Outdoors blog

Mon., Sept. 9, 2013

Yellowstone reports first gun-related death in 35 years

PARKS -- A 3-year-old girl camping with her family in Yellowstone National Park died after shooting herself with a handgun on Saturday, the first gun-related death in park since 1978, according to the Associated Press.

The shooting, reported by the Casper Star Tribune, occurred four years after Congress approved the possession of handguns in National Parks and federal wildlife areas. The law, which was attached as an amendment to a credit card bil l, allows concealed and loaded weapons in parks provided they are allowed by state law.

Related stories:

Report: Assaults increase on rangers, park police, June 16, 2013
New rule eases ban on guns in parks, Dec. 6, 2008
Park chiefs favor keeping gun curbs, April 5, 2008

Posted Sept. 9, 2013, 11:15 a.m.

Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.

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