Comments by RAH - Las Vegas Sun

Comments by user: RAH

There is no logical reason to deprive citizens their Constitutional right to keep and bear firearms within National Parks. It is even possible that with a positive Heller decision that the Federal government would have no authority to rule on guns in Federal lands

It is ridiculous to deprive a Constitutional right because it would make it easier for rangers to know who the poachers are from other people carrying firearms. If a poaching incident happens then the rangers have to use proper investigative techniques to determine who did the poaching rather than assume anyone with a rifle or handgun is poaching.

Most of the people wanting to restore their right are for handguns for personal protection. Poachers do not use handguns generally to poach. If vandals shoot signs then they can be convicted of vandalism. There is no reason that they need to prevent lawful carry to reduce vandalism or poaching.

Though the author talks about odds, that is no comfort to Meredith Emerson this last January when she was attacked and held prisoner for 4 days and then killed. She fought her attacker but did not have a gun. If she had the she may be living today. So you think it is better for Ms. Emerson to die to make you feel more comfortable about people having defensive weapons in National Parks.

I recall that 2 women died at Snoqualmie Pass a year or so ago. The presence of meth labs and smugglers of drugs across the Southwest have been so bad that rangers are wearing armor vests and have told biologists that not to go to a park because the danger is so great.

There are increasing incidents of bear attacks in campgrounds and now that there are more cougars, they also have become a risk. The attacks are rare but why should a child die from lack of preparedness to make gun phobic people comfortable.

It is surprising that park rangers are now considered more at risk than FBI agents. Self defense is a natural right and it is morally abhorrent that you feel than people ought to be deprived of that right and possibly die to make you feel comfortable about the serenity of the National Parks

(Suggest removal) 5/8/08 at 10:35 a.m.