Congressman Ron Paul's bill, HR1897, will allow law-abiding gun owners to be able to carry a handgun for self-defense in a national park. The U.S. Constitution is very clear that the federal government (including bureaucrats and politicians) has no authority to deprive Americans of the right to keep and bear arms, even in national parks.

The bureaucracy of the Department of the Interior has arrogantly refused to seriously consider changing its current regulations to allow citizens the right to self-defense, even though crime is on the rise in national parks. There is substantial evidence that criminals do not respect gun-free zones such as national parks and schools. There are sufficient existing laws to punish those who commit a crime with a gun in national parks. So there is no need to criminalize the possession of a self-defense tool in these locations. Congress and the president must act immediately to allow innocent persons to protect their own lives, and those of other innocent persons, in national parks.

Blaine Nay

Cedar City