National Parks Concealed Carry

[slowhand]

   Well it is about time! I just got a VCDL update and it seems as though the Department of the Interior Has changed the rules. For the better this time. Their new ruling is going to be that if you can carry concealed in the state the park is in then you can carry concealed in the park. I hope this works but this should be the link to the final rule.  http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/120508.html
   I am going to e-mail Philip Van Cleave of VCDL and ask him if I can copy some of his stuff and post it on this forum. That is if it is OK? You know if it isnt against the rules . This guy knows his stuff and is the moving force behind VCDL. Maybe he can help with some ideas.

[gregma]

Please feel free to post that information!  This is great news!  The only question that it leaves is does this only allow "concealed" carry?  What about those states that allow open carry?  I was hoping they would just mimic state law.

Greg

[truecrimson]

The take on it here in PA is that it more or less mimics state laws.  For us, we just got carry in state parks in the last legislative session, but the wording is ambiguous.  CC for licensed carriers is clearly in state parks in PA as of December 17th IIRC, but OC is unclear and may be interpreted not to be.  If OC isn't allowed in state parks then it wouldn't be in national parks.  We are trying to sort that out.

What is your situation with state parks in WA?  And rememeber this only covers the park.  Federally owned buildings are still a no no (for example Independence Hall in Philadelphia is ironically off limits) 

[joeroket]

We are allowed to carry in any lawful manner in our state parks. We also have an exemption that while going to, from, or participating in lawful outdoor activities, like hiking, camping, and such, we are allowed to carry concealed with no concealed pistol license.