[Da Coyote]

Be glad that persons such as this judge chose to go into law instead of aeronautical engineering. Can you imagine what a plane designed by this clown would look like? We won’t even consider reliability.

[Vaquero]

I HAVE THE ULTIMATE CONTEMPT FOR HIS COURT

[Free Vulcan]

Not much to say here, the facts of the case pretty much contradict the judge’s theories about guns in the park.

[Domandred]

The ban didn't stop Belderrain.

You don't say. And removing the ban isn't going to change anything either. Poachers don't care if there is a ban on weapons, they are going to poach anyways.

[vetvetdoug]

This was a criminal poacher and the judge should not characterize all gun owners as he did the poacher. I guess they "know" what's best for everyone else.

Poachers should be dealt with harshly thereby creating a deterrent to those with weapons that consider committing the crime of poaching in a NP.

[The_Media_never_lie]

The criminal killing of an elk underscores the need to restrict the use of loaded guns in national parks

If we restrict the use of loaded guns in national parks, does this mean we will allow unrestricted use of unloaded guns in the parks?

[snowrip]

What a waste.

I have owned guns since I was ten years old, and I am an avid hunter and fisherman. What Belderrain did is the exact opposite of the hunting ethic: he disobeyed the law (several of them), and he killed for sport.

He deserves whatever he gets.

[TheMightyQuinn]

he killed an elk ... outside the Yellowstone National Park boundary

Okay judge, this applies to bearing arms inside a park how?

[servantboy777]

It wasn’t but a couple of years ago a national park care taker up in Yellowstone or Yosemite stalked and murdered a woman in the park.

We need protection.........all the time.

[Crucis Country]

Jackson, WY is a hotbed of Hollywood liberalism. The local politics are financed by that group and reflects their agenda. Seems the federal judge there is at least sympathetic.

[MBB1984]

Four years in prison for shooting an elk seems quite excessive to me for someone with an otherwise clean record. Child molesters often get less prison time for a far worse offense.

And, the Judge should leave the comments for the legislature.

[DuncanWaring]

Let's see now ... this guy used an illegally-possessed gun to illegally shoot an elk outside of a National Park, and this is used as justification to prohibit carrying loaded weapons inside national parks?

WTF?

[gundog]

Besides the 48 months for being a felon in possession of a firearm...

Yeah, let's slip that in beneath the fold.

[pabianice]

Four years. More than the average convicted murderer gets. Anyone planning to sit-out the election to “protest” John McCain? YOU are the reason such judges get appointed to the bench by Liberals. Congratulations.

[kublia khan]

“Downes”

No one would even suggest impeachment of the judge for judicial excess. Government is an inbred good old boys club no matter what side of the aisle your from.

[ZULU]

So what does Jerk Judge ssay to the relatives of hikers and campers killed by Bears and mountain lions?

Or don’t they count?

The killer of the elk is an abberation. But elks are hardly endangered, so it certainly doesn’t justify the outburst from the bench by this sophomoric attorney with political connections.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Wouldn’t poaching still be illegal even if we were allowed to carry in parks?

[ZULU]

This idiot judge have a mailing address so I can Hisshonor what I think he should be called?

[wastedyears]

It’s a bloody elk!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Downes, William F.

Born 1946 in Boston, MA

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U. S. District Court, District of Wyoming
Nominated by William J. Clinton on May 5, 1994, to a new seat created by 104 Stat. 5089; Confirmed by the Senate on June 15, 1994, and received commission on June 16, 1994. Served as chief judge, 1999-present.

Education:
University of Texas, B.A., 1968

University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 1974

Professional Career:
U.S. Marine Corps Captain, 1968-1971
Attorney, Underwriter’s Services, Inc., 1974-1975
Private practice, Green River, Wyoming, 1975-1978
Private practice, Casper, Wyoming, 1978-1994

Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male