Texas State Parks - Mustang Island SP

[bsmcmath]

I was looking at visiting Mustang Island State Park and noticed on their maps they post "No Firearms". I recently visited Enchanted Rock and noticed no such postings and as far as I remember from my CHL class, you are allowed to carry in all state parks/forests as well as national parks/forests. Below is the full description from their park map.


"Regulations prohibit the possession or
discharge of fireworks, firearms, crossbows
and arrows, air or gas weapons, slingshots or
any device capable of exploding, or causing
injury or killing within the State Park."


Anyone know for sure?

[Keith B]

I was looking at visiting Mustang Island State Park and noticed on their maps they post "No Firearms". I recently visited Enchanted Rock and noticed no such postings and as far as I remember from my CHL class, you are allowed to carry in all state parks/forests as well as national parks/forests. Below is the full description from their park map.


"Regulations prohibit the possession or
discharge of fireworks, firearms, crossbows
and arrows, air or gas weapons, slingshots or
any device capable of exploding, or causing
injury or killing within the State Park."


Anyone know for sure?

You can carry in any state park as long as the park is not actually on Corps of Engineers (federal) land. i don't believe that applies to Mustang Island, so you should be good to go.

Also, that statement would not legally stop a CHL from carrying anyway.

[Waco1959]

Never hurts to point out when they are wrong since most state agencies seem to be trying to do things right. Emailed TPW last night and received this today

Thank you for your interest in the Texas State Parks.

A person can carry a loaded concealed handgun in Texas State Parks with a current and valid CHL license at any time. Please remember that you must continue to follow all CHL rules while carrying in State Parks. (We have also notified the Mustang Island State Park regarding that notice on their map).

If you need further information, please contact the Law Enforcement Division.

We hope to see you at one of your parks soon!
Jessica Reagan
Customer Service Representative
Texas Parks and Wildlife

[chasfm11]

We are RVers and have been trying to stay at as many of the Texas State Parks as we can. There is a State Park Pass that offers a few nights of discount camping and, more important, relief from the daily charge per person.

I've talked to several of the rangers at various State Parks about CHL and gotten a positive response from all of them. As Keith points out, some of the State Parks are on COE land - like Lake Whitney, Ray Roberts and Grapevine, even though the later is run by a vendor.

Mustang Island is on our list to visit so any feedback is appreciated.

[Rex B]

CHL carry is legal in all state parks.
We have Jerry Patterson to thank for that. There is letter that has been circulated, written by Jerry, confirming this.

Remember Jerry Patterson on election day.

[suthdj]

We are RVers and have been trying to stay at as many of the Texas State Parks as we can. There is a State Park Pass that offers a few nights of discount camping and, more important, relief from the daily charge per person.

I've talked to several of the rangers at various State Parks about CHL and gotten a positive response from all of them. As Keith points out, some of the State Parks are on COE land - like Lake Whitney, Ray Roberts and Grapevine, even though the later is run by a vendor.

Mustang Island is on our list to visit so any feedback is appreciated.

So just to be clear Ray Roberts is off limits because it is COE land. We are planning on going there tomorrow.

[EEllis]

We are RVers and have been trying to stay at as many of the Texas State Parks as we can. There is a State Park Pass that offers a few nights of discount camping and, more important, relief from the daily charge per person.

I've talked to several of the rangers at various State Parks about CHL and gotten a positive response from all of them. As Keith points out, some of the State Parks are on COE land - like Lake Whitney, Ray Roberts and Grapevine, even though the later is run by a vendor.

Mustang Island is on our list to visit so any feedback is appreciated.

So just to be clear Ray Roberts is off limits because it is COE land. We are planning on going there tomorrow.

Yes

[Sport Coach]

Many state parks have/had "no firearms" router-made wooden signs posted and I would guess they've simply left them up rather than making new signs. As posted above, rule to carry in state parks was allowed July 8, 1998 (Executive Director Order NO. 98-001, Texas Parks and Wildlife). Tried to put a copy of the order here but couldn't get it to copy and paste.

[Vol Texan]

Many state parks have/had "no firearms" router-made wooden signs posted and I would guess they've simply left them up rather than making new signs. As posted above, rule to carry in state parks was allowed July 8, 1998 (Executive Director Order NO. 98-001, Texas Parks and Wildlife). Tried to put a copy of the order here but couldn't get it to copy and paste.

Here is is for you (as copied from here: http://www.txchia.org/txinpw.htm):

Nothing in the Public Hunting Lands Proclamation or State Parks Proclamation prohibits a person from possessing a concealed handgun, loaded or unloaded, under the authority of a concealed handgun license issued by this state or any other state. Persons carrying concealed handguns must comply with all concealed handgun laws.

The Executive Director reserves the right to prohibit the carrying of all firearms during certain events or in certain locations on Departmental lands.

This order is issued pursuant to Title 31, Texas Administrative Code, Sections 59.134(0(1) and 65.199, and is effective immediately.

Signed this the 8th day of July, 1998.

Andrew Sansom
Executive Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

[Deltaboy]

Thanks I taking the Family to a Texas State Park this Summer out west.

[Rex B]

What about carrying under the MPA in your vehicle. As I understand it, National Parks reflect the laws of the state they are in, so (for example) an unlicensed person can carry in their vehicle in Big bend NP or the Crockett National Forest. Do Texas state parks bar firearms in your vehicle?

[EEllis]

What about carrying under the MPA in your vehicle. As I understand it, National Parks reflect the laws of the state they are in, so (for example) an unlicensed person can carry in their vehicle in Big bend NP or the Crockett National Forest. Do Texas state parks bar firearms in your vehicle?

Texas State Parks follow everyday Texas law. The only exception I know of is if there is a park that is also on COE land in which case there is a strict no gun policy. Heck a no bow and arrow policy.

[Rex B]

Thanks, don't know that I have seen that clarified.

Didn't I see something recently that the COE rules are under review?

[Grit]

FYI on the COE: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/0 ... eers-land/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;