Therriault Resolution Commends Pres. Bush, NPS on Rule Allowing Firearms in National Parks

JUNEAU – Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, has introduced a Senate Joint Resolution commending former President George Bush and the National Park Service for adopting a rule in December last year that allows the concealed carry of firearms for personal protection in national parks. The resolution,
SJR 3, also asks the Obama administration to continue and improve on the rule.

“In the wilds of Alaska – indeed, in many national parks in the western US – it is not unusual for hikers to find themselves in a life threatening situation,” Therriault said. “Bears, cougars, moose and other wild animals do not know and respect park boundaries, so when they threaten park users, those humans should have some realistic way to defend themselves.”

Therriault also noted that, in addition to providing personal protection, a handgun can also be used for signaling to searchers or others. “For example, the two young women who were lost in Denali National Park last summer might have been found much sooner if they had been able to fire off a few rounds to alert search parties to their location.”

Therriault said the rule could be improved by the Obama administration by removing the requirement that the firearm must be concealed, which may have been included in error. “I don’t think the wild animals would modify their behavior based on whether a handgun is concealed or not,” Therriault said.

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