Guns-in-parks plan criticized

A controversial plan that would allow tourists to carry loaded guns in national parks is on hold, as pressure from critics has forced an extension of the public comment period through Aug. 8.

Floated first by Congress and later considered by the White House, the plan would remove the current rule stating guns are allowed, but they must be properly stowed.

The current rule was established in the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan and Interior Secretary James Watt.

Critics of the new proposal include the National Parks Conservation Association, the Association of National Park Rangers, the U.S. Park Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees.

They have argued allowing guns in parks will increase violent encounters between visitors and will lead to additional wildlife poaching. They also have questioned how the move might affect international tourism at what are now considered “family friendly” national parks.

In April, seven former directors of the National Park Service wrote Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne in opposition to the change. They noted “in all our years with the National Park Service, we experienced very few instances in which this (current) limited regulation created confusion or resistance. There is no evidence that any potential problems that one can imagine arising from the existing regulations might overwhelm the good they are known to do.”

But the National Rifle Association, which helped write the new plan, and other proponents say citizens must be allowed to carry guns for their own safety. They also argue the right on constitutional grounds.