Carry and Indian Reservations

[scott_g]

Here in AZ, they will also seize your vehicle... and your only recourse is tribal council (good luck with that) or possibly BIA action (chances are roughly between slim and none.)

That's right. I forgot about that little, pesky auto seizure issue...

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[scott_g]

According to my instructor, it is legal to carry if driving through reservation land, but not if you stop. If you stop you are subject to the tribal law which may or may not allow for concealed carry.

That's how I understood it, too, and I'm also an AZ permit holder. That's what always gets me about the developed areas off HWY 69 coming into Prescott. I always see people open carrying at Walmart, Home Depot, etc and it's Yavapai land, complete with casinos.

But, I will admit to not knowing if "Indian land" is the same thing as a designated "reservation". Is there a distinction and, if so, is that perhaps why they don't push the firearms issue on "their" land? Who knows...maybe they made a deal with the state to be allowed to develop it in the first place or something...

[Truckinfavis]

The BIA does not rule on tribal law... So do not rely on them. I live on the Tulalip res In Washington. They recognize the CCW But not all reservations do in WA.

[Phillep Harding]

Over the years I have talked to Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement and have gotten a zillion different answers. One Federal LEO who worked near a Reservation told me, when I find out how the laws work to let him know as no one he works with knows how the laws work between the Reservation and the rest of the state. It is not really a gray area but a BLACK Area.

From what I've learned around the outside of Annette Island, what happens under color of "law" depends a good deal on internal politics and social standing of various people who think they have an interest. Toxic "small town politics" for sure. "Winning" might not be worth it. Best to just stay clear.

[catt101]

I was in Monument Valley this past June. When my 12 YO son and I stopped in Kayenta,j I had disarmed to go into the local McDs. This link tells the story here:
This could have been bad.

I had tried in advance of this trip to get an answer about the issue of CC on tribal lands. I could not get a straight answer anywhere I turned. I bet I called and talked to 10 different people ranging from the Parks and Rec dept, Tirbal PD, And the Chiefs Council. NO one department (including Tribal Police) said that they had jurisdiction on the subject.
Therefore, I had my LC9 within access while on the public (US HWY) roads. and locked up when on private roads/lands. Except for when we went to sleep in the tent. There was no way, being a female alone with a boy I was going to camp without being armed.

Aside from the two encounters in Kayenta, I was not uncomfortable with not carrying. NOt my preference, but not uncomfortable. I just upped my SA a few notches. And took the time to teach my son a few more SA techniques.

It did seem to me that the residents are highly aware of the "outsiders" and will try to get over on them for a buck.
they KNOW you are not in a familiar place. They KNOW you are not armed. They KNOW you have cash. They know that there are more than a few people who "feel for the sad plight" of the Native American who will shell out $$$ to the beggars to ease their consciences. And they WILL take advantage of this. Be prepared for beggars and roadside "sales stalkers" selling cheap jewelry for inflated prices.

Now, I am not lumping ALL Indians in this category. 99% were fine people. But, as anything else, one bad apple ruins it for all.

I highly enjoyed this trip. I even have made plans to take the husband out there.

As to the armed/disarmed question. I really can't help you there.
I made my decision based on my knowledge and feelings at the moment. If at any time I felt uncomfortable or threatened, I would have either left the area, if possible, or armed and defended myself.
I also feel that I had an advantage due to being a small, lone female with a child. Most LEO and men would not blame me for protecting myself. That was and is a gamble that I am willing to take. JMO.

Hope this helps. It is a beautiful part of the country. One that should definitely be seen and experienced.

Good luck!

[ken45]

Thanks for sharing.

This thread sadly makes me aware of how dangerous (legally) it is to travel in states with "Indian land". Since it can be difficult or impossible to travel in those states and avoid "unknown territory and laws", perhaps it's best just to avoid those states entirely.

My wife has wanted to go to Arizona. After reading some of this, I don't think so.

Ken

[mlr1m]

Ken45, I don't see driving through different Indian lands as being all that different than driving through some towns and cities in States without preemption laws.

Michael

[ken45]

Ken45, I don't see driving through different Indian lands as being all that different than driving through some towns and cities in States without preemption laws.

Michael

You do have a good point there however in most (all?) of those places at least you can do research in advance and find out what the laws are and if you are caught violating the law, you at least have legal recourse and they don't steal your vehicle. And you are probably not singled out as an "outsider" to be targeted.

Ken