Ban on loaded guns in national parks ends on Monday
I don't think that this article is right about the 94-year-ban, but the point of the article is right (I believe that it occurred during the Reagan administration).
WASHINGTON - A new law will lift the 94-year-old ban on carrying loaded firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges when it goes into effect Monday.
The law, passed by Congress in May as an amendment to a credit-reform bill, will end the ability of the National Park Service to set its own gun-carry restrictions, making each park subject to the gun laws of its home state.
While the law will not give park visitors blanket permission to possess firearms, it will allow visitors to carry guns into any park, provided they follow all federal, state and local laws.
Current regulations allow park goers to possess firearms, but they must be unassembled, unloaded and stored away from ammunition. Starting Monday, specific rules will vary by location.
The new law does not give visitors permission or fire their weapons -- only to possess them.
David Barna, chief spokesman for the NPS, said firearms will still be prohibited in federal buildings such as ranger stations and visitor centers. Firearms will be permitted in facilities not directly owned and operated by the NPS, including many campgrounds and hotels.
"We will take the 'firearms prohibited' signs off at the front gate," Barna said. "A lot of the burden is on the public to know the laws of your state." . . .
Labels: GunControl, nationalpark
posted by John Lott at 4:19 PM
2 Comments:
Wonderful, Concealed carry is allowed in NPs but now I hear there are victim zones [Visitor Centers, et al] within the park that require I undress. I don't think this is much of a victory.
I came across a fellow hiker totin' a rather large revolver while hiking in Glacier National Park. Being in from Europe where hand guns are illegal, it was shocking to say the least. It was not clear if this personal was protecting himself from a grizzly bear or just a macho jerk. Bear spray is far more effective than guns when controlling bears and it has been documented that it may take up to 14 rounds to bring a grizzly bear down. An injured bear is far more a threat to fellow hikers than a bear than an uninjured bear.
Guns have no place in the park system. People come to parks to escape society's ills and to relax. We don't need guns in park systems !!
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