Good News- National Park Carry

[WhiteFeather]

http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/News....aspx?ID=10978

U.S. Department of Interior Proposes New Rule Regarding Right-to-Carry in National Parks


Tuesday, April 29, 2008


Fairfax, Va. - The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), through the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, today issued a proposed rule to amend regulations prohibiting firearms in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges. The National Rifle Association (NRA) led the effort to amend the existing policy regarding the carrying and transportation of firearms on these federal lands.

“Law-abiding citizens should not be prohibited from protecting themselves and their families while enjoying America's National Parks and wildlife refuges,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist. “Under this proposal, federal parks and wildlife refuges will mirror the state firearm laws for state parks. This is an important step in the right direction, and we applaud efforts to amend the out-of-date regulations.”

The proposed rule was filed today and will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, and can be found online at: http://federalregister.gov/OFRUpload...8-09606_PI.pdf. It provides sixty days for public comment.

These new regulations will provide uniformity across our nation’s federal lands and put an end to the patchwork of regulations that governed different lands managed by different federal agencies. In the past, only Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands allowed the carrying of firearms, while lands managed by DOI did not.

The current regulations on possession, carry or transportation of loaded or uncased firearms in national parks were proposed in 1982 and finalized in 1983. Similar restrictions apply in national wildlife refuges. The NRA has long held that amendments to those regulations were needed to reflect the changed legal situations with respect to state laws on carrying firearms.

As of the end of 1982, only six states routinely allowed citizens to carry handguns for self-defense. Currently, 48 states have a process for issuing licenses or permits to allow law-abiding citizens to legally carry firearms for self-defense. Two states do not require permits, 38 states have a “shall-issue” permit process, and eight have a discretionary process for issuing permits.

This move will restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners who wish to transport and carry firearms for lawful purposes on most DOI lands, and will make federal law consistent with the state law in which these lands are located. Fifty-one U.S. Senators sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of Interior supporting the move to make state firearms laws applicable to National Park lands and refuges.

“These changes respect the Second Amendment rights of honest citizens, and we are pleased that the Department of Interior is recognizing the authority of state right-to-carry laws,” concluded Cox.

[WhiteFeather]

Here is part of text - bad news is NO OPEN CARRY, we will fix that in future, just be glad for right now that we are going to get concealed carry permit exemption.

Lot of different people have work on this all over the country to get this done.

There is a 60 day period for comments so PLEASE do you part and give favorable or THANK YOU comment to this proposed change in national parks. So the anti-gun people don't get a chance to try to over ride this.


http://federalregister.gov/OFRUpload...8-09606_PI.pdf

The Department believes that the proposed amendments give greater effect to principles of Federalism while maintaining protection of visitors and the values that have led to the establishment of park areas and wildlife refuges. We note that a number of individuals throughout America have obtained permits to carry firearms under state laws, most of which require background screening and some form of training or certification in gun safety.
Moreover, a number of states also allow individuals to carry operable and concealed firearms in state park areas or wildlife refuges. We strongly endorse the principle that States have the prerogative to develop appropriate policies and standards in this area, and believe that our management of parks and refuges should give the greatest respect to the democratic judgments of State Legislatures.

Section-by-Section Analysis
36 CFR Part 2
Section 2.4 - Weapons, traps, and nets.
Current Section 2.4 generally prohibits visitors from possessing an operable and loaded firearm in park areas unless the firearm is used for lawful hunting activities, target practice in areas designated by special regulations, or other purposes related to the administration of federal lands in Alaska. Under the proposed amendment, an individual will be able to possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national park area in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded and operable firearms in any state park in the state in which the federal park, or that portion thereof, is located. Possession of concealed firearms in national parks as authorized by this section must also conform to applicable federal laws.

Section 27.42 - Firearms
The current regulation in Section 27.42 generally prohibits visitors from possessing an operable and loaded firearm in a national wildlife refuge unless the firearm is used for lawful hunting activities. Under the proposed amendment, an individual will be able to possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national wildlife refuge in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded and operable firearms in any state wildlife refuge, or any functionally similar unit of state land, in the state in which the national wildlife refuge, or that portion thereof, is located. Functionally similar state lands will include, but not be limited to State wildlife management areas and state game areas. Possession of concealed firearms in national wildlife refuges as authorized by this section must also conform to applicable federal laws.

[Zef_66]

So for PA, would this mean that the regulations in National Parks in PA would follow that of state parks? IE, no firearms?

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by Zef_66

So for PA, would this mean that the regulations in National Parks in PA would follow that of state parks? IE, no firearms?

yes. but the PA house recently passed (by a huge margin) a bill that would remove the no-carry-in-state-parks DCNR regulation. as long as it passes the state senate and is signed by the governor, we will be rid of that idiotic rule relatively soon.

[Zef_66]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

yes. but the PA house recently passed (by a huge margin) a bill that would remove the no-carry-in-state-parks DCNR regulation. as long as it passes the state senate and is signed by the governor, we will be rid of that idiotic rule relatively soon.

I don't have faith in our governor anymore.

[Sebastian]

Originally Posted by Zef_66

I don't have faith in our governor anymore.

Nor should you, but Fast Eddie will have to ink this one. That's why it was smart to attach this stuff to HB 1845. There's enough stuff on here that the Philly politicians want, he can't really get away with a veto. It passed unanimously. Even if he did, he can be overridden.

The Philadelphia media are spinning this as a huge gun control victory here in the Philadelphia area. If Rendell vetoes it, people will start asking questions, and the politicians definitely don't want that. The public might find out they are completely full of crap, and the media is only too happy to help spread the lie.

[akapjr]

When will the senate vote on it?

[Garrick_]

Hello,

I would be very pleased if they did remove the regulation against firearms in state parks, but i read through that bill and don't see a mention of it. Im hoping i just missed it. Can you point it out to me?

Thank you =)

[GeorgeF]

So this would effectively eliminate that 'gray area' of Center City where the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are? I wouldnt have to worry about being arrested for walking around there or even visiting these areas while carrying concealed?

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by Garrick_

Hello,

I would be very pleased if they did remove the regulation against firearms in state parks, but i read through that bill and don't see a mention of it. Im hoping i just missed it. Can you point it out to me?

Thank you =)

it is an amendment (A06547) to PA house bill 1845 which can be viewed at:

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/...=2008&an=06547

(m.1) Inconsistent provisions.--Notwithstanding the
13 provisions of section 7506 (relating to violation of rules
14 regarding conduct on Commonwealth property), 75 Pa.C.S. § 7727
15 (relating to additional limitations on operation), or the act of
16 June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), known as the Conservation and
17 Natural Resources Act, and regulations promulgated under that
18 act, a firearm may be carried as provided in subsection (a) by:
19 (1) a law enforcement officer whose current
20 identification as a law enforcement officer shall be
21 construed as a valid license to carry a firearm; or
22 (2) any licensee.

the NRA has a little blurb on it, too:

http://www.nraila.org/legislation/read.aspx?id=3753