State Nature Preserve Administrator offers clarification on firearms rule signs

Recently a sharp-eyed friend sent a photo of the rules posted at the Caesar Creek Gorge State Nature Preserve, located just south of Caesar Creek Lake in Warren County. The sign included language saying no firearms or dangerous ordinance is permitted. He was concerned because he has a concealed handgun license (CHL) and regularly carries for protection.

I contacted Mr. Jeff Johnson, State Preserve Administrator about the sign. I was confident that state law permits the CHL holder to carry in the preserve. I wanted to clarify the rules and verify any DNAP policy regarding firearms and especially concealed carry.

Mr. Johnson quickly replied to my email inquiry noting, "The sign is an old version and we are working to develop a replacement – based mostly on some of the ambiguity of rules such as the firearm rule. The way it is stated on the sign is a paraphrase of the actual rule and is misleading to say the least."

The actual rule is: 1501:17-3- 05 Firearms and fireworks prohibited; exceptions.

(A) No person unless authorized by law shall possess or use firearms of any description, air pistol or rifle, slingshot, paint-ball gun or missile-throwing device within any nature preserve or natural area.
(B) No person shall possess or use fireworks or any type of explosive as defined by the Ohio Revised Code on any nature preserve or natural area.

Johnson explains, "Under section (A), it states “unless authorized by law”. Leaving this off of the sign was a major oversight. As a CHL holder, you are authorized by law to carry concealed within a nature preserve – with the exception of entering buildings, which will be posted. As policy, we do not prohibit legally authorized individuals from carrying on our sites."

I had some confusion about how DNAP operates within the ODNR agency structure. Some recent restructuring had combined the Division of Parks and Watercraft and, I thought, moved DNAP under those.

Johnson clarified, "Also, I would like to address our relationship with the Division of Parks and Watercraft. DNAP is still statutorily considered a separate division and DNAP was not included in the legislation that merged the divisions of Watercraft and Parks. We do maintain our own section of ORC (1517.021) plus our own rules and regulations in the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). Having said that, we are currently administered through Parks and Watercraft. They currently provide a lion’s share of our administrative duties including HR, Fiscal, and even the office of the Chief. While we do have a separate budget from the General Revenue specifically for Nature Preserves, it does not provide sufficient funds for a separate administrative staff. Parks and Watercraft provide those services graciously so that our funds can go into field staff and operating budgets."

Johnson concluded, "Thank you for the inquiry and I apologize for the confusion. As a strong advocate of the Second Amendment, I applaud your desire to be licensed and carry!"

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Foundation and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award, the 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year, the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation/ Women in the Outdoors Hunter Education Instructor of the Year and the 2014 Ohio NWTF Outdoor Writer of the Year.