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Secretary Salazar on Guns in Parks: He'll "Take A Look At It"

Jan 24th - 23:36pm | J

OK, if you are too afraid of going on a hike in a National Park without a gun, please do not go. I enjoy my guns as much as the next guy and never once have I felt the need to have one with me while hiking. Now if there were people out there with them, then I might have something to be afraid of. I can't even understand why this is an issue.

Jan 24th - 22:02pm | HightechParks

I acknowledge that most people carrying licensed firearms are probably responsible people most of the time. And while I do worry about the potential dangers to LE Rangers, I do have some wildlife related concerns.

Jan 24th - 19:55pm | Anonymous

I have been hiking all my life and literally all of the people I have encountered have been friendly. It appears that those who spend time in the outdoor spaces where hiking and such occur are for the vast majority civil people.

Jan 24th - 16:00pm | Zebulon

Obviously, supporters of the 2nd amendment (as it's interpreted) fail to look at statistics. Countries where firearms are illegal get a fraction of our gun related deaths. Firearms, except for shotguns, should be banned, especially in the parks where they have no use.

Jan 24th - 15:05pm | John B Gray

I am a Retired Viet Nam Marine Staff Sergeant. I was also a State Trooper for several years. I am now completely retired, live in Florida and Have a Concealed Weapons Permit. I am pro second amendment and believe that a person should have the right to own and carry a weapon if they are trained in it's use. I further believe that crime is detoured in areas where there are armed citizens.

Jan 24th - 14:17pm | Anonymous

It's nice to see that someone in the new administration isn't bashing guns at their mere mention. Responsible gun owners are the backbone of America, no matter what slant the press is taking these days. Just ask the people in Australia what happens when the guns are taken away from them - the crime rate against citizens jumps.

Aztec Ruins and the River of Lost Souls

Jan 24th - 15:56pm | JimB

Barky - Thanks for the comment, and the perspective about the positive relationship between the park and the local community. It's been a few years since I visited Aztec, so it's nice to have a recent update.

Jan 24th - 11:19am | Barky

I visited Aztec just this past year on my trek through New Mexico, and two things stood out:

This Park Can Lay Claim to "Tallest" and "First" – and It Was a Real Bargain to Boot

Jan 24th - 15:38pm | Linda Hanney

Acadia was the highlight of a fall trip to Acadia National Park and New England States Fall 2006 We plan to return soon.

National Park Quiz 38: African Americans

Jan 24th - 14:41pm | MRC

CCC is a good topic. How about Mission 66? A quiz about special forms of interpretation in the parks? After the African Americans, has there been a quiz about Native Americans? BTW: This quiz on African Americans was my best so far too, 10 points out of the twelve. I got only numbers 3 and 11 wrong

Jan 24th - 13:06pm | Bob Janiskee

That one is already in the queue, Barky. It's nice to know that at least one other person likes the theme.

Jan 24th - 12:16pm | Barky

Seeing as how we're in a depression and all ;-), how about a quiz dedicated to CCC construction projects in the parks?? ===================================================== My travels through the National Park System: americaincontext.com

Interior Secretary Salazar Uses the "S" Word On Second Day at the Office

Jan 24th - 11:42am | Barky

Wow, what a fascinating discussion! It seems that what is needed is legislation fixing the "values" of the NPS into law. Perhaps it's there, perhaps it's not, I'm not well versed in NPS laws at all. Is the primary purpose preservation or recreation or raising revenue? Those seem to be the core of most NPS debates, whether snowmobiles or guns or construction or concessions.

Jan 24th - 09:24am | Anonymous

Science is like statistics. If you want data to support a decision you can get it. Keep in mind that data on the other side is also readily available. I would hope that the new administration will be ethical and their decisions will be based on values that are at least somewhat in line with my own. Probably won't happen that way.

Jan 24th - 06:10am | MRC

@ Frank: Maybe we are leaving the focus of this blog now, but the question of right and wrong, of values and rules is of course an old and fundamental one. Much of the history of philosophy is about this question and related ones.

Jan 24th - 01:06am | jsmacdonald

Frank,

Jan 23rd - 17:20pm | Frank N

Jim, so who decides which values are legitamite? You ask if both sides of an issue are equally legitamite and then answer your own question with, "I don't think so". You naturally believe (as I do) that our values are correct; yet individuals on the other side may be just as convinced that theirs are. Not all "value" issues are as cut and dried as racism, sexism etc.

Jan 23rd - 13:29pm | Leo

I agree that science is not the answer to everything, however when it came to science during the Bush administration his line of thought reminded me of Mary Shelley's book "Frankenstein." Shelley was concerned that medical science had gone to far and doctors were now "playing God." Under the Bush administration scienctific advancement was sacrified because of his religious beliefs.

Jan 23rd - 12:10pm | Dan

Jim's dead on. Science is not an oracle that can be consulted for the answers to all of life's conundrums. Policy decisions are value decisions, and the Bush administration got to influence those value decisions for eight years because they had been elected. That's how our system works. Now, the Obama administration gets to influence those value decisions, for the same reasons.

Jan 23rd - 11:11am | jsmacdonald

Frank,

Jan 23rd - 10:54am | Anonymous

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted" - Albert Einstein, Science is not the answer to everything...

Jan 23rd - 10:33am | Frank N

Of course another arguement againt snowmobiles in Yellowstone is the problem of bison following groomed roads out of the Park and into trouble in Montana, though I guess the roads have to be groomed for snow coaches as well. Wouldn't it be great if the Obama administration could find solutions for both of these problems?

Jan 23rd - 10:16am | Kurt Repanshek

Of course you're right, Jim. Science can't be held in a vacuum as a cure-all. And neither can values. The trick is to find a balance.

Jan 23rd - 10:05am | Frank N

The problem with making decisions based on values is that everyone's values are different. My values may be different than yours, and both of our values are no doubt different from former (don't ya love it!) President Bush. Science is science. While I would agree that you cannot blindly follow science wherever it leads, decisions clearly based on it are hard to dispute.

A Major Overhaul at Ford's Theatre National Historic Site Raises a Few Eyebrows

Jan 24th - 11:33am | Barky

I understand the fears regarding restoration of historic sites. I've seen a lot of bad restorations and gift-shop add-ons that destroy the character of a historic building so badly it hurts. But I've also seen good ones.

Jan 24th - 09:43am | robmutch

Well done, Jim. This article was an excellent read. Non-profits and NPS units have interesting relationships. rob --- Executive Director, Crater Lake Institute www.craterlakeinstitute.com Robert Mutch Photography, www.robmutch.com

Jan 23rd - 13:24pm | Warren Z

The collection on exhibit in the basement of Ford's Theatre in 2005 (when I left my position there) was a mixture of artifacts owned by the NPS, and those on loan from the Smithsonian; this collection included the Derringer. I would imagine it will be part of the newly refurbished museum at the theatre.

Jan 23rd - 11:43am | Bill R.

Superb article! I'm confused though, where is the Derringer used to assisinate Lincoln? Last time I saw it, it was in the Smithsonian. Few years ago --- like forty(?). Articles like this make me want to load up the 4X4 and hit the road to head for civilization. Presently reside in the Kommunist Republik of Kalifornia, but am a native Texian.

Segways in the National Parks: Do We Really Need Them?

Jan 24th - 11:26am | Tom G.

I would venture to say that I have visited and hiked more of the National Parks and National Park Units than anyone else who has made comment here. I have been to 51 or the 58 actual designated "National Parks" plus I have been to over 200 other National Park Units. I have been to parks from the USS Arizona in Hawaii to the St. Croix Island National Historic area in Maine.

Secretary Salazar Mulls Reopening Top of Statue of Liberty

Jan 24th - 11:25am | Barky

Amen, brother.

Freeze On New Regs Could Impact Efforts to Expand Mountain Biking in National Parks

Jan 24th - 11:22am | Zebulon

For those interested in reading biased studies, including some completed by the bike biased NPS (j/k): http://www.imba.com/resources/science/marion_wimpey_2007.html

Jan 24th - 11:19am | Zebulon

Kurt, Ray,

Jan 24th - 02:40am | Ray Bane

Zebulon, I have nothing against bikers. Indeed, just the opposite. I am an avid cyclist and have biked through a number of national parks. Most of my riding is on a road bike I have also mountain biked, although not in a national park.

Jan 23rd - 21:40pm | Kurt Repanshek

Zebulon, Re Washington bureaucrats making decisions, that's not the point. Rather, why should the rest of the nation be shut out of commenting on a rule change to a "national" park? The current process allows for that national debate and discussion.

Jan 23rd - 21:04pm | Zebulon

Kurt, very good points indeed. IMHO, horses are tolerated because 1) they're part of the history, 2) they're pretty animals, 3) they usually travel slowly and 4) they are so few of them that it's not a big deal (I read somewhere that in CA there are 30+ mountain bikers for every horse rider).

Jan 23rd - 20:37pm | Kurt Repanshek

Careful, imtnbike, lest you draw the ire of horse-packers...;-) And yet....that's one camp that's been missing in this discussion. Much has been made in similar discussions on the Traveler that horses cause more erosional problems than mountain bikers. Is that so? Is there a horse outfitter out there who can weigh in on this?

Jan 23rd - 20:26pm | imtnbke

@ Warren Z: Is your preferred mode of travel in the national parks "appropriate," as you put it? If so, why it is so and mountain biking not?

Jan 23rd - 20:05pm | imtnbke

At the risk of sounding elitist, I must take exception with the above. The fact that parks are the common property of the American people does not necessarily mean that all must be equally accommodated when it comes to access preferences. Cycling is generally permitted on established roads in the parks but may be excluded from less developed areas.

Jan 23rd - 20:03pm | Warren Z

A very reasonable comment, Ray. National Parks are special places. And full recreational use, mountain biking for instance, just isn't appropriate for all NPS lands. But some folks just aren't used to hearing "please wait", or "no" in response to their wishes, no matter how reasonable or harmless they think they are.

Jan 23rd - 19:54pm | Zebulon

Ray, I ride my local parks on a regular basis. I had no idea that the term "park" automatically banned bikes... :) Just be honest, and tell us that you don't want to share these taxpayer funded trails with other users. That would make more sense than making up illogical arguments.

Jan 23rd - 18:35pm | Ray Bane

At the risk of sounding elitist, I must take exception with the above. The fact that parks are the common property of the American people does not necessarily mean that all must be equally accommodated when it comes to access preferences. Cycling is generally permitted on established roads in the parks but may be excluded from less developed areas.

Jan 23rd - 17:30pm | Anonymous

You know it's my opinion that our national parks belong to us all and I can see no reason why it's not possible for responsible use of the parks for literally all of us. Isn't this really about respect of each other and the park? To me, this is a great opportunity for literally everyone to come together and join in that endeavor of mutual gratification and mutual respect.

Jan 23rd - 16:44pm | imtnbke

Questions for those who oppose this proposed rule: 1. Would it be acceptable to you to have alternate-day use of trails by cyclists in national parks, so that there would still be days on which you would encounter no bicycle riders?

Jan 23rd - 15:05pm | Anonymous

Unfortunately it isn't that simple. This proposed rule takes away public input at the national level and leaves it up to local interests, who occasionally apply inappropriate influence on the park manager. Not sure why requiring rulemaking, which opens up comments to a national audience, allowing all interests to be heard, is so objectionable. What's up with transparency in government?

Jan 23rd - 12:02pm | Zebulon

MRC, I've stopped more than once to let a hiker pass, especially if I'm by myself going slowly uphill and big group of hikers is coming down. It makes more sense. Now, whether you feel second rate or not is frankly a non issue, a national park is not your own private Idaho. We just have to learn to share. Furthermore, there are plenty of ways to do it in ways that are fair.

Help Ken Burns Chronicle the Parks

Jan 23rd - 12:47pm | S. Mattson

One of the elements that might be considered when searching for who we are as Americans should look at who we first set out to be. In the preamble to our constitution for instance, we are betrothed to insure “Domestic Tranquility”....what does that mean?...what should it mean?...what does it currently mean to many? Is anyone really working to "insure" it?

Humans as "Super-Predators" – New Study Offers Startling Information about Hunting and Fishing

Jan 23rd - 12:04pm | JimB

Scot - Good question. At the time I wrote the article, I had to rely on the abstract for the study, which you'll find at http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/01/12/0809235106, and on e-mails with the author of the study and the press release.

Jan 23rd - 11:30am | Scot M.

Jim, your article's link to the study takes you to a press release about the study, but not the actual study. Do you have a link to the actual study?

Jan 23rd - 11:09am | Dean

When asking whether human evolutionary impacts on other species should just be treated as another natural selective force, the question we should fundamentally be asking is whether that force is tending to undermine the broader health of the system. And I'm defining health here not in some aesthetic sense, but whether biomass and complexity are decreasing.

4-Year-old Dies in Fall off South Rim of Grand Canyon

Jan 23rd - 10:22am | Frank N

"An adult has to hold onto a 4 year old at all the Grand Canyon overlooks. Constantly and tight."

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