Pro-Concealed Carry in National Parks Editorial in the Chicago Tribune
November 27th, 2006 by Syd
In the Chicago Tribune, a surpisingly positive and supportive editorial appeared on the question of concealed carry in national parks. It’s a registration-required page at http://tinyurl.com/smezm
The best parts:
This record should not be surprising. As a rule, concealed-carry licenses are off-limits to anyone with a history of crime, substance abuse, drunken driving or serious mental illness, and most states require safety training. In any case, people who are inclined to commit mayhem generally don’t seek state licenses to carry guns, any more than they ask permission to break into houses or beat up girlfriends. It’s the law-abiding folks who apply for licenses.
Why would these peaceable souls want to take their guns when hiking or camping in a national park? Same reason they might take them other places: a desire to protect themselves. Though federal lands are mostly safe, they sometimes play host to crime. In fact, park rangers are far more likely to be assaulted or killed than FBI agents.
and…
For some people–solitary women in particular–having the means of self-defense in the woods can be not only a comfort but a lifesaver. It’s fine to trust in one’s fellow man. That doesn’t mean it’s paranoid to have a Plan B.
Judging from a wealth of experience, adopting this new policy would be a non-event, with no unwanted repercussions. The only danger it poses is to criminals, who would lose some easy prey, and anti-gun zealots, who would once again be proven wrong.
You can read the whole text of the article without registration here.
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