Army Corps of Engineer property

[smyrna]

We all know that this is off limits for CHLs. My question is...what about all the RVs or travel trailers in camp grounds; is there any provision to carry inside your RV or travel trailer and be legal? What if a CHL visits one of these parks for a barbeque, can he leave his handgun in a vehicle and still be legal? Or, would doing so be equivalent to a non-CHL being in possessing a handgun in the parking lot of say a school (Big federal NO-NO!)

[jmorris]

Hmmm, this is sticky. Says "loaded firearms" are prohibited but then if you take the ammo out and keep it with you you're still violating that statute. Guess you'll have to put the ammo in a ziplock and bury it outside the gate. Interesting, even though black powder weapons are not considered the same as other firearms in most circumstances they would be covered under the "loaded projectile firing devices" it seems. If loaded of course.

TITLE 36 - PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY

CHAPTER III - CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

PART 327 - RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUBLIC USE OF WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ADMINISTERED BY THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS

327.13 - Explosives, firearms, other weapons and fireworks.
(a) The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons is prohibited unless:
(1) In the possession of a Federal, state or local law enforcement officer;
(2) Being used for hunting or fishing as permitted under 327.8, with devices being unloaded when transported to, from or between hunting and fishing sites;
(3) Being used at authorized shooting ranges; or
(4) Written permission has been received from the District Commander.

(b) Possession of explosives or explosive devices of any kind, including fireworks or other pyrotechnics, is prohibited unless written permission has been received from the District Commander.

[65 FR 6901, Feb. 11, 2000]

[KBCraig]

Just going from memory (and CFRs are notoriously hard to search), I believe CoE only restricts loaded firearms.

Edit: Whoops, jmorris beat me to it!

[KBCraig]

What would happen if you violated these rules?

Do they actually carry any sort of real enforcement?

A ticket and fine, not unlike a traffic ticket.

[seamusTX]

Up to $5,000 and six months.

Code: Select all

[Title 36, Volume 3]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 36CFR327.25]

              TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
 
                    CHAPTER III--CORPS OF ENGINEERS,
                         DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
 
PART 327_RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUBLIC USE OF WATER RESOURCE 
 
Sec. 327.25  Violations of rules and regulations.

    (a) Any person who violates the provisions of the regulations in 
this part, other than for a failure to pay authorized recreation use 
fees as separately provided for in Sec. 327.23, may be punished by a 
fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than six 
months or both and may be tried and sentenced in accordance with the 
provisions of section 3401 of Title 18, United States Code. Persons 
designated by the District Commander shall have the authority to issue a 
citation for violation of the regulations in this part, requiring any 
person charged with the violation to appear before the United States 
Magistrate within whose jurisdiction the affected water resources 
development project is located (16 U.S.C. 460d).[/quote]I think the argument could be made that having an unloaded weapon in an inaccessible place in a vehicle is covered by the Firearm Owners' Protection Act [i]if[/i] there is some factor of interstate travel. However, I do not undertand that law well, and particularly how the feds have treated it.

- Jim

[smyrna]

I am just curious as to the legality of it all because my gut tells me that there are a lot of RVs or travel trailers that have a bang stick or hand cannon tucked neatly away.

I suppose it's one of those "don't ask, don't tell" policies as I know of a lot of old timers that would fit into the above scenario.