NATIONAL PARK GUN BAN RULE CHANGE PROPOSAL
The Department of the Interior has proposed a change in the rule banning firearms in National Parks.
For years activists and some legislators have sought a reversal of this ill-advised and dangerous policy, only to be ignored or rebuffed by the Department.
The rule would only effect persons with licenses for concealed handguns and would still be subservient to the laws of the state where the National Park was. So, for example, a person from another state, even with a handgun license from that state, would still not be allowed to be armed in Oregon’s Crater Lake Park. There appears to be no option for open carry either, even if the state allows it.
The Department of Interior is taking comments on the rule change and we strongly recommend that you contact them. Point out that states like Oregon, which recognize no other states’ licenses would still be putting visitors at risk in Crater Lake and that National Parks are far from free of violence. In many parts of the country National Parks are a haven for drug smugglers and other criminals.
The Oregonian itself stated “Scientists must sign a statement acknowledging that the National Park Service cannot guarantee their safety from potentially dangerous persons entering the park from Mexico.”
Opponents of the rule change are trotting out the same tired arguments that have long since been proven false; “Parks are a very special place,” said Dave Uberuaga, superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park. “You don’t wear your gun into church. You should feel comfortable in a national park without carrying a concealed weapon.” Mr. Uberuaga must not read the news.
Clearly, this proposed change does not go nearly far enough.
You can make comments at the following addresses:
Federal rulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Or you can bypass the nonsense and go directly to the comments page here and here.
Or by mail at:
Public Comments Processing, Attn: 1024-AD70; Division of Policy and
Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222;
Arlington, VA 22203