TexasCHLforum.com

Hi,
I do a lot of hiking, dirtbiking, and camping around Houston and Austin. I'm worried that I might unknowningly be riding or hiking thru federally owned land that are inside state park. Should I just be honest with the ranger and ask if there're any federal land inside the park? I don't know how they'll respond to a visitor who just implied he's packing heat. Because I always see simple "no firearm" signs at the entrance. I assume they're anti-gun. I do primitive camping, and I definitely need to be armed. I also ride dirtbike on privately owned dirtbike parks, and I would camp out there after a long day of riding. I haven't seen any "no gun" sign at these privately owned parks. Am I allowed to keep my mouth shut and carry?

For example:
Sam Houston National Forest
Huntsville State Park
Hidden Falls Adventure Park (privately owned)

"Federal owned"
?
National parks, national wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States , .......are all ok ...

Do you mean US Army Corps of Engineers? where it isn't ok?
State Parks are ok, unless on USACE property.


Contacting the USACE division or looking online at the maps of any park will give approximated boundaries

Hidden Falls Adventure Park (privately owned)
is up to private land owner... and Hidden Falls Adventure Park ??? in Marble Falls has CHL classes ... sooo I'd guess they are CHL freindly
http://www.copperheadcreek.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.hiddenfallsadventurepark.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For example:
Sam Houston National Forest
Huntsville State Park

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hu ... ist/?id=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Sam Houston National Forest WMA
The WMA is operated under a Memorandum of Agreement with the US Forest Service. (so it's ok .. see below)

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/find ... untsville/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Huntsville State Park
acquired by deeds from private owners in 1937 and was opened in 1938.
State owned, no Fed involvement so it's ok

Should I just be honest with the ranger and ask,,,

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=40236&p=483639&hili ... e.#p483639" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(e) A Special Agent or Law Enforcement Officer of the United States Forest Service is not a peace officer under the laws of this state, except that the agent or officer has the powers of arrest, search, and seizure as

You said a "Ranger" ?

Example, All guys in uniform patrolling LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) Lakes around Austin are not necessarily peace officers which would require me to produce a CHL to them.... some are basically security guards... however, in who are peace officers, it lists "(13) municipal park and recreational patrolmen and security officers;" and "(19) county park rangers commissioned under Subchapter E, Chapter 351, Local Government Code;" but ... not LCRA security guards... but if a city of Austin Park Police ... (they got absorbed into Austin PD now I think) ...

point is, I wouldn't ask a Ranger who probably wouldn't know anyway ... look it up on TPWD site

CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

TITLE 1. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 2. GENERAL DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Art. 2.12. WHO ARE PEACE OFFICERS. The following are peace officers:

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... m/CR.2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I get a kick out of > Art. 2.122. SPECIAL INVESTIGATORS.

Senator John Cornyn said (this was Before the Obama Credit Card bill allowed chls to carry on National Parks etc) viewtopic.php?f=7&t=188&p=360376&hilit=cornyn#p360376" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dear Mr. B:

Thank you for contacting me about federal firearms laws. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.

It is essential to safeguard law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection. Restricting this right runs counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers, who expressly guaranteed that citizens would retain the right to keep and bear arms.

As you may know, the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service allow the transporting and carrying of firearms on federal lands in accordance with the laws of the host state where these two agencies manage lands.

However, the National Parks Service (NPS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are governed by separate federal statutes and have developed differing sets of firearms regulations.

I believe the inconsistency in firearms regulations on federal lands is confusing and burdensome to those who enjoy the outdoors. Therefore, I will continue to support legislation to require both the NPS and the FWS to honor host state gun laws that govern firearm possession.

I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind should the Senate consider relevant legislation during the 111th Congress. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

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My layman's conclusion:

National Parks and Wildlife Refuges are legal now too ....... the US Army Corps of Engineers though is separate from all 5 of the above, and still off limits ... although the House passed a bill de-funding enforcement for one year .... it's still illegal.
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When I want to go somewhere, first I check TPWD, then the others ...

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
National Parks Service-
National Wildlife Preserves
Bureau of Land Management-
United States Forest Service
Us Army Corps of Engineers

Federal lands are generally ok .... except for ... United States Army Corps of Engineers owned property

and army bases, post offices, federal courts and other buildings where federal employees are working