[$tinkle]

gazette.com

WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Thursday blocked a federal rule allowing people to carry concealed, loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly halts a change in regulations issued in the waning days of the Bush administration and orders further review. She set an April 20 deadline for the Interior Department to review the rule and indicate its course of action in response to the injunction.

The rule, which took effect Jan. 11, allowed visitors to carry a loaded gun into a park or wildlife refuge as long as the person had a permit for a concealed weapon and the state where the park or refuge was located allowed concealed firearms. Previously, guns in parks had been severely restricted.

The Obama administration had said it was reviewing the Bush rule but had defended it in court.

Kendra Barkoff, a spokeswoman for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, said Thursday the department is reviewing the injunction.

The Bush administration issued the gun rule in December in response to letters from half the Senate asking officials to lift the restrictions on guns in parks that were adopted by the Reagan administration in the early 1980s.

The rule went further than a draft proposal issued a year ago and would have allowed concealed weapons even in parks located in states that prohibit the carrying of guns in state parks. Some states allow concealed weapons but also ban guns from parks.

Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, one of two groups that sued to block the rule, called the judge's ruling a victory for the people.

"We're happy that this headlong rush to push more guns into more places has been slowed," he said.

Bryan Faehner, associate director of the National Parks Conservation Association, which also brought suit, said he was extremely pleased.

"We're especially glad to hear that the court is agreeing with the park rangers and the public who are concerned that there will be negative impacts from the regulation and increased likelihood for opportunistic poaching of wildlife and increased risk of violence to the public," Faehner said.

The National Rifle Association had pushed for the change, saying law-abiding citizens had the right to protect themselves and their families while enjoying America's national parks and wildlife refuges. The previous regulations were inconsistent and unclear, the NRA said.

A group representing park rangers, retirees and conservation organizations protested the change, complaining that it could lead to confusion and increased danger for visitors, rangers and other law enforcement agencies.

now you can't carry in the frikkin' woods?
or is the real concern poaching foreign tourists @ the grand canyon?

 

[Westy]

People do some extremely stupid things in National parks. People whose idea of being outside consists of the time they spend walking to and from their car can often freak out or disrespect wildlife. I could see people shooting deer thinking they were defending themselves or approaching other animals that they shouldn't because of the extra confidence a heater gives them.

I've spent a lot of time in the backcountry where dense bear populations are a constant concern. I wouldn't mind having a gun in those situations but I could certainly see other people with less self control causing problems under the same cirsumstances if they could carry.

 

[$tinkle]

everyone i've talked to who seemed credible said bear spray works every time, but guns just piss them off

but yeah, carrying tends to make some people stupid

 

[Westy]

everyone i've talked to who seemed credible said bear spray works every time, but guns just piss them off

but yeah, carrying tends to make some people stupid

Just make sure the bear is downwind.

Last year I had a young buck of a mule deer acting very aggressive towards me after his herd surrounded our campsite. They were attracted by the salt in our urine and were licking everything we pissed on. This stupid deer was pounding his hooves on the ground and swinging his rack around aggressively. He got within a few feet away and I was ready to smash him over the head with a rock before he just walked away. If I had some bear spray I probably would have given him a taste.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

The currently real issue with concealed weapons in parks has to do with rangers vs the drug growers and manufacturers.

I would prefer to be able to carry, although I seldom do.