New Rule Imminent Regarding Right-to-Carry in National Parks

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New Rule Imminent Regarding Right-to-Carry in National Parks

http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/NewsReleases.aspx?ID=10651



Bush Administration to Propose New Rule Regarding Right-to-Carry in National Parks

Friday, February 22, 2008

Fairfax, Va. - At the request of the Bush Administration and 51 members of the United States Senate led by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prohibition of firearms on agency land will be revised in the following weeks. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is leading the effort to amend the existing policy regarding the carrying and transportation of firearms in National Parks and wildlife refuges.

“Law-abiding citizens should not be prohibited from protecting themselves and their families while enjoying America’s National Parks and wildlife refuges,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist. “Under this proposal, federal parks and wildlife refuges will mirror the state firearm laws for state parks. This is an important step in the right direction.”

These new regulations, when finalized, will provide uniformity across our nation’s federal lands and put an end to the patchwork of regulations that governed different lands managed by different federal agencies. In the past, only Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands allowed the carrying of firearms, while National Park lands did not.

The current regulations on possession, carry or transportation of loaded or uncased firearms in national parks were proposed in 1982 and finalized in 1983. Similar restrictions apply in national wildlife refuges. The NRA believes it is time to amend those regulations to reflect the changed legal situation with respect to state laws on carrying firearms.

The effect of these now-outdated regulations on people who carry firearms for self-protection was far from the forefront at the time these regulations were adopted. As of the end of 1982, only six states routinely allowed citizens to carry handguns for self-defense. Currently, 48 states have a process for issuance of licenses or permits to allow law-abiding citizens to legally carry firearms for self-defense.

The move for regulatory change by the Administration will restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners who wish to transport and carry firearms for lawful purposes in most National Park lands and will make the laws consistent with state law where these lands are located. Fifty-one U.S. Senators from both parties sent a letter to the Department of Interior late last year supporting the move to render state firearms laws applicable to National Park lands.

“These changes will respect the Second Amendment rights of honest citizens, and we look forward to the issuance of a final rule this year,” concluded Cox.

KempthorneRTC.jpg
 
Wow, I will finally be able to carry throughout all of downtown Philadelphia.
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As long as you don't go inside a federal building.

The letter mentions prohibiting firearms inside federal buildings. So historic buildings owned by the government, ranger stations, welcome centers, etc would probably all remain gun free zones.
 
So historic buildings owned by the government, ranger stations, welcome centers, etc would probably all remain gun free zones.
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That would be a big stretch to say Independence Hall is a federal building. You would have a better case for claiming it about the Constitution Center. Let's see how the reg is actually written.
 
when they finalize them

When the final edition get published of the new regulations we can determine the results. It certainly looks good for now. But like most things where someone is allowed to establish the final rules you just can not be sure of what they might do until its finished.


Now only about 20,000 more law/regulation changes needed across the country for our side.


The lines about how the Administration has always support gun rights seem a bit on the BS side since the issue is deregulation restrictions they have previously placed. Where was there pro RKBA stance back then?
 
I'm disappointed that this is a re-drawing of executive regulation rather than an actual piece of US Code drafted by Congress and approved by the President.

"Executive regulation" is easy to change, especially for a theoretical President Obama.
 
I suspect it will not change anything with regard to those states who are "may issue" to the point of "don't issue". Living in Los Angeles County, CA, will mean you can't carry unless Lee Baca knows your kids (and your wallet) or some other local pol has the same privilige.

If it comes off as advertised, however, certainly a step forward.

Nice of the SOI to stick in those words about an "individual right". Maybe the SG does not speak for all the Administration. Or this gang can't shoot straight...
 
Seems the right senator finally persuaded the NPS to change their mind. Here's a response from the NPS to my senator who queried them in my behalf last spring.

National Park Service
1849 C street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240

Apr 30 2007

Dear Senator:

Thank you for your letter regarding the National Park Service (NPS) firearms regulation. Your letter has been referred to my office for reply.

The NPS firearms regulation has provided necessary and consistent enforcement parameters throughout the Agency. Overall, the crime rates in our national park areas are very low. In 2006, there were over 272 million visits to the 390 park units. During that same year, there were approximately 384 violent crimes committed within the National Park System, including numbers reported by the United States Park Police, which focuses the majority of its law enforcement efforts in metropolitan areas such as Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco. The probability of becoming a victim of violent crime in a national park area is roughly 0.0001422% or 1 in 708,333.

Regarding concerns about wildlife, there have been over 1.3 billion visits to our national parks since 2002. During this timeframe, NPS records show two fatalities and 16 other reported serious injuries resulting from encounters with non-domestic animals. Again, a very low number of incidents relative to our number of visitors.

At this time, we do not think there is a compelling need to change the existing firearms regulation. Thank you again for your interest in our national park system. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Karen Taylor-Goodrich
Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection
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