Bi-Partisan Congressional Majority Moves to Restore Second Amendment in National Parks

Friday, May 22, 2009


On Wednesday, NRA-backed legislation to restore the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens in national parks and wildlife refuges passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 279-147. Today, the measure was signed into law and, as specified in the legislation, will take effect in nine months, on February 22, 2010. This was a major repudiation of the gun control community's anti self-defense agenda.

The current Department of Interior (DOI) regulations were amended by the Bush Administration in 2008, allowing law-abiding citizens to defend themselves by carrying a concealed firearm in national parks and wildlife refuges. However, early this year, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. granted anti-gun plaintiffs a preliminary injunction against implementation of the new rule. NRA has been working for the past several years in the regulatory, legal, and legislative arenas to achieve this policy change.

"It has been an NRA priority to change the old, outdated rule, and we are pleased that Congress passed this critical legislation," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "This step brings clarity and uniformity for law-abiding gun owners visiting our national parks and wildlife refuges. NRA will continue to pursue every avenue to defend the American people's right of self-defense."

The National Park Service's recent report revealed that 11 murders, 35 rapes, 61 robberies and 261 aggravated assaults occurred on parklands in 2006. Our parks also contain hidden methamphetamine labs, marijuana fields and illegal drug and illegal alien smuggling routes. In addition to these dangers and potential attacks from human predators, park visitors have to consider attacks from animal predators. Between April and December 2007 there were at least a dozen grizzly bear attacks reported by park visitors. Today, 31 states allow the carrying of firearms in state parks--all with safe and satisfactory results.

This bill provides consistency across our nation's federal lands and puts an end to the patchwork of regulations that govern different lands managed by different federal agencies. In the past, only Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands allowed the carrying of firearms, while National Parks and Wildlife Refuges did not.

In 1982, only six states allowed citizens to carry handguns for self-defense. Currently, 48 states have some process in place for issuing licenses or permits to allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for self-defense. The NRA has long held that the regulations needed to be updated to reflect this change.

This move restores the rights of law-abiding gun owners who wish to transport and carry firearms for lawful purposes on most DOI lands and makes federal law consistent with the state law in which these lands are located.
"This common-sense measure, offered by Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), gives law-abiding gun owners the option of protecting themselves in our federal parks and refuges. We appreciate the efforts and leadership of Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.), and Representatives Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) and Rob Bishop (R-Utah), in ensuring a legislative remedy to amend out-of-date regulations and restore the Second Amendment rights of American gun owners," concluded Cox.

OHN POPE ELECTED DUCKS UNLIMITED PRESIDENT

DENVER, Colorado., May 23, 2009 – Ducks Unlimited ushered in a new era at its Annual Convention in Denver this week as delegates elected longtime volunteer, John R. Pope, of Jacksonville, Fla., as its 40th President. Pope will follow in the footsteps of Bruce Lewis, who is now the Chairman of the Board.

“It is a great honor and it is with a great sense of awe that I stand here this morning as your president,” said Pope. “I am deeply humbled and promise to lead Ducks Unlimited in the proud traditions of its history and the many men who held this distinction as well.”

As president, Pope said he plans to continue DU’s progress with its continental campaign, Wetlands for Tomorrow, while bolstering efforts to “Rescue the Duck Factory,” by conserving waterfowl breeding habitat on the prairies. In his acceptance speech, Pope called on DU volunteers to rally around the cause, hearkening back to DU’s founding during the Great Depression.

“From its earliest days this organization has been built on personal relationships and the overall support of its volunteers, who all work for the ducks and their habitats,” Pope said.

During his tenure, Pope explained that he plans to emphasize teamwork between staff and volunteers, increase event attendance through recruitment and mentoring, and continue to expand DU’s involvement in the policy arena. Most of all, Pope says he hopes to help achieve DU’s vision, “to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.”

Since Pope first joined DU in 1983, he has served as district chairman, state chairman, regional vice president, and as senior vice president. A University of Florida graduate, Pope, 61, resides in Jacksonville with his wife Jane and works as a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services.

“This is an exciting time for Ducks Unlimited,” said Don Young, DU’s executive vice president. “We’re fortunate to have a strong cadre of volunteer leaders, and with John Pope at the helm, he will no doubt continue that tradition of excellence. John’s knowledge of the organization, married with his passion for the mission and his financial expertise, will serve Ducks Unlimited well over the next two years and beyond.”
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with more than 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands - nature’s most productive ecosystem - and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.