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Feinstein, Akaka, Dicks and Grijalva Urge Interior Secretary to Retain Reagen-Era Restrictions on Loaded Firearms in America's Natonal Parks and Wildlife Refuges
February 7, 2008
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), and Representatives Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) and Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today urged Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to keep in place federal regulations prohibiting the carrying or use of loaded firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. In their letter to Secretary Kempthorne, Senators Feinstein and Akaka and Representatives Dicks and Grijalva warned that relaxing these regulations would mark a "radical, unprecedented change" that would pose a grave risk to the public. Following is the text of their letter: February 7, 2008The Honorable Dirk KempthorneSecretary, Department of the Interior1849 C Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20240Dear Secretary Kempthorne: We write to express our strong opposition to any modification or weakening of the Reagan regulations prohibiting the carrying or use of loaded firearms in our national parks and national wildlife refuges. In 1983, under Secretary of the Interior James Watt, the Reagan Administration codified these practices into the current regulations, which were designed to ensure public safety and maximize protection for wildlife. Those goals have been achieved. National Park Service spokesman David Barna recently stated that national parks are now among the safest environments in the country. Permitting loaded firearms to be carried or used within our national parks or wildlife refuges would be a radical, unprecedented change that would likely upset the delicate balance that exists between wildlife and park visitors in these areas. More importantly, allowing loaded and accessible weapons in national parks would create a dangerous environment for the millions of American families who annually visit our national parks expecting a safe and enjoyable experience - not loaded firearms and stray bullets. We are aware of the letter recently sent to you by Senators Crapo and Baucus, together with other Members of the U.S. Senate. Respectfully, the letter contains certain inaccuracies, and ignores the unique status of our national parks and wildlife refuges. Most notably, the letter inaccurately claims that the current regulations prohibit individuals from possessing a firearm on lands managed by the Department of Interior. As you know, under the current Interior regulations visitors may freely possess weapons in our national parks as long as they are rendered inaccessible. The firearms must simply be unloaded and placed somewhere that is not easily reached, such as in a car trunk. There is also no inconsistency between these Interior regulations and the firearms rules that apply to Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands where hunting is allowed. The key distinction is a very simple one - ready-to-fire guns are not allowed on designated national lands where hunting is not permitted.In contrast to the Reagan policy that has worked well for decades, the new regulations would rely on state concealed weapons laws that would yield troubling inconsistencies and pose grave risks to the public. As National Park Service spokesman David Barna recently stated, the background and training requirements for concealed firearms possession vary significantly from state to state. Trying to achieve uniformity of concealed weapons issuance throughout all 390 Park Service jurisdictions would be nearly impossible and unenforceable. Changing these regulations would strain our underfunded and understaffed park rangers, and increase the risks to visitors and wildlife.In addition, the National Park Rangers Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Parks Conservation Association, the Association of National Park Rangers, the Coalition of National Parks Retirees, and the American Hunters and Shooters Association all oppose changing the current regulations. We urge you not to wade into the middle of this contentious policy debate when the Reagan Interior regulations have remained clear and consistent for almost 25 years.Our citizenry consistently rates our national parks at the top of federal government programs that work well. There is no need to "fix" this system that Americans so overwhelmingly tell us is not broken. Sincerely,Senator Dianne Feinstein Senator Daniel K. AkakaChair, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Chair, Senate Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies on National Parks Rep. Norman D. Dicks Rep. Raul M. GrijalvaChair, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Chair, House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies National Parks, Forests, & Public Lands
Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
February 2008
- Feingold, Akaka Fight for Veteran Health Care [February 29, 2008]
- Akaka Chairs hearing on Government-wide Intelligence Community Management Reforms [February 29, 2008]
- Statement on Resignation of Under Secretary for Benefits from VA [February 28, 2008]
- Bipartisan Senators Urge Secretary Rice to Reconsider U.S. Policy Toward Cuba [February 28, 2008]
- Expert Testimony on PTSD and Veterans' Disability Compensation in Senate Veterans Affairs Committee [February 27, 2008]
- University of Hawaii Selected as Homeland Security Center [February 26, 2008]
- Chairman Akaka and Majority Members of Veterans' Affairs Committee Provide Budget Views and Estimates [February 22, 2008]
- Akaka Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies [February 21, 2008]
- Senate Democrats Discuss Efforts to Protect Wounded Warriors and Veterans [February 15, 2008]
- Dept. of Labor Implements Akaka USERRA Recommendations [February 15, 2008]
- Veterans Diagnosed with PTSD on Active Duty No Longer Required to Provide Further Evidence of PTSD [February 15, 2008]
- Akaka Reacts to Army Recommendation to Station Stryker Brigade at Schofield [February 15, 2008]
- Hearing on Veterans' Funding with New VA Secretary Peake [February 14, 2008]
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Screening Highlighted in GAO Report [February 8, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Cost-of-Living Increase for Disabled Veterans [February 8, 2008]
- Akaka Votes to Support Senate Stimulus Package [February 7, 2008]
- Akaka Responds to Reports About Fort Drum [February 7, 2008]
- Feinstein, Akaka, Dicks and Grijalva Urge Interior Secretary to Retain Reagen-Era Restrictions on Loaded Firearms in America's Natonal Parks and Wildlife Refuges [February 7, 2008]
- Statement Marking Senator Inouye's 15,000 Vote in the United States Senate [February 6, 2008]
- Hearing on Veterans' Rehabilitation [February 5, 2008]
- Senators Call for Improved Compensation for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury [February 5, 2008]
- Proposed Veterans' Budget Would Scale Back Recent Gains for Veterans [February 4, 2008]
- More than $7.8 Million in Homeland Security Funds for Hawaii, Akaka and Inouye Announce [February 1, 2008]
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