Open Carry at Chengwatana?

[dimachico]

Does anyone know the law regarding open carry for someone who doesn't have a permit to carry at the shooting range at Chengwatana? I was visited once by Sheriffs out there a few months ago and did not have a side-arm holstered at the time (I was packing up) and he didn't ask anyone for permits to carry etc. I know at some ranges you are allowed to open carry (as it is private property) but I do not know about state forest land.

Thanks for your help!

[tman]

From the MN permit law

Subd. 9.Carrying pistols about one's premises or for purposes of repair, target practice.

A permit to carry is not required of a person:
...
(4) to carry a pistol in the woods or fields or upon the waters of this state for the purpose of hunting or of target shooting in a safe area..

So, you DO NOT need a permit to carry (OPEN OR CONCEALED ) your pistol while target shooting. If there is a public range there, then of course, you should follow the range rules, whatever they may be...

[dimachico]

Thank You for the prompt reply.

Very informative. I appreciate you citing the specific permit law.

Thanks again!

[tman]

Thank You for the prompt reply.

Very informative. I appreciate you citing the specific permit law.

Thanks again!

I'm from the government. I'm here to help. (Said with a straight face)

[rockcreek]

The "range" is not an actual improved shooting range, no special rules apply. Please pick up your trash, and ask anyone else there to do the same. Every time I go over there, it seems like someone has dropped off appliances or old furniture for targets. There are a lot of non-shooters that use the area as well, and it makes us look bad. Also, nobody from the Pine County Sheriffs dept is going to hassle you about shooting, or carrying, it's almost expected around here.

[dimachico]

The "range" is not an actual improved shooting range, no special rules apply. Please pick up your trash, and ask anyone else there to do the same. Every time I go over there, it seems like someone has dropped off appliances or old furniture for targets. There are a lot of non-shooters that use the area as well, and it makes us look bad. Also, nobody from the Pine County Sheriffs dept is going to hassle you about shooting, or carrying, it's almost expected around here.

This is great advice. When I went with a group last time, we brought a few plastic garbage bags and loaded em up before we left. I was actually expecting it to be worse than it was (compared to some "ranges" out west in both the desert and the mountains). That being said, nothing gives shooting and shooting sports a worse name than people leaving behind oodles of trash.

Heading up there tomorrow midday with a friend or two. Should be another nice day for shooting (aren't they all).

[rukwikenuf]

Thank You for the prompt reply.

Very informative. I appreciate you citing the specific permit law.

Thanks again!

I'm from the government. I'm here to help. (Said with a straight face)

wasn't that Reagan's line? "the nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'"

[cobb]

I think the only way you could have gotten in trouble in the situation you describe would be to actually carrying concealed and not have a Minnesota recognized permit to carry to do so. Always keep in mind that what you can legally do, there may be one or two LEO's, CO's or Park Ranger that may not actually be aware of what is allowed under current law and that one or two will be the one you encounter.

Had a local LEO tell me that the only way I could carry a handgun was with a permit to carry. I explained to him that without a carry permit some city, county, townships may have an ordinances that would not allow open carry, but that I could carry openly without a permit walking down my rural township or county road and could be afield on both private and much of the Minnesota state land without a permit in many situations. He again stated that I could not for any reason and would most likely get ticketed if I did so. So I asked a simple question. Minnesota law allows the taking of deer with a handgun, there is a specific caliber definition in the DNR regulations when doing so. So if is legal to harvest deer under Minnesota law, how can that be done without carrying a loaded handgun on either private or state land that is open for hunting deer? The look was worth a thousand words, I could see his brain was in overdrive to analyze this. This LEO was an acquaintance, I had even done some training with him in the past, so it was a fun conversation. He did admit that he may be not fully aware of all the aspects of carrying. At a later date when I talked to him he said he had done some research and found that in many situations a person could open carry without a permit. But thought everyone that did carry a handgun should get a Minnesota permit to carry anyway, and yes he is pro carry.

I am not try to fault this LEO, he was just not aware of the specifics, but then again he was a metro LEO and not a rural LEO, CO or Ranger. He did take the effort to research it though and that is a good thing.

[dimachico]

I hate to admit it, but it is kind of a novelty to be at a range and have a pistol holstered while target practicing with a different pistol, rifle or shotgun. I have been meaning to take a class to get my PTC but have been hesitant for a couple of reasons.
First off, I know my wife does not support me concealed carrying. She is actually rather uncomfortable with my very small arsenal in the home as it is and does not see the need for me to carry a pistol while we are out and about. As it stands, she still has never gone shooting with me due to her fear.
Secondly, I know that if I had the option to carry, and a situation arose where I wish I was armed but didn't have a pistol with me, I could never forgive myself. I recognize this as a lame ostrich's head in the sand situation. I actually, strangely, feel that if I don't have the option to carry I wouldn't feel the regret of not carrying at the time. I definitely see the idiocy of that fact. Not sure if I am explaining it well.
Thirdly, I am not permitted to carry at my workplace. I spend about 95% of my time either at home or at work. I am always a few few steps away from a firearm at home, and because I can't carry at work, I don't feel the need to get my P2C.
Lastly, I am only going to be in MN for another 9 months or so and see the investment of ~$200 as relatively expensive for 9 months or legal carry.

I do appreciate all the input. I'll end my rant there. Thanks for your experience.

[Drizzle]

If I am shooting at an out of the way gravel pit or state forest, etc, I have a holstered sidearm that's loaded on me at all times. If you go downrange to set targets, it's always possible some jackasses will appear who wish you ill and you'd be fifty yards or more from your weapons, unarmed. Not saying it's likely, but it isn't a difficult precaution to take. What movie was that in, Silverado? Scott Glenn was practicing his draw and got caught with an empty gun, away from his rifle, by the bad guys.

Actually, it sounds kind of silly when I describe it like something out of a western, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop doing it, on those rare times I'm shooting in the sticks.

[Snakeman721]

If I am shooting at an out of the way gravel pit or state forest, etc, I have a holstered sidearm that's loaded on me at all times. If you go downrange to set targets, it's always possible some jackasses will appear who wish you ill and you'd be fifty yards or more from your weapons, unarmed. Not saying it's likely, but it isn't a difficult precaution to take. What movie was that in, Silverado? Scott Glenn was practicing his draw and got caught with an empty gun, away from his rifle, by the bad guys.

Actually, it sounds kind of silly when I describe it like something out of a western, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop doing it, on those rare times I'm shooting in the sticks.

Cue the "dueling banjos" music........

[bothwell]

Is there anything similar (improved or unimproved range) at Sand Dunes State Forest (Big Lake/Elk River/Zimmerman)? DNR website says "hunting/shooting", but maps don't show an improved range.

[Rusty Tinner]

Sand Dunes is the only state forest where target shooting is PROHIBITED. All others are fine. This from James Abernathy of the DNR. As always call and verify before doing.

[Daddyo]

I know this is kind of an old thread, but other than the previous post, I haven't been able to find anything (including signage around the forest) indicating shooting is prohibited.
Maybe DNR just doesn't update their sites very often, but it seems like one of those things you should be able to find written out somewhere. The only thing I find is just the opposite.

From the Sand Dunes page:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00045/index.html
"The Sand Dunes consists of oak savanna forest and prairie and 2,700 acres of pine plantation of rolling terrain and few hills. It provides beautiful areas for a variety of recreational activities, such as horseback riding, snowmobiling, hunting/shooting, swimming, pan fishing on Ann Lake, camping, hiking, and cross-country skiing."

Clicking on the "more about this forest" link and then "Rules" brings this page:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/rules.html
"Firearms may be discharged in compliance with the law on forest lands not posted closed to firearms discharge."

[ferch]

Where in chengwatana are you referring to?