Rule Change Would Permit Weapons in National Parks

Von Tonner · 05-30-08, 09:07 AM

I don't know, but for the life of me I cannot think why anyone would want to carry around a concealed weapon in a game park. Or why the ban on them needs to be revisted.

Here in SA when you visit our game parks, such as the Kruger National Park, any firearms have to be declared at the entrance to the park, are then sealed and kept in custody until your departure from the park. The temptation for some delinquent, far from the maddening crowd, to take a pot shot at, or near a sleeping lion for example, to get its reaction is a risk that will always be there if guns are allowed in.

Why must guns be allowed in?

According to the N.R.A.'s chief lobbyist C. Cox:

“You read stories about people attacked by animals or who stumble upon meth labs or women who are raped in a national park. We don’t believe law-abiding citizens should be kept from protecting themselves and their families in national wildlife refuges or in national parks.”

But:

Seven former National Park Service directors have written a letter saying the new rule addresses a nonexistent problem. “There is no evidence,” the letter states, “that any potential problems that one can imagine arising from the existing regulations might overwhelm the good they are known to do.”

Not a good idea

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/us...th&oref=slogin

05-30-08, 09:07 AM	#1
Von Tonner Seasoned Skipper Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 711 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Rule Change Would Permit Weapons in National Parks I don't know, but for the life of me I cannot think why anyone would want to carry around a concealed weapon in a game park. Or why the ban on them needs to be revisted. Here in SA when you visit our game parks, such as the Kruger National Park, any firearms have to be declared at the entrance to the park, are then sealed and kept in custody until your departure from the park. The temptation for some delinquent, far from the maddening crowd, to take a pot shot at, or near a sleeping lion for example, to get its reaction is a risk that will always be there if guns are allowed in. Why must guns be allowed in? According to the N.R.A.'s chief lobbyist C. Cox: “You read stories about people attacked by animals or who stumble upon meth labs or women who are raped in a national park. We don’t believe law-abiding citizens should be kept from protecting themselves and their families in national wildlife refuges or in national parks.” But: Seven former National Park Service directors have written a letter saying the new rule addresses a nonexistent problem. “There is no evidence,” the letter states, “that any potential problems that one can imagine arising from the existing regulations might overwhelm the good they are known to do.” Not a good idea http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/us...th&oref=slogin