CC in National and US Forestry Parks?

[eddiebhome]

We're planning a camping trip to the Georgia mountains in October and wanted to know what the latest is on the concealed carry law in National Parks and in US Forestry Parks. I know Bush passed legislation to allow it, but there have been appeals back and forth. Does anyone know where the issue stands now?

Thanks.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ispcapt]

It doesn't go into effect until 02/10.
To be legal to carry in a NP you first have to be legal to carry in the state where the NP is located. The law does not grant blanket carry in every NP. If CA doesn't honor your AL CCW then you could not legally carry in a NP in CA. Another example, say you have a CCW from AL which is honored by WY and ID but not MT. When you go to Yellowstone you could legally carry in the part of the YNP located in WY and ID but you could not legally carry in the part of YNP which is in MT.
BTW, for clarification, Bush did not pass the legislation. Under the Bush administration there was an administrative order to permit carrying in NPs. A fed court reversed that order since no environmental impact statement had first been filed. An amendment to the credit card act was added to permit carrying in NPs which was signed by Obama.

[archer51]

Currently carry in a national forest is legal, national parks fall under different set of rules.

As ispcapt said, new rules don't go into effect until Feb 2010. You must be legally licensed to carry in the state the park is in. Also the state must allow carry in state/national parks and forest.

[DaveH]

Currently carry in a national forest is legal, national parks fall under different set of rules.

As ispcapt said, new rules don't go into effect until Feb 2010. You must be legally licensed to carry in the state the park is in. Also the state must allow carry in state/national parks and forest.

Not sure of the OP's use of the phrase "US Forestry Parks."

For National Parks see: National Park Guide

BTW -- The Appalachian trail is administered by the Park Service but is not a National Park. See: Hunting and the A.T. - Appalachian Trail Conservancy -- albeit hunting and carry is PROHIBITED along approximately 900 miles of the Trail through national parks (like Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains), many State parks, and on lands acquired by the National Park Service exclusively for the Appalachian Trail—indicated by A.T. corridor boundary signs.

OTOH

In Georgia there are only the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Contact Us: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia) where the National Forest rules apply.

BTW -- much of the hiking and camping in the Georgia mountains is on State land and Georgia Law and Regs apply, not Federal, where, when last I checked, carry was legal.( See: http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/georgia.pdf )

[Ksthumper]

and Open Carry

Open Carry is currently legal in National Forests, National Wilderness areas and BLM lands in States were Open Carry is legal. [except North Carolina]

In February 2010, State CC and OC laws will apply in National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges.

Except during hunting season, firearms remain prohibited on Corps of Engineers and TVA dams, lakes, reservoirs and campgrounds.