Estes Park and RMNP

[KSShooter]

Will be traveling from a reciprocal state later this year. From the brief page, sounds like "places" restrictions are the basic "no Federal building", schools and school property. One addition is a place where no guns are allowed, but has security and personnel to screen for weapons.

Any other "place" restrictions? How about fair grounds (might be attending an event that takes place at the EP fair grounds). Any other restrictions or signage? Or unless it fits one of the 3 basic descriptions, the place (store, restaurant, etc is legal)? Don't care about bars - I dont drink.

Also, is RMNP allowing CC permit holders to carry on park grounds (other than the federal bldg restriction)?

Law states if left in vehicle, must be in locked compartment - is a locking glove box or center console OK? Or must use a lock box?

Thanks.

 

[Treo]

I am unaware of any Colorado law stating you must leave your gun in a locked compartment in a car (good sense though) as far as I know Estes Park allows guns Colorado has state preemption. RMNP follows state law

 

[KSShooter]

I am unaware of any Colorado law stating you must leave your gun in a locked compartment in a car (good sense though) as far as I know Estes Park allows guns Colorado has state preemption. RMNP follows state law

Reason I asked was this section from:
Places off-limits when carrying:
1. Any place prohibited by federal law (e.g. federal offices or courthouse)
2. Any property of public school grades kindergarten through 12, unless the firearm remains inside a container in a locked vehicle
3. Any public building that prohibits ALL weapons which posts guards and permanent metal detectors at all entrances and requires all entrants to surrender handguns to security personnel before entry


From the page: Colorado Concealed Carry Permit Information

Some states do not consider a locked glove box or console to be adequate.

 

[coloccw]

You are OK to carry concealed in the National Park.

For other Colorado specific carry regs, go to Link Removed

 

[NavyLCDR]

2. Any property of public school grades kindergarten through 12, unless the firearm remains inside a container in a locked vehicle

First, that only applies to firearms in vehicles on school property. Second, it says the firearm must be stored in a container inside a locked vehicle. It does not say in a locked container inside a vehicle. So... if the gun is out of sight, and the vehicle is locked, how can there be a problem?

Finally, National Parks are prohibited from making any regulations regarding firearms possession, carrying or transportation. So there can be no different rules inside the National Park than outside the National Park.

 

[coloccw]

Finally, National Parks are prohibited from making any regulations regarding firearms possession, carrying or transportation. So there can be no different rules inside the National Park than outside the National Park.

Incorrect. National Parks are federal land whose policies are set by Congress. Their legislation can superceede state regulations as being federal land/property and are not subject to the requirements of the state. [Inside Front Cover]

Outside the National Park, you are subject to the regulations of the state/county you are in. Colorado allows CC as does the NPS. You are good to go.

...and don't take you gun to school (K-12); leave it in a locked vehicle as required in C.R.S. 18-12-105.5

 

[NavyLCDR]

Incorrect. National Parks are federal land whose policies are set by Congress. Their legislation can superceede state regulations as being federal land/property and are not subject to the requirements of the state. [Inside Front Cover]

Outside the National Park, you are subject to the regulations of the state/county you are in. Colorado allows CC as does the NPS. You are good to go.

Really? Well, let's see what Congress has to say about it, shall we? Public law 111-24 signed into Federal law on May 22, 2009 by President Barack Obama incorporated in Federal statutes as 16 USC 1a-7b:

Link Removed

(b) Protecting the right of individuals to bear arms in units of the National Park System and the National Wildlife Refuge System
The Secretary of the Interior shall not promulgate or enforce any regulation that prohibits an individual from possessing a firearm including an assembled or functional firearm in any unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System if—
(1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm; and
(2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the State in which the unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System is located.

So, let's break this down, shall we. I posted, "Finally, National Parks are prohibited from making any regulations regarding firearms possession, carrying or transportation." Which is EXACTLY what Federal law says in 16 USC 1a-7b(b), "The Secretary of the Interior shall not promulgate or enforce any regulation that prohibits an individual from possessing a firearm including an assembled or functional firearm in any unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System"

Your statement that, "National Parks are federal land whose policies are set by Congress. Their legislation can superceede state regulations as being federal land/property and are not subject to the requirements of the state." is in direct conflict with Federal statute 16 USC 1a-7b(b)(2), "(2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the State in which the unit of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System is located."

Nice try, but no prize for you on this one, my friend. Like I said.... the correct answer is that there are no different rules inside the National Park as there are outside the National Park. The state laws where the National Park land is located regarding firearms possession, carrying and transportation apply inside the National Park, just like they do outside the National Park.

In states such as Wisconsin that do not have concealed carry, yet, concealed carry inside a National Park in Wisconsin would be illegal as well. In states such as New York, where a license is required to even possess a handgun, the same license would be required inside a National Park in New York as well. In states like Colorado, where no license is required to open carry a firearm, no license is required to open carry a firearm inside a National Park in Colorado.

Comments or questions?

 

[Deserteagle]

My instructor told us that bathrooms and the visitor center in the National Park are considered federal buildings, so you cannot carry in those oddly enough.

 

[Beau]

I missed the bus on this one.

I carried at the Estes Park fairgrounds this summer at a Westernaires show. It is not illegal and I didn't notice any signs.

 

[NavyLCDR]

My instructor told us that bathrooms and the visitor center in the National Park are considered federal buildings, so you cannot carry in those oddly enough.

Your instructor told you wrong. Bathrooms by themselves are not considered Federal buildings, unless they happen to be located inside a larger building that IS a Federal buildings where Federal employees are routinely present performing their normal duties. Maybe your instructor was confusing "duties" with "doodies"....

If there isn't an 18 USC 930 sign on the outhouse door prohibiting firearms, then it ain't a Federal building, it's just a plain old outhouse.