a handgun without a
state-issued concealed handgun license, unless, among other exemptions, one
is upon a "journey." "Journey" has, in state court decisions, had various
definitions, including a trip "which takes one beyond the circle of his
friends and acquaintances," "is beyond the scope of his daily routine," and
"which detains him for an entire day."
Under the definitions listed above, it would seem that a multiple-day
canoe-trip through multiple counties in another state, such as on the
Buffalo National River, would meet the criteria for a "journey."
My questions are as follows:
1) Are handguns permitted along the Buffalo National River, without a
state-issued concealed handgun license, persuant to federal law and the
"journey" provision of Arkansas state law?
2) As federal and state law is silent on the matter, is there any National
Parks Service rule or regulation which prohibits the open or concealed
carry of a pneumatic rifle or pistol (air gun), firing a .177 caliber
projectile? If so, please cite the relevant rule or regulation.
Thank you for your time,
******** **********