1. (a) Use of firearms. The public display of any firearm is prohibited:

   1. (1) Persons displaying or discharging firearms may be ejected from the park (see exceptions in subsections (c) and (d) of this section);
   2. (2) Firearms may be confiscated (with a receipt given) to be returned to owner upon departure from the park; and/or
   3. (3) Unlawful use and/or careless handling will result in criminal arrest and prosecution.

2. (b) Concealed handguns.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Acts 2003, No. 1110, was enacted to permit persons to carry a concealed handgun into a public park.
      2. (B)

3. (i) Section 1 of the act addresses places in which concealed handguns are not allowed.

   1. (ii) Among the list of places are “any building wherein a state office is located” and “schools”.

      1. (iii) See also Arkansas Code § 5-73-306.

   2. (2) For Arkansas state parks, these buildings include:

      1. (A) The bladesmithing school at Historic Washington State Park;
      2. (B) DeGray Lake Resort State Park Lodge and Convention Center;
      3. (C) Maintenance buildings;
      4. (D) Marina sales offices;
      5. (E) Mather Lodge;
      6. (F) Mount Magazine State Park Lodge and Conference Center;
      7. (G) Museum buildings with offices;
      8. (H) Ozark Folk Center State Park lodge office, recreation room, and gift shop;
      9. (I) All restaurants/cafes;
      10. (J) Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge; and
      11. (K) Visitor information centers.

   3. (3)

      1. (A) Signs or decals will be posted at the locations listed above indicating that carrying of a handgun is prohibited.
      2. (B) These will be distributed by the Manager of Operations.

   4. (4)

      1. (A) Persons carrying a concealed handgun must:

         1. (i) Keep it secure and out of sight; and
         2. (ii) Have in possession the license as well as valid photo identification.
      2. (B) The license must be made available to law enforcement officers upon request (Arkansas Code § 5-73-315).

   5. (5) Excluding law enforcement officers, loaded firearms of any type are prohibited in state parks located on United States Army Corps of Engineers property (Reference: 36 C.F.R. § 327.13).

      1. (c) Sports/hunting firearms.

   6. (1)

      1. (A) Persons “on a journey” may have firearms on state property (Arkansas Code § 5-73-120).
      2. (B) However, while on state park/museum property, firearms must be kept unloaded and in a locking device or in a locked vehicle at all times.

   7. (2)

      1. (A) The only exception to this rule will be during specified hunting seasons and in designated hunting areas at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area under cooperative management agreement with the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission.

      2. (B) Designated trails within open hunting zones at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area will be closed to all users except hunters during:

         1. (i) The modern gun hunt (approximately five (5) days);
         2. (ii) The muzzle load hunt (approximately five (5) days); and
         3. (iii) Mornings until 12:00 noon during the spring turkey season.
         4. (d) Shooting ranges.

   8. (1)

      1. (A) The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism currently operates shooting ranges at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area and Ozark Folk Center State Park.
      2. (B) Firearms and related ammunition are allowed on these ranges, but firearms must be unloaded upon entry and departure from these sites.

   9. (2)

      1. (A) Ranges operate under National Rifle Association Range Safety Guidelines and/or National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association guidelines.
      2. (B) Rules approved by the Manager of Operations will be posted at each location.
      3. (C) Compliance with all range rules is mandatory.
   10. (3) Shooting clubs hosting events or law enforcement agencies during qualifications will designate a chief range officer (and assistant range officers as appropriate) to maintain a safe and efficient shooting environment.

   11. (4)

       1. (A) Abuse or violation of range rules will be sufficient reason for park management staff to suspend clubs, groups, or individuals from the shooting range.
       2. (B) Those suspended will only be reinstated upon approval of the Manager of Operations or the Director of the State Parks Division.

4. (e) Explosives.

   1. (1) The use of explosives of any type is prohibited within state park/museum properties.
   2. (2) For construction purposes, special permission for the use of explosives must be obtained from the Director of the State Parks Division or the Manager of Operations.

5. (f) Fireworks.

   1. (1) To celebrate some national holidays and in conjunction with special events, fireworks programs or special events may be established at a park/museum.
   2. (2) However, due to the danger of bodily harm, especially to children, the danger of starting grass fires, and the noise and disturbance to park visitors, the department prohibits the individual use and display of all types of fireworks.
   3. (3) In addition, the sale of fireworks is prohibited in any park/museum store or any concessions inside park/museum boundaries.
   4. (4) Any use of fireworks within the park after a warning is given will result in the confiscation of the items.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "AUGUST 4, 2005 PARK DIRECTIVE 3070" "Replaces PD 3070 dated December 5, 2005