I wonder how long it will take Barry to reverse this?
This from Redding.com, "A controversial new federal policy will allow those with concealed weapons permits to bring their loaded firearms into most national parks, including Lassen Volcanic National Park, starting later this month.
The new rule goes into effect on Jan. 9, barring judicial intervention, according to officials with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
That organization sued the Bush administration earlier this week to try to stop the new policy and is hoping a federal judge will issue an immediate injunction to halt the elimination of a 25-year-old federal rule that restricts loaded guns in national parks.
"The Bush administration's last-minute gift to the gun lobby, allowing concealed semiautomatic weapons in national parks, jeopardizes the safety of park visitors in violation of federal law," Paul Helmke, the group's president, said in a statement issued this week. "We should not be making it easier for dangerous people to carry concealed firearms in our parks."
Redding Vice Mayor Patrick Jones, the manger of Jones' Fort on Cypress Avenue, said Wednesday that those with concealed weapons permits are responsible and law-abiding citizens who carry their guns for personal safety.
"This (the new policy) treats these people as they should be - respected and law-abiding citizens in their communities," he said
Although national parks are traditionally tranquil and relaxing locales, they are not free of crime and, sometimes violence, he said.
"Bad things can happen anywhere," Jones said. "Criminals prey on opportunities, and those opportunities can exist in a national park."
And he labeled as "hogwash" comments made by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that the new policy change will make national parks more dangerous.
"We will not disrupt anything," Jones said. "The only thing we will do is defend ourselves in time of dire emergency."
John Roth, chief park ranger at Lassen Volcanic National Park, said that on Thursday the park will honor all concealed weapon permits issued in California once the new policy goes into effect.
Roth said he thinks the new rule, which also will be honored at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, will have only a "minimal" effect at the park.
Staff members there have undergone a small training program regarding the new regulation to try to avoid any incidents that might arise, he said.
If it becomes known to staff workers that a person has a gun, they will talk to him or her to ensure they have a valid concealed weapons permit, he said.
If not, he or she will be subject to citation or possible arrest, he said.
The Interior Department rule overturns a Reagan-era regulation that has restricted loaded guns in parks and wildlife refuges. The previous regulation required that firearms be unloaded and placed somewhere that is not easily accessible, such as in a car trunk.
Feinstein has harshly denounced the Bush administration's weakening of federal regulations that prohibit the carrying of loaded firearms in America's national parks.
"This unprecedented rule change wipes out common-sense regulations originally enacted by the Reagan administration," Feinstein said in early December. "The Reagan-era rules have stood the test of time and make our national parks safe for all who visit them. The Bush administration changes will make our national parks more dangerous, and will upset the delicate balance that exists between park visitors and wildlife."
Roth said that loaded guns have been historically prohibited in national parks due to wildlife poaching concerns.
The policy change, although criticized by many, has been hailed by officials with the National Rifle Association, which apparently lobbied hard for the change.
"We are pleased that the Interior Department recognizes the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families while enjoying America's national parks and wildlife refuges," Chris W. Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist, said in a news release issued in early December. "These changes respect the Second Amendment rights of honest citizens as they enjoy our public lands."
If Obama does reverse this I suppose there will be lots of previously cow-eyed disciple's that will be left wondering exactly what the hell Obama meant when he kept insisting that he supported the Second Amendment.
