jfl

Department of the Interior Extends Deadline for Comments Regarding Right-to-Carry in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges Until August 8

Like a quarterback taking a knee in the fourth quarter, two of Congress's most ardent opponents of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms are trying to run out the clock on efforts to enhance your right to self-defense in our national parks and wildlife refuges.

For two months, we have been asking NRA members and gun owners to submit comments in support of allowing law-abiding citizens to carry their legally-owned firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges -- and tens of thousand of you have done so. The deadline to submit comments expired on June 30 -- or so we thought.

Rather than closing the proscribed comments period as scheduled and moving toward finalizing this federal regulation, U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona), succeeded in delaying the implementation of the final rule by bullying the Department of the Interior (their respective congressional subcommittees have oversight of national parks) to extend the deadline for comments an additional 30 days! In a letter to Secretary Kempthorne, Senator Akaka and Representative Grijalva asked that the public comment period be extended, citing the recent decision in the District of Columbia v. Heller.

In truth, however, now that the Supreme Court has affirmed that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right, it is more important than ever that we move toward final resolution on this matter and extend the most basic right of self-defense to law-abiding citizens visiting national parks and refuges.

The goal of their strategy is clear. Extending the public comment period amounts to a blatant and intentional stalling tactic; further pushing back resolution on this matter, possibly until after the election, into a new Administration. This needless extension will also allow opponents of carrying guns in national parks (like the Humane Society of the U.S. and the National Parks Conservation Association) to rally their troops to express their opposition to this commonsense proposal.

While we disagree with the decision to extend the comments period on this issue, it is now more important than ever that we give the anti-gunners what they profess to want-additional comments. Gun owners, Right-to-Carry permit holders, and all Second Amendment supporters must deluge the Department of the Interior with comments in support of this proposal! The new deadline for submitting comments is August 8, 2008.

Please submit your comments on-line at:
Regulations.gov

Or in writing to:

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

Please act today and forward this message and request to your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners!

tinkerinWstuff

Guess I won't be going to Estes Park this year.

anthonydr2

Done -- thanks for the update --- others please pile on in support of our basic human rights.

cheapthrills

done

KenInColo

Pretty clear why they're doing this:

1. Getting it postponed until after the election
2. Getting it postponed until after this tourist season

They must think we're morons. What an insult.

I get an error when I click on the link.

__________________
An armed populace are called citizens.
An unarmed populace are called subjects.

DarinD

I'm getting the same error. The site may be getting slammed or temporarily off line.

__________________
Life is too short, stop to smell the roses and don't let anyone take it away from you!

rdoggsilva

Did it a while back.

__________________
John Steinbeck: Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight, he'll just kill you.

alpinehawk

Try this link:

Regulations.gov

then click the 'add comments' button.

In case the link ID changes in the future, you should be able to find an updated link on the NRA-ILA page:

NRA-ILA :: Legislation

KenInColo

I finally got through and submitted this comment:

I am hugely disappointed by the extension of the deadline for comments regarding
the changes to regulations which would allow carrying of handguns by persons
with valid permits in our National Parks.

The original deadline allowed ample time for responses.

I personally resent being treated like a fool. This deadline postponement is a
'sham' and has nothing to do with allowing more comments on the matter. It has
EVERYTHING to do with getting this legislation pushed back until after the
November elections, when more lawmakers, opposed to this measure, may be voted
into office.

This reminds me of the Al Gore Florida recount in 2000: just keep collecting the
comments until you get the results you really want. You should be ashamed
of yourselves for manipulating the system to thwart a change which the American
people so overwhelmingly desire. Your disregard for the wishes of law abiding
Americans is contemptful.

__________________
An armed populace are called citizens.
An unarmed populace are called subjects.

treksouth

voiced my opinion as well.

__________________