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Guns in the Parks: A Bad Idea

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    Senator George Allen of Virginia, you might say, is leaving Congress with his guns a-blazing.
    The Republican, who was ousted by Democrat Jim Webb, evidently has introduced legislation that would allow gun owners to bring their weapons into national parks, as long as the states the parks are located in don't prohibit the practice.
    Mike Kinsey, writing for Ohioans For Concealed Carry, says, "The arbitrary prohibition of your right to self-defense in a National Park needs to end."
    "Your life is not worth less while visiting one of our country’s beautiful parks than it is anywhere else you may be," argues Kinsey. "Personally, I believe that lonely wilderness trails may be one of the places that I would most want to have my self-defense firearm."
    Great. That's all we need, a backcountry full of pistol-packing hikers ready to take you on. This guy seems a little over the edge to me.
    "...any location that is known to be frequented by tourists would probably be very attractive to criminals," he goes on. "Tourists are generally carrying a lot of money and are unfamiliar with their surroundings. I am certainly not a criminal mastermind. If I can see that this environment makes one more vulnerable to violent attack, I am certain those with less scruples have realized it as well."
    Gee, Mike, we seem to have made it into the 21st Century without a spate of backcountry holdups (although there were a handful of stagecoach holdups back in the early 1900s in Yellowstone).
    Do we really want to legalize toting guns around in national parks? Frankly, I'd feel safer in the backcountry knowing that guns are prohibited rather than worrying that the next person I encounter might be packing heat.

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The National Park System comprises 390 areas covering more than 84 million acres and has 1400 permanent law enforcement rangers, adding an additional 500 during peak season (2002 statistics, it's probably lower now since they've suffered budget cuts every year). Even at 1900 law enforcement rangers that works out to 44,210.5 acres per ranger. That sure makes me feel safe. Law Enforcement, Emergency Safety Net Fraying in U.S. National Parks WASHINGTON, DC, July 3, 2006 (ENS) - Visitors to America's national parks this summer can expect reduced law enforcement protection, longer emergency response times, fewer lifeguards, scaled back water and trail safety patrols, and dirtier campgrounds, according to a new report by retired National Park Service employees. Read the rest here, http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2006/2006-07-03-04.asp

If "No Guns" sign actually worked, I'd wear one. Since they don't, I wear my gun instead. Criminals are just that, criminals. They don't care what the law says and they certainly don't care what a sign says. Shouldn't the author of this blog want criminals to afraid of robbing/killing/raping/etc... not encouraged? Lol...I hope for the authors sake that no criminals in his area find this post...

"Do we really want to legalize toting guns around in national parks? " We most certainly do. And you SHOULD worry about the next person you encounter packing heat in a park. Right now there's an excellent chance he's a bad guy looking for a defenseless target. If you choose to be one of those targets, that's your right. I prefer to be prepared to defend myself. That should be my right.

According to the NPS website, guns are permitted in some Alaska national parks.

Month after month, article after article, right out of the National Park Service Morning Reports: Man arrested for Rape in Park Murder Suspects Arrested Attempted Homicides Fatal Shootings Assaults on Visitors Homicide Investigations Kidnapping Felony Drug Trafficking Animal attacks The life threatening list goes on and on. As a law abiding citizen I have the right to defend my family and myself from these criminals that obviously have no respect for the law. Thinking that a "No Guns" sign at the park entrance will somehow make things safer is just being naive and uneducated, just ask the 100's of people that have been attacked in these "No Guns" parks.

I had the courtesy of riding home with a senior level member of the Nat'l Park Svc a year ago and discussed safety in the Nat'l Parks. I was told that there is a lot of crime that goes unreported...and that criminals, like pedophiles and violent criminals, who have been shunned by society are now seeking refuge in National Parks. Add to that--there are not enough *armed* park rangers to cover the existing NPS trail system...and now their budget is being cut. What's first? Park Rangers. The only person responsible for your personal safety in the middle of nowhere--is YOU! That said, I prefer to be armed. Why? Because a cop is too heavy and I rely on no one else to do what I am perfectly capable to doing myself. Do not disarm me if you wish to be a victim. Do not prevent me from defending my family--I am permitted to carry a weapon in 25 states, why should a Nat'l Park be any different?

Posting a "No Firearms" sign is like posting a "Helpless Victims Here" sign. Criminals by definition DO NOT obey the law! They (criminals) are like preditory animals. They attack the weak. You will not see a lion attack a full grown healthy elephant but if the elephant is sick, wounded or a baby he becomes lunch. The same is true with criminal who knows he is armed (because he doesn't care about the law) and knows you are not armed (because you are obeying th law), well I hope you get the picture! If you choose to be a victim that's your choice as for me I'll carry my .45! Oh, by the way I'd use it to protect you also.

All I desire is the ability to protect my family and self from predators while enjoying the scenic beauty within our Nation's parks. The predators I describe include both wild animal and un-lawful human bent on causing harm, or worse, death. As a law abiding citzizen, trained through 20 years of military (Marine Corps, Retired) service, I for one refuse to be denied my civil right to self defense, and constitutional right to keep and bear arms. I applaude Senator Allen for recommending legislation making it legal for me to carry my weapon, on my person, while inside a national park. With this legislation turned into law, all law abiding citizens will be allowed the tools necessary to protect family and self from predators.

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