End: Ban on firearms in national parks
The Associated Press and NewWest.net are reporting that President Bush signed a National Park Service rule that eased the ban on firearms in National Parks.
From NewWest.net:
Bush Comes Through for the NRA on National Park Gun Rule
Bush administration fires parting shot, allowing visitors in most National Parks to carry concealed, loaded guns.
By Bill Schneider, 12-05-08As expected, the Bush Administration has officially loosened up rules governing taking guns into national parks.
The final rule is, according to opponents, significantly stronger than the rule proposed earlier this year. The final rule allows visitors to carry concealed, loaded guns into wildlife refuges and 388 out of the 391 national park units in 48 states.
As originally proposed, the rule would apply only to states that allowed concealed, loaded guns in state parks, but the final rule expands it to any state allowing concealed gun permits, but only for people with concealed carry permits. The rule essentially allows individuals to carry concealed firearms in most national parks and wildlife refuges to the same extent they can lawfully do so under state law.
The administrative rule overturns a Reagan-era rule requiring firearms to be unloaded and not easily accessible, such as in a car trunk.
In an Associated Press story, Assistant Interior Secretary Lyle Laverty said the new rule respects a long tradition of states and the federal government working together on natural resource issues.
He also said that the approach is in line with rules adopted by the federal Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
The National Rifle Association (NRA), which led efforts to weaken the rule, hailed the change. “We are pleased that the Interior Department recognizes the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families while enjoying America’s national parks and wildlife refuges,†said Chris W. Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist.
The rule also restores the rights of law-abiding gun owners and makes federal law consistent with the state where the lands are located, Cox added.
However, four nonprofit organizations, including the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA) and three groups representing current and retired park employees, strongly disagreed with the new rule, saying it will lead to confusion for visitors, rangers and other law enforcement agencies.
“Once again, political leaders in the Bush administration have ignored the preferences of the American public by succumbing to political pressure, in this case generated by the National Rifle Association,†said Bill Wade, president of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, in a joint press release sent out by the four groups today.
“This regulation will put visitors, employees and precious resources of the National Park System at risk,†Wade said. “We will do everything possible to overturn it and return to a commonsense approach to guns in national parks that has been working for decades.â€
According to a press release sent out by the four groups, the Bush Administration received almost 140,000 comments, the vast majority of which opposed the proposal to allow loaded guns in national parks.
“With this decision, many state parks across the country will now provide a more protective environment for wildlife and visitors than national parks—once the safest place for families,†blasted Bryan Faehner of NPCA. “Furthermore, this decision undermines the ability of national park professionals to manage the parks and runs counter to the overwhelming majority of Americans who wrote in opposition to allowing loaded firearms in our national parks.â€
The park rule will be published in the Federal Register next week and take effect 30 days later, well before President-elect Barrack Obama takes office on Jan. 20. Overturning the rule could take months or even years, since it would require the new administration to restart the lengthy rule-making process.
From the Associated Press:
New rule eases ban on firearms in national parks
By MATTHEW DALY
WASHINGTON (AP) — People will now be able to carry concealed firearms in some national parks and wildlife refuges.
An Interior Department rule issued Friday allows an individual to carry a loaded weapon in a park or wildlife refuge — but only if the person has a permit for a concealed weapon, and if the state where the park or refuge is located also allows loaded firearms in parks.
The rule overturns a Reagan-era regulation that has restricted loaded guns in parks and wildlife refuges. The previous regulations required that firearms be unloaded and placed somewhere that is not easily accessible, such as in a car trunk.
Assistant Interior Secretary Lyle Laverty said the new rule respects a long tradition of states and the federal government working together on natural resource issues.
The regulation allows individuals to carry concealed firearms in federal parks and wildlife refuges to the same extent they can lawfully do so under state law, Laverty said, adding that the approach is in line with rules adopted by the federal Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Those agencies let visitors carry weapons consistent with applicable federal and state laws.
The National Rifle Association hailed the rule change, which will take effect next month before President-elect Barack Obama takes office.
“We are pleased that the Interior Department recognizes the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families while enjoying America’s national parks and wildlife refuges,” said Chris W. Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist.
The rule will restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners on federal lands and make federal law consistent with the state where the lands are located, Cox said. The NRA led efforts to change gun regulations they called inconsistent and unclear.
A group representing park rangers, retirees and conservation organizations said the rule change will lead to confusion for visitors, rangers and other law enforcement agencies.
“Once again, political leaders in the Bush administration have ignored the preferences of the American public by succumbing to political pressure, in this case generated by the National Rifle Association,” said Bill Wade, president of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees.
“This regulation will put visitors, employees and precious resources of the National Park System at risk. We will do everything possible to overturn it and return to a commonsense approach to guns in national parks that has been working for decades,” Wade said.
The park rule will be published in the Federal Register next week and take effect 30 days later, well before Obama takes office Jan. 20. Overturning the rule could take months or even years, since it would require the new administration to restart the lengthy rule-making process.