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I read in the paper yesterday that a bill (I guess Democrat sponsored) to set aside more than 2 million acres in 9 states as protected wilderness fell 2 votes short of passage in the House. This 1 paragraph article indicated that Republicans also wanted an amendment allowing concealed, loaded weapons in national parks. I am confused, I thought concealed carry in national parks was already a done deal? What am I missing here. There was no number for this house bill.

The Senate had already passed S.22, which expanded wilderness areas, as you said, and allowed carrying loaded firearms, hunting, and fishing in these areas.

The House leadership then attempted to adopt the Senate bill (apparently without having a corresponding House bill) by a two-thirds majority. That procedure would have sent the bill to the President with no further opportunity for amendment.

Republicans objected to the cost of the bill and, if I am reading correctly, the fact that it prohibited oil and gas drilling in the protected areas.

The bill failed to get a two-thirds majority, mostly due to objections by Republicans. However, it was not a straight party-line vote. Here is the detailed vote: http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/vo ... ouse/1/117" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009 ... -in-house/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/vo ... ouse/1/117" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At this time, it remains legal to carry firearms in national parks in accordance with the law of the state that the land is in. This is an administrative rule and could be changed without a vote of Congress.

It is illegal to hunt or shoot in national parks.

Wilderness areas are administered differently. I don't know the details.

- Jim

Jim - thanks for clearing that up for me.

Stan

You're welcome.

This case is a good example of how RKBA issues are not the first priority for either party in Congress. The Democrats would have passed this bill, except for the three that voted against it. The Republicans objected to it on budget and development terms, nothing to do with RKBA or hunting.

The Democrats who voted No were Bobby Bright (AL-2), John Hall (NY-19), and Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24). I have no idea why they voted the way that they did.

- Jim