Why Republicans suck

I'm going to venture off this blog to rant a little about guns in National Parks. I oppose it, as I've stated numerous times here. It's an unnecessary law endangering millions of visitors, including many foreign visitors, to our national parks for the pleasure of a few who want to carry a gun in a national park.

It doesn't matter that you can't unholster it and especially use it, so it's simply a show of your view on guns. Ok, but why show people how insensitive and inconsiderate you are by carrying one? It's not about the rights of the individual, as you assert, it's about the safety and security of the rest of us from potential harm using your weapon.

I wrote Senators Cantwell and Murray to introduce, or if not that sponsor or support, any amendment to repeal this law and reinstate the old regulations. The former hasn't responded but the latter did. Senator Murray, or her office, sent a response summarizing the history of this law.

She wrote:

"The Senate recently debated H.R. 627, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009, legislation which provides new and necessary regulations to protect families from predatory and deceptive credit card practices."

"During consideration of the Credit CARD Act, Senator Coburn (R-OK) offered an amendment that would allow loaded weapons in any national park or wildlife refuge. Since I share your concern about this provision, I voted against it, but nonetheless the amendment was agreed to by a vote of 67-29. However, because the Credit CARD Act was so desperately needed to address a number of issues, I felt that it was important to implement this legislation despite the unfavorable amendment. As a result, I voted in favor of H.R. 627, which passed in the Senate on May 19, 2009 and was signed into law by President Obama on May 22, 2009."

Furthermore she said she would seriously consider voting for the repeal of this law in any future legislation, but that depends on the bill the amendment is attached to. That means it's all in the politics, meaning we'll see what happens, but don't hold your breath.

I thanked Senator Murray and reminded her I don't look forward to hiking in Mt. Rainier NP in the future when there is the real possibility someone with a gun has different plans for his gun, whether just some random target shooting or more dangerous interests, such as my photography equipment and myself. The last thought I need miles into the backcountry.

It's the last thing anyone needs in the backcountry and more so in the visitors areas. To me now, it's won't be if someone is injured or killed under this law but when. Remember the law doesn't distinguish between an individual's right with a gun, just the the intent of the individual to use it.