High Sierra Topix

So the U.S. House has slipped in an amendment, under the radar, tacking it on to a
bill aimed at tightening credit regulation, what else is new.
The Coburn amendment which passed, allows loaded firearms in National Parks, is this
a good thing in your opinion, or not?
What do our ranger members think about this?
Will this make there job even more dangerous?

http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1153a ... parks.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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I missed that Tom. Thanks

maverick wrote: Will this make there job even more dangerous?...

No.

National Forests and BLM public lands have always allowed firearms. They have not turned into the wild west with widespread gunfights and poaching. Why does anyone think it will now start occurring in National Parks? The arguments against have no factual basis.

Existing state laws regulating concealed carry and firearm possession will apply.

maverick wrote:loaded firearms in National Parks, is this
a good thing in your opinion, or not?

I think it's a great thing since unloaded firearms have no value

Poaching in NF and BLM lands not a problem? Since when? How many NPS signs are full of bullet holes? Virtually impossible to find a BLM sign without a bullet hole. I've seen many signs on Forests and BLM lands completely destroyed by gunfire. I've come across trees cutdown by gunfire. Never seen any of that in a National Park. I do know that Poaching has been an issue in National Parks. Almost every year someone gets caught in Yellowstone.

Mike

Having a loaded weapon in a Park does not bother me a bit.

I had a friend accidently shoot himself at Rocky Mountain NP. If anything, you have more of that.

I am against it myself, I am curious though: if not hunting, what is the need/justification for carrying loaded firearms that pepper spray wouldn't serve for? Those of you who do carry firearms, how or where do you carry them? I have never noticed anyone hiking with a sidearm strapped on, if I did I would clear out fast as it would make me nervous.

Why do guns make folks nervous? Are you afraid of the gun or the people who use them? I think most of the murders in YNP have been conducted with weapons other than guns.

The need/justification for carrying firearms is because we have this thing called the 2nd Amendment. National Parks are exactly that, “National” which means they are recognized as within the United States of America which is governed by the Constitution of the Untitled States of America of which the 2nd Amendment is a part of. So my question is the National Park System not part of the United States? Should they operate under other laws and regulations aside from the Constitution of the United States of America?

This is a good regulation and I support it!