We Must Keep Guns Out of National Parks
The National Rifle Association is actively trying to make our national parks less safe.
A dangerous gun amendment has been attached to the "Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009" by U.S Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK). The rider would force the National Park Service to permit the carrying of loaded guns in parks, battlefields, monuments, historic sites and wilderness areas. Previously, visitors were required to keep guns stored and unloaded when traveling through these national treasures to protect everyone's safety.
Senator Coburn's (R-OK) amendment would allow individuals to openly carry assault rifles, handguns and shotguns in National Parks if the firearm is in compliance with state law. Permitting loaded guns in our national parks poses a threat to wildlife, visitors, and park rangers.
Attaching this amendment to the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009 is an underhanded tactic being used by the NRA. It's time our members of Congress stopped pandering to the gun lobby every time a piece of pro-gun legislation comes up for a vote that endangers our citizens and weakens public safety.
The U.S. House of Representatives will be voting on this bill this
week. We must let them know now that loaded guns have no place in our
National Parks.
Read an Opposing Views from the Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners on Verge of Huge Right to Carry Victory
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With at least 99.9% of all gun owners already obeying all existing gun laws , why in God's name do you think that they would suddenly "go bad" just because they drive across a line to enter a Federal or State park? Criminals already carry their guns into the parks and prey on those law abiding citizens because they can be reasonably assured they are defenseless. When people are beaten to death in their homes, do we suddenly cry out for a ban on baseball bats? Concealed carry weapons have consistently brought down crime levels in the states that allow them.
I hate to tell you this, but people already carry guns in national parks. Bad guys do it so they can prey on "legally disarmed" targets; good guys do it because they understand that their personal security is their responsibility. The only real difference this law will make is that now the good guys won't be prosecuted for doing what bad guys will do no matter what the law may be. Gun prohibition only harms those who want to obey "laws" to begin with.
This law was foolish, If you have the proper permit to carry a weapon in the state where the park is located, you should be able to carry in the park as well. Law enforcement officials would be the first to tell you that they are not prepared to be able to respond in time to defend citizens. They only show up later to investigate, and document what happened. I've personally came face to face with bears and mountain lions in federal parks. If they wanted to take my life, they easily could have. I'm now legally armed, and have a concealed carry permit. I will now be packing in parks. Looks like the Gov't is finally getting it right.
In the meantime, stop infringing the rights of the law abiding who will obey such a mindless rule.
National Parks have become a favorite place for drug gangs to grow drug crops.
They are already criminals and don't mind adding illegal weapons to their crime .
These criminals, and many other things represent a danger to the public and this can be reduced by allowing law -abiding gun owners to carry under the exact same -- an now proven safe in over 40 states -- conditions as we do elsewhere in that particular state.
Allowing the law abiding to carry arms has over and over again proven to reduce violent crime and has always failed to lead to "blood in the streets" or whatever dire prediction the gun control lie has offered.