Season 4 - Episode 79: Open Carrying in Open Country - a podcast by Heidi Lyn Rao

 What many people do not realize is that we all own land in the form of public lands, both state and federal. This land is for our use, as long as we follow the rules. As American citizens, we do have a constitutional Right to Bear Arms (as long as we meet the minimum criteria and are not disqualified under federal law and state law) in federal parks, national forests, federal wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Management and other federal lands to open carry handguns, shotguns and/or rifles. 

This constitutional right was guaranteed by the CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTABILITY RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2009, TITLE V MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, Sec. 512: Protecting Americans from violent crime. 

There are some very important things to know about carrying firearms on federal lands. First, that Bush-era law allows individuals to open carry if the firearm complies with the state laws in which the park is located. Second, if you are wanting to concealed carry, that is permitted if you have a concealed-carry license from a reciprocal state—meaning the state that the park is in has reciprocity with the state that issued your concealed-carry permit. If you’re open carrying, remember that putting on a jacket when it gets cold converts what you’re doing into concealed carry. Even if you’re an honorably retired state peace officer with the federally approved ID., the same restrictions apply to you. Carry responsibly; do not draw attention to yourself. You will be among all types of people - remember, you represent all of us who fight every day to make sure that everyone retains the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. 

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