Yosemite National Park: Gun Policy

[jdhog]

I just saw this on Yosimite's (California) web site:

Firearms
As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, visit the California Attorney General's website.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Discharging a firearm for any reason is illegal.

Discharging a firearm for any reason is illegal??? Whats the point of being allow to carry in a national park if it is illegal for you to defend yourself with it???

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ANGLICO]

It is especially Illegal in CA to defend yourself. That is what Cops are for.

[suntzu]

I like this part the best:

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, visit the California Attorney General's website.

Does that mean if I am OC'ing in MO, WY, or ID and in Yellowstone park that no one should be doing a MWAG call. And if they do are they not in compliance with the rules that says that all visitors need to know the laws, not just gun owners?

[diver1102]

you can have the gun but you cant shoot it to defend yourself, and if i had to guess you cant show it either because that's brandishing! so really your walking around with a heavy paper weight in your belt.

[suntzu]

you can have the gun but you cant shoot it to defend yourself, and if i had to guess you cant show it either because that's brandishing! so really your walking around with a heavy paper weight in your belt.

You can OC in WY, MT, and ID while in Yellowstone

[Sig35seven]

Discharging a firearm for any reason is illegal??? Whats the point of being allow to carry in a national park if it is illegal for you to defend yourself with it???

I think this means that people shouldn't go around plinking or target practicing. They don't need a bunch of bullets flying around Yellowstone. I'm sure there are plenty of yahoo's that would like playing shoot'em up out in the wilderness. Self defense is obviously allowed.

[HKR]

I think this means that people shouldn't go around plinking or target practicing. They don't need a bunch of bullets flying around Yellowstone. I'm sure there are plenty of yahoo's that would like playing shoot'em up out in the wilderness. Self defense is obviously allowed.

Exactly.

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...dance-2010.pdf

Although it is now legal to carry loaded guns in
national parks, guns cannot be fired except in
rare circumstances.

Just use common sense, folks. Both while carrying and while reading laws. I've never seen a law, rule or ordinance dealing with shooting firearms anywhere that didn't have an exception for use to defend yourself.

[Arborigine]

TARGET SHOOTING IN YOSEMITE WOULD BE A BAD THING, AS THERE IS LIKELY TO SOMEOEN BEHIND EVERY TREE. Whoops caplock. The park is heavily visited and the bears seem to have ranger escorts when in camps.

[ccw9mm]

Discharging a firearm for any reason is illegal??? Whats the point of being allow to carry in a national park if it is illegal for you to defend yourself with it???

No point except survival, despite being criminalized for being the one left standing. Amazingly illogical, ain't it? It's what "control" is all about.

Still, survival of a deadly situation is the point. If survival's achieved, then dealing with the inevitable state-sponsored unwarranted crucifixion should be a walk in the park by comparison. It is what it is.

IMO, the crafters of such policies need to change the wording of such things to be: lawful uses acceptable; unlawful uses will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law ... or something similar. Anything else is a planned minefield to trap the unsuspecting in a web of criminalization that cannot be avoided.

[Sig35seven]

Lawyers like giving ambiguous explanations. It gives them more leeway for interpretation when something happens.

[archer51]

Well since this thread is about Yosemite NP and not Yellowstone, I doubt the state laws on MT, WY and ID have much relevance there. No out of stater will be able to carry (unless carrying under LEOSA) there.

[suntzu]

Well since this thread is about Yosemite NP and not Yellowstone, I doubt the state laws on MT, WY and ID have much relevance there. No out of stater will be able to carry (unless carrying under LEOSA) there.

In post #3 I already stated I made a Boo Boo (pun intended)

[sdprof]

Just use common sense, folks. Both while carrying and while reading laws. I've never seen a law, rule or ordinance dealing with shooting firearms anywhere that didn't have an exception for use to defend yourself.

I have. Aurora, CO, for instance. Notice that there's an out clause for LEOs in the performance of duty, nothing for non-LEO. Unless you're defending yourself at a shooting range, I suppose.

It shall be unlawful for any person to fire, shoot, or discharge any firearm; crossbow; bow and arrow; slingshot; blowgun; BB gun or pellet gun, whether powered with gunpowder, compressed air, or gas cartridges; gas gun; or any weapon whatsoever within the city limits. However, such discharge, firing, or shooting by any law enforcement officer, federal, state, county, or city, in the course of his or her official duty shall not be deemed a violation of this subsection, and such discharge, firing, or shooting at commercial, private, or public shooting ranges or by authorized classes of schools or universities at all times under proper instruction and supervision as may be authorized or permitted by law shall not be deemed a violation of this subsection.

[HKR]

If I lived in Aurora I would be writing the city attorney asking what would happen if a citizen fired a shot in self defense, especially considering section 3 of Article II of the state constitution that declares that " all persons have certain inalienable rights, which include the right to defend their lives and liberties".

Thank you for posting that.

[bcvojak]

Google "affirmative defense"