ABC News Blogger: Guns Rule Congress

The anti-rights crowd can't believe that even with a President and well placed congressional leadership, the pro-freedom forces continue to notch wins.

Senator Barbara Boxer was quoted after the Senate passed the carry in national parks amendment to the credit card bill:

It is a shame. But you have to come to a realization around here that at this point in time, the N.R.A. gets the votes.

Either you are going to bring down the whole Senate and never do anything or you or going to swallow hard and say, I will just vote my conscience on those amendments and speak out until people get a hold of their senses.

Paul Helme said he believed law makers are over estimating the political might of the pro-rights activists:

I wish there could be more courage and leadership from our friends on the Hill.

Then there is Tom Shine, a blogger at the ABC News web site. You remember ABC News, the network that did a one sided 20/20 segment on gun shows that was nothing more than propaganda for the anti-rights side of the issue. In this blog post yesterday before the House took up the credit card bill, he wrote:

So when Senator Chris Dodd unveiled his tough credit card bill, which placed sweeping restrictions on what the banks could do to the consumers who use their plastic, Senator Tom Coburn knew he had found the perfect vehicle to attach his gun amendment to.

He reasoned, correctly, that he could get enough senators, frightened by the mighty NRA, to support his provision allowing loaded, concealed weapons in national parks and once it became part of the credit card bill, he knew there was no way senators would kill the entire bill just to kill his gun amendment. It worked perfectly in the Senate.

Maybe Senator Coburn reasoned there were enough Senators that would vote the way their constituents wanted. Setting aside the issue of the vehicle used (since this is a gun rights blog I won't get into the issue of whether the government should be telling banks how to run their credit card business), as the New York Times noted, timing is everything and Senator Coburn being the smart individual that he is, took advantage of the moment and freedom was the victor.

Coburn told the Times:

I don’t like guns necessarily. What I want is those constitutional rights to be protected.

How refreshing, an elected official that values the Constitution over his/her personal views. If we had a few more Tom Coburns this country's heritage of freedom would be safe for the next generation.

Hat tip to Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner.

Firearms in National Parks

It appears that it will soon be legal to carry in national parks in a manner similar to what was proposed by the Bush Administration rule change that took effect in January only to be tossed by a federal judge after a law suit by the Brady Campaign et al. The Senate attached an amendment to credit card legislation and it was presumed that the amendment. According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment will not be stripped by the House and thus will not require a conference.

Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., chief sponsor of the credit card bill, said she was opposed to the gun amendment but did not want to see it hold up the underlying legislation, which she has tried to pass for several years. “This is one credit card bill that the American people cannot afford to have become past due,” she said.

Good news for law abiding gun owners who frequent national parks.

More Law Suits to Stop National Park Rule Change

The National Parks Conservation Association and the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees jumped on board to stop enforcement of the new regulation allowing firearms in national parks. National Parks Conservation Association President Tom Kiernan says the administration did not comply with the law in making the rule change because they did not "offer adequate reasons for doing so." The Association also said the Department of the Interior did not conduct an analysis of the rule's environmental effects, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, including the effects of the rule on threatened and endangered species.

I guess concealed carry permit holders who might carry in a national park are going to target endangered species in their poaching activities - not just Bambi and Smokey Bear.

Looks Like Brady Suit to Stop Park Rule Only the First

According to today's Waynesboro News Virginian, the National Association of Park Rangers may also file a suit to stop the new rule allowing firearms in national parks from taking effect. According to Association President Scott McElveen, "the presence of concealed weapons increases the potential for loss of life, mainly wildlife."

You see, McElveen seems to think that people that possess concealed carry permits just can't wait to fire off a few rounds. At least that is the impression he gives with comments like, “They have a weapon loaded and immediately available and can’t resist taking the trophy animal, having a little target practice or shooting an animal that is a varmint such as coyotes and rattlesnakes.” I can't express the ignorance exhibited by such a statement.

I guess some people can't be convinced of any facts, no matter how many times they are repeated. Concealed carry permit holders pose a threat to no one but the would-be criminal looking for his next victim.

Last Days to Comment on Carry in National Parks

You have probably seen several emails and notices from the NRA that the comment period for the proposed rules change related to carrying firearms in National Parks. Given the importance of the issue however I thought a mention that the deadline to comment is approaching fast.

This was supposed to have closed in June but rather than closing the proscribed comments period as scheduled and moving toward finalizing this federal regulation, U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona), succeeded in delaying the implementation of the final rule by having the comment period extended an additional 30 days. In a letter to Secretary Kempthorne, Senator Akaka and Representative Grijalva asked that the public comment period be extended, citing the recent decision in the D.C. v Heller.

Gun owners have until August 8 to submit comments. We must not let this opportunity for a major improvement pass us by. Encourage the adoption of the proposed amendment. Don’t wait! Get your comments in now!

Please submit your comments on-line here (Select the icon next to "Add Comments"), Or in writing to:
Public Comments Processing
Attn: 1024-AD70Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203

For the comment section, encourage the adoption of the proposed amendment, but also let them know that you would like to see restrictions further eased. Below is the comment I sent in. You are welcome to use it as a guideline for your own comment.

Regarding Rulemaking Proposal, Reference Number 1024-AD70, here are my comments:

I strongly support the proposed changes to regulations regarding firearms on lands administered by the NPS and FWS. While not perfect, the proposed amendment is a step in the right direction. It could be easily improved by simply striking the word “concealed” from its text. Many gun owners do not have concealed carry permits – whether due to government limitations or a financial issue – and many do not own a firearm suitable for concealed carry. It is wrong to deny these people their right of self defense. At the very least however, I ask that you at least adopt the proposed amendment as written.

Please don’t delay. Submit your comments NOW. We need to overwhelm The Park Service with support for the right to keep and bear arms on federal lands.