Public Comment Period on Guns in National Parks

cross-posted from MyWeaverville.com

There’s been a lot of debate about the issue of bringing loaded guns into National Parks, so here’s a chance to let the government know how you feel about it. The Department of the Interior has opened the public comment period on the proposed regulations which would allow carrying loaded concealed weapons in National Parks. Go to edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-9606.htm for the full proposed regulation and to www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=090000648053d497 if you’d like to comment online. Comments will be accepted through June 30. More details:

SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior, through the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service, proposes to amend regulations presently codified in 36 CFR part 2 and 50 CFR part 27, which provide guidance and controls for the possession and transportation of firearms in national park areas and national wildlife refuges. The proposed amendments would update the regulations to reflect current state laws authorizing the possession of concealed firearms, while maintaining the existing regulatory provisions that ensure visitor safety and resource protection such as the prohibitions on poaching and limitations on hunting and target practice.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted through June 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the number 1024-AD70 by any of the following methods:

• Federal rulemaking portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: 1024-AD70; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.
• Hand-deliver: 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203.

Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment–including your personal identifying information–may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.