Guns in National Parks? What’s Your View?

April 30, 2008

The debate for less restrictions on gun laws in national parks has been going on for well over a year. Some say that an increase in weapons in the park system could spark more crime, but gun lobbyists say that it is only right that they should have the same laws in national parks as they do on the streets. Plus, if concealed weapons are allowed, lobbyists actually say crime might drop if everyone is allowed to carry.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is looking for public input on this very issue. Over the next few days a list of new ‘proposed rules’ allowing guns in the national parks will be posted. The National Rifle Association and 51 senators have urged a review of current statutes in regards to gun laws in national parks. They say that current rules should come in accordance with state statutes on this issue, rather than seperate rules and regulations for different areas.

This is all bound to spark even greater debate in the outdoors circles and will force the issue to get a closer look at the public’s input. Dirk Kempthorne’s list of rules will be up for 60 days. During that time, the public is urged to show their support for, or against, the newly proposed gun laws by commenting.

These new rules will be placed on the federal register at www.doi.gov

The Outside Blog states the the newly proposed rules would allow the public to carry concealed weapons in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, if the states in question currently allow this practice on public lands-of which, 48 of them do.

With the National Rifle Association and 51 Senators backing this new proposal, it will be interesting to see exactly how much of the public supports these new measures. Backpacker Magazine, who will be running the results of a poll on this exact same topic in their next issue, has already publicly released the results saying that 74% of their readers oppose these new measures, while 26% agree. It is not known to myself how many took part in this poll.

What is known is that for any thoughts on this issue you may have, the government is now looking to hear from you. What are your thoughts on this issue? Should the public be allowed to carry concealed weapons in the National Parks? What are your reasonings? Make a comment and let us know!

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