In a message dated 12/5/2000 3:05:55 PM US Mountain Standard Time, thomvalencia@mail.maricopa.gov writes:<< Subj: Maricopa County Park rule R106 Date: 12/5/2000 3:05:55 PM US Mountain Standard Time From: thomvalencia@mail.maricopa.gov (Thom Valencia - PARKSX) To: Dmitrovgeorgi@aol.com ('Dmitrovgeorgi@aol.com') CC: BillVanAusdal@mail.maricopa.gov (Bill VanAusdal - PARKSX)
ARS 13-3108 was ammended and limits the carrying of a firearm in developed or improved areas of parks larger than one square mile to individuals with permits to carry as defined in ARS 13-3112.
Dear Chief Valencia,
ARS 13-3108, as ammended, does not limit the carrying of firearms in the improved or developed areas, it merely authorizes local governments to limit them, if they so chose to those with concealed carry permits. As Maricopa County has not made such regulations or ordinances, as it currently stands, there are no restrictions on the carrying of arms in the White Tanks Preserve or any other park or preserve in Maricopa County larger than one square mile in area.
Developed or improved areas does not include trails or campgrounds unless those trails and campgrounds are directly associated with or adjacent to developed or improved areas. A trailhead is in fact a developed or improved area. Our signage will have to more closely reflect the revision of 13-3108.
Thom Valencia, Deputy Chief Maricopa County Park Police
A trailhead is a developed area, but the statute, as revised, indicates that those without concealment permits may carry while going to or from the trails. Therefore the county would not be authorized to restrict the carrying of arms at the trailhead for those embarking or returning, only for those remaining in developed areas that are correctly posted per duly established county ordinance or regulation.
Kevin Walsh