One of President Bush’s parting shots was an executive order a Department of Interior rule change to allow people to carry concealed loaded weapons into our National Parks, thus revoking a previous executive order ruling from . . . wait for it . . . President Reagan. Boom goes the dynamite.
Before I address this National Parks rule change, let me say that I am not an anti-2nd Admendment zealot — I believe Americans should be allowed to own as many hand-made flintlock guns as they want.
So as an avid proponent of gun control legislation, I am appalled by Bush’s rule change. Senator Feinstein in today’s San Francisco Chronicle writes:
Allowing loaded and accessible weapons in our national parks will create a dangerous environment for the millions of Americans and tourists from around the world who visit our national parks every year. These park visitors expect a safe and enjoyable experience – not loaded guns and stray bullets.
Poaching will increase in our national parks, upsetting the delicate balance between park visitors and wildlife.
It will create a confusing patchwork of regulation that will be impossible to enforce. That’s because some parks, like Death Valley National Park, cross state lines. California prohibits concealed weapons in its state parks. Nevada does not. Which state’s law will apply at Death Valley?
The new regulation itself is vague and confusing because it permits state law on gun possession to determine whether guns are allowed in national parks. But many states – including California – generally allow the carrying of concealed weapons with a permit, but prohibit their possession in state parks. The new regulation isn’t clear on which state law applies.
Update: You can read the Department of Interior rule change.