A holstered gun such as this can't be displayed in a California state park.
California has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, and that also applies to state parks. Unless you have a concealed weapons permit, carrying a loaded or unloaded gun is illegal. The gun laws for federal parks located within California are more relaxed, however.
Loaded Firearms
According to the California Code of Regulations, it's illegal to carry a loaded firearm of any type in any of the more than 270 state parks in California. State law prohibits loaded guns in state parks at all unless they are locked inside a car trunk or are similarly inaccessible.
Unloaded Firearms
State regulations say that unloaded guns, defined as "firearms not having a cartridge in any portion of the mechanism," may be possessed within temporary lodging in California state parks--i.e., tents--or in vehicles when the weapons have been "rendered temporarily inoperable or are packed, cased or stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use."
Air Guns
It is illegal to carry a loaded air gun in California state parks. Air guns--also called air pistols and air rifles--are weapons that shoot projectiles, such as BBs, via compressed air. Although they technically aren't firearms and sales of them are unregulated in California, the law banning them in state parks is identical to that of loaded firearms.
Exceptions
Loaded weapons are allowed in some designated archery ranges where the state Department of Parks and Recreation "finds that it is in its best interests," according to the regulations. Additionally, three types of people are exempted from the loaded weapons ban: California peace officers who permitted to carry firearms, honorably retired California peace officers who have concealed weapons privileges and citizens of the state who have concealed firearms permits.
National Parks in California
In a difference from what's allowed at state parks, federal law allows the carrying of concealed, loaded weapons in all California national parks, as long as those gun owners comply with state firearms laws. However, weapons aren't allowed in buildings inside California federal parks where people work, such as visitor centers.
Tags: California state, have concealed, state parks, state parks, California peace, California peace officers
