Weapons at Diggins

We have been getting a lot of questions about weapons at Diggins, so we'll try to explain what exactly is going on:

State Parks has a draft weapons use policy in review. However, we are not currently implementing it until it is finalized. None of these comments are concerned with that policy.

However, last August, we received orders from HQ which stated that "Effective immediately, all staff, volunteers, and special event participants who have access to or possess a firearm or ammunition on Department property must be pre-screened for any of the convictions specified in the state's gun control statutes to comply with state law. California law does not contain an exception for antique firearms or ammunition use and possession."
It goes on further: "For the purpose of this memorandum a "firearm" is defined as "any device, designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled through a barrel a projectile by the force of any explosion or other form of combustion"
What does all of this mean? It means that if you carry a weapon at Diggins, you need to be pre-screened for felony convictions.

Now, that is where we have some trouble. Because we cannot afford to fingerprint all participants, (it works out to about $50 per volunteer) we are limiting the people we fingerprint to current, active volunteers at Columbia. This is defined as those folks who present programs here year-round, and contribute 96 hours a year or more.

We have been asked:
What if I pay for the fingerprinting? This doesn't work, because the reporting agency is also charged by DOJ, directly, for the criminal check.

What if I have been fingerprinted for another job? Also doesn't work, because your other job is the reporting agency, not us. The information is confidential and can't be passed between agencies.

What if I have been fingerprinted at another park in the state park system? This WILL work! Just give us the name of your docent coordinator, and we can coordinate. However, not everyone has been fingerprinted yet, and probably won't be in time for Diggins this year. But be patient, because in the future this will be a workable solution.

What if my gun is a designed to be non-operational replica? This is ok. Under the definition above, if it wasn't DESIGNED to be used as a weapon. . . it wouldn't fall under the definition of a firearm. However, please talk to us about this ahead of time. A firearm that doesn't fire anymore because you took out some of the parts, or has rusted closed, was still designed as a firearm so it is not exempt.

We thank you very much for your patience. Some of you who will not be able to carry this year, may be permitted next year, as things get smoothed out. We are trying the very best we can to keep the program at a professional level and meet all of the required rules and regulations that will allow us to continue.

Thanks for working with us!