Parks Bill Loophole: Could Tourists Take Guns Into the White House?

Source: Politico

Could tourists take guns into the White House?

By CAROL E. LEE

Could tourists pack heat with cameras?

Not if Secret Service has anything to say about it. But a guns provision in the credit card bill President Barack Obama signs into law today touches pretty close to his new home.

Obama never really wanted the provision, but he wanted credit card reform on his desk by Memorial Day, so he let slide an amendment that allows people to bring loaded guns into national parks.

And the White House is a national park.

A spokeswoman for D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty was quick to note “the provision in the credit card legislation will not apply to the national parks in the District.”

But Washington has no law that specifically says no guns are permitted in national parks – and why would they? Until now they didn’t need one.

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Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22863.html

All the legislation did, was defer to the state or district the park is in... In other words, DC's super strict gun laws will apply

Just like it does in National Forests...The State Laws, all apply...

EDIT: that article is panic stricken, bullshit..... It clearly is designed to mislead the public, to the true nature of that law. Or the writer is incompetent.

Have a great weekend there on the yonder side of the continental divide!

I do agree with many restrictions, but this, law is a good change!

All other state laws are in effect, all it took away was the blanket Federal restriction.

For example, If I drive my car, with my CCW handgun, and I come to an intersection with the Blue Ridge Parkway, as I mearly cross over the parkway, to the other side, I am committing a FEDERAL FELONY, with FEDERAL JAIL TIME.... All for crossing a road, at a right angle.. I am completely legal, for ALL but that 30 or so feet of Right of Way, that is considered a "National Park"

It is a "gotcha" law more than anything.. Certainly Villager, would you agree with me that this change is actually good, for us, law abiding citizens??

But I might have less objection to the bill if it specifically targeted the "gotcha" aspects, because -- despite our principled differences, my equally spirited fellow DUer -- it does seem innately ridiculous that one should be committing a felony for a few yards, or a mile or two, due to zig-zagging boundaries.

Of course, there are the larger issues, gun-wise, about how many, how easy to get, where to wield, etc., but that's a thread -- a recurring one, evidently! -- for another day...

Glad to see you agree with me on this one! Don't forget the Crux of what I my first post in this thread..

All removal of the law, did was to "DEFER TO THE STATE THAT THE PARK IS IN" in short, it will go by the SAME GUN LAWS as the surrounding area.

In Short, If I have a gun, in my glove box, in Virginia, and I do not have a CCW permit, it is illegal, and a crime...

When I turn onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, it will STILL be illegal, and still be a crime, nothing changed.... All of Virginia's Gun Laws, will apply, and when the Parkway crosses into North Carolina, THOSE laws will be in effect.

All the law did, was to remove a bad, BAD, "Gotcha and a Felony" from Federal Law.

EDIT: I know your Anti Gun, but I am glad to see that you acknowledge problematic legislation with an open mind. What do you think about the tone, and "Blown out of proportion" arguments we are hearing from MSM?? Does that bother you that they are being so blatantly misleading on this?

It wasn't just a "gotcha reconciliation" bill....

Frankly, more than a soaring murder rate in parks -- though it occurs to me that 3-day weekends, alcohol, and loaded guns may not be the most desirable of combinations -- I actually wonder how this will abet poaching...

I know, several myself, most are already felons, and they flat don't give a shit.

What is One more law broken, when your already breaking 10?

Public Drunkenness, as far as I know is already illegal, so their again, what is ONE more law going to do??

Under the NEW regs, the Poacher, is still breaking the law, the Drunk, is STILL breaking the law... I fail to see how this is a problem.

Still, I'm wondering about folks in the "middle ground" -- they're not eco-hippie types (closer to my own end of the spectrum, I cheerfully acknowledge), and they're not professional/hardcore/committed poachers...

But -- they have no particular affinity for animals, either.

And now, there are more loaded guns within easy reach...

What's gonna happen?

be in possession of a loaded handgun or any firearm while drunk.

People constantly opposed to concealed carry laws claimed that there would be constant gunfights and that every traffic accident would result in a shootout. It never turned out that way. In fact, you're more likely to be the victim of a violent crime by a police officer than by a CCW holder.

(or promiscuous?) gun laws tend to have the highest rates of gun deaths, etc.

so will the "encouragement" of bringing guns into parks cause a spike in shootings, poaching, etc.? Will it make such things easier?

We are all about to find out...!

They're also not at all shy about breaking existing laws. Poachers use long guns and back roads--anyone who's dumb enough to try to go hunting with a pistol is likely to end up frustrated, or badly injured by the animal they're hunting.

By the way, you're grossly mischaracterizing a study that was already drawing dubious conclusions. California and New York have the tightest gun laws in the country, and they both still rack up some of the highest murder rates in the country. Likewise DC, which still has a near total firearms ban.

or it could be said state with the most gun death have most lax laws. Causation is not shown in either case.

You're asserting that poaching will increase because people who would break poaching laws were afraid to break a law prohibiting guns in national parks?

:eyes:

...and we ALREADY have 3-day weekends...and alcohol...and loaded guns. Responsible don't use them together and won't start just because they're allowed to carry a concealed weapon in a national park.

... with firearms who engage in impulse or opportunistic shooting"

That's a spokesman for a Park Rangers group. You're free to bring it up with them.

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/05/ranger_conservation_groups_opp.html

And another list of gun banned parks? Would you consider it fair to let people know where they could be shot by an ass with six beers in him?

It's already illegal to shoot somebody.

It's already illegal to carry a firearm while drinking alcohol.

So people who have a legitimate reason to be concerned about self-defense in the middle of nowhere need to suffer because a third crime would REALLY discourage somebody who's clearly not discouraged by laws?