Support bill to stop gun carry inconsistencies in national parks

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., are pushing to protect second amendment rights in every corner of the nation, including a corner of Wyoming – Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Both senators are co-sponsoring the Preservation of the Second Amendment in National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges Act, S. 816, which would allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons in national parks if the concealed weapons permit holder is authorized to do so on similar state lands in the state in which the national park or refuge is located.

“The Wyoming delegation has fought to open up national parks to responsible gun owners in the past and we won that fight. While the appeal of the rule to allow guns in national parks is a small setback, the pressure to do what is right and preserve second amendment rights in and out of national parks will not stop. The Wyoming delegation is turning up the heat,” said Enzi.

“The second amendment is a cherished right, and a value we hold dear in Wyoming,” said Barrasso. “Unfortunately the courts and gun control crowd in Washington are scheming to hijack our second amendment rights.”

Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., is a co-sponsor of the House version, H.R. 1684.

In December 2008, a rule was implemented to allow concealed weapons in national parks and refuges. That rule was then challenged in court when President Obama took office and the U.S. District Court of Washington, D.C. ruled that an environmental study is needed before the new rule change can be accepted.

While the courts wait for a final decision on the environmental study Enzi and Barrasso are working to add co-sponsors to the bill to ensure Wyoming gun owners are not left in limbo.