I'm fairly new to the National Forest camping, having camped in mostly BLM land in UT, NM, AZ, NV and CO. However this year, it appears my camping schedule will be more in NF than BLM.

If someone is legally carrying a weapon and that weapon might become visible when the person is setting up a tent, or is just relaxing by the campfire, would you as a host, like to be notified? Or, does it rely more on which state the campground is located in?

I ask since I am always carrying a handgun, under most circumstances it is concealed. However, if I take off my coat to put up a tent or to sit by the fire, the handgun remains on my side in the holster. Actually, that is the most secure place for the weapon.

Just curious....

As a matter of legality, you don't have to worry about it in Arizona...effective this summer you can now carry a concealed weapon in Arizona without a permit. However as a matter of courtesy I think it would be nice to notify the hosts. There are people around to whom the inadvertent glimpse of a concealed weapon can be upsetting. Prior knowledge would let Hosts allay those fears.

Ed

Well said, Ed.

Whether it's permitted or not, I don't understand why anyone has to carry a weapon in a developed campground or recreation area. I wonder if the AZ law prevails on federal land. Wonder too what's happening on federal lands in other states? Considering the hundreds of fee boards we have viewed, I don't remember anything about weapons except a prohibition against discharging them. If you can't discharge them, what's the point in carrying them (it) - scare the campers.

Laws pertaining to US forests, lands controlled by the Bureau of Land Management and since Feb 2010, National Parks all follow State laws in regard to the carrying of weapons. Many states allow open carry of a weapon, 40 some states allow concealed carry of a handgun with a permit. Two states allow carry of a concealed handgun without a permit; Vermont and Alaska, and soon AZ will also allow concealed carry of a handgun without a permit.

Therefore the NF, BLM or NP follow the laws of the State (or States) they are located in. Example, in Utah, in any NF, BLM lands or NP, open carry of a weapon is allowed by anyone over the age of 21. If the person does not have a concealed weapons permit, they must have the open handgun two-actions away from firing, if they have a concealed permit the open carried handgun can be locked and loaded. In addition, per Utah law, any person, legal by law, over 21 can carry a loaded handgun in their car at any time. Since Utah recognizes any permit issued by any state, a person (example) from MI can carry a concealed or open loaded weapon in Utah, if they have a MI permit.

For those locations that sit on multiple states, such as Yellowstone NP, the person who is carrying must comply per the state they are actually in at the time of the visit. So, if traversing all of Yellowstone, the person’s permit must be recognized by ID, WY and MT.

A person with a State issued concealed weapon permit cannot carry into a Federal building; being defined as a building where Federal workers are present and working. This does not mean vault toilets on Federal lands or locations run by concessionaires unless so posted by the concessionaire.

There are many reasons why someone would carry into a campground, and you might be very surprised to know now many actually do carry a weapon when traveling across the USA. However, there are a few reasons I can think of:

1. Many people travel with a handgun under their State issued permit; therefore, if they are staying at a campground they will have a handgun. Most carry concealed, but some prefer to carry open. In states that this is legal, they have the right and have the permission of the State governments (via permits and recognition of those permits).

2. Off-duty, and retired law enforcement officers can carry pretty much unrestricted in all states according to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act. This act allows qualified current law enforcement and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed or open weapon.

3. Some people only camp with a weapon. For those who think National Forest, BLM lands and National Parks are the safest places in the USA, they better think again. They are not. Drug growers love the desolate NF’s for growing their product. Same with some National Parks and it happens on BLM lands all the time. All they need is a desolate location.

There are many other reasons, but not enough time to go into all of them; even if I could think of all of them.

In my circumstance, I fall under 18 U.S. Code 926B and 926C, since I am a retired Federal Agent. I am also currently working for the US Government under a contract status in a position that requires me to carry a weapon. Therefore, I carry this weapon for protection, it is a plain and simple reason. May not be understandable to many, unless they worked in law enforcement.

I have no intention to scare the campers. I know of no one who would have the intention to scare the campers. I thought my original statement was quite clear, “might become visible when the person is setting up a tent, or is just relaxing by the campfire.”

Since I have carried a weapon for over 35 years, at times, it might become visible. Even though I prefer to carry concealed, if I am relaxing by the campfire my coat or outer shirt might be off and the handgun visible. When setting up a tent, many times I take off my coat (cool weather) or outer shirt (warmer weather); thus the handgun becomes visible. Other than a locked safe, the safest place for a handgun is on the person trained to carry it, and in that case it is me.

I originally asked this question due to a situation that took place last year in a BLM campground. This situation ended up being very embarrassing for the camp host, and took two deputy sheriffs away from other duties they could be performing.

If other hosts had answered, or a decent discussion had followed, it might have been informative to anyone who carries a handgun while traveling.

Personally, I'll continue to do what I have done and that is just go about my business and if someone notices my handgun, I will then inform them of the situation.

f5fstop;

Really don't see why there should be a problem as long as your carry is legal. It's high time these "scared-of-a-gun-idiots" learned that a gun is simply a tool. It's made of wood, metal, polymar, etc. and is an inanimate object with no ability to take any action on it's own. It requires a thinking human being to operate. Now if that human is an honest, god-fearing, person with common sense and intelligence, and was properly trained in the use and carry of the weapon, no one except a BAD PERSON with evil on their mind has a thing to worry about from either the gun or it's owner. However, I do believe that making the campground host/manager/ranger aware of your situation is the correct thing to do.

Luckily, no growers were around when this was discovered.

Large marijuana plot discovered near Centerville (UTAH)

Police destroyed a clandestine plot of more than 12,000 marijuana plants near Centerville on Sunday.

A hiker discovered the grow Saturday on a U.S. Forest Service hillside above the city, said Davis County sheriff’s Lt. Mark Chatlin. It was hidden by heavy vegetation, trees and brush, and the well-organized plants were watered by a gravity-fed irrigation system. Though the grow was abandoned at the time, police found a nearby campsite apparently used by the growers.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/49837 ... s.html.csp

NOTE: Centerville is about 20 miles or less north of Salt Lake City.

I don't want to get into a shooting match (oops) over this but except for legitimate hunters and law enforcement officers, no guns in developed NF/NG campgrounds, licensed or not. That's my take on the matter. Having said this, I know I may offend some of my fellow campers and the NRA. I'll cope, however.

As for informing the host (if there is one), what reaction is expected? Don't know, except the event will likely be reported to the Forest Service and no telling where it would go from there. If one has to bring a piece into a CG and it's legal, secure it in the vehicle and don't tell anyone.

I won't get into a shooting match with you either, Fred. But it appears you know nothing about handguns or any gun as a matter of fact. Securing a gun in a vehicle is not a safe place. Vehicles are too easy to break into, the gun would not be available for you in case you need it for protection (two-legged or four-legged) and you remain liable (mentally, if not legally) for any results of that gun in the car/truck unsecured.

Get over it, especially if you are traveling in the western states, and some Eastern states too such as MI, TN, for two that I know open carry is legal.

I guess my question has been answered. I will not identify myself; if the handgun becomes visible and if another camp host makes a fool out of them self; so be it. The policy of the National Forest is to follow state laws so in AZ, NM, NV, CO, UT, ID, WY, MT anyone can carry open in a national forest campsite; regardless of what a camp host likes or dislikes.

I do not advocate open carry, but it does happen, it will happen, so those who don't like it might want to stay away from the big bad people who legally carry handguns.

And for us with Federal credentials, if a Park ranger or local Sheriff is called, we can sit around the campfire and discuss our jobs.

I worked for over 30 years as a Federal agent and never had a problem with a person who had a license to carry a handgun. My problems were always with those who carried illegally (commonly called criminals). I did notice over this period of time though that those who hated weapons sure liked to see them in the hands of law enforcement personnel when they called for help.

I will be leaving this board now. I have better things to do than sit here and discuss legalities or even common sense in regard to handguns carried legally in National Forest.

Since the question was directed at camp hosts, and I have been one on several occassions at both state and federal facilities, I'll give my take on it.

I have no need for you to advise about your handgun anymore than I whould advise you about mine. Since my job includes being aware of safety issues, if I saw a camper with a handgun, I would report it to a paid staff member. It's their job, if they so choose, to determine legality.

Now the chances of having to use a weapon during the time you are putting up a tent is very slim so I would think that you could be more adapt at concealing it for that short period and therefore negating the issue. As far as sitting around the campsite, a fanny pack seems appropriate. But it isn't my intention to force my opinion on you.

Fred, I respect your opinion and have no desire to attempt to change your mind as long as you afford me the same courtesy. But campgrounds are not as safe as one would like to think. My last hosting job was at a state park where, several times a month someone was getting arrested on a standing warrant. It wasn't because the campers were causing immediate problems. The rangers just did random license plate checks as they drove thru the campground. The moral of that story... You would be surprised at how many lawbreakers go camping.

Well said RVinIt. I agree with your post. I am a retired law enforcement officer, and throughout my career whenever I went somewhere I made sure my weapon wasn't noticeable. People get nervous when they see weapons for some reason. I carried mine in a fanny pack and wear it on my hip. I can get to it quickly if need be. Of course not as quick if it were in a holster on my hip, but quick none the less. So to those who have permits to carry, or are active or retired police officers, just keep the weapon concealed as best you can. I think you'll enjoy your camping all the more.