State gun laws now extended to national parks

Starting Monday, visitors to national parks can carry guns, as long as they have a license from the state.

The rule changed in the Bush administration, and the Obama administration affirmed it. Now each national park has to follow the rules of the state where it's located, and in Minnesota that means guns are allowed.

Voyageurs National Park Chief Park Ranger, Jim Hummel said national parks must follow the rules of the state where they're located.

"If an individual has a permit to carry a firearm, they will be permitted to bring a firearm, typically a handgun, into park under the authority of that permit issued by the state," he said. "But they don't have the authority to bring in a long gun, a rifle, shotgun, BB gun, unless it's in a motor vehicle, a boat, cased and unloaded."

Hummel said guns are still not allowed at federal facilities such as park buildings and tour boats.

"We'll have signs posted at entrances to each of the government facilities, to the tour boats that we operate at Voyageurs National Park to educate the public about the limitations," Hummel said.

The new rule applies at Pipestone and Grand Portage national monuments, and on the St. Croix Scenic Waterway and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.