§ 2.4 Weapons, traps and nets. ( a ) None of the provisions in this section or any regulation in this chapter may be enforced to prohibit an individual from possessing a firearm, including an assembled or functional firearm, in any National Park System unit if: ( 1 ) The individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm; and
( 2 ) The possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the State in which the National Park System unit is located.
( b ) ( 1 ) Except as otherwise provided in this section and parts 7 (special regulations) and 13 (Alaska regulations), the following are prohibited: ( i ) Possessing a weapon, trap or net
( ii ) Carrying a weapon, trap or net
( iii ) Using a weapon, trap or net
( 2 ) Weapons, traps or nets may be carried, possessed or used: ( i ) At designated times and locations in park areas where: ( A ) The taking of wildlife is authorized by law in accordance with § 2.2 of this chapter;
( B ) The taking of fish is authorized by law in accordance with § 2.3 of this part.
( ii ) When used for target practice at designated times and at facilities or locations designed and constructed specifically for this purpose and designated pursuant to special regulations.
( iii ) Within a residential dwelling. For purposes of this subparagraph only, the term “residential dwelling” means a fixed housing structure which is either the principal residence of its occupants, or is occupied on a regular and recurring basis by its occupants as an alternate residence or vacation home.
( 3 ) ( i ) Traps, nets and unloaded weapons may be possessed within a temporary lodging or mechanical mode of conveyance when such implements are rendered temporarily inoperable or are packed, cased or stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use.
( ii ) An individual may carry or possess an unloaded bow or crossbow when accessing otherwise inaccessible lands or waters contiguous to a park area when other means of access are otherwise impracticable or impossible if: ( A ) The individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the bow or crossbow; and
( B ) The possession of the bow or crossbow is in compliance with the law of the State in which the park area is located.
( c ) Carrying or possessing a loaded weapon in a motor vehicle, vessel or other mode of transportation is prohibited, except that carrying or possessing a loaded weapon in a vessel is allowed when such vessel is not being propelled by machinery and is used as a shooting platform in accordance with Federal and State law.
( d ) The use of a weapon, trap or net in a manner that endangers persons or property is prohibited.
( e ) The superintendent may issue a permit to carry or possess a weapon that is not otherwise authorized, a trap, or a net under the following circumstances: ( 1 ) When necessary to support research activities conducted in accordance with § 2.5.
( 2 ) To carry firearms for persons in charge of pack trains or saddle horses for emergency use.
( 3 ) For employees, agents or cooperating officials in the performance of their official duties.
( 4 ) To provide access to otherwise inaccessible lands or waters contiguous to a park area when other means of access are otherwise impracticable or impossible. Violation of the terms and conditions of a permit issued pursuant to this paragraph is prohibited and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit.
( f ) Authorized Federal, State and local law enforcement officers may carry firearms in the performance of their official duties.
( g ) The carrying or possessing of a weapon, trap or net in violation of applicable Federal and State laws is prohibited.
( h ) The regulations contained in this section apply, regardless of land ownership, on all lands and waters within a park area that are under the legislative jurisdiction of the United States.
[48 FR 30282, June 30, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 18450, Apr. 30, 1984; 52 FR 35240, Sept. 18, 1987; 73 FR 74971, Dec. 10, 2008; 80 FR 36476, June 25, 2015; 83 FR 47073, Sept. 18, 2018]