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U.S. Sen. Coburn Runs Poll On Whether "Concealed Carry" Should be Allowed in Parks

Feb 9th - 19:27pm | Peter

Some of the comments are just plain insane throughout the gun articles on this site. Think the whole way through society and how human interactions work. Just because you keep the ban on guns in national parks doesn’t mean you’d all of the sudden be defending yourself against a rock or knife or any other object. You can’t count on a bank robber to have a firearm permit.

Feb 9th - 15:45pm | Joel

I don't know how the point gets missed on every story that comes up about guns. There are an extreme minority of citizens that actually posses a "Concealed Carry Permit". There is no such thing for private citizens to obtain a National Concealed Carry Permit. In some states it's regulated by the local sheriff's office. In other states it requires a written explanation.

Feb 9th - 10:08am | Jim M

I know that some readers on this website are going to say I'm naive because I feel safe in National Parks without a loaded gun, but here's the note that I sent Sen. Coburn several days ago:

Feb 9th - 09:17am | Barky

Internet polls are the lamest way of either finding public opinion, or of making decisions. Senators should know better.

Feb 8th - 20:28pm | Bill Roberts

Don't think the bill goes far enough. It should supercede state laws to the point where it allows CCW license holders (concealed weapons licensed holders) from any state to carry a concealed weapon in any NP. Under the current proposed bill, as I understood it, would permit the Republik of Kalifornia to enforce it's laws over federal laws. Something is not right with that picture.

National Park Service Claims to Have Added New Map Feature to Web Sites

Feb 9th - 05:57am | MRC

Could any of you print the maps into a file? I got an "unknown error" each time I tried. I'd prefer to to se that feature, as I can edit the map then much better than on paper.

Feb 8th - 20:54pm | wonderly00

It is a really great feature. Before--and still--the way to find maps was under "Directions," which was not as clear as a link to a map on the front page. It did take me a while to find the link, though, since it blends in with the rest of the page.

Feb 8th - 20:53pm | repanshek

Hey, thanks for pointing it out, Anon. Not sure I like the color coding...it blends in too well, but I sure like the feature.

Feb 8th - 19:21pm | Anonymous

It's in the green banner displaying the park name at the top of the page. I really like this feature, thanks for pointing it out.

Mt Rainier from 20,000 Feet

Feb 8th - 14:37pm | jersu

yep ... 737 (i was on Southwest, which is all 737) and I was flying to Salt Lake. I've been on that trip a couple of times, and I really like the route it takes over the state of Washington ... Fly-by Mt Rainier, continue through central Washington (over the wine country), then exit the state somewhere near the Tri-Cities. If the weather is clear, lots of good scenery to see.

Feb 7th - 01:00am | Anonymous

Great shot...were you on a 737 and where were you flying to?

Venturing Into the Backcountry of the National Park System

Feb 8th - 11:41am | Dave O

The front county is just a place to register, get some last minute supplies, and bump into hordes of people and traffic. The backcountry is where the real beauty & excitement are at!

Feb 6th - 20:44pm | Steve Sergeant

If you ever want to plan that Kings Canyon trip, let me know. I'll find a club or a non-profit to take you there who'll be just as qualified as a commercial guide service, minus the luxury fee. (Who knows, I might even be the leader.)

NPS Retirees Oppose Carrying Guns in National Parks

Feb 7th - 17:03pm | Anonymous

Arguing that people have an absolute right to carry guns because of the second amendment is absurd. There are, and always have been, many places, federal, state, local and private that have prohibited (and do prohibit) loaded weapons besides our National Parks. I doubt that loaded weapons were allowed in the Constitutional Convention, for that matter.

Feb 7th - 12:46pm | Anonymous

As a hunter and supporter of the National Park Service, I see no point in changing the firearm rule. The amount of visitors I see every year in Yellowstone and Grand Teton get too close to wild animals on their own accord are not deserving to protect themselves with a firearm.

What Are Your Priorities For the National Parks?

Feb 7th - 10:30am | Frank N

I agree, Paul. The purpose of the National Park Service is not to create recreation. This is the Mission Statement of the National Park Service:

Feb 7th - 07:48am | Clara

To Anonymous on February 5th - Amen! You said so eloquently what I would want to say, including the remark in the final parentheses.

Feb 6th - 20:56pm | Barky

Yeah, guns are one of those "flame bait" issues that simply distract us from the real problems. I'd like to see the following:

Feb 6th - 15:57pm | Ron D. Schulze

The Congress needs to strongly OVERRIDE the President on this issue, and FULLY FUND the National Parks. And put an old fashioned "Kaibosh" on the NPS's control and superceeding authority to spread it's nonsense! Yes, they need to remain in authority, but with Congressional oversite and greater limits tothat said authority. And what the heck is with the entrance fees being so high?

Feb 6th - 09:31am | Anonymous

Just as ‘guns in parks’ is being politicized, so is the Centennial in 2016. Mr. Bush's budget is just a bunch of fluff that looks like a great thing for NPS, but when you really look at it, it's more cuts for the system. Fully fund NPS!

Feb 5th - 20:44pm | Anonymous

I was recently in Yellowstone this weekend and discovered that environmental extremists in the Park System are trying to horn in through the back door what they couldn't get through the front.

Feb 5th - 12:56pm | Mookie

I'm right there with you Kurt. I know you have an obligation to report all issues relating to the National Park System, but I can't help but roll my eyes every time another issue concerning carrying guns in the National Parks gets posted on this site.

Feb 5th - 11:51am | Anonymous

I think guns in parks is a political wedge issue. It's coming up now to divide people who care about the outdoors into two warring camps, right when they most need to bond together to protect the outdoors. I expect we will see more of these wedges in this election year.

Park History: How the National Seashores Came to Be

Feb 7th - 10:17am | gordman

This place is heaven on earth, it's the perfect refuge far away from the "real" world. I have a great passion for boating and I find it wonderful to see there are so many possibilities for boating here. I have great memories with canal holidays.

Modeling Mesa Verde National Park With Lasers

Feb 7th - 07:15am | Bob Janiskee

This technology can produce amazingly accurate documentation of our civilization's key landmarks, enabling us to reproduce them in the event they're destroyed or severely damaged by natural catastrophes, terrorist attacks, vandalism, or whatever.

Feb 6th - 19:26pm | rscottjones

They did some laser scanning of rock art in Agua Fria National Monument (BLM_managed) last year. I haven't seen the results, but the researcher said that it could detect depth changes up to a fraction of a millimeter.

U.S. Senator To Make Bid to Allow National Park Visitors to Carry Guns

Feb 6th - 20:09pm | repanshek

OK, this will be my final two cents on this topic as I believe, as someone previously pointed out, that it's been debated ad nauseam.

Feb 6th - 19:22pm | Art

So, Kurt, let me get this straight. If Sen. Coburn had been an abortionist, and boasted of having murdered 4000 babies, you would understand his desire to allow guns in the National Parks, because abortionists naturally tend toward violence?

Feb 6th - 18:38pm | JoeSf

Kurt, I am a life member of the Sierra club and a member of the NRA. I support National Parks and the Second Amendment. Are you suggesting that one negates the other? The legislation does say that state law will govern firearms in the park does it not? This is hardly unrestrained access.

Feb 6th - 17:48pm | Anonymous

People should read up on Teddy Roosevelt. Traditional American liberties, like law abiding citizens carrying guns, are not incompatible with conservation & a love of our national parks. The real irrationality is coming from people who are hysterical about guns, but never about protecting innocent people from criminals. You cannot take some freedoms away without losing many others.

Feb 6th - 14:39pm | repanshek

Don, If the NRA put as much effort into actually supporting the parks, rather than seeking unrestrained access with its weapons, think of how wonderful the parks could be. As for Senator Coburn, I find it curious and perplexing for a doctor who boasts of delivering more than 4,000 babies to want to increase access to weapons.

Feb 6th - 14:25pm | Don M.

I'm not sure that the author is getting the responses he had hoped to see here. Senator Coburn just might be doing his job, exercising the will of the people.

Feb 6th - 14:23pm | Anonymous

Your comments suggest you haven't really spent much time in a national park. I'm no tree hugger but the last thing I want to see when I'm hiking in any park is some idiot who thinks his constitutional right to bear arms somehow makes him look cool by carrying a weapon. Obviously poachers exist, all you have to do is read park newsletters.

Feb 5th - 21:00pm | Anonymous

Thank you Senator Coburn. Hopefully you will get this bill passed.

Feb 5th - 17:07pm | Anonymous

Everyone seems to forget the good ole days and what principiles our country was founded upon.To bear arms is a responsability of the invidual and the group of like minded law abiding citizens.who have a greater admiration for nature as well as human life and wouldn't stray outside that context of common sense use of self defense of oneself from any form of preadtors wether he be man or beast.I

Feb 5th - 13:59pm | Scot M.

It seems to me that we really have two separate issues. The first is the issue of what the laws currently say and what the courts have interpreted them to mean in case law. The second issue is our own individual opinions, perceptions, and assumptions based on our own experiences and what we individually desire the laws to say and mean.

Feb 5th - 12:35pm | Jim C

I had the experience of witnessing a poaching in the Cades Cove area of Great Smoky National Park many years ago. I had just started out on a hike with my buddy, and was about a half mile from the ranger station when the incident occurred. The poacher shot a large buck but didn't immediately kill it.

Feb 5th - 11:41am | Don M.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Feb 5th - 08:56am | Skeets

I have a problem with guns in Parks with lots of wildlife such as Yellowstone. My concern is not regarding poaching. My concern is having someone see an animal such as a coyote wander close to their campsite ( which happens many times ) and someone who isn't used to this panicking and shooting the animal. I can see the excuses now, "Oh my kid was outside".

Feb 5th - 07:50am | Teddy Mather

This has been debated as naseum, and I know that this logic will go over your head Don M, but comparing the 1st amendment and 2nd amendment, exactly how they are written, shows what the founding fathers had in mind.

Feb 5th - 00:25am | Mike Tercek

Fred, No. Not sure I see the connection you are making.

Feb 4th - 23:11pm | Bill Roberts

This bill is long overdue. It would make a lot of park visitors legal park visitors. I know people who have concealed carry permits and are just not going to put their lives in danger by not have either a sidearm or shotgun nearby and an unloaded gun is useless.

Feb 4th - 21:50pm | Fred Miller

Mike - I read your post on Yellowstone Ecology. Funny stuff. I assume you also support amnesty for illegal aliens?

Feb 4th - 20:37pm | Don M.

Kurt, I forgot to address your comment about 2A cases before the Supreme Court. I'm inferring that you're are talking about DC vs. Heller. DC is appealing because if you don't like what you hear, appeal and appeal and appeal some more. I'm hopeful that SCOTUS is going to put this to rest for once and for all but I'm not holding my breath.

Feb 4th - 20:20pm | Don M.

Kurt,

Climate Change and the National Parks

Feb 6th - 17:35pm | repanshek

Yes, here in the Rockies we're having a heckuva snow year. Can't recall a year in the past 14 that can match this year's accumulations.

Feb 6th - 17:29pm | waterlvr

Actually, check out the latest reports on the snow. From what experts are saying, Lake Powell may reap the benefits of increased snow this winter. They’re forecasting that the snowmelt will raise the water levels and open Castle Rock Cut. This will be great for boaters as they'll be able to get around the lake quicker. My family has been visiting the lake for years - this is very exciting!

Off the Wall: Death in Yosemite

Feb 6th - 10:22am | gordman

This is an interesting story, I find it surprising that drugs are involved even in such pure places. That makes me think about how serious drug problem really is... And that was back in 76, you can imagine how serious are things now. Suboxone detox

National Lakeshores Threatened by Non-native Species

Feb 5th - 11:21am | Matthew K.

Invasive species are a huge problem for the National Parks around the Great Lakes. So much so that Isle Royale Superintendent Phyllis Green took drastic measures back in September to ban the dumping of ballast water in Lake Superior within four miles of the park.

President's 2009 Budget Proposal Lacking for National Parks

Feb 5th - 06:13am | Anonymous

Just stop the war for a week $275 million per day and give 1.9 billion to the Park Service's construction budget. That would do it.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

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So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.