Interior Department proposes rule change to allow guns in parks

The Tacoma News Tribune is reporting that the Department of the Interior proposed a rule change this week that would allow people to carry a concealed firearm in a national park or wildlife refuge.

From the story:

The new rule says park visitors would need a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and the state where the park is located must allow guns in its own parks. Concealed weapons are allowed in Washington’s state parks.

Current regulations require weapons to be temporarily inoperable or stowed so they are not easily accessible.

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced the proposed change. The announcement begins a 60-day public comment period.

As noted in the story, late last year, with backing from the National Rifle Association, 51 U.S. senators wrote Kempthorne urging a change in the regulations.

In releasing the proposal, Interior Department officials wrote: “Existing federal regulations governing firearms in national parks and national wildlife refuges, promulgated before many of these state laws were in effect, properly limit poaching and target practice, but unnecessarily disable or limit the ability of law-abiding citizens to possess, carry, and transport a concealed firearm.

“Under the proposed amendment, visitors must have authority to possess loaded and concealed firearms on analogous state lands before they will be allowed to carry firearms in federal park areas and refuges.”

“I think the intent is good and is moving in the right direction,” said Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation in Bellevue.

“Law-abiding citizens should not be prohibited from protecting themselves and their families while enjoying America’s national parks and wildlife refuges,” said Chris Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist.

The NRA told the newspaper the proposal would provide uniformity across federal lands and put an end to the patchwork of regulations that governed different lands managed by different federal agencies.

TO COMMENT

The proposed change on guns in national parks can be read at www.doi.gov. Written comments will be accepted through June 30.

You can submit comments, which should be identified by the number 1024-AD70, by the following methods:

Online: www.doi.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.