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U.S. Senator To Make Bid to Allow National Park Visitors to Carry Guns

Feb 4th - 11:26am | Anonymous

Our right to self defense as a Person, a state, as a nation is inate. Our right to arm ourself is also inate, and constitutionally protected under the second amendant. Our constitutional rights are protected under Federal law. Namely Title 18 chapter 13 sec 242. If we as a person, dont have the right to arm ourselves then niether do all policemen.

Feb 4th - 07:49am | Teddy Mather

"the point is that even in the hands of law-abiding citizens, people end up dying from senseless gun violence. Source, please."

Feb 4th - 00:01am | Anonymous

If you feel you need protection from the wild animals in a National Park, then stay home. One purpose of the parks is to protect those animals. If you think you might need to shot one, stay away.

Feb 3rd - 18:18pm | Mark

If national parks are such safe places, why are many park rangers now carrying handguns? Criminals love places where honest citizens are not allowed to be armed; it makes their job so much easier!

Feb 3rd - 17:52pm | Anonymous

I think its a good thing to allow citizens the right to carry firearms of their choice in parks to protect themselves from 2 AND 4 legged predators. Our National Parks are nothing less than another "Gun Free Zone" where 2 legged predators are free to attack people that are guaranteed to be defenseless under current law.

Feb 3rd - 17:00pm | Montanan

Well, it might interest some of you to know that 47 senators have asked the NPS to conform to the gun laws of the state(s) in which a park is located. Quote: "why would anyone going to a park want or need to carry a weapon[?]" Well, for the same reasons that one would want or need a gun in any other area: for protection from criminals and wild animals.

Feb 3rd - 15:18pm | Art

Criminals will carry and misuse guns regardless of the law. All gun bans do is disarm law abiding citizens leaving them vulnerable. I applaud Senator Coburn for his common sense when it comes to these issues. Keep it up Senator.

Feb 3rd - 14:55pm | Anonymous

"the point is that even in the hands of law-abiding citizens, people end up dying from senseless gun violence. Source, please.

Feb 3rd - 14:16pm | Teddy Mather

Comparing matches to guns is the most asinine statement I think I've ever read. Matches have several uses -- guns have 1 use: to kill. That is what they were created for. The point isn't for "irresponsible people" who would ignore laws anyway; the point is that even in the hands of law-abiding citizens, people end up dying from senseless gun violence.

Feb 3rd - 13:22pm | Fred Miller

My views haven't changed on this issue. Read my other posts. I am NOT an arsonist. But I do carry matches. Do you want to ban those too? Legal gun-owners don't poach nor do they indiscriminately shoot at anything they see. You're thinking of those irresponsible people who ignore laws and regulations anyway.

Feb 3rd - 13:08pm | Anonymous

You would think these people would learn from all the tragedies that are caused by guns.

Feb 3rd - 13:01pm | Anonymous

You're right. It's absolutely insane to carry a firearm miles from civilization. The mountain lions won't hurt you. Unless they do.

Feb 3rd - 12:57pm | Anonymous

For those who only stop at park visitor centers or for lunch at a roadside picnic area, guns may have little or no utility. For those who enjoy hiking or camping, particularly in the more remote areas of parks, a gun might provide welcome protection from predators of both the two- and four-legged variety.

Feb 3rd - 12:56pm | Anonymous

I hope Coburn is able to get this done. I live in an area surrounded by National Parks and it in inconvenient and I think dangerous to the citizenry to ban firearms. As shown by the fact that state concealed carry laws have not resulted in mayhem as the Fraternal Order of Police and other anti-gun groups warned, the law abiding public can be trusted.

Feb 3rd - 12:50pm | Anonymous

This is beyond belief. The National Park System is just that....it's a park...created for the enjoyment of natural beauty by everyone: young, old, Mom and Dad, Gramps & Gram's, family outings, friends, camping, hiking, y'all git the picture.

Feb 3rd - 12:50pm | John Wallace

Criminals are going to break the law no matter what law is put in place. If poachers are wanting to poach they will poach. If armed robbers want to threaten people at gun point to rob them, guess what they are going to use?

Feb 3rd - 12:41pm | Mark from KY

This is great news! Good for the Senator.

Feb 3rd - 12:19pm | JoeSF

Thank you Senator Coburn for introducing common sense legislation concerning firearms for the National Parks. I applaud you.

Feb 3rd - 11:28am | James Curzio

I sent the comments below to the Senator. Please take the time to send your comments to the Senator as well. It can make a difference. Senator,

Feb 3rd - 07:49am | Anonymous

Only a crazy man would introduce that kind of law.

Feb 2nd - 20:38pm | Anonymous

This amendment is a really bad idea, Its hard to beleive that someone would be stupid enough to even consider this. Just what we need is another gun fanatic to make things worse for the general public. You would think these people would learn from all the tragedies that are caused by guns.

Feb 2nd - 19:53pm | Anonymous

First of all, if someone is in a National park to poach wildlife this bill will not bother them at all, They are there to break the law what do they care about anyone who may be legally carrying a weapon. Have you people been living under a rock or what ? Most people who carry guns legally don't go around flashing them like some school kid, I think most of you people need a reality check .

Master Craftsmen Restoring 18th Century House That Survived the Civil War

Feb 4th - 10:48am | Anonymous

This is an extraordinary example of a public /private partnership. Without the collaboration of the FSNMP and the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield the restoration would likely not be a reality. Hats off to all!

Senators Pushing To Allow Concealed Weapons in National Parks

Feb 4th - 07:12am | Debbie

I'll keep this simple-I never even thought of carrying a concealed weapon until I heard about the lone girl hiking with her dog in Georgia. Some nut kills her for no reason other than he is a psycho nut. If she had a right to carry she could have defended herself against this nut. She is just one example of the many. How sad for her family.

Winter Visits to the National Parks

Feb 3rd - 02:22am | jsmacdonald

I wrote about the rest of my recent winter trip into Yellowstone about an hour ago. While swimming in the boiling river was fantastic fun, this was anything but fun. It raises serious concerns about the cost of our winter treks into parks like Yellowstone and the lengths sometimes gone to for making it possible for us.

Jan 29th - 13:54pm | pkrnger

I can highly recommend a winter visit to Carlsbad Caverns. Although the bats are gone, so are the summer crowds. The silence while strolling slowly down into the Natural Entrance to the cave along the dimly backlit self-guided trail is overpowering.

Jan 29th - 09:20am | jsmacdonald

Well, that is the Boiling River, a thermal run off which flows into the Gardner River. In the pools where the run-off meets the Gardner, over tiny little waterfalls, the water is as warm as bath water. Now, it was cold getting in and out! However, while you were in it, it was really like the most wonderful bath ever.

Jan 29th - 08:32am | Anonymous

Jim, skinny dipping in mid-winter? You folks bring out the hardiness of life that's good for the soul...I love your spirit! Thanks for sharing the family.

Jan 29th - 07:15am | jsmacdonald

Kurt, I actually packed both my long johns and my swimsuit on our Sunday drive into Yellowstone. We actually posted some pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/GenevieveandRiver/YellowstoneWinter2008 .

‘Study Group’ Meets to Determine fate of Yellowstone National Park’s East Entrance

Feb 2nd - 21:57pm | jsmacdonald

It's because I haven't given up hope that I don't accept the false dilemma. It's the deepest form of cynicism to believe that other people (even those who claim they want to work from the ground up) need to be champions for us to give us a voice in the process.

Feb 2nd - 20:22pm | Anonymous

Jim, it's your generation that shouldn't give up hope for change. With Obama there is hope for change. Don't give up so easily!

Feb 2nd - 19:15pm | jsmacdonald

And, the choice that Anonymous provides us is the false dilemma that so many people content with themselves. That false dilemma is why the closed door meetings about Sylvan Pass, wars in far off places, and health care - decisions on which affect how you and I live are lives - happen without our input.

Feb 1st - 09:48am | Anonymous

Looking for a voice in government then vote for: Obama! Want the war machine to exist...then it's McCain! Do you want a cleaner and greener environment then vote for: OBAMA!

Jan 31st - 21:29pm | jsmacdonald

Why do you believe that the vote in November could possibly make a difference on this particular issue?

Jan 31st - 17:32pm | p.scott rattermann

budget cuts have hit everyone somewhere at sometime. it takes better times to support the minority. want better times? november is right around the corner, exercise your right.

Strange Bedfellows: The National Park Service and the American Recreation Coalition

Jan 31st - 11:41am | KSJEn91

Being the co-owner of a four wheeled vehicle that can and often does off road when ever possible in designated park areas, I feel that if my vehicle was polluting the very same places that I enjoy visiting (as much as possible year round), then I don't need my vehicle anymore. It's just that easy.

Jan 30th - 18:59pm | Lars

...."top Interior Department officials -- including the assistant secretary who presides over the national parks -- are preparing to gather in warm, sunny Arizona on Friday to dedicate the "Outdoor Recreation Village" in Glendale...."

Jan 30th - 09:30am | Bill Wade

Another excellent and provocative post, Kurt. There is one point of good news...I think the cozying up of ARC to NPS and vice-versa has diminished measurably under the current Director, compared to her predecessor. But there is still too much of it! Bill Wade Chair, Executive Council Coalition of National Park Service Retirees

Jan 30th - 08:35am | Art Allen

NPT has opened a serious theme for discussion. The NPS has undertaken a commendable process of seeking out and rounding up partners, cooperators, friends, foundations, local governing bodies, in a noble effort to secure support for park fiscal needs and activities.

It's Time to Book Your Summer National Park Vacation

Jan 31st - 10:24am | MRC

Petrified Forest NP has no accomodation, whatsoever, not even a campground. And outside of the park, there are very limited resources, too. When I got there a few years ago, I simply applied for a backcountry permit, caried my sleeping bag, about half a gallon of water and some fruits one mile from the road and out of sight into the hills, and slept under the stars in the desert.

Jan 31st - 09:21am | repanshek

Excellent suggestion! Along with Voyageurs, other parks that don't draw the heavy crowds include Isle Royale, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Kings Canyon, North Cascades, and Petrified Forest. And don't forget the national lakeshores, such as Apostle Islands, Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Pictured Rocks and Indiana Dunes.

Jan 31st - 09:15am | Voyageurs Natio...

One way to stay spontaneous but still have a great national park experience is simply to avoid the most popular parks during their most popular times. There are wonderful national park units throughout the country that don't ever get the crowds that Yellowstone and Yosemite do. Others are only crowded at certain times.

Jan 31st - 08:20am | Anonymous

kurt- i find it slightly amusing that the exact next post after the ARC questioning is one telling people to get booking with xanterra. it's not "backcountry permits reservations open" or "slough creek is going to book" it's support the bigger businesses in the park! however, i am just giving you a hard time, keep up the good work.

Using Controlled Burns To Manage Stones River National Battlefield

Jan 30th - 07:40am | jr_ranger

That's an awesome photo.

Jan 29th - 16:51pm | Anonymous

In many areas of this country you can ask Pheasants Forever or Quail Unlimited for help with a prescribed burn and reseeding the burned area.

NPS Snowmobile Plan for Yellowstone, Grand Teton Bucks Science, the Public, and Itself

Jan 29th - 16:42pm | Cher

I have had the privilege of visiting Yellowstone on snowmobile twice. I love this trip. There are no crowds, it's like having a private pass to the park. I have to admit, before I went on the trip, I was ambivalent. I'm a conservationist at heart, so I was leaning toward the snowmobile ban. Now, I have to say that I support the limited use.

The Insanity Behind the Christmas Mountains Sale

Jan 29th - 07:21am | jr_ranger

Mr. Patterson should be removed from office. The State of Texas agreed when the land was donated to it that the land would be preserved as a state park. Now, Texas (read: Ye Old Land Commissioner) is going back in its word.

How Many Tourists are Too Many in the Yosemite Valley?

Jan 28th - 21:58pm | Rick Deutsch

Mark,

Rocky Mountain National Park Officials Select "Lethal Reduction" To Help Reduce Elk Herd--Updated

Jan 28th - 09:37am | Jay Ryser

Or, in retrospect, another solution could be possible. Perhaps it's not the elk that are the problem here. It's the encroachment of civilization. We'll barricade highways 36 & 34. Nobody else gets in, just out.

Jan 28th - 09:28am | Jay Ryser

I have mixed feelings about many of the elements here. On one hand, after speaking with many locals in Estes park, I understand that the elk population is out of control, that they can be a nuisance, and even dangerous to the locals (calving in people's gardens and attacking the resident who is unaware of their presence).

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