Interior Dept sued over new rule allowing concealed weapons

[dbackjon]

In National Parks...

Washington, DC - The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence today filed suit in federal court asking that the court strike down a last-minute Bush Administration rule change allowing concealed, loaded firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and seeks an injunction to block the rule, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 9, 2009.

The rule will allow guns in rural and urban national park areas around the country, from Wyoming’s Yellowstone and California’s Yosemite to Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, home of the Liberty Bell. The suit was filed on behalf of the Brady Campaign and its members, including school teachers in the New York and Washington, D.C. areas who are canceling or curtailing school trips to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty and the National Mall in Washington, D.C now that the Bush Administration will be allowing guns in these national park areas.

The suit charges that the Interior Department violated several federal laws in its rush to implement the rule before President Bush leaves office, including failing to conduct any environmental review of the harm that the rule will cause, as is required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The Department also violated a White House directive that no rules should be issued after November 1, 2008, except in “extraordinary circumstances,” issuing the last-minute rule change on December 10, 2008. The rule also violates the National Park Service Organic Act and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, which created the parks and wildlife refuges as protected lands for safe enjoyment of all visitors.

[dbackjon]

I agree with this suit. No reason to have loaded, concealed weapons in National Parks...

[grizzaholic]

I agree with this suit. No reason to have loaded, concealed weapons in National Parks...

What is the big deal? Honestly? If one goes out and gets a CWP, so he/she can carry in malls, on the street, walking the dog, how is that person going to be more of a problem if he/she is in a national park? I carry whenever I am traveling and whenever I am in the mountains.

[Col Hogan]

I got issues with this move by the Bush administration...but for much different reasons than dbackjon...

States issue CCPs, not the feds...what the feds should be saying about National Parks is they can now conform to local state laws...

For example, the Liberty Bell is cited as one place...All right, a quick check of CCP laws shows, for example, someone from New York State cannot carry in Pennsylvania because the NY CCP is not accepted in PA...Same for an Ohio CCP holder...their permit is not accepted in PA...

http://www.usacarry.com/

So, to get their weapon to the Liberty Bell site, the person would have to violate local laws just to exercise this "privilege" on the federal facility...

So, for ANYBODY to get up-in-arms (no pun intended) over this neglects the fact that most states have CCP laws, and its the state's right...not the feds...to control these laws...

Just MHO...because here in VA, you can legally carry OPENLY...and I'm seeing more people doing it with no reported shoot-outs...and since I never transfered my Texas CCP to VA and I'm too lazy to take the class right now...it gets me thinking...

[grizzaholic]

I got issues with this move by the Bush administration...but for much different reasons than dbackjon...

States issue CCPs, not the feds...what the feds should be saying about National Parks is they can now conform to local state laws...

For example, the Liberty Bell is cited as one place...All right, a quick check of CCP laws shows, for example, someone from New York State cannot carry in Pennsylvania because the NY CCP is not accepted in PA...Same for an Ohio CCP holder...their permit is not accepted in PA...

http://www.usacarry.com/

So, to get their weapon to the Liberty Bell site, the person would have to violate local laws just to exercise this "privilege" on the federal facility...

So, for ANYBODY to get up-in-arms (no pun intended) over this neglects the fact that most states have CCP laws, and its the state's right...not the feds...to control these laws...

Just MHO...because here in VA, you can legally carry OPENLY...and I'm seeing more people doing it with no reported shoot-outs...and since I never transfered my Texas CCP to VA and I'm too lazy to take the class right now...it gets me thinking...

Anybody can carry in Montana if it is visible, guns, swords, large knives etc.

Side note, Get off of your dead ass and take the class. It takes one day and you get to do a little shooting in the process.

[Col Hogan]

I got issues with this move by the Bush administration...but for much different reasons than dbackjon...

States issue CCPs, not the feds...what the feds should be saying about National Parks is they can now conform to local state laws...

For example, the Liberty Bell is cited as one place...All right, a quick check of CCP laws shows, for example, someone from New York State cannot carry in Pennsylvania because the NY CCP is not accepted in PA...Same for an Ohio CCP holder...their permit is not accepted in PA...

http://www.usacarry.com/

So, to get their weapon to the Liberty Bell site, the person would have to violate local laws just to exercise this "privilege" on the federal facility...

So, for ANYBODY to get up-in-arms (no pun intended) over this neglects the fact that most states have CCP laws, and its the state's right...not the feds...to control these laws...

Just MHO...because here in VA, you can legally carry OPENLY...and I'm seeing more people doing it with no reported shoot-outs...and since I never transfered my Texas CCP to VA and I'm too lazy to take the class right now...it gets me thinking...

Anybody can carry in Montana if it is visible, guns, swords, large knives etc.

Side note, Get off of your dead ass and take the class. It takes one day and you get to do a little shooting in the process.

Some day...soon...

[houndawg]

Interesting how the planet's largest weapons dealer is worried about little 'ol me when they'll sell serious weaponry to any warlord who can move enough heroin to pay the bill.

[Appaholic]

I agree with this suit. No reason to have loaded, concealed weapons in National Parks...

So...only government officials should be allowed to carry loaded weapons on public property?

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I agree with this suit. No reason to have loaded, concealed weapons in National Parks...

You're dead wrong there dback. The exact same reasons to be able to carry out in public are all the reasons you need. It's always funny to me that people only care about rights when it affects them personally. I want MY rights as I see them but it doesn't bother me if yours are infringed on type of thing.

[Appaholic]

I agree with this suit. No reason to have loaded, concealed weapons in National Parks...

You're dead wrong there dback. The exact same reasons to be able to carry out in public are all the reasons you need. It's always funny to me that people only care about rights when it affects them personally. I want MY rights as I see them but it doesn't bother me if yours are infringed on type of thing.

It's for the kids, Ursus....for their safety....their well-being should be at the forefront of all decisions....

[Wedgebuster]

That horde of untrained pencil necked young punks hiding behind retard hats and gold badges packing heat is reason enough for everybody make sure they are fully packing in the National Parks.

Better yet, make sure you have THEM out gunned.

[houndawg]

That horde of untrained pencil necked young punks hiding behind retard hats and gold badges packing heat is reason enough for everybody make sure they are fully packing in the National Parks.

Better yet, make sure you have THEM out gunned.

Packing heat should be illegal for anyone under 40 and compulsory for everyone 40 to 70 years old.