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.