New Rule Lifts Ban On Firearms In National Parks

[Guest BG38357]

It's about time! Now for the state/local parks and restaurants!

"If you can carry (a gun) on Main Street, you are allowed to carry in a national park," said Chris Paolino. a spokesman for the Interior Department.

We spend a lot of time traveling through National Park property here just to get around, so this is good news.

This also applies any National park in a state in which our permit is valid.

-BUD

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I'll keep my freedom, my guns, and my money.

You can keep THE CHANGE.

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http://www.ohranger.com/smoky-mountains/news/2008/new-gun-regulations-smoky-mountains-take-effect-january

New Gun Regulations for Smoky Mountains Take Effect in January

December 15, 2008, 3:44 pm

New regulations allowing people with concealed weapon permits to carry weapons in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will go into effect in January 2009.

The U.S. Department of Interior published new regulations that govern the carrying of concealed weapons in areas administered by the National Park Service and on U.S Fish and Wildlife Service refuges on Dec. 5. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park individuals who hold valid permits to carry a concealed weapon issued by the states of Tennessee or North Carolina, or by states which have reciprocal weapons carrying agreements with Tennessee or North Carolina, may also carry those weapons within the park.

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New Rule Lifts Ban On Firearms In National Parks

Last Edited: Saturday, 06 Dec 2008, 12:41 PM EST

Created: Saturday, 06 Dec 2008, 12:41 PM EST

By MATTHEW DALY

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON -- People will soon be able to carry concealed, loaded guns in most national parks and wildlife refuges.

The Bush administration said Friday it is overturning a 25-year-old federal rule that severely restricts loaded guns in national parks.

Under a rule to take effect in January, visitors will be able to carry a loaded gun into a park or wildlife refuge -- but only if the person has a permit for a concealed weapon and if the state where the park or refuge is located also allows concealed firearms.

The new rule goes further than a draft proposal issued last spring and would allow concealed weapons even in parks located in states that explicitly ban the carrying of guns in state parks. Some states allow concealed weapons but also ban guns from parks.

"If you can carry (a gun) on Main Street, you are allowed to carry in a national park," said Chris Paolino. a spokesman for the Interior Department.

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.

Assistant Interior Secretary Lyle Laverty said the new rule respects a long tradition of states and the federal government working together on natural resource issues.

The regulation allows individuals to carry concealed firearms in federal parks and wildlife refuges to the same extent they can lawfully do so under state law, Laverty said, adding that the approach is in line with rules adopted by the federal Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Those agencies let visitors carry weapons consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

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GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - The National Park Service will allow weapons to be carried in the Smokies after the overturning of a federal rule restricting weapons in national parks and wildlife refuges.

The Park Service said Monday the agency will recognize concealed carry permits from Tennessee and North Carolina, beginning in January.

NPS spokesman Bob Miller in Gatlinburg said under current regulations, firearms can be brought into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park only when cased or trigger-locked and left in vehicles.

The new regulations will allow people who have valid permits to carry concealed weapons to keep them on their person.

The new rules will apply to permits holders from Tennessee, North Carolina and states with which they have reciprocal agreements.

[Punisher84]

Search is your friend, my friend....

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14750