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A Sad Sign of the Times: NPS Promotes Body Armor Options To Rangers

Apr 10th - 02:21am | MRC

The parks are the same sanctuaries as they have always been. Only the public perception of fear has changed. There are no gunfights in the park, no armed gangs lurking for backcountry hikers. I don't have access to any archive of the "morning reports", but how often are rangers shot at? Like never?

Apr 10th - 00:42am | Joel

Deep breaths now....ahhh. I stated many many times on this site, and for some reason, people feel the need to sensationalize without thinking about what they're saying. This proposed rule change WILL NOT allow any ol' Joe to bring a gun into the park.

Apr 9th - 18:52pm | fhasti

Yes it is a bad sign of the times Kurt. Once upon a time our national parks where sanctuaries set aside by people with vision and forethought. Their intent I'm sure had something to do with preserving the wild and beautiful places in our country so that others would be able to enjoy those same wild and beautiful places many generations later.

Apr 8th - 16:58pm | repanshek

Credence, Fred? I know you've got my back if it ever comes to that.

Apr 8th - 16:49pm | Fred Miller

Good points Kurt. I will carry in the backwoods no matter what. I just hate to think that I am a "criminal" if I do so. For me, I have made the decision to provide a Ranger any assistance I can if the situation ever arises. I hate to think our Rangers need body armor because they might encounter a poacher, a "coyote", or a drug dealer. I hope this attitude gives me a little credence.

Apr 8th - 16:30pm | repanshek

You know Fred, in the long run how this issue will be resolved is out of our hands and I've just been interested, primarily, in the debate.

Apr 8th - 16:29pm | Joel

LOL...sad sign of the times? That is a joke. The Rangers are the ones talking about how they need to be armed for crowd control. Are they afraid we're going to speak out against their dictatorship? Why don't they just put us in helmets, boxing gloves, shackles, straight jackets and muzzles as we go through the park? Isn't that the only way we can truly be safe from one another?

Apr 8th - 16:12pm | Fred Miller

Kurt, you said: "And is it merely coincidence that the following release comes as top Interior Department officials are moving to allow more guns in the national parks?" My question is: "Who is going to be carrying these more guns? Answer: Good guys like me and the other 5 million CCW holders in our country.

Apr 8th - 15:35pm | RangerTyler

I think there is no relationship between the body armor and recently proposed legislation to restore Second Amendment rights to law abiding national park visitors. If there is empirical evidence otherwise, please share. Sign of the times? Absolutely. Storm troopers in national parks show that our country has devolved to a police state.

Apr 8th - 13:45pm | Anonymous

I believe in the 2nd amendment. The rangers, in NP cannot protect us legally-armed citizen. You just do not have enough rangers (Congressional fault). If I can pass the test for a carry permit, why can't I carry? I have never had a gun go off accidentally, like the latest "armed" pilot. I still would like to know what stupid stunt that pilot was performing.

Lake Powell Expected to Rise 50 Feet This Summer

Apr 10th - 02:14am | MRC

"The science" has already spoken. Now it's up to the media, the politicians and of course the public to understand the interdependencies: Global warming means more energy in the climate system (as heat is energy, any rising of the medium temperature puts more energy in the system). More energy in a system dos not necessarily mean that all temperatures will rise.

Apr 9th - 10:26am | Anonymous

First we blame the lack of precip to climate change, then we blame too much on climate change. I am about to throw up. And using a single data point (one season's snow fall) to either prove or disprove any theory is scientifically bankrupt. Let the science drive the conclusions!

Apr 9th - 07:20am | Bob Janiskee

Climate change is incredibly complicated. In fact, atmospheric scientists have pretty much quit saying that climate change is “more complicated than we know” and are now admitting that it is “more complicated than we will EVER know.” Are the fluctuating water levels of Lake Powell and some other western impoundments "indicators” of long-term changes in the regional or global climate?

Apr 9th - 06:12am | Anonymous

"...possibly an indicator of climate change." Ya think? When it rains, that is climate change. When it doesn't rain, that is climate change, too. Is this some kind of sleeper signal to the alien tinfoil hat crowd? Seems too inane on the surface.

Apr 7th - 10:43am | brendabrn

Unbelievable! We are now lamenting the natural flow of snow-pack to river, & the attitude that we need to intervene in natural processes to make it 'easier' for visitors. This makes me gag.

Elevated Sulphur Dioxide Levels Prompt Closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Apr 9th - 22:06pm | crazylife99

We were on the Big Island in October of last year. You could definitely notice the "vog", as it's called, over the Kona side of the island.

Former National Park Service Directors Urge Interior Secretary To Keep Guns Out of Parks

Apr 9th - 21:24pm | Rick Smith

I suggest that Ranger Tyler, if he doesn't like the ANPR take on guns, present himself as a candidate for a leadership position in the organization. He is making the same argument that others make when they say if you don't want guns in parks, amend the second amendment. Give me a break. Rick Smith

Apr 9th - 01:02am | Fred Miller

This statement would be valid if we had the same metal detectors in the National Parks that we do at airports and public buildings. Don't even think about getting me started on "gun-free" schools. I feel stronger about that than I do about carrying in the Parks.

Apr 7th - 16:29pm | RangerTyler

Joel has driven the point home.

Apr 5th - 16:56pm | Joel

It's good to see that so many people haven't read the proposed legislation again. This "rule change" would only allow those people who YOUR STATE has already determined have passed the necessary courses in order to carry a weapon on their person.

Apr 4th - 14:44pm | Fred Miller

With permission, I quote "Anonymous" who said it much better than I can:

Apr 4th - 13:43pm | RangerJim

There is no absolute in any law. If we want to take the 2nd Amendment argument to legal extremes, we would be encouraging children to bring guns to school, and everyone else to carry weapons into government buildings, bars, etc. But this is outlandish, and the law clearly prohibits these actions, just as it prohibits loaded weapons in national parks.

Apr 4th - 12:30pm | Anonymous

Well said, Kurt. Let's hope the NRA isn't able to push guns into our treasured national parks. The NRA is trying to create a society where gun-owners' rights trump the rights of all other Americans. The gun lobby apparently doesn't care if this results in more gun violence - we are told that is not even a consideration.

Park Lands For Sale: Can the National Park Service Afford Them?

Apr 9th - 14:15pm | Kath

Your headline is misleading. It's not "Park" lands that are for sale. It's private lands that the NPS would like to buy.

Apr 9th - 07:35am | Anonymous

Just take a look at a photo in the Civil War Preservation Trust's report on endangered battlefields that Kurt wrote about earlier...it's for sale sign that exclaims in giant letters "HISTORIC BATTLEFIELD FOR SALE"

Apr 8th - 20:21pm | Siskiwit

Kurt,

Apr 8th - 18:19pm | ReBecca

The Pitcock Rosillos Ranch that borders Big Bend National Park has been for sale for quite some time now. That piece of land would be wonderful for the park to acquire. Unfortunately it is priced out of their budget (out of anyones budget realistically). Its too bad.

Judge Gives Two Sides Additional Week to Resolve Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Issue

Apr 8th - 16:16pm | Anonymous

What you failed to mention was that the DOW and AudubonSociety are poart of the negotiation group that is supposed to be resolving this situation. Too bad that they weren't getting everything that they wanted, since this is what precipitated the lawsuit, but that is what negotiations are for.

Apr 8th - 15:57pm | Jon

This whole "compromise" is complete bull. No input has been given by those who actually live or make a living on these islands. DoW and Audubon are not looking to "compromise" anything. They are looking to shut the islands off from any and all human activity that can't be walked in.

Apr 8th - 15:39pm | RangerTyler

"Driving rights"? I must have missed that part of the Constitution in my ConLaw class. Perhaps it's time for an ammendment...

Apr 8th - 15:16pm | Breck Smith

I been driving on these beaches since 1974 and they are taking our beach to drive on away little by little.The NPS has more than enough roped off for the birds and turtles on these beaches and in my opinion they have to much roped off and not enough ORV access already.I hope the judge thinks hard about what a blow this will be to the economy in Eastern NC if our driving rights are even (Serverl

Apr 8th - 14:54pm | Anonymous

It is truely sad to me that because of the lack of action on the part of the NPS to create a long term solution (as mandated 30 years ago) they left the door open for DOW and Audobon to sue for a complete closure of the points and spits at the beach.

Apr 8th - 14:51pm | Anonymous

On an earlier posting readers were directed to a information piece provided by the Southern Environmental Law Center explaining the reason for their current litigation. http://www.southernenvironment.org/cases/hatteras/index.htm

Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West

Apr 8th - 14:35pm | Lone Hiker

Exotic species is certainly a more appropriate designation than invasive, as the desert wild horses have demonstrated none of the prototypical biological characteristics that would warrant the invasive label to be laid on their doorstep. But based on the history of critter solely as established within the author's writings, exotic isn't quite a fair or accurate designation either.

Man Drowns During Rafting Trip Through Grand Canyon National Park

Apr 7th - 13:06pm | Kevin Eddy

I ran Hance the day after the accident. The water was HUGE. We had heard about a death the day before. I also heard from another group that the man who died was complaining of chest pains and was dizzy the night before.

Senators Pushing To Allow Concealed Weapons in National Parks

Apr 7th - 13:05pm | Lone Hiker

I must assume your comments were pointed in my direction due to your poor reference to my user ID. The only item that should confound you is your and many other posters to these gun issues lack of original thought regarding methods of self-defense.

Apr 6th - 20:04pm | Anonymous

Your lack on understanding confounds me. You must live in a shell and never be exposed to the real world if you don't believe the necessity of self defense and firearms. Maybe you will turn up as one the the "lone hikers" found to be the victim of crime on a hiking trail with no way of defending yourself.

Should Uranium Mining Be Allowed Outside Grand Canyon National Park?

Apr 7th - 11:15am | Harold J. One F...

I agree with you to a point: Extractive Energy Sources such as uranium mining also produce air pollution in their logistics, i.e., ore extraction, ore processing, ore transport.

Body Found Below South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park

Apr 7th - 05:49am | Anonymous

Condors are an asset to nature. Often misunderstood, they play a major role in keeping "Mother Nature" clean!

Would a Change in Gun Laws Be a Threat to National Park Bears?

Apr 6th - 23:29pm | Anonymous

Its not up to you as to who can have a gun in the park, it's a matter of my right to have a gun!

Violent Deaths in the National Parks

Apr 6th - 14:01pm | Fred Miller

Nicely said Hallie.

Apr 6th - 04:01am | Hallie

Citizens can always count on wisdom and swift justice from Big Brother. Right? But, oh-by-the-way, some "public land" isn't safe for law abiding citizens because criminals are permitted to reign supreme. Still, it is against the law for law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm in a National Park. Personal interest ahead of the law, you say? No. A right.

Park History: Isle Royale National Park

Apr 6th - 11:04am | dharma bum

Paul Gruchow included a beautiful essay in his collection "Boundary Waters: Grace of the Wild" about hiking Isle Royale. I would highly recommend it, whether or not you have visited or wish to visit the National Park.

Apr 4th - 16:06pm | Michelle

Find time and visit this enchanting and wild Isle. You will never see a more spectacular shade of blue than you will witness from Look- out- Louise as you view Lake Superior. Raspberry Island with its wildflowers and bogs makes one imagine that's how the earth would might have smelled on the first day of creation........clean healthy earthy!

Segways in the National Parks: Do We Really Need Them?

Apr 5th - 19:56pm | Mark

Walking is beter for you, of course. It seems that you'd have to watch the trail constantly rather than lifting your head and eyes to view the sights around you on a bike trail. No? Except for those with bad knees, back, etc., why? What's the point of it?

Who Visits Alaska's National Parks?

Apr 5th - 07:49am | Josie

I'm trying to hit all of the national parks. I'm a big passport buff. Been at it for 10 years now and for Christmas upgraded to the new large passport. For information on Alaska National Parks see: http://www.ouramericanparks.com/Alaska-National-Parks.html

Battle Mounts Over Off-Road Vehicles at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Apr 4th - 21:00pm | Anonymous

I couldn't agree more with Jimmy, my wife and I have been visiting Hatteras for the last couple years and it is now a mandatory vacationing spot. To close the beaches to all ORV traffic is just ridiculous not to mention the economic impact on all the local business. One more point before I go, these people that are saying that the ORV's are leaking oil on the beach..

GAO Finds Fault With Management Plan For Yellowstone National Park Bison

Apr 4th - 18:55pm | Pronghorn

Marylander, making the park larger would likely never fly in these here parts--the guvmint is already an unwelcomed intruder. Parks are more restrictive than other public lands (no huntin' or trappin' or rippin' it up on ATVs & snowmobiles in national parks).

Appellate Court Rules Against Yosemite National Park

Apr 4th - 17:27pm | Mark

There is a blind faith sentiment from many of the public and media to believe the National Park Service when they make eloquent and lofty environmental statements. When such statements come from Yosemite's Park Spokesman, Scott Gediman, the public wants to trust that they mean well that that there is no hidden agenda.

Groups Sue Cape Hatteras National Seashore Over ORV Traffic

Apr 4th - 12:56pm | Mr Bovine Ordure

I've been coming down to the Outer Banks every year save one since 1965. Hatteras Island for the last 15 years. We always got a house very close to the southern edge of Avon. To date, I've never seen anyone doing donuts, or driving recklessly (On the beach.... highway 12 might be another matter).

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