'Last Shot' to Comment on a 'Loaded Issue' in National Parks
Chris Thomas, News Director
Monday, June 30, 2008
Portland, OR - It's a "loaded" issue in Oregon's national parks. Today is the last day to comment on a new regulation that would allow loaded, concealed weapons in all national parks, replacing the current rule that requires guns to be unloaded and properly stowed.
Proponents of the change, such as the National Rifle Association, say loaded guns should be allowed in parks for protection from violent crime and wild animals, but retired national park ranger Doug Morris says that argument misses the mark.
"While there are no absolutes in this world, the likelihood of something like that happening is probably far less than the likelihood of being struck by lightning."
Morris notes that last week's Second Amendment ruling by the United States Supreme Court could further complicate the matter because the language in the court's decision speaks to the wisdom of existing park rules. A number of voices, including the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), are calling for an extension of the public comment period to allow time to review the Supreme Court's 176-page decision.
NPCA director Bryan Faehner points out that the current rules for national parks already allow guns, so a rule change isn't needed.
"This regulation is not saying you can't own a gun or anything like that -- it's saying you just have to have it put away when you're in a national park because it's a very sensitive and special place."
The NRA believes national parks should reflect Second Amendment rights and abide by state guidelines, but Faehner notes a big problem with the loaded-guns-in-parks proposal is that some states would honor other states' concealed weapons permits and others would not. He argues the patchwork of rules would be a nightmare for both the public and park rangers follow.
Comments on the rule can be submitted online until midnight at www.npca.org.
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