Proposal would allow loaded, concealed weapons in national parks

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – The constant clash over the Second Amendment has moved into America's national parks.

The Bush Administration is considering a rule change that would allow people to carry loaded, concealed weapons in some national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges.

The Department of Interior could decide next month whether or not to adopt the change.

The new rule would only apply to states that allow concealed weapons in state parks or wildlife refuges. Colorado is one of those states.

The move to change the current regulations comes after heavy lobbying by the National Rifle Association (NRA).

"Criminals don't stay away from national parks and individuals should have the right and ability to protect themselves... no matter where they go," said Anthony Fabian, president of the Colorado State Shooters Association.

Right now, visitors can bring a gun through a national park, but it has to be unloaded and out of reach.

Rod Chandler, a resident of Aurora and a member of the National Parks Conservation Association, says it should stay that way.

"You're not attracting the criminal element to the national parks and you don't need protection against them," Chandler said.

Seven former National Park Service directors recently wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Interior asking him to trash the proposal.

They say the Reagan Administration created the rule that stands today in order to address a particular problem.

"The regulation was crafted to be as narrowly restrictive as possible while assisting park personnel to prevent unlawful killing of wildlife," the letter states. "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."

Fabian responded, "The unlawful discharge of firearms is not allowed in national parks and wouldn't be changed by the new regulation."

The public comment period on this rule change will end on June 30.

The Department of Interior doesn't know when a decision will be made.