More pants-wetting from the VPC

Dear Violence Policy Center Action Network Member:

PLEASE HELP KEEP OUR NATIONAL PARKS SAFE!

We need your help to stop the gun lobby from railroading through Congress a proposal allowing loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges.

The Bush Administration initiated this effort by pushing through a last-minute rule at the Department of Interior. The process used to finalize the rule was so flawed that a federal court issued an injunction to prevent it from going into effect and the agency agreed to complete an environmental impact study.

But the gun lobby is pressuring Congress to do an end-run around these environmental safeguards, forcing the agency to allow loaded guns in parks. The measure was attached as a rider to the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act (H.R.627) by Senator Coburn (R-OK). It would allow individuals to openly carry rifles, shotguns, and handguns in national parks if the gun is in compliance with state law. As a result, individuals could attend ranger-led hikes and campfire programs openly carrying handguns or rifles at Yellowstone National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and many other national park units across the country.

This outrageous proposal would endanger wildlife, park visitors, and the park rangers entrusted with protecting the parks. That is why the proposal is opposed by all of the major organizations representing the interests of national parks and park rangers, including the National Parks Conservation Association, the Association of National Park Rangers, Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, and the U.S. Park Rangers Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police. The measure is also opposed by all of the national gun violence prevention organizations and The Humane Society of the United States.

Votes are expected on this dangerous proposal as soon as THIS TUESDAY, MAY 19th. PLEASE ACT NOW AND CALL 202-224-3121 AND TELL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE THAT YOU OPPOSE LOADED GUNS IN NATIONAL PARKS.

PLEASE ALSO CALL THE WHITE HOUSE AT 202-456-1111 AND GIVE PRESIDENT OBAMA THE SAME MESSAGE.

CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE ARE ALREADY HEARING FROM THE GUN LOBBY. PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY HEAR FROM THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT MAINTAINING THE SAFETY AND SANCTITY OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS!

Thank you, as always, for your efforts to stop gun death and injury.

Sincerely,

Josh Sugarmann
Executive Director