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Mar
19
Liberal Judge stops concealed carry in national parks
March 19, 2009 | Tagged Concealed Carry, self-defense in national parks, short-lived victory for gun rights | 5 Comments
Well, it lasted longer than I predicted, and the Holder Justice Department defended the rule, but concealed carry permit holders are now barred by a preliminary injunction from carrying guns in national parks in accordance with the state law in which a park is located. Mainstream Media news reports on this topic almost always neglect to mention that the rule allowed concealed carry only by those persons with a permit. (See here for a typical report from The Washington Post.) (See my posts on the subject under the Category: “Concealed Carry.”)
Opponents were apparently concerned about the environmental impact of lead that would “undoubtedly” be sprayed around the parks by “kill-crazed” permit holders, as well as the “danger” to visitors, and the “danger” of “opportunistic poaching.” The rationales would be the stuff of Marx Brothers’ comedy, in my opinion, if they weren’t put forth as reasoned arguments by supposedly competent people.
Perhaps the most specious argument against concealed carry in the parks, is that the presence of guns would discourage park visitors and potential volunteers by making them feel “unsafe.” Hoplophobia (fear of weapons) is probably a curable mental issue, but sometimes, I wonder. (See my post, “Displacement as a defense mechanism in the irrational fear of guns,” 08-17-08, under the Category: “Psychology.”)
The next time that a female hiker is raped and murdered in a national park, or a hiker gets mauled by a bear or mountain lion, let’s think back on this decision and ponder deeply about what these apparent opponents of common sense could have been thinking. (These are the people that “don’t want to take your gun,” but who support gun bans, gun registration, ammunition restrictions, ammunition bans, closing down rifle ranges, and hate the whole idea of concealed carry.)
Let’s then get behind the Mainstream Media blitz to return concealed carry to national parks. Oh! Wait! There won’t be a media blitz. The Mainstream Media doesn’t like ideas that don’t coincide with the party line.
I guess the best that we can hope for is that the victims of human and animal predation in national parks will be hoplophobes, and not people who would have defended themselves, if they had been given a chance. This seems cruel, but unarmed victims are not that high on the food chain.
Def Mech
Comments
5 Comments so far
Well what do you expect from the drive by media and liberal colloquies in the couts, judicial department and all assists of government. They will not stop until we are all unarmed. That way we can not fight to stop them, if need be.
I live in Washington State. This is a concealed carry permit state. We have a local National Park- North Cascades- that never did change their website to say concealed carry was legal over the past few weeks/months. I have checked their site several times and it said guns were not legal there all along.
This is an example of why I say people misunderstand the use of our Armed Forces. Our popular culture believes “The troops are fighting to protect our rights and freedoms”- we have all heard it many times. This is a marketing strategy- an urban legend. If we want to have our concealed carry permit honored on National Parks lands- should we tell the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
The Guru said “Solve problem one before you worry about problem two”.
Problem one is to survive an attack, be it from 4 legged or 2 legged preditors.
Concealed means concealed, nobody’s to know till it is time to demonstrate otherwise.
Your right to self-defense is God given not congress given.
I don’t own a gun (yet). I hike and backpack fairly often, and occasionally I run across or hike with people who are carrying, either open or concealed. I always feel slightly *safer* with them around. The threat from animals and Bad People is minimal when you’re in the wilderness, if you know what you’re doing, but it’s still there. I really don’t understand these anti-gun people.
I also live in WA State. I have a CCW permit and carry whenever I and my wife take a drive somewhere or go camping in our motor home. If we go to the National Parks in our state..I carry there also.. When they assure me that all the A/Holes in the country are abiding by the law, then I will also. If I had to use a weapon in the National Park I would do so and let a jury hash it all out later.