Posted: 2/10/2009 6:18:29 PM EDT
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Send this to our reps.
Dear Representative: I urge you to oppose S. 22, a bill that will greatly expand the amount of land controlled by the National Park Service (NPS). NPS land is currently subject to a gun ban. While President Bush took steps in the waning days of his presidency to reverse the ban, the new regulations apply to persons who carry a concealed firearm with a permit. Non-permit holders and open carry are not explicitly addressed. Which is why S. 22 raises so many concerns: * It authorizes the federal government to buy private land adjacent to national parks and trails. Such land would be controlled by the NPS, and thus be subject to the gun ban. * The bill federalizes the Washington-Rochambeau Route, a 650 mile trail, and places it under the NPS gun ban. * S. 22 will codify the National Landscape Conservation System, which raises concerns for hunters and sportsmen. Much of this land is consolidated from the BLM and the Forest Service, which have always allowed hunting and recreational shooting. It is unclear what rules will be promulgated by the new agency and if gun owners' rights will be protected. * S. 22 also strips out small concessions which were won in the House last year that would allow state and local law to govern firearms possession and hunting on certain land. But the anti-gun House leadership is preventing any amendments to fully repeal the NPS gun ban. If these concerns are not corrected in S. 22, I would strongly urge you to vote against it. Thank you. Sincerely, |