Congress votes to allow guns in national parks

[Terri]

By MATTHEW DALY
Associated Press
May 21, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a stinging defeat for gun-control advocates, Congress has voted to allow people to carry loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.

The House approved the measure, 279-147, on Wednesday, one day after the Senate acted.

A total of 105 Democrats in the House joined 174 Republicans in supporting the gun measure, which essentially restores a Bush administration policy that briefly allowed loaded guns in national parks earlier this year. The measure, which is included in a bill imposing new restrictions on credit card companies, allows licensed gun owners to bring firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges as long as they are allowed by state law.

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[RiverKing]

I am a firm believer that gun control means nice, tight groups in the center ring. Even so, I have a problem with this and similar legislation.

Nowhere in Amendment II of the U.S. Constitution do I find anything like "if Congress allows" the keeping and bearing of Arms. This objection includes all federal and state laws allowing citizens to own, carry, and use guns. Do I need a federal or state law to allow me to speak freely?

[Justjack]

I think Riverking hit it right on the head. Why do we Americans have to ask permission from the government, on ALL levels if we can exercise our Rights today? What about tomorrow?