Open Carry in Lincoln National Forest?

[BuffCyclist]

I love going out hiking on my own. Something about the solitude, peace and quiet that just really calm me (among other things). But while I was visiting the observatory for my interview, I was told about the tons of wildlife that is around Cloudcroft and Sunspot.

If possible, I'd like to open carry while I go out hiking on my own, just to have a little bit of a fighting chance against a large animal that might attack. I've searched the web and can't find anything on it, so do you guys know if it's legal?

I would be hiking with a backpack with basic essentials (water, first aid kit, food, etc) and was planning on keeping my pistol lock in there too. If after hiking I were to unload the firearm, install the lock and put the mag/ammo and pistol in different compartments of my bag and continued to carry it that way, would it be considered a concealed weapon? As in, if I were to just walk around town with it like that and got stopped by the cops, could I be in trouble for concealing a firearm or would it be classified as transporting the firearm from one location to another?

To solve the problem though, I do plan on getting a CCW once I get down there and settled, but probably won't sign up for one for the next month or so. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[357 S&W]

Open carry all you want on public lands. NM is an open carry state. You just have to be aware of private property and places that sell alcohol. Private property can say no to firearms and will post as such. It is a felony to open carry into a establishment that sell alcohol. (yes that means you can not open carry into Walmart and most convenience stores in our area) You can carry concealed with a permit into places the sell alcohol for consumption off site. NM consider your vehicle an extension of your home and you can carry concealed without a permit in your vehicle. I would not walk around with a gun in your backpack that way because in can get you into trouble depending on the LE you are dealing with. If you have a CO CCW then it is honored in NM,

[BuffCyclist]

I figured it would be fine to open-carry in national forests. I couldn't find information on it, but National Parks are a definite no from the information I've gathered (mainly from handgunlaw.us).

I know that the car is an extension of home and a weapon can be concealed in there without a permit. The backpack sounds like an issue until I get my CCL, so I'll just not open carry if I have somewhere to be after hiking (unless I have my vehicle that I can store it in). It does seem like having a firearm unloaded, with a lock and in seperate zippered parts of the backpack could be considered as just transporting from site to site, but I agree in that it can be interpreted by the LEO's I'd be dealing with and I'd rather not deal with that.

It seems as though Riclin Firearm Training is highly recommended on this site (also because they are a sponsor. Once I get down there, I'll contact them within a few weeks to get signed up for a course. The CCW course is a 15 hour course as stated on their website, I assume that'd be a Sat/Sun type setup or is it a Sat/Sat or similar or does anyone know? Here in Colorado, the CCW course is an 8 hour course. I have no problem with the 15 hour course, I took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course which was around 20 hours and I loved every minute of it. I have a feeling I'll thoroughly enjoy this one too!

Again, thanks for the info 357s&w!

[357 S&W]

Richard with Riclin is a very good choice. I took my CCW class with him. Call him and talk to him on what you would like to do. I think you will find him easy to work with on getting a class set up. I forgot to add as of right now NM state parks are a no for carrying. The National parks in NM you can carry with the changes in the law last February. You just can not carry inside of the building as they are federal.

[BuffCyclist]

I'll definitely call Richard with Riclin in a few weeks, have to focus on moving first, then starting work, then unpacking.

Guess I'll have to pay close attention to what is classified as a State Park and National Park. Any idea on where I could go specifically to get a good answer? Is there a National Park Database, and a State Park database that would list the laws regarding carrying?

[BuffCyclist]

Well, solved that matter. I just decided to call up the Lincoln National Forest office in Alamogordo and ask the policy on open carry of a loaded firearm.

The lady I spoke with said OPEN CARRY is allowed, as long as the firearm is clearly visible (definition of open carry really). UNLESS, you have a concealed carry permit in which it can be concealed.

I asked about general target practice anywhere and she said the best place is Dry Canyon as it has a bunch of bluffs that act as a backstop.

Can't wait to get down there and check out Dry Canyon!

[Bman505]

I second the give Richard a call post! It will do you a shit ton of good!:)