Ban lifted on loaded guns in national parks

.
The Bush administration has officially lifted a 25-year ban on licensed possession of loaded concealed weapons in national parks and wildlife refuges – and the new rule is set to be published in the Federal Register Wednesday. The U.S. Department of the Interior issued a Dec. 5 statement announcing it has updated its regulations to allow individuals with concealed weapons permits to carry their loaded guns into parks if allowed to do so under their state law. "America was founded on the idea that the federal and state governments work together to serve the public and preserve our natural resources," said Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Lyle Laverty. "The Department’s final regulation respects this tradition by allowing individuals to carry concealed firearms in federal park units and refuges to the extent that they could lawfully do so under state law. The restrictive regulations were adopted in 1981 for national wildlife refuges and in 1983 for national parks. It required permit holders to keep their guns unloaded and stowed. However, since the regulation was adopted, 48 states have passed laws allowing legal possession of concealed weapons. The National Rifle Association and almost half of the U.S. Senate sent a letter to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne calling the old rules "confusing, burdensome and unnecessary" and asking for a policy revision....