Last week, the Interior Department announced a change in the prohibition of carrying firearms inside the boundaries of national parks and monuments. This rules amendment, which goes into effect 30 days after being published in the Federal Register, brought a variety of reactions from different directions as could be expected.

The new rules now allow individuals possessing a license to carry concealed handguns in national parks, under specific conditions.

The primary condition requires the individual to first obtain a state-concealed carry gun license. However, the new rule doesn’t affect gun bans within visitor centers, federal buildings and high traffic locations as the Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall and others.

Formerly, firearms brought into a national park or monument were to be unloaded and kept somewhere within a vehicle that was not considered easily accessible.

These rules still apply to anyone not possessing a valid concealed carry permit.

As an example, carrying a concealed gun into Rocky Mountain National Park or the Colorado National Monument requires a state-issued concealed carry permit.

Opponents to the new rule say it could cause potential danger to other visitors, artifacts and wildlife. Groups favoring the new ruling say the new rule is fair and takes

into consideration a citizen’s right to self-defense.

Among the objections made to the change of firearms possession within national parks and monuments, some opponents have suggested that the new rule would increase poaching of wildlife and that there would be an increase of danger to families.

The concealed carry rule doesn’t change the fact that hunting is not allowed in the parks and monuments.

It doesn’t allow target practice, plinking or other recreational shooting. Proponents such as the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms feel that the rule is a timely change. Chairman Alan Gottlieb said, “This common sense change reflects not only changes in the laws of 48 states, but more importantly the Supreme Court’s ruling in June that upheld the individual right to keep and bear arms that is protected by the Second Amendment.”

Federal officials started their examination of possible rule modifications earlier this year in response to letters from 50 state senators, including Ken Salazar, asking for change. Salazar said through his Washington, D.C., office that the new rule was “sensible.” Outgoing Senator Wayne Allard, R-Colorado, also sought the rule change.

Artifacts such as rock formations or pictographs and the like remain protected against any shooting or target practice.

In the past, some citizens have expressed that any area designated as “gun-free” could act as a magnet to criminals and others to be safer places to cause mischief related to illegal gun use, as they could be reasonably assured they wouldn’t be subjected to any defensive return fire. With the new rule for parks and monuments in place, that would not be guaranteed t anymore, as concealed carry means no criminal could be sure that intended victims wouldn’t be apt to protect themselves in some circumstances. This possibility could also be a deterrent for anyone considering any sort of terrorist or other attack.

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Local fishing and hunting expert Dick Hess can be reached at ColoradoHess@hotmail.com.