I have a friend who is going on a trip to Big Bend National Park.

He will be camping in a small pup tent and be in a remote area as I understand.

He asked me what the regulations were pertaining to the carrying of firearms in the national park.

I told him it might not be a bad idea for security reasons, but then again I also informed him that I didn't know the laws concerning the carrying of a handgun stowed in a backpack while hiking in the park.

What's the deal on this ?

If it is illegal, then what is the penilty for carrying a concelled weapon because [ no offense] this guy is a very talkative yankee I used to work with and I don't want to get in a long drawn out conversation with ole boy if you know what I mean.

Thanks Lee

i dont know what the laws are about carrying in the park but i do know that theres a metric shit ton of water moccasins there and a wide assortment of other poisonous snakes as well as some fucking HUGE alligators that will sit right in the middle of a foot trail and make you walk around them.

If i slept in a tent at that park, my tent would be suspended from a tree like the mountain climbers.

Quoted: i dont know what the laws are about carrying in the park but i do know that theres a metric shit ton of water moccasins there and a wide assortment of other poisonous snakes as well as some fucking HUGE alligators that will sit right in the middle of a foot trail and make you walk around them. If i slept in a tent at that park, my tent would be suspended from a tree like the mountain climbers.

Uhhh, dude, you do realize that big bend is kinda like in the desert?  And it has mountains.  And I have never heard of a mountain alligator before, or the desert dwelling alligator.  Are you sure that you are talking about the same place the OP is talking about?  

Quoted: I have a friend who is going on a trip to Big Bend National Park. He will be camping in a small pup tent and be in a remote area as I understand. He asked me what the regulations were pertaining to the carrying of firearms in the national park. I told him it might not be a bad idea for security reasons, but then again I also informed him that I didn't know the laws concerning the carrying of a handgun stowed in a backpack while hiking in the park. What's the deal on this ?  It is illegal If it is illegal, then what is the penilty for carrying a concelled weapon They probably consficate his weapon and then he gets to bunk with bubba all expenses paid. because [ no offense] this guy is a very talkative yankee I used to work with and I don't want to get in a long drawn out conversation with ole boy if you know what I mean.  What are you doing hanging around with yankees?     Thanks Lee

From the Nat. Park Service website...

If you are transporting firearms, you must notify the ranger or gate attendant on your arrival, and your firearm must be rendered inoperable before you enter the park. Individuals in possession of an operable firearm in a national park are subject to arrest.
Firearms are NOT permitted anywhere in the park’s backcountry. Firearms brought through Big Bend National Park must be unloaded, broken down (temporarily inoperable), cased, and stored out of sight and reach, with ammunition separated from weapons while in the park

Quoted: Quoted: i dont know what the laws are about carrying in the park but i do know that theres a metric shit ton of water moccasins there and a wide assortment of other poisonous snakes as well as some fucking HUGE alligators that will sit right in the middle of a foot trail and make you walk around them. If i slept in a tent at that park, my tent would be suspended from a tree like the mountain climbers. Remember...the less you post, the less people will make fun of you. There are no alligators in the desert.

That's right.  
Those are desert dwelling mountain crocodiles.

Quoted: i dont know what the laws are about carrying in the park but i do know that theres a metric shit ton of water moccasins there and a wide assortment of other poisonous snakes as well as some fucking HUGE alligators that will sit right in the middle of a foot trail and make you walk around them. If i slept in a tent at that park, my tent would be suspended from a tree like the mountain climbers.

Quoted: i dont know what the laws are about carrying in the park but i do know that theres a metric shit ton of water moccasins there and a wide assortment of other poisonous snakes as well as some fucking HUGE alligators that will sit right in the middle of a foot trail and make you walk around them. If i slept in a tent at that park, my tent would be suspended from a tree like the mountain climbers.

that's all I've gotta say, and I haven't been there since I was 8..9??

snakes, fine... but friggin' alligators???

But, the Pecos river is full of Alligator Gar.....

I think hkusp9 must be thinking of Brazos Bend state park. It slightly to the east of Big Bend,about 600 miles. Think Richmond instead of Marfa and you're there.

600 miles is no distance at all in Texas.  

I thought the firearms laws in Washington state were anal, seeing that you cant carry in a park is silly. You people have to work on the state laws. They let you have class 3 but you can't shoot in a park?

Quoted: I thought the firearms laws in Washington state were anal, seeing that you cant carry in a park is silly. You people have to work on the state laws. They let you have class 3 but you can't shoot in a park?

The last time I checked, the National Park Service is run by federal laws, not state laws.

Quoted: I thought the firearms laws in Washington state were anal, seeing that you cant carry in a park is silly. You people have to work on the state laws. They let you have class 3 but you can't shoot in a park?

Big Bend is a US National Park.  The federal laws there are the same as at Yellowstone or Yosemite.  No firearms.

Texas state law has nothing to do with it.

Know it all people from Washington notwithstanding.


ETA:  beat to the draw.  

Quoted: I think hkusp9 must be thinking of Brazos Bend state park. It slightly to the east of Big Bend,about 600 miles. Think Richmond instead of Marfa and you're there.

Ahh, thats the one!!!!

Thanks for straightening me out, Brazos bend has alligators and watermoccasins, and rattle snakes, and alligator gar, and all kinds of unfriendly critters.

Quoted: Quoted: I thought the firearms laws in Washington state were anal, seeing that you cant carry in a park is silly. You people have to work on the state laws. They let you have class 3 but you can't shoot in a park? Big Bend is a US National Park.  The federal laws there are the same as at Yellowstone or Yosemite.  No firearms. Texas state law has nothing to do with it. Know it all people from Washington notwithstanding. ETA:  beat to the draw.

I love Big Bend, camp there quite a bit. In the southern areas there is a definite risk of running into people crossing the river from Mexico, so I consider it somewhat dangerous from that standpoint.
There are a lot of poisonous snakes, and every now and then a mountain lion incident, but common sense and backcountry experience make these threats pretty minimal.

Per your comment, yes BB is a National Park with the laws that come with them, but State law does apply, in particular TX CHL law. TX is one of the few states that allowed a National Park with certain particulars...namely that State law still has some clout. Check here:

Parks and Wildlife Code Chap 23 ("the State retains limited jurisdiction...")

And directly pertaining to State Parks, which BB is in addition to being a National Park:

Parks and Wildlife Exec Order and CHL

And finally, if you call the ranger station and ask very specifically to a properly authorized person (not the desk clerk or part time ranger...) if CHL is honored within the park, they will answer that yes it is, and they ask that you disassemble the weapon while in the park. Per usual, don't take my word for it, do the research and make the calls yourself before packing. Take copies of your argument, be nice to everybody including the snakes, and have a good time.

As for carrying other weapons (slingshots, bb guns, rifles, shotguns, etc.) seems to be a no-go.