During an upcoming road trip I plan on driving to and exploring a small part of the Navajo Indian Nation/Reservation. I'll be coming out of New Mexico and then heading northwest to the Monument Valley, near the Utah/Arizona border. Seeing the area where they filmed 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon' is on my bucket list.

My question is regarding gun laws while with the Navajo Nation. I'm fine with having my Glock unloaded and locked up under back seat of my F-150.

Would like to know if anyone has any experience with the gun laws on the Navajo Nation and whether they are more restrictive than I anticipate?

I'll continue to research but thought I'd ask. Thanks.

Quite a bit. If you want to email me or send me your number, can give an overview or telephone call. Can also get you some contact info for Navajo Police. I hope you enjoy your trip through Dinetah!

This video is about guns on the res.
At about 11:30 min.

quote:

Originally posted by Greymann:
This video is about guns on the res.
At about 11:30 min.

Confiscated until he can prove the gun is his? Fuck them.

"At least we have a gun off the highway..." If that guy is traveling state to state for work, I seriously doubt he's the type they should be concerned about.

Natives out of all people should know very well how important firearms are for self defense. But then again, they wouldn't be on the res if they weren't disarmed.

What a couple of doofuses.

I've lived and worked on the Navajo reservation, driven it extensively, never had an issue. I've open carried there, but don't recommend it.

Don't violate a traffic law on the res, nobody will bother you or stop you.

There have been road blocks up during Covid and lockdowns on the res. Take that into account and check before you go. If you're staying on the interstate, it shouldn't be a problem.

I've been picking up hitch hikers on the res for a long, long time, and it's been the way that many get around. Bear in mind that presently, and for the past year, the res is the global hotspot for covid.

I have traveled extensively by motorcycle thru most reservations in Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Key rule to remember I was told, NO OPEN carry on the Reservation.

I kept my handgun concealed on body, or in a tank bag or rear trunk. I exactly follow the posted speed limit and I don't chase after the Tribal young woman.

On occasion, some native men hanging around a fuel station will ask for money. I wont give them cash, but I'll buy them a sit down meal and ask about their days on the Rez. I never had a problem.

Just a heads up that the reservation is basically closed to visitation. I'm not sure when they plan on reopening, you won't see much if you can't access Monument Valley.

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:
I have traveled extensively by motorcycle thru most reservations in Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Key rule to remember I was told, NO OPEN carry on the Reservation.

I kept my handgun concealed on body, or in a tank bag or rear trunk. I exactly follow the posted speed limit and I don't chase after the Tribal young woman.

My CCW class explicitly stated that native lands in general do not recognize concealed carry. I have heard this stated other places as well.

From handgunlaw.us (New Mexico):

You may NOT carry a handgun, openly or concealed, in:
* Tribal Land (29-19-10, NMSA, unless authorized by the governing body of the tribe or pueblo)

Interestingly, I wasn't able to find something similar on the Arizona page.


ETA: More info:

https://www.handgunlaw.us/docu...s/tribal_law_ccw.pdf

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

quote:

Originally posted by Greymann:
This video is about guns on the res.
At about 11:30 min.

Confiscated until he can prove the gun is his? Fuck them.

"At least we have a gun off the highway..." If that guy is traveling state to state for work, I seriously doubt he's the type they should be concerned about.

Natives out of all people should know very well how important firearms are for self defense. But then again, they wouldn't be on the res if they weren't disarmed.

What a couple of doofuses.

Are the reservations basically the sovereign land of another nation? Would you go to another country and bag on their laws?

When visiting my sister in New Mexico, I didn’t much care for the fact one minute is was in one jurisdiction and one minute I was in another, but that was the reality of the situation. If you can’t hang with their rules, don’t go there.

As for having a loaded handgun laying on the seat, as my daughter would say, “That is a choice.” It wouldn’t be mine. From recollection, some of the feebs were doing that going into the Miami shootout and it didn’t work out so well for them. Just my opinion, but with rare exceptions (cleaning & ?), gun belongs in holster, hand, or safe.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
Are the reservations basically the sovereign land of another nation?

Yep. It can be akin to carrying a concealed handgun into Canada.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Confiscated until he can prove the gun is his? Fuck them.

Their nation. Their laws. Don't like their laws? Don't enter their nation.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
Are the reservations basically the sovereign land of another nation? Would you go to another country and bag on their laws?

We criticize other nations' gun laws here all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Yep. It can be akin to carrying a concealed handgun into Canada.

That's not entirely clear. Rights of U.S. citizens, both tribal and non-tribal, under the U.S. Constitution, on tribal lands, seems very much a gray area.

Perhaps closer to say akin to carrying a concealed firearm into a non-shall-issue state with no reciprocity? E.g.: As a Michigan resident with a Michigan CPL, I was obliged to unload my carry piece and store both handgun and ammo in a locked container not within immediate reach from the passenger compartment before crossing into Illinois. (I think they were supposed to be separate containers. I fudged that a bit--assuming a reasonable cop would care more about intent than letter.)

I did read this: Navajo Nation Council Makes Amendment for Concealed Carry, but that was three years ago and it's vague.

I'm just South of the Navajo Nation. I do not know if there are still checkpoints on the highway as I haven't gone north for a while. I do know it is highly discouraged for non-nation individuals to go on the reservation right now. I have a friend that lives closer that way and goes to Gallup NM via Sanders AZ once a month or so, I'll check with him and get back to you, he says there are still random checkpoints on the Zuni and Navajo. The checkpoints are mainly for the Nations people to check if they have permission to leave the reservation because of work or other. If they don't work or have legitimate approved business of the res, they are restricted to base(ha).

They are still under a state of emergency and have a curfew. Here is their website for current restrictions: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/covid-19

Here is a reopening schedule that tells what is currently open and capacities (gas stations, restaurants, etc..) https://www.navajoreopening.navajo-nsn.gov/

As far as carrying a firearm. Thats a no go for open or concealed. For transportation in general I do not know if the following applies to non nation individuales, but here it is.

http://www.navajonationcouncil...on%20Codes/V0030.pdf

Navajo Code Title 17 § 320. Unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon:

quote:

A. Offense. A person commits unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon if he
or she carries a loaded firearm or any other type of deadly weapon.

B. Exceptions. Subsection (A) of this Section shall not apply to any of
the following:

1. To peace officers in the lawful discharge of their duties;
2. To persons in a private motor vehicle or other means of
conveyance, for lawful protection of the person's or another's person or
property, while traveling and such weapon is located in a closed trunk,
luggage, or glove compartment of a motor vehicle;
3. To a person in his or her residence, or on real property
belonging to such person as owner, lessee, tenant, or licensee;
4. To a person or persons carrying or discharging a firearm as an
integral part of any traditional Navajo religious practice, ceremony, or
service;
5. To persons engaged in the hunting of game or predatory animals.

Here is "General guide" to criminal jurisdiction on Tribal Lands: https://www.tribal-institute.o...sts/jurisdiction.htm

Doing a bit more digging, it looks like the Amendment to which I earlier referred was never voted on, it expired, thus it was never incorporated into Title 17 of the Navajo Nation Code.

Ref: Legislation Number 0341-18

quote:

LEGISLATION TITLE
An Act Relating to Law and Order and Naabik'iyati' Committees, and Navajo Nation Council; Amending Title 17, Section 320 of the Navajo Nation Code

LEGISLATION DESCRIPTION
The legislation amends the Navajo Nation Criminal Code, Title 17, § 320, making it unlawful for a person to carry a concealed weapon in a public building or private place and recognizing a valid tribal, state or federal license to carry a concealed weapon.

STATUS
Closed/Expired

(Note emphasis added)

Thanks for everyone who responded. My plan was to lock up the unloaded G19 in a container under the back seat in the truck and, in another lockable container, next to it, two or three loaded G19 mags. The unloaded Glock and the mags, locked in two separate containers not reachable by the driver. It's somewhat similar to the steps I take when forced to drive to California.

In light of the COVID emergency and perhaps the Nation not really being opened up in time for my trip, especially in getting up to the monument area, I'm going to postpone this portion of my trip to the Nation to another time.

I see you have decided to delay your visit there.
I must say we visited Monument Valley a few years back and it is definitely worth seeing! We drove the truck down into the valley and it was great!
Also, there is/was a great Navaho Code Talker display at, believe it or not, the Burger King in Kayenta, AZ. Worth seeing when you are able to get there...

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Confiscated until he can prove the gun is his? Fuck them.

Their nation. Their laws. Don't like their laws? Don't enter their nation.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
Are the reservations basically the sovereign land of another nation? Would you go to another country and bag on their laws?

We criticize other nations' gun laws here all the time.

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. I totally get sitting here and bagging on other nation's laws from the comfort of our keyboards. The point I was trying to make was "Would you *go there* and bag on their laws? (Perhaps while violating them)." Really not so different from your above response to Edmond, except not as eloquent as yours.

Growing up in AZ, and moving back here, all of the different reservations have one thing in common. When you enter the Rez, you just left America. The laws you are accustomed to, do not apply on the Rez. Also, that line in the video about non tribal members being transported to the nearest facility (non tribal) is bullshit. Plenty of people arrested have spent many a night in a Rez jail.
I consider the Rez the same as traveling to Mexico. I don’t. Pass through if absolutely necessary. Do the speed limit. Personally, stopping for a Rez cop... Not so sure I would without Highway Patrol (State Police) present.

That said, I just stay off the Rez. Plenty of other beautiful places to see.