Posted on 02/19/2012 8:06:35 AM PST by marktwain
In a display of defiance at the U.S. Capitols governing gun lobby, Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., and eight colleagues have introduced legislation to reinstate a ban on carrying loaded firearms in Americas national parks.
The legislation was prompted by Januarys murder of Mt. Rainier National Park ranger Margaret Anderson. Anderson was shot as she set up a road block for a car that didnt stop at a chain-up checkpoint.
By Joe SebilleThe dreadful and deeply saddening event that occurred on Mt. Rainier makes me question why on earth people should be allowed to carry loaded weapons in our national parks, said McDermott.
It became illegal to pack heat in national parks in the early 1980′s under the Reagan Administration.
The gun ban was overturned in 2009. Senate Republicans attached a pack-heat provision to legislation designed to control excesses and hidden fees charged by credit card companies.
Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., is cosponsoring the legislation along with House members from California, New York and Virginia.
Advocates for loaded guns have cited such dangers as encounters with grizzly bears in the back country of national parks in the Rockies and Alaska. In response, an association of National Park Service retirees has argued that statistically there is a greater chance that visitors will be struck by lightning than mauled by a bruin.
Millions of families visit our national park historic sites and monuments every year to see our nationally protected sanctuaries and learn about our nations history, said McDermott. Why anyone should need or be allowed to carry a loaded firearm in our national parks simply doesnt occur to me.
Washington state has become another broodery of leftist lunatics.
Yep, McD, let’s deprived everyone of their constitutionally guaranteed rights because of one nut job.
Kind of like speed bumps: Let’s punish everyone for the actions of a few, rather than spend the energy to intercept and punish the guilty.
So much easier. Who cares if we abuse the rights of everyone else in the process?
why on earth people should be allowed to carry loaded weapons in our national parks?
To protect themselves from the people who WILL carry guns in the parks whether there is a ban or NOT and even more so if there is a ban, Adolf.
Yes, protect the killers, Adolf.
But let’s have the ATF arm the Mexican cartels and murder US Agents.
Why don’t you aim your laser focus at that, McDermott?
And exactly how would such a law prevent what happened on Mt. Rainier?
He doesn't care one way or the other about the Constitution, nor of privacy, security, safety ~ or whatever.
He's into this for personal political advertising purposes. Nothing more than that.
Because it is our Constitutional right. No ban will ever stop criminal activity and it is his sick unhinged mentality that is destroying America.
He is a liberal democrat - it’s what they do.
A greater chance of being struck by lightning then being mauled by a bruin would be an OK excuse except for the fact that people are struck by lightning.
I’m not going to stay at home when it’s raining out and I’m packing heat if I go hiking. No fed is going to tell me that I don’t have a 2nd amendment
right
The reason carry should be allowed is so that they may protect themselves against person so evil they would murder in cold blood as was the case with the guard.
And because bad guys such as this murder will carry regardless of the law.
But there is no reasoning with a fool.
I’ve always carried in NPs. I just don’t flaunt it. My biggest fear is not bears, but those bipedal creatures.
Isn’t it sad how an elected representative can openly speak about limiting or removing constitutionally-guaranteed rights and nothing happens? Any government official who talks about taking away your rights should lose their job immediately.
What did the rest of you hear?
Exactly how would a gun ban have prevented that ranger from being shot? Someone who is willing to murder is sure not going to worry about a gun ban.
Grizzly Bears. I had a friend who was et by one on US parkland.
Left Coast Dems ignore The Bill of Rights, for one twenty second sound bite.
No way I would go into a wilderness area without a weapon. You’re just asking for trouble (from the wildlife).
“What did the rest of you hear?”
I thought I heard some mumbling about knowing better than the Founders of this country.
It amazes me that this kind of thinking is accepted today. We’re fools if we think voting is going to solve this mess.
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