I'm going to leave for an extended trip to Big Bend Nat"l Park.
Here's what the Park Service thinks;


Big Bend National Park

River Road Camping Advisory




For backcountry car campers, hikers, and river users of the River Road West in and near to the Dominguez Spring trailhead as well as the Woodson"s, Jewel, Loop and Johnson"s Ranch Campsites.

Warning!
Illegal activity has occurred and is likely to continue along the International Border with Mexico. This area has experienced greater frequency of illegal activity than other sections of the park"s border.

Documented crimes in the area specified include drug smuggling, marijuana cultivation, theft of camping equipment from unattended campsites, vehicle break-ins, and observation or contact with individuals suspected of having entered the United States illegally by passing through this remote backcountry section of the park.

Campers and visitors to this area at times have felt uncomfortable by the presence of small groups of individuals on or from the Mexican side of the border.

Park Rangers and Border Patrol continue to monitor, patrol and actively seek to enforce the laws of along this remote section of the park, but cannot be in all places at all times.

Visitors should report any problems, unusual or suspicious activity to park dispatch at (432) 477-2251
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I'll be armed.

I would be all for this measure if it meant that Faux would broadcast from national parks from now on....

Who needs ratings when you've got bullets!!!

First we should relax the rules about carrying loaded weapons in Congress.

Why not tanks and mortars in larger parks.

The concerns expressed by the critics here also accompanied the enactment of concealed-carry laws in nearly 40 states over the past few decades. The results of those experiments have been excellent. So why would the results here be any different?

I dont have a real problem with fire arms, what I do have a problem with is some of the idiots allowed to have them. I can easily see the US turning into certain places around the world without gun laws. A rifle or pistol carried on everyones body, idiots shooting into the air ( what goes up must come done morons) and the wanna be vigilantly on every corner.
They should have stringent mental health exams and follow ups for all people allowed to have firearms. I also think they should do the same for wanna be parents too. Far to many kids are abused and neglected by parents who shouldnt have kids in the first place. Im related to a few of those too.

I agree in principle, but I'd like to know what the Park Police think about it.

"A watchdog group last week warned that law enforcement work in national parks is the most dangerous in federal service."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/08/national/main765404.shtml

How much more dangerous would it be if visitors were carrying guns?

Diclosure: I carry a sidearm when I am in National Forest and BLM land. If guns were to be allowed in the National Parks, I would carry one there too.

Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney would sign an Assault Weapons ban if it came to his desk, do you support his position?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1318
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saying that the existing guidelines are "confusing, burdensome and unnecessary."


I see what they mean. "Don't bring guns into the parks" IS confusing and burdensome. When they say don't bring them in, does it mean don't bring guns in on major holidays? Only on weekends? I'm sorry, I'm confused.

The NRA/Gun lobby strategy (and an unfortunately effective one) is that when ever there's a gun-based tragedy, they lobby for less restrictive laws. It deflates the gun control lobby who must just say to themselves, "What's the point?" I wonder what the gun nuts would say if it was one of their kids killed in that mall in OK.

Dear Gunnies, Look at the statistics in England where your guns are highly controlled. It destroys your argument in the bud.

You never know who will be in the bathrooms?

Nothing quite like dodging bullets when you're out for a nature hike....

Those that want to rape, rob or kill are going to carry guns into national parks anyway. Why not let law abiding citizens carry too.
Some anti gunners throw hissy fits when gun groups try to relax concealed carry laws in restaurants, libraries, malls and churches. I guess they don't believe forests are the proper place to have a gun either.