Packin' in National parks

[frankie_the_yankee]

Interesting story in today's online Statesman about Land Comissioner Jerry Patterson.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/ ... ackin.html

Home > The Editorial Board > Archives > 2007 > October > 19 > Entry

Day at the park? He’s packin’
By The Editorial Board | Friday, October 19, 2007, 05:23 PM

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is a stout advocate of the right to bear arms. As a state senator, he helped win passage of legislation that allows qualified Texans to carry concealed handguns. And the Marine Corps veteran makes no secret about going about armed - even when it’s against the rules.

In an interview this week regarding the National Park Service and its interest in acquiring almost 10,000 acres of state-owned land near Big Bend National Park, Patterson said he had a big problem with the Park Service’s ban on hunting in its parks and its “unconstitutional prohibition� against going armed into a park.

The Web sites at both Big Bend and the Padre Island National Seashore warn that loaded firearms are strictly prohibited and that firearms must be packed, cased or stored in a way that prevents ready access.

Padre Island adds this specific warning: “A concealed handgun license issued under the authority of the State of Texas, or another state, is not valid at the National Seashore.�

Patterson dismissed such restrictions: “I just ignore it. I mean, if I go to a national park, I’m armed. I don’t care what they say.�

Later, he added: “When I go to Padre Island National Seashore, and I’ve gone down there several times - we inspect well sites, we’ve got some well sites down there. But if I go there as a tourist, everywhere I go, I’m armed, whether it’s in my car or whatever. So I ignore that prohibition, as I suspect others do as well.�

Emphasis added.

I'll say one thing, he sure walks the walk. And the left wingers on the Statesman's editorial board quite obviously did not dare to attempt a hatchet job on him.

It's because of people like him that people routinely refer to our state as, "the great state of Texas".

[ELB]

I like this guy... hope he runs for another office when he gets done being Land Commissioner.

elb

[Photoman]

Sounds like a guy I would vote for. Nothing wrong with a little bit of civil disobedience.

[Renegade]

They do not let us carry in their parks, we do not let them carry on our Texas soil:


(d) A commissioned law enforcement officer of the National
Park Service is not a peace officer under the laws of this state,
except that the officer has the powers of arrest, search, and
seizure as to any offense under the laws of this state committed
within the boundaries of a national park or national recreation
area. In this subsection, "national park or national recreation
area" means a national park or national recreation area included in
the National Park System as defined by 16 U.S.C. Section 1c(a)

[KBCraig]

Paul/Patterson 2008? Oh, wait, there's that pesky bit about not being from the same state. Maybe Jerry can "move" to Wyoming. It worked for Cheney!

[casingpoint]

Refreshing bit of pro-gun bravado from a Texas public official, but go down on a federal weapons charge and your tune will change about halfway through the booking procedure.

[KBCraig]

Carrying in a National Park isn't a "federal weapons charge", at least not in the image the phrase brings to mind. If caught, you'd be written a ticket. It's a misdemeanor.

[tomneal]

Lake Meredith 2005

The fine was
$100 + $25
loaded rifle inside the cab of the truck
36 CFR PART 2

http://www.nps.gov/lamr/

The lawyers I spoke to indicated that it might be less than a misdemeanor.

Texas CHL was mentioned during but not in the noted in the ticket.

Your mileage may vary

[casingpoint]

"It's a misdemeanor"

Then I don't really see a problem.

[mikeloc]

Does anyone know if the plenalty is the same on Corp of Eng Lakes?

Mike

[tomneal]

Don't know about Corp of Eng lakes but
you might find information by doing a search on CFR

I don't remember where I read it but, the CFR that the Post Office uses, states the penalty for packing in the PO is $25.
If that is the case "I'll spot them $25 that they won't notice that I am packing". (Concealed means concealed.)

[USMC-COL]

Jerry Patterson, LtCol, USMCR, Retired has always stood up for what is right. I know him and I think he is a fantastic individual. We need to keep him in office and convince him to run for higher office.

[tomneal]

Please note
Unloaded MAY mean firearm locked in one case, ammo locked in another.

Here is a web page about a nearby lake
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Wallis/Rules.asp

[seamusTX]

What would the implications be with being caught with a handgun on federal land as far as your CHL goes? Would it be suspended?

If the offense is the equivalent of a Texas class B misdemeanor, your CHL could be suspended.

In Texas, a class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail. A class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and no jail time.

IMO, if the offense is punishable by a fine of $500 or more, or jail time, DPS could consider it the equivalent of a class B misdemeanor, even if you did not receive that level of punishment.

Then there's the question of DPS finding out. The state does not require the feds to report this kind of thing (probably the state can't do so), so the incident may remain below the radar.

All of the above IMHO, IANAL, etc.

- Jim
Edited to correct typo.