Interior Department rule allows carrying of firearms in some national parks

By MATTHEW DALY |Associated Press Writer

2:59 PM EST, December 5, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — People will now be able to carry concealed firearms in some national parks and wildlife refuges.

An Interior Department rule issued Friday allows an individual to carry a loaded weapon in a park or wildlife refuge — but only if the person has a permit for a concealed weapon, and if the state where the park or refuge is located also allows loaded firearms in parks.

The rule overturns a Reagan-era regulation that has restricted loaded guns in parks and wildlife refuges. The previous regulations required that firearms be unloaded and placed somewhere that is not easily accessible, such as in a car trunk.

Assistant Interior Secretary Lyle Laverty said the new rule respects a long tradition of states and the federal government working together on natural resource issues. (read more)


Interior Announces Final Firearms Policy Update
(US. Deparment of the Interior)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Lyle Laverty today announced that the Department of the Interior has finalized updated regulations governing the possession of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. The final rule, which updates existing regulations, would allow an individual to carry a concealed weapon in national parks and wildlife refuges if, and only if, the individual is authorized to carry a concealed weapon under state law in the state in which the national park or refuge is located. The update has been submitted to the Federal Register for publication and is available to the public on www.doi.gov.(read more)

From Orlando Sentinel

Day at park can soon include guns

Matthew Daly |The Associated Press

December 6, 2008

WASHINGTON - People will soon be able to carry concealed, loaded guns in most national parks and wildlife refuges.

The Bush administration said Friday that it is overturning a 25-year-old federal rule that severely restricts loaded guns in national parks.

Under a rule to take effect in January, visitors will be able to carry loaded guns into a park or wildlife refuge -- but only if they have concealed-weapons permits and if the state where the park or refuge is located allows concealed firearms.

The Interior Department rule overturns a Reagan-era regulation that restricted loaded guns in parks and wildlife refuges. The regulation required that firearms be unloaded and placed somewhere that is not easily accessible, such as in a car trunk.(read more)

NPS Retirees Oppose Carrying Guns in National Parks

The Coalition of National Park Service Retirees sees no need to change gun laws in the national parks, saying that allowing the public to carry weapons in the parks could jeopardize the safety of visitors.(read more)