National Park Carry Law Goes Into Effect

On February 22, 2010 the new law allowing citizens to carry firearms in national parks in accordance to state laws and procedures went into effect. Read the NRA-ILA Update here.

Visitors may possess firearms within a national park unit provided they comply with federal, state, and local laws.  Please remember that federal law prohibits firearms in certain park facilities and buildings. These places are marked with signs at public entrances.

More info and list of parks per the National Park Service:
http://www.nps.gov/nero/firearms/PA/index.htm

Parks:
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Deshler-Morris House
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Flight 93 National Memorial
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Friendship Hill National Historic Site
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gloria Dei Church
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Independence National Historical Park
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
Steamtown National Historic Site
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Parks full of snipers…

CNN.com reports on an increasing trend of pot farms being planted in our National Parks.

“Most pot farms are cultivated by low-level cartel workers, many who are working to pay off smugglers who helped them cross the border, officials have said. Campsites are sophisticated and well hidden, with foxholes and sniper nests, Arthur told CNN”

Good thing we just got the right to carry in National Parks passed.  It’s ironic that newsmedia such as CNN could deride concealed carry in parks and express there is no need for such. And then have the cajones to publish this article. Which talks about the dangers of stumbling upon the numerous pot farms, referencing a couple of deputies who were shot when they stumbled upon one such farm.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/03/us.marijuana.cartels/index.html

And yet, according to the liberal media,  we are supposed to enter such places unarmed and defenseless.

“Last week, a portion of Sequoia National Park in the Sierra Nevada was closed to visitors while rangers dropped from helicopters into a marijuana farm a half-mile away from Crystal Cave, popular among tourists.”

Okay, so the next time some anti-gunner asks you “Why would you need a gun in a national park.”  Simply reply, the same reason that the National Park system closes down an entire section of a park and drop armed rangers in by helicopter.

A single sting operation in Fresno California resulted in over 420,000 plants worth approx. $1.6 billion being captured.

But supposedly there is no good reason why a law-abiding citizen would need to be armed in one of our National Parks.

Right to Carry in Nationarl Parks Re-Restored!

“President Obama signed a bill on Friday that makes it tougher for credit card issuers to raise fees and interest rates….The law also includes an unrelated measure allowing people to carry guns into national parks.”

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/22/news/economy/credit_cards/index.htm?postversion=2009052215

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/20/credit-card-forces-dems-vote-gun-rights/?test=latestnews

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What is really nice is that the legislation has the potential to be better than the original executive policy change that President George W. Bush enacted.  So the gun control groups (ie: Brady and folk), may have actually lost yardage on this issue.  Some have noted that the new legislation simply applies the states laws to carry and not just conceal carry. So in places like Arizona and Pennsylvania we may have gained open carry as well.

However, I have heard that there are some differences in wording between the Senate and House versions. And we’ll have to see how those are hashed out.

I am not sure when it actually goes into effect, but it’s a nice win for us. For an area that was supposed to be politically dead. We’re sure doing well…

– DC vs Heller Win
– 9th Circuit (yes, those left coast folks) incorporate DC vs Heller
– Restoration of right to carry in National Parks

Hopefully we’ll see a national carry right win not too far down the road. And be able to keep them afraid enough NOT to bring back an AWB.

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Additional info from Senator Tom Coburn’s website…

More details on the wording of the amendment.

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UPDATE:

Per Snowflakes in Hell it looks like we have to wait until February 22nd, 2010 to enjoy our rights.

NRA-ILA Statement here…

Carry in Parks almost re-restored!

Measure to Allow Conceal Carry in National Parks in accordance to state regulation has now passed both the Senate and the House.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/20/AR2009052003613.html?hpid=sec-nation

It was attached to a Credit Card Reform bill as an amendment. And while I dislike the whole system of attachments on unrelated bills, and would prefer to see a one-item per bill policy.  Such is the politics in Washington. It’s attachment to the Credit Card Reform bill makes it unlikely that President Obama will veto the bill.

For those following the National Parks carry issue.  There was an executive order policy change by the Bush Administration, to allow carry in National Parks. While it seemed to some as a last minute decision by the former President’s administration, it had been in the work for quite a few years.

The Brady Campaign filed for an injunction claiming no environmental impact study was done. (None is really necessary, because there is no environmental impact. This is pretty common sense. The only time there is environmental impact is if someone uses the firearm to protect their life. And that IMHO takes precedent over the environment.) However, the judge let their request for an injunction stand. And the newly elected Obama Administration declined to put up a legal defense. (Though the NRA intended to do so.)

This passage of this bill will eliminate that legal situation and re-restore our rights to carry in National Parks. Let’s just hope that Obama doesn’t veto the bill. If he does, it will truly show that his primary intent above all else (even restoring the economy) is gun control.

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PS – Sorry for being a little late getting the word out on this. I first heard about it going through the house a day or two ago. But am still recuperating from Phoenix. Trying to get caught up with everything…and not doing the best job. Have to face the wife tonight when she gets home, and wonders why I didn’t get half the stuff done I was supposed to.  On top of that we’ve got a local battle in York on a proposed “Lost/Stolen” bill being re-introduced. And that consumed nearly an entire day’s free time this week.

Senate passes Credit Card reform bill, Carry in National Parks Amendment included.

The Senate passed 90-5 a bill to reform credit card charges, rate hikes, etc.  However, included as an addendum to that bill was the an amendment to allow concealed carry in our National Parks.  Hopefully, a similar provision will survive the House and we’ll have our rights re-restored.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/19/news/economy/credit_cards/index.htm

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/14/news/economy/creditcard_guns/index.htm?postversion=2009051417

Almost makes you want to go out and charge an AR to your card, doesn’t it?

Bill introduced to allow carry in National Parks

Preservation of the Second Amendment in National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges Act

A bill to preserve the rights granted under second amendment to the Constitution in national parks and national wildlife refuge areas.

S. 816

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s816/show

Some additional commentary on the bill…

NRA-ILA Alert: Looks like CCW in parks may be in for a fight…

Concealed Carry in National Parks Suspended — NRA Files Motion To Appeal

Friday, March 20, 2009

On Thursday, March 19, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. granted anti-gun plaintiffs a preliminary injunction against implementation of the new rule allowing law-abiding citizens to defend themselves by carrying a concealed firearm in national parks and wildlife refuges. In Thursday’s ruling, Federal District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued the preliminary injunction against the Department of the Interior rule that took effect on January 9, 2009. The revised rule allowed individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense in national parks and national wildlife refuges located in states that allow the carrying of concealed firearms. Today, NRA filed a notice of appeal in Federal District Court to oppose the preliminary injunction. NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox, said, “NRA is moving aggressively to protect this common sense rule and that’s why we filed this notice of appeal today. Just as we did not give up the fight to change the old, outdated rule, we will not give up our fight in the courts to defend the rule change. We will pursue every legal avenue to defend the American people’s right of self-defense.” Until further notice, individuals cannot legally carry loaded, concealed firearms for personal protection in national parks and wildlife refuges.