Alaska Governor Sarah Palin lauded the United States Congress for passing legislation that permits visitors to carry loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges, provided state laws are obeyed. The provision was hidden within a bill on how credit card companies are to do business with consumers (National Parks, 2009, ¶1).
“This is certainly good news for Alaska,” Governor Palin said. “The ability to carry a firearm can define a life or death situation, especially for protection against surprise encounters with wildlife, mainly bears. I appreciate the strong bipartisan support this received in the House and Senate. I am pleased the administration says the president will sign the bill” (National Parks, 2009, ¶2)
“Within Alaska, most of the national parks and refuge areas are open to various forms of hunting, so possession and use of firearms is already widely allowed under both state and federal law” (National Parks, 2009, ¶3).
Commentary
Governor Palin has long been a staunch supporter of our Second Amendment rights, something on which she will never waver. This is why a custom rifle was made in her honor, though the Governor unfortunately was not able to attend the presentation ceremony. The carrying of guns in national parks issue has been ongoing since at least the beginning of the year.
What is surprising — and pleasantly so — is that this Congress and this administration passed legislation that supports the right to carry guns in national parks (which only makes sense, because we already hunt in many of these parks).
References
Governor Palin lauds Congressional firearm provision. (2009, May 20). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved May 21, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1856.
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