Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Arkansas Atrocity Highlights Need for Reform in Rules Governing Carry in Public Parks

Monday, August 25, 2025

Arkansas Atrocity Highlights Need for Reform in Rules Governing Carry in Public Parks

On the heels of the shocking and seemingly random murder of a couple in an Arkansas state park while they were walking a trail with their young children, many are revisiting their self-defense plans in the great outdoors.

Following the heinous murders, the head of the Arkansas State Police, Col. Mike Hagar, spoke before a legislative subcommittee, opining that “the more good people that we have with weapons and the ability to defend themselves, the better we all are.”  Col. Hagar went on to express his concerns with “gun-free zones” within the state parks.

In 2003, Arkansas passed a law allowing concealed carry with a permit in state parks with exceptions that include certain buildings. Having certain areas within state parks that prohibit the carrying of a firearm can create logistical and practical challenges while traversing the vast park areas. Currently, in Arkansas and in other states, prohibited places include visitor information centers, gift shops, cafes and restaurants, maintenance buildings, museums, marina offices, recreation buildings, and designated lodges.

Visitors’ choices are to avoid these areas, to disarm before visiting them, or forgo carry within the parks. None of these are satisfactory options for people who want to maintain a ready means of self-defense, comply with the law, and enjoy all the amenities of the park.

With plenty of nice weather left in the year, it is crucial for citizens to know the state and federal laws that govern their outdoor experiences while carrying a firearm. While each state has its own laws, most do allow the carry of firearms in state parks in some form. However, it is important to know the various requirements and limitations on firearms in parks, as well as the local nuances in states with constitutional carry and open carry laws. With nearly 10,000 state parks covering over 20 million acres, there is a lot to explore as well as oversee state-by-state. 

Also, as an important note at the federal level, it is necessary to understand how federal and state laws interact when it comes to carrying firearms in National Parks. Generally, firearms are allowed in National Parks and areas administered by the National Park Service (NPS), as long as the individual is not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms by law and the possession of the firearm complies with the laws of the state where the park is located.

Additionally, similarly to state parks, there are limitations on carrying firearms into “federal facilities” within the park. As the NPS states:

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable Federal, state and local firearms laws and regulations, including laws authorizing or prohibiting concealed carry, before entering a national park. Some parks are located in more than one state or locality which means that the applicable laws may change depending upon where you are located within a park area.

Ultimately, carrying a firearm for self-defense in the outdoors is a right as well as a choice that requires preparation. For helpful links to National Park information, visit NRA-ILA’s page: Firearm Regulations in National Parks

Col. Hagar’s comments in Arkansas also noted that “[l]imiting guns does not lead to less crime,” addressing a broader point on firearms and public safety we have long known to be true in all 50 states. Law-abiding carriers might bend over backwards to observe all the limitations on bearing arms imposed by these overlapping rules. Criminals like the one who struck in Arkansas will not be so principled and may indeed use those limitations to their advantage. Policymakers should heed Col. Hagar’s comments and ensure the law does not advantage those with the worst intentions.

Stay tuned to NRA-ILA’s ongoing legislative and legal work to rectify the constitutional conflicts of “gun-free zones” and to protect those who travel and enjoy the outdoors among the 50 states.

TRENDING NOW
Trump Continues Commitment to Gun Owners

News  

Monday, October 27, 2025

Trump Continues Commitment to Gun Owners

We’ve covered the numerous ways in which President Donald Trump has used his office to defend or advance our rights protected under the Second Amendment. 

CBS Report: Chicago’s Responsible Gun Owners Wrongfully Arrested, Charged

News  

Monday, October 27, 2025

CBS Report: Chicago’s Responsible Gun Owners Wrongfully Arrested, Charged

The Windy City has its fair share of problems, but a lack of violent criminals isn’t one of them, as anyone who takes a moment to look through local crime news source CWB Chicago knows for a ...

NRA-ILA Files Comments on DOJ’s Relief from Disabilities Rulemaking

News  

Monday, October 27, 2025

NRA-ILA Files Comments on DOJ’s Relief from Disabilities Rulemaking

Last Monday, NRA-ILA (ILA) filed comments in response to a proposed rulemaking by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to revive the government’s “relief from disabilities” program for people categorically prohibited from acquiring or possessing firearms. 

Taxpayer-Funded Orgs Bankroll Ad Council “Children” and Firearms Propaganda

News  

Monday, October 27, 2025

Taxpayer-Funded Orgs Bankroll Ad Council “Children” and Firearms Propaganda

The idiot box has been living up to the nickname.

NRA-ILA Files Reply Brief Pressing the U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Its Challenge to the NFA’s Restrictions on Short-Barreled Rifles

Thursday, October 23, 2025

NRA-ILA Files Reply Brief Pressing the U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Its Challenge to the NFA’s Restrictions on Short-Barreled Rifles

Today, the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) filed a Reply Brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a challenge to the National Firearms Act of 1934’s restrictions on short-barreled rifles in a ...

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Friday, October 24, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly briefly returned from recess and re-referred Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to the House Rules Committee.

Major Digital Currency’s Terms of Use Prohibit Firearm and Ammunition Sales

News  

Monday, October 20, 2025

Major Digital Currency’s Terms of Use Prohibit Firearm and Ammunition Sales

So much of the energy surrounding the digital currency space has been aimed at bringing forth a new liberty. 

From Printers to Panic: Everytown Summit on “3D Printed Firearms” Targets Progress

News  

Monday, October 27, 2025

From Printers to Panic: Everytown Summit on “3D Printed Firearms” Targets Progress

Recently, Everytown for Gun Safety hosted a 3D Printed Firearms Summit in New York City with the goal being to “build cross-sector collaboration and chart actionable strategies to stem the tide of 3D-printed firearm (3DPF) related violence.” 

Grassroots Spotlight: Green Top Outdoor Expo

Take Action  

Monday, October 27, 2025

Grassroots Spotlight: Green Top Outdoor Expo

Earlier this month, your Virginia NRA -ILA Grassroots Team had the honor of participating in the annual Green Top Outdoor Expo, hosted by Green Top Sporting Goods in Ashland, Virginia

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging California’s Glock Ban

Monday, October 13, 2025

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging California’s Glock Ban

Today, the National Rifle Association—along with Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, Poway Weapons & Gear, and two NRA members—filed a lawsuit challenging California’s Glock ban.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.