I wrote to State and US legislators and the Governor, and State and National Parks Services, and US Fish and Wildlife Dept. concerning parks due to an apparent issue.
I know city parks are ok, State Parks are ok, LCRA parks are ok, National Parks are ok after Feb 22, 2010.
BUT US Army Corps of Engineers properties do not honor Texas Concealed Handgun Licenses and forbid conceled carry of a loaded handgun on their federal property.
The issue/question was regarding the fact that some State/County/City parks are on land leased from the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Here are some replies I got to my questions on that issue.
---
From NPS.gov (National Parks Service)
The National Park Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers are two
separate government agencies. For more information: www.nps.gov or
US Army Corps of Engineers - HQ
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From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Thank you for using Recreation.gov for your camping needs.
I'll be happy to assist you with this issue.
The National Parks are managed by the National Park Service, none by the
ACOE.
Sincerely,
Recreation.gov
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From JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
Dear Mr. B:
Thank you for contacting me about federal firearms laws. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.
It is essential to safeguard law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection. Restricting this right runs counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers, who expressly guaranteed that citizens would retain the right to keep and bear arms.
As you may know, the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service allow the transporting and carrying of firearms on federal lands in accordance with the laws of the host state where these two agencies manage lands.
However, the National Parks Service (NPS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are governed by separate federal statutes and have developed differing sets of firearms regulations.
I believe the inconsistency in firearms regulations on federal lands is confusing and burdensome to those who enjoy the outdoors. Therefore, I will continue to support legislation to require both the NPS and the FWS to honor host state gun laws that govern firearm possession.
I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind should the Senate consider relevant legislation during the 111th Congress. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
-------
From
The Governor, Rick Perry, who replied and forwarded my issues to Carter Smith, the Executive Director of TPWD
I just got a letter from Carter Smith... dated January 12, 2010. This is the only definitive answer on the State Park/COE issue.
"State park properties leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are subject to the rules and regulations of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Therefore, a loaded, concealed handgun carried by a valid license holder is allowed within any Texas State Park."
"If you have any further questions about firearms in Texas State Parks, pleae contact Mr. Wes Masur, State Park Law Enforcement Director, at XXXXX or via email at XXXXXX"
Carter Smith, Executive Director of TPWD
-------
The letter from Carter Smith through Rick Perry clears up that question regarding State Parks on COE property, where all I got before were the following:
From: State Representative Jimmie Don Aycock
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
Mr. B, please visit the above website for a list of State parks. Thank you for providing us with your thoughts.
Office of State Representative Jimmie Don Aycock
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
512-463-0684 (office)
512-463-8987 (fax)
-----------
From TPWD (just asking, but not through the Governor that time)(Didn't exactly answer the question, but they tried, so I'm glad Rick Perry got Carter Smith to answer)
Thank you for your interest in the Texas State Parks.
I did find a link for the Army Corps of Engineers Parks in Texas at http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/navarro/Recreation/Parks/Corpsparks.asp
I can not speak on the Rules and Regulations regarding handguns in these parks, however the Texas State Parks policy is as follows: A person can carry a loaded concealed handgun in Texas State Parks with a current and valid CHL license at anytime. Please remember that you must continue to follow all CHL rules while carrying in State Parks.
If you need further information, please contact the Law Enforcement Division. We hope to see you at a Texas State Park soon.
This is what got the actual answer:
I know city parks are ok, State Parks are ok, LCRA parks are ok, National Parks are ok after Feb 22, 2010.
BUT US Army Corps of Engineers properties do not honor Texas Concealed Handgun Licenses and forbid conceled carry of a loaded handgun on their federal property.
The issue/question was regarding the fact that some State/County/City parks are on land leased from the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Here are some replies I got to my questions on that issue.
---
From NPS.gov (National Parks Service)
The National Park Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers are two
separate government agencies. For more information: www.nps.gov or
US Army Corps of Engineers - HQ
---------
From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Thank you for using Recreation.gov for your camping needs.
I'll be happy to assist you with this issue.
The National Parks are managed by the National Park Service, none by the
ACOE.
Sincerely,
Recreation.gov
-----------------
From JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
Dear Mr. B:
Thank you for contacting me about federal firearms laws. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.
It is essential to safeguard law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection. Restricting this right runs counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers, who expressly guaranteed that citizens would retain the right to keep and bear arms.
As you may know, the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service allow the transporting and carrying of firearms on federal lands in accordance with the laws of the host state where these two agencies manage lands.
However, the National Parks Service (NPS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are governed by separate federal statutes and have developed differing sets of firearms regulations.
I believe the inconsistency in firearms regulations on federal lands is confusing and burdensome to those who enjoy the outdoors. Therefore, I will continue to support legislation to require both the NPS and the FWS to honor host state gun laws that govern firearm possession.
I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind should the Senate consider relevant legislation during the 111th Congress. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
-------
From
The Governor, Rick Perry, who replied and forwarded my issues to Carter Smith, the Executive Director of TPWD
I just got a letter from Carter Smith... dated January 12, 2010. This is the only definitive answer on the State Park/COE issue.
"State park properties leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are subject to the rules and regulations of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Therefore, a loaded, concealed handgun carried by a valid license holder is allowed within any Texas State Park."
"If you have any further questions about firearms in Texas State Parks, pleae contact Mr. Wes Masur, State Park Law Enforcement Director, at XXXXX or via email at XXXXXX"
Carter Smith, Executive Director of TPWD
-------
The letter from Carter Smith through Rick Perry clears up that question regarding State Parks on COE property, where all I got before were the following:
From: State Representative Jimmie Don Aycock
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
Mr. B, please visit the above website for a list of State parks. Thank you for providing us with your thoughts.
Office of State Representative Jimmie Don Aycock
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
512-463-0684 (office)
512-463-8987 (fax)
-----------
From TPWD (just asking, but not through the Governor that time)(Didn't exactly answer the question, but they tried, so I'm glad Rick Perry got Carter Smith to answer)
Dear Mr. B.
Thank you for your interest in the Texas State Parks.
I did find a link for the Army Corps of Engineers Parks in Texas at http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/navarro/Recreation/Parks/Corpsparks.asp
I can not speak on the Rules and Regulations regarding handguns in these parks, however the Texas State Parks policy is as follows: A person can carry a loaded concealed handgun in Texas State Parks with a current and valid CHL license at anytime. Please remember that you must continue to follow all CHL rules while carrying in State Parks.
If you need further information, please contact the Law Enforcement Division. We hope to see you at a Texas State Park soon.
Park Information
Texas Parks and WildlifePh: 512-389-8900
------------------
------------------
This is what got the actual answer:
From: Rick Perry, Governor
December 28, 2009
Dear Mr. B:
Thank you for taking the time to contact the Office of the Governor. We understand that you are
concerned.
I am asking Carter Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, for
his staff’s assistance in reviewing and responding both to you and this office on the information
shared.
Please let us know whenever we may be of service in the future.
Sincerely,
Constituent Communication Division
Office of the Governor
------------------------------------
Useless Letter from US Senator Troy Fraser:
....... Here's the US Army Corps of engineers' website if you want to research. I've printed a list from the website of all the Army Corps of Engineers Texas lakes.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of service.
Troy Fraser
State Senator
(I already knew the website, but it didn't address the issue, and I may have been the one that gave his office the website in the first place)