chasfm11 wrote:CBS Sacremento
June 27, 2013 11:44 PM
El Dorado Sheriff’s Fight With Feds Likely Over Residents Carrying Guns
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/06/ ... ying-guns/
Several things in the story had me scratching my head.It appears this exploding confrontation between Sheriff John D’Agostini and the U.S. Forest service may come down to guns, and the right to carry them, and whether U.S. citizens are allowed to bring them onto federal land.
1. I thought that the Federal law that allowed National park carry (except for buildings) covered National Forests. Is that wrong>
The use of firearms in National FORESTS has always been governed by STATE law. So if National Forest is in CA, CA state law applies, if it's in NM, NM state law applies. Once you understand this, you will basically understand the answer to your next question.
The more recent bill made National PARKS basically the same, previously, under US law, firearms were illegal in National Parks unless unloaded, disassembled and locked up.
By revoking their power to enforce STATE law, he has basically revoked their power to enforce firearm laws.2. The sheriff has pulled the authority of the Federal rangers to enforce local law. Hmm. I'm not sure why they would be doing that anyway. Why won't they call the Sheriff's office if they found someone breaking the local laws. I was under the impression (perhaps mistakenly) that there was some separation of powers. For example. Texas Parks and Wildlife has full police authority on the local COE lakes. There are COE rangers that patrol the lakes too and will write tickets for things like no lifevests but they have always left everything else to TPW or to local police like Grapevine for Lake Grapevine.
Anyway, this one looks like it could be fun to watch. It might have more far reaching impact than the local Federal supervisor had planned.
CA is "may issue" and some Sheriffs are pro gun and will issue concealed licenses. Sounds like this sheriff is one of those. If a CA resident has a concealed carry permit, they can carry in National Forests and National Parks since it is now legal in their state to do so.
With a TX CHL, you can carry in National Forests and National Parks in TX or in states where we have reciprocity. You still can't carry in "federal buildings" which include most visitors centers and other park buildings.