Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., praised the release of new regulations that would allow gun owners more access to national parks. Enzi and Barrasso called the rule a win for gun owners and the Second Amendment.
"I applaud Wyoming gun owners and park goers who commented on the proposed law. Those comments and congressional efforts ultimately led to a big win for the Second Amendment. Gun owners with valid concealed weapons permits will no longer be stuck with confusing laws about when they can and can’t have their weapons in accessible places and where they can use them," said Enzi.
"There are not many states like Wyoming where it is nearly impossible to travel from point A to point B without crossing over federal lands. I commend this decision which will result in consistent firearm rules. The second amendment is not only right, it is also a value and way of life we hold dear in Wyoming," said Barrasso.
In 30 days the Department of Interior will institute a policy to allow firearms to be carried in national parks and wildlife refuges as long as the concealed weapons permit holder is "authorized to do so on similar state lands in the state in which the national park or refuge is located". Current regulations prohibit firearms to be carried in national parks even if the owner has a valid concealed carrying permit in the state in which the park or refuge is located.
Enzi, Barrasso and 50 other senators wrote to the Department of Interior asking for an update on existing regulations that restricted the carrying of firearms. In response to the letter Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne sought a proposal to update the firearm policies.
