Yes, on STATE OWNED lands that is correct. However, state laws do NOT supercede federal laws. I work for TPWD and I can tell you for a fact that you are breaking the law if you are on federal property with a concealed handgun. It makes no difference that the state leases these lands from the COE. Any state park leased from the COE is off limits, and so is any lake owned by the COE. That also includes hunting lands owned by the COE (or USFS or NPS).

The law states that you can indeed carry a concealed handgun on State Parks and WMAs as long as you have a CHL and follow the rules thereof. However, if the park, WMA, or lake is owned by the feds, you cannot carry. Period. break the rules, loose your CHL. It's that simple.

Todd

This is a good thread. I've had the same questions as others here and I've gotten conflicting information in the past about what is allowed. It looks like if I'm reading this right that carrying in federal parks or corp lakes is not allowed even with a CCL, but on every other lake, including river authority lakes, it would be legal. Anyone have a different view on this?

Premises and facility are your key words here....

TexasC1 FYI, it is not a "don't ask don't tell." If you get caught with a loaded firearm on federal property, you will probably get cited and your gun taken away from you. I had a paint ball gun taken from me and cited. As the ranger (NPS)stated, firearms in parks must be broken down in a case and seperated from ammunition. A CHL doesn't apply on federally owned land.

Aren't firearms allowed on Federal Land for lawful purposes? For example, hunting on a Corps of Engineers lake?

If you fish the Mexican side of Amistad and/or Falcon and you are packing, you would be in deep "poop" if the Federales get a hole of you!

Thanks for the replies, I did alot of research on the issue and basically came up with exactly what Bonedigger said, Fed land = no CCW. The state park issue is clear as directive wash issued in 07' clarifying that specifically, but it did not cover Fed. land. For those wondering about CCW in your vehicle it was covered by HB 1815 in 07' which amended the TX penal code 46.02. (but it too does nothinf for Fed. Lands), their is a move now by the Bush adminstration to change this but it looks like it will run out of time.

Again, Thanks to all that replied.

Not to sound ignorant but how do you know which lakes are federal or COE?

I hate deep poop!!!!

This link will get you to COE information pages for regions by state, which mostly in turn will link to lake information pages for their region.

http://www.usace.army.mil/howdoi/where.html

There are several regions that include parts of TX.

For example the COE Ft Worth region lake info page is:

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/fish.htm

I didn't have the National Park links handy.

Thanks Ray
So agin not to sound ignorant, but all the lakes posted on your second link are places that a gun (CHL) is not allowed?

I was just sharing info to answer your question "how do you know which lakes are federal or COE."

Others replied about CHL restrictions and I don't know where they got their info about applicable federal law on COE and national lakes.

LOL, this thread is to much. Seriously, do you really need a gun while your fishing?

have you ever seen these gar....i want my lure back

Speaking from my 24 years experience as a Law Enforcement Officer, here so bear with me. In the Southern United States, "Most" officers, State or Federal, dont have much problem with "john Q" carrying a handgun, regardless of permit, provided the person is not a criminal, not a druggy, not intoxicated, or in the act of being a hoodlum. I know there are exceptions to this but not a lot. That being said, if you are on a dark parking lot and some thug(s) jump you, it's a moot point if it is legal or not, the first order of business is protect yourself, dealing with the authorities, jail, fine, or otherwise, is far better accepting what the thugs would have melded out for you. I hope I make my point. We must protect ourselves and families.