Guns In Our National Parks: Part V
December 7, 2008
The debate on allowing guns in our National Parks has been heating up of late. President George w. Bush is a big advocate for overturning an almost 100 year old law to allow guns back into our National Parks, with a valid permit and some regulations regarding how they can be carried. Since GWB only has a couple more months in office, this debate is starting to heat up as many people are wondering if he will actually overturn the National Park gun laws, or wait and let the next Presidency decide.
I have followed this issue quite closely for almost a year now. You can tell by the title of this post that this is the fifth part to a series of posts on this very issue. You will be able to get the backstory momentarily, as well as the links to those previous articles.
Before we get to that point, though, there have become a couple more issues to recently come to light about allowing guns back in our National Parks. Probably the biggest issue will be the next Presidency. President-elect Barack Obama has been an advocate for MORE STRINGENT gun laws. This would seem to conflict with now President Bush’s plan for this issue. If Bush would sign this into law, it is very likely that Barack would overturn this issue. Most of us know that Mr. Obama will be doing just that to many of George W. Bush’s other measures, so why not this one as well?
In a recent AT&T/Yahoo poll, 67% of respondents FAVORED allowing loaded and concealed guns back in our National Parks. 28 % were severely against the measure and the rest were undecided. Much of this plays on the issues of safety and that it is the American people’s right to bear arms—especially in a domain that we help pay for. Is there really an argument with that issue?
Over the past few months there have been some discussions taking place. National Park rangers don’t want this measure to pass-they fear for their safety. That fear is the same fear that have many people clamboring to get something done to ALLOW these back in the parks. I have heard all the arguments on this one. What if a bear or wild animal would attack…what if you are attacked by a raged lunatic while in the wilds? To the public imagination, around every corner and crook and cranny, danger lurks. I don’t buy that argument!
The American press has a tendency to pick up on a story and explode it across the nation. Sure, there will be your wild animal encounters, and yes, people do occasionally get hurt. It is the wilds that drew us there, right? Who can complain about a bear encounter? Those that are dumb enough to be feeding them, or not taking proper measures to protect themselves and their environment. Occasionally, there will be an encounter that could not have been avoided, for those few, such as the kids we hear about that get dragged out of their tents in the middle of the night (this happens about once a year) by a bear, would a gun have made matters any better? Probably not. By that time, things are usually already to late to do anything about it.
There are only about two points that I could see in being used to allow loaded and concealed weapons into our National Parks. The biggest one is that it is our constitutional right. Every man, woman, and child in America has the right to bear arms. The second ammendment specifically gives us those rights and does not elaborate on when, where, what time, what kind of weapon, or even on what kind of land that this right is allowed. The law is vague, but it was vague for a purpose. Protection.
The second point of the argument stems around our National Park System. Many people will go back to Teddy Roosevelt as the founding father of the NPS. For those that have done some reading about Teddy, you would know that he was definitely a war hero, statesman, conservation advocate, and lover of the outdoors. You should also know that he was a hunter.
No matter how you look at it, guns in our National Parks will continue to be a big issue throughout the next few months. Am I for or against it? I have set forth the arguments from both sides to educate you on the issue at bay. It is YOUR decision to take YOUR stance. Whichever way you believe, whichever way you feel inclined to supporting, I recommend contacting your local, state, and national lawmakers and let your voices be heard.
UPDATE>>> Those of you against this measure were to slow. I now see that President George w. Bush has signed the measure lessening gun laws in our National Parks. Click this article just published from News Week.
What is your reaction to this news? You may make your voices heard in the comments section below. Please be respectful to others opinions and know that this is a family-friendly site.--JAH
From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Gun Laws, Guns in National Parks, National Parks |
I don’t have a problem with it. Last time I checked the parks were still a part of America and the United States. I don’t see any reason a free, law abiding citizen should have to check their rights at the door to take advantage of public facilities.