Last week, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) once again demonstrated her steadfast commitment to America's gun owners, as she urged U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to support recently adopted regulations that enable Right-to-Carry permit holders to carry concealed firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges in states that recognize their permits. The new rule applies only to law-abiding citizens who have met the requirements to acquire a carry permit, and who are legally allowed to carry in the state in which the park is located. Salazar has asked for a review of the new regulations, which were implemented by the Bush administration.
In a letter to Secretary Salazar, Governor Palin said, "The possession and use of firearms are critical to urban and rural hunters in Alaska. As you know, my state contains vast, pristine areas where the ability to carry firearms can address a potentially life-threatening situation, enabling citizens to respond to bear and other wildlife conflicts. In addition, many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs. Like the residents of other states, Alaskans also rely on firearms for self-defense in the vast acreage encompassed by our national parks and refuges." Palin concluded, "In my opinion, reliance on state laws governing the possession and transport of firearms will not detract from the purposes of national parks and wildlife refuges. Existing state and federal laws are adequate to protect public safety and natural and cultural resources against poaching, vandalism, and other offenses."
A copy of the letter can be found at:
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/pdf/Salazar_ConcealedWeapons-Feb18-2009b.pdf
Rest assured that NRA will do everything within its power to keep this important policy in place.
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