Headed out to Big Bend Ranch State Park this weekend and will have my normal personal carry and my truck gun (556) in my truck. I do not believe there are any rules around having those with me in my car, only around discharge of those firearms in the park (which I believe is a felony?)

am I good to go?

Should be good.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/rules

Quote:

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Arms and firearms
A person 21 years of age or older may carry a handgun in a holster with or without a license in compliance with Texas State Law (Constitutional Carry). Handguns are not allowed in parks leased from the federal government, except by written authorization of the governing federal facility. Check with the park before you go.
Refer to the detailed Park Rules & Regulations for definitions and rules.

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I take that back. Just read conflicting info.

When in doubt just call.
Phone: (432) 424-3327

I read that, but it doesnt say anything about long guns

The law seems to say you can't "display or discharge" except under certain circumstances, mostly involving hunting or with a handgun with a license to carry permit. As long as your rifle stays concealed in the vehicle, I don't think it is an issue.

ok, just called them, as long as the rifle / hand gun stay in the vehicle all good, if you brandish or discharge obviously that is a big problem.

my thought is that if you find yourself in a situation where you need to discharge either the long gun or pistol you are already in big trouble

I knew someone who used to go to Black Gap WMA to camp on the Rio Grande and shoot numerous rounds at camp. There are times when you may be the only folks on that 103k acre park besides a few park rangers. In fact they asked the rangers if they could bring firearms and the rangers said they recommended it.

I thought in the past open carry was not allowed in state parks, even after unlicensed carry became legal elsewhere. I even saw a guy open carrying in a state park get stopped and talked to by TPWD LEO, and I thought they ticketed him. Reading the rules now that no longer seems to be illegal.

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=31&pt=2&ch=59&rl=134

"(d) Arms and Firearms. It is an offense for any person to display or discharge an arm or firearm in a state park, except while:

(1) the person is participating in a public hunting activity within the state park as authorized by applicable public hunting rules and regulations;

(2) the person is fishing by means of lawful archery equipment or is participating in an authorized, supervised recreational or educational activity;

(3) the person is licensed to possess and carry a handgun under Government Code, Chapter 411, Subchapter H, and is in possession of and carrying the handgun in compliance with applicable law, including, but not limited to, applicable regulations adopted pursuant to Government Code, Chapter 411, Subchapter H;

(4) the person carries a handgun in a holster in compliance with Penal Code, Chapter 46; or

(5) the person has been authorized to do so by written order of the director."

I camp out there virtually every fall/winter. I have always had a handgun in my vehicle or tent, but never felt the need to carry while hiking. I have a walking stick and lock blade on me. But there's nobody out there who doesn't deliberately go way out there just to camp, hike, bike, etc. there are no easy paths through that would facilitate criminal activity.

The wildlife is nothing worse than black bears and mountain lions, nothing typically threatening to an adult human that is aware and prepared.

Just don't speed in Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Forgiveness>permission

It's pretty hard to speed there, if you are sane. A rally driver might like it, but your typical 4wD is going to run off the road or hit someone head on going over the posted limits.

Yeah it is slow going in a truck but apparently if you're on a motorcycle and you're caught speeding or close to speeding it's quite the spectacle.

Man, we're heading to Big Bend next week and I was looking for this on the National Parks site this morning and couldn't find anything. Since we're going to be driving in a remote area with the kids, my wife has told me I need to bring my "biggest pistol" for the trip. No problem.

You can have guns in national parks. You can't take them in buildings (I think standalone bathrooms are exempt, the building needs to have employees normally present). And you have to follow state laws. And at Big Bend you obviously can't take it into Mexico.