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As a CHL instructor I got asked this question and am not sure how to answer. I am turning to you smart people to help me out.

I don't have my CHL yet and it looks like the fall will be my next opportunity to take the class but I was wondering if you could answer a question. Would it be legal to have a gun in my tent while camping? Would my tent be considered an extension of my home?

That depends on where your tent is.

If a tent is legally set up and all fees paid and all of that then you do have 4th amendment protections for a tent. If you are camped on private land and have the permission of the owner (or paid) then you are fine. Texas parks you are good to and from tent and car , federal parks and Corps parks are the areas that I would be concerned about. Since you can't have any firearms at all without a permit on Corps property that is pretty simple but most other federal properties I wouldn't worry unless posted.

That is what I thought but I wanted to make sure. I did not want to give bad advise. Thank you.

EEllis wrote:If a tent is legally set up and all fees paid and all of that then you do have 4th amendment protections for a tent. If you are camped on private land and have the permission of the owner (or paid) then you are fine. Texas parks you are good to and from tent and car , federal parks and Corps parks are the areas that I would be concerned about. Since you can't have any firearms at all without a permit on Corps property that is pretty simple but most other federal properties I wouldn't worry unless posted.

You can carry in National Parks now if it is legal for you to carry in that state. you CANNOT take a firearm into any federal building. I interpret this to mean even the restroom at the campsite.

So, if I were to go to Big Bend and I have a CHL, I can carry while hiking, driving and in my tent. If I did not have a CHL, I could have a gun in my car or tent, but couldn't hike with it or wear it into any building within the Park. (How you get it from your car to your tent seems a bit of a gray area if you do not have a CHL, perhaps "your property" for the purposed of camping are your parking spot and the surrounding area?)

BLM land and National Forests are OK unless specifically posted, but you still cannot carry into any building since all buildings are considered FEDERAL BUILDINGS.

Army Corp of Engineer land is still no carry/off limits in all states to the best of my knowledge.

(How you get it from your car to your tent seems a bit of a gray area if you do not have a CHL, perhaps "your property" for the purposed of camping are your parking spot and the surrounding area?)


That is an issue. You would have to be parked at your campsite. The same laws that would allow you to take your gun to and from your car to your home covers you at a campsite but you must use reason. Just as I wouldn't think it would be legal for me to carry a gun for a mile to my house don't think you are getting a pass if you have to park miles away from your camp. If that is the case at least unload it and have it in you pack if you are more concerned about the law than not being armed.