Firearms in National Parks

[scificamper]

I just finished reading an article in the local paper concerning firearms in national parks.  ?:Loaded guns will be allowed in Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and other national parks under a new law that takes effect Monday.  The law lets licensed gun owners bring firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges as long as they are allowed by state law. ? IN the past most parks had a policy that if weapons were brought into a park, they had to be stored and locked up for the duration of the stay.  Does this policy make you feel safer ir is it a cause for concern.  I only stay in the area with hook ups, so it may give me cause for concern.  I know a lot of folks enjoy boondocking and dispersal camping, where this may be a benefit due to the isolated nature of the campsites.  The Park service is against it, and Park Service spokesman, David Barna cited a decrease in crime at the national parks recently.  They did give statistics for 2008: ?3,760 reported major crimes, including five homicides and 37 rapes?, but the park service does not keep track of which crimes involved the use of firearms.  I?d be interested in hearing your opinions.

Scificamper
2007 Jayco 1007
2003 Ford Explorer

[Gracy]

I'm totally for it.  We never camp or travel without having some kind of firearm with us.  Thanks for sharing this information

[perterra]

No big deal, licensed gun owners have proven to be a pretty stable lot in every state that has enacted a concealed carry law. I suspect nothing has changed in the parks, the folks with firearms have probably always had firearms with them, just now it's legal. A couple of websites with interesting reading on the statistics.

http://www.justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp

http://www.benbest.com/lifeext/murder.html#usa

[tlhdoc]

I also don't think much will change, except now it is legal.  I think many people carry a weapon when camping.

[CajunCamper]

I'm with everyone else, I don't see it having much of an impact. I have no problem with it.

[LACamper]

Sure it'll have an impact. Now I can camp in National Parks! I absolutely refused since I couldn't legally carry a firearm there before.

[4Campers]

I don't see any change it will bring. If someone was going to carry a firearm into the park, legal or illegal, there's not much for security to stop them. However since it is now legal will some drunks or unresponsible people get wild, shooting off guns anywhere out in the park, knowing they are within the law? With people camping in the boondocks this could lead to some unfortunate incidents, but again that could happen anywhere.

[tlhdoc]

However since it is now legal will some drunks or unresponsible people get wild, shooting off guns anywhere out in the park, knowing they are within the law?

They are not with in the law to be shooting just for fun, unless the park has a shooting range.  Having a permit to carry a concealed weapon does not give you the right to shoot anywhere you want.

[wavery]

OH BOY........here we go......:yikes:

Will a mod please consider removing this thread. This topic always ends up ugly. I thought, at one point, there were rules about this topic but I can't find the rules anymore........:confused:

[sacrawf]

This action to reverse the unconstitutional prohibition of firearms within a national park was long overdue.

[GeneF]

OH BOY........here we go......:yikes:

Will a mod please consider removing this thread. This topic always ends up ugly. I thought, at one point, there were rules about this topic but I can't find the rules anymore........:confused:

Just what I was thinking.  Religion, politics and guns were no no's.

[CajunCamper]

Why remove the thread, it hasn't gotten ugly. In my opinion we need some topics that will get people talking again. The site has been pretty quiet for a while.

[Old Goat]

Why remove the thread, it hasn't gotten ugly. In my opinion we need some topics that will get people talking again. The site has been pretty quiet for a while.

I AGREE:  It has'nt gotten ugly and probably won't and I, for one, have learned something from it...

[perterra]

However since it is now legal will some drunks or unresponsible people get wild, shooting off guns anywhere out in the park, knowing they are within the law? QUOTE]



I wouldnt sweat it. Even exposing your handgun could have legal ramifications

 One incident with a firearm, such as drinking or shooting it off in a park, or even showing it to someone could and likely would lead to revocation of your permit. Having the firearm on you while drunk or even drinking can lead to some serious fines as well as revocation.

As for alcohol and concealed carry permits there is no legal limit, it's entirely up to the discretion of the officer involved. He can smell it on your breath and cite you for having a handgun, carry permit or not.

They dont just hand permits out to people who ask, there is a federal background check and if the instructor should decide you have no business with a concealed firearm he can basically blackball you from every getting the permit. My son inlaw who is a state trooper told me that when he stops someone at 3 am in the morning and they handover their conceal carry permit along with drivers license he takes it a little easier because you dont get a carry permit if you have ever had a restraining order or any kind of felony.

[perterra]

I AGREE:  It has'nt gotten ugly and probably won't and I, for one, have learned something from it...

I agree, use it as a learning tool.