Coming Soon to a National Park Near You: Guns, Guns, Guns!

Currently, visitors to national parks are allowed to possess guns
only if they're stored out of reach and unloaded. All this will change
on February 22, 2010, when park visitors will be able to possess
firearms in national park areas consistent with the laws of the state
in which the area is located.

The change is the result of an amendment sponsored by Senator Tom
Coburn (R-OK) added to the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of
2009 signed into law by President Obama last May.

To mark this National Rifle Association-backed change, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR)
issued a release this week offering examples of what visitors may soon
be experiencing in our national parks. According to the CNPSR:

• Yellowstone National Park (WY, MT, ID): In
  the world's first national park, Yellowstone, while watching Old
  Faithful erupt you could be in the company of other park visitors
  wearing holsters and handguns. In the evening campfire circle, you may
  sit next to someone who can legally carry a shotgun or rifle to that
  special place. Anyone hiking in the backcountry can openly carry guns,
  increasing the risk to other hikers and park wildlife.
• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (VA): Virginia's
  gun laws are very permissive. The grounds of Wolf Trap, including the
  "lawn seating area," will be open to people carrying firearms.
• Grand Canyon National Park (AZ): Arizona's
  gun laws are very permissive and while standing on Mather Point,
  enjoying the breathtaking view of the canyon, you could see another
  visitor with an assault rifle slung on his shoulder. At your campsite
  in the park's campground, you could see guns prominently displayed in
  the campsite next to you.
• Mesa Verde National Park (CO): Colorado
  law is very permissive about open carry of firearms except in some
  cities. During your visit to Cliff Palace, you could be listening to
  the ranger's interpretive discussion while standing next to someone
  with a handgun and holster prominently displayed.
• Gettysburg National Military Battlefield (PA): Pennsylvania
  is also a very permissive state relative to gun laws. During your tour
  of the battlefield, you could encounter other visitors legally carrying
  rifles--and not the historic kind.
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park (NM): At the
  evening bat flight program and even on the cave tours, you could be
  joined by others openly carrying firearms. As you wander through the
  park's restaurant and gift store, looking for a bite to eat or a
  souvenir to buy, other visitors might be seen legally carrying
  firearms.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN and NC): This
  park is an example of one of the problems visitors will face with the
  new law. In North Carolina, there are few gun restrictions and visitors
  could be seen openly carrying guns. However, if you happen to be a
  gun-carrying visitor, you will need a "carry permit" when you cross
  into the part of the park located in Tennessee.
• Mount Rainier National Park (WA): While hiking the famous "Wonderland Trail" you could encounter other hikers openly carrying handguns, rifles or shotguns.
• Denali National Park and Preserve (AK): While
  riding on an NPS-licensed bus operated by the park concessioner on a
  day-long trip on the "park road" (the only way to get into the heart of
  the park other than to hike) you could be sitting next to someone with
  a handgun in a holster.

Not surprisingly, the Coburn Amendment was opposed by every major parks organization, including in addition to CNPSR, the U.S. Park Rangers Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police and the National Parks Conservation Association.

But they're only the stewards and defenders of our national parks.
Apparently it's the National Rifle Association that owns them.