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Open Carry in State Park

openryan

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Yesterday I went to the Indiana Dunes State Park.

I took my firearm with me being fully unaware if they allowed firearms on the premesis (I was aware that I could keep it in my vehicle however).

Upon entering I asked the gate attendant if she knew whether or not firearms were allowed on the beach area, picnic areas, trails, etc.

She was in a DNR uniform so I was under the impression that she should know the legality of these issues (however this seldom is the case).

She replied 'I'm not sure.'

So with that said and with know way to fully find out the correct answer I opted to leave the firearm in the vehicle.

Today while doing some investigating I found that guns are allowed in State Parks, at least until September of 2007.

http://indianalawblog.com/archives/2006/09/ind_law_dnr_lif.html

Indiana did not previously allow firearms on state park property, but the DNR has the authority to supercede state law for a probationary period of one year, and than can extend for up to another one year, but not to exceed two years. Then they must have state approval...

With this not being legal because of the state, only because the DNR is currently 'permitting it' I am wondering if anyone else has tried to carry on since this ban of firearms on state park property has been temporarily lifted.

With methlabs and 'casual' drug users frequenting certain areas of the parks, I would feel much better especially while walking the trails to be armed.

I will be oc'ing next time I return, probably this upcomming weekend, but was hoping on some input from others.

Has anyone known of these temporary lifts of state statues (any state) and what luck they have had trying to exercise these 'temporary rights'?
 

vmaxanarchist

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I actually was planing on going to that same park soon while OC. I looked up the same rules and printed them up. I figured they couldn't do anything if confronted with their own rules.
 

openryan

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I doubt they could do anything, I am trying to find the official source, and contact number for the office that approved this temporary change.

I am under the assumption, that while I pass few people while on the trails, that at least someone will say something, so it is probably best to have an official source and contact info as well.

Some of the DNR people seem like they have inadequate training on these rules.
 

openryan

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Great link -- Thanks a bunch.

Second problem --

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a Federal park, so firearms are prohibited and must be broken down, however the Indiana Dunes, is a state park.



The map is very confusing as to where the border between the two is, I do not want have a confrontation becuase I took the wrong trail, anyone know from past experience with this issue?



Thanks,

Ryan
 

vmaxanarchist

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Check out this map. http://www.nps.gov/archive/indu/maps/INDUmap1.pdf

It appears that everything in green is national park land. The state park is surrounded by the national park. It appears that driving into the state park with a loaded anduncased gun would be violating the national park rule.

This just shows how crazy the national park rule is. I knowa couplewho live in the Ogden Dunes neighborhood on the map. I don't know ifeither of themhave a carry permit. But, if they do they would be breaking the law every time they driveinor out of their neighborhoodwith a loadeduncased gun in their car. Also, it appears that stepping out of their house and going down to the beach would be a violation too. Because the beach it self is national park land. The only public beaches thatare accessible to someone with a loaded firearmare the state park and Marquette park. But, only if they unload and make inaccessible while crossing the national park.
 

openryan

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Well, I just got back from the Indiana Dunes State Park, and yes I had to cross through the National Lakeshore to get in, so I guess I did very briefly break the law.

We got there at 7pm, nobody said anything about my firearm, nor did anyone react negatively, the DNR staff was fully aware that I was carrying too, they noticed as I watched them try to catch a couple guys who almost set a tree on fire with some type of firework display.'
 

openryan

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Also, while we were walking last night, a coyote had crossed in front of us, my girlfriend freaked, as it was probably 20 feet ahead of us, it stopped and then came about a step or two closer, at this point I had drawn my weapon, not intending to use it, but I did not want it coming any closer. After I backed up about 5 steps it went on its way do not know how far (it was pitch black in the woods).

Wondering if anyone knows when you would have the legal authority to take an animal if you feel threatened by it and how you could be able to prove it had someone seen or known you to have commited the act. (I am sure nobody would have seen or heard me as the only people left in the park area at this point was the dnr staff and that was over a mile and a half away.

I of course would never shoot at animal just to shoot (I am not a hunter), but this episode made me think, what if it had kept coming closer, especially by us having to use flashlights it would have made it hard to make a quick escape.

What is the recommended course of action after one would shoot wildlife -- do you notify the dnr?
 

vmaxanarchist

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openryan wrote:
BTW, noticed you were from Naperville, IL, what brings you out to the Dunes anyway?
I want to try some new camping equipment, and I would rather go to Indiana where I have the freedom to carry then here in Illinois where it's severely restricted.
 

Moxy

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Hello everyone... I'm heading up to Mississinewa Lake for some camping, hiking, fishing, etc. in about a month. I'm a Kentucky resident and Concealed Carry Licensee. In reading this thread I saw that there is an exemption for those that don't have a Unlimited Handgun License in the state of Indiana if you have license to carry in your own state. I know there is receprocity between Kentucky and Indiana for concealed carry but I wanted to know if this would apply to my open carry in an Indiana state park or if since Kentucky is a license free open carry state if My concealed carry permit would apply in the case of the state park. The info i'm looking at was from the HandgunRulsesPublic.pdf found above which says that exemptions are applicable to individuals that are refrenced in IC 35-47-2-21 - which states

C 35-47-2-21
Recognition of retail dealers' licenses and licenses to carry handguns issued by other states
Sec. 21. (a) Retail dealers' licenses issued by other states or foreign countries will not be recognized in Indiana except for sales at wholesale.
(b) Licenses to carry handguns, issued by other states or foreign countries, will be recognized according to the terms thereof but only while the holders are not residents of Indiana.
As added by P.L.311-1983, SEC.32.



Thanks for all your help!

Moxy
 

openryan

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Moxy wrote:
Hello everyone... I'm heading up to Mississinewa Lake for some camping, hiking, fishing, etc. in about a month. I'm a Kentucky resident and Concealed Carry Licensee. In reading this thread I saw that there is an exemption for those that don't have a Unlimited Handgun License in the state of Indiana if you have license to carry in your own state. I know there is receprocity between Kentucky and Indiana for concealed carry but I wanted to know if this would apply to my open carry in an Indiana state park or if since Kentucky is a license free open carry state if My concealed carry permit would apply in the case of the state park. The info i'm looking at was from the HandgunRulsesPublic.pdf found above which says that exemptions are applicable to individuals that are refrenced in IC 35-47-2-21 - which states

C 35-47-2-21
Recognition of retail dealers' licenses and licenses to carry handguns issued by other states
Sec. 21. (a) Retail dealers' licenses issued by other states or foreign countries will not be recognized in Indiana except for sales at wholesale.
(b) Licenses to carry handguns, issued by other states or foreign countries, will be recognized according to the terms thereof but only while the holders are not residents of Indiana.
As added by P.L.311-1983, SEC.32.



Thanks for all your help!

Moxy
Your liscense will be recognized, if you are out of state and you have reciprocity, however the outlines that govern you in Kentucy, still bind you to those same rules in Indiana.

If you could not carry openly in KY, then you could not carry openly in Indiana.

As far as the state parks, you still can until it is up for review later this month.

Make sure it is a STATE PARK and not a NATIONAL PARK, some of the parks have areas covered under the NATIONAL part, so be careful and review this before you go.
 

openryan

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Went on a 6.5 mile hike through the Dunes yesterday, S&W in tote, clearly visible, one or two odd looks, but nothing beyond that...

I was suprised I have to say, as it was labor day and so many people from different states, I probably saw 12 different plates on cars, I figured someone would probably call me in, but was happy it was uneventful.

Also -- If anyone here is into hiking and wants to go on an OC hike, lets do it!
 
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