Scott

Breaking news! The Department of the Interior has now published a proposed rule change for the National Park Service!

The proposed rule change is as follows for National Parks:

"A person may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national park area in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded and operable firearms in any state park, or any similar unit of state land, in the state in which the federal park, or that portion thereof, is located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise complies with applicable federal and state law."

The proposed rule change is as follows for National Wildlife Refuges:

"A person may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national wildlife refuge in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded and operable firearms in any state wildlife refuge, or any similar unit of state land, in the state in which the national wildlife refuge, or that portion thereof, is located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise complies with applicable federal and state law."

The problems that I initially see with the proposed rule change are:

* It does not allow for carry in a National Park or National Wildlife Refuge buildings even if the state allows carry in its state park and state refuge buildings. Federal law currently allows for carry in federal buildings unless they are posted. And even then you are allowed to carry for "other lawful purposes."

* It does not allow for open carry, without or without a permit, even if the host state allows for such carry in a state park or refuge area.

* It requires that the state allow the person to be able to carry in a state park or a refuge before they can carry in a National Park or Refuge. It seems to me that you should be allowed to carry in a National Park or Refuge unless the state prohibits carry or says specifically that you cannot carry in a National Park or Wildlife Refuge.

One good thing about this proposed rule change is that it will allow for reciprocity. Thus people from other states who can carry in Virginia will be able to carry in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges within Virginia when they visit here.

VCDL is continuing to analyze the proposed rule change and will be firming up its final position in the near future. I will advise when we have done so.

In the meantime you can read the proposed rule change for yourself by clicking on the URL below:

http://federalregister.gov/OFRUpload...8-09606_PI.pdf

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Cupcake

One step at a time. I'm excited.

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SammyIamToday

That's some good news. Now if only Tennessee would stop sucking on their CCW reform!

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rmilchman

I don't see where it says you can not carry into a building.

msgt/ret

This is from page 4 of the PDF

My question is how soon will the changes take effect after the 60 day comment period?

rmilchman

By reading the above my take would be carry in a federal building (court, irs,..) is a no. Carry in a federal building within a park (rest rooms, cafe,...) would be a yes.

But that's just my thinking.

tabsr

In Mn we have carry permit, not restricted to concealed. Will I be allowed to carry open or concealed in National Parks and Wildlife areas? Will this include National Seashore areas?

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Scott

This is just a request for comment at this point. VCDL isn't sure about it yet. They have some lawyers who will look at it from all angles and render an opinion. When I receive that I will post it, or one of the other VCDL members will.

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People, they're what's wrong with this planet. -Scott-

libertarian5

Good news to me.

This is just part one of the process, though. Everyone should download the PDF from the link above and make comments.

A government employee once told me that they like comments to begin with a position, contain collaborative information, and end with a re-affirmation of the position.

So in this case the original position would be something like:

I support the proposed modification of existing federal regulations existing contained in Part 2 of Title 36, and Part 27 of Title 50 of the Code of
Federal Regulations in regards to the legal carry and possession of firearms.

The middle part of the document should give your specific reasons. This can be as detailed or as simple as you wish:

"Current laws regarding the possession of firearms on federal lands are inconsistent and deprive citizens of a fundamental right to self defense. Law enforcement in many, if not all National Parks and Monuments is not of sufficent strength to guarantee the safety of all visitors...... "(and so on)

Finish the letter by re-stating the original premise or position.

They will get thousands of comments on this, so be sure to make your position heard. If the outcry by the anti gun folks is loud enough, the changes will not take place. They will not consider comments made after the 60 day period, so send them in early. I am sure that there will be a lot of petition type canned comments submitted, but good, thoughtful comments that are written by individuals will count more in the minds of those who read them.

Anubis

The proposed rule change to allow concealed carry in National Parks and Federal Wildlife Refuges is now posted for public comment. I recommend that we enter positive comments; there are bound to be many negative comments from the antis.

If you wish to do so, start at Regulations.gov
and enter 1024-AD70 under "Comment or Submission" to get to the page where you can both view the proposed rule change and enter your comment.

I entered "I support the proposed changes to extend each state's lawful concealed carry of firearms to the National Parks and Federal Wildlife Refuges within the state."

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