[Bodacious]

"muggers, thieves and rapists to drug dealers who carry their business into the parks (which I have seen done in other states)"
You have answered your own rant/question. If you think an untrained,unarmed $7.50 an hour state employee is going to protect you and yours, you are sadly mistaken. Today you must first count upon yourself and take the responsibility of your personal protection.

[DWSUWF]

"...SIRI-GIAN KHALSA..."

I would have thought that a Klingon wouldn't object to those around them being armed.

[RogueIsland]

These gun carriers could range from muggers, thieves and rapists to drug dealers who carry their business into the parks

Well, thank goodness that muggers, thieves, and rapists are unable to carry on their business where it is illegal to carry a firearm.

[Pookie Me]

We need these gun-free zones for ourselves, our families and especially our children.

"THINK OF THE CHIIIILDRUUNNN" Ping!

Pookie & ME

[RogueIsland]

I, for one, don't want fear of violent weapons

Violent weapons? None of my guns have any sort of discipline or behavior problems at all.

[kaylar]

Two words : Cary Stayner. He used a national park (Yosemite) as his stalking ground.

[Issaquahking]

Thank you for posting this. We in FR do need to be aware of the ranting and ravings of a goof like the person who wrote the article. Weapons are only dangerous when they are held by a criminal out to do criminal action. I always carry my weapon close when travelling and have never had to use it yet, but it's there if I ever have to put a stop to something. Something also includes acts by nature - such as stopping a bear attack.

[Ben Ficklin]

You can be sure that the VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation is a recipient of grants of Pittman- Robertson money from USFWS. Pitt-Rob is a 70 yo, 12% excise tax on hunting equipment and supplies that Treasury turns over(100%) to USFWS that is then granted back to the states.

I suppose that at one time Pitt-Rob money was used exclusively for the betterment of hunting, but in modern times it gets used for many things not related to the betterment of hunting. It is sometimes used to the detriment of hunters.

Consider that since most hunters fish, they are also paying that 12% excise on fishing products under Dingell-Johnson(1950s) which is handled the same way.

The hunters and fihers pay their way while the others that use the public lands do not.

The best example of this is the Fee Demo plan put in effect by Congess in 1998 in response to declining revenues in the Natl Forests because of declining logging. This was a nominal fee for those that wanted to camp, hike, climb, bike, backpack, birdwatch, etc in the Natl Forests. It has been renewed each year and expanded to other federal lands. These users, however, do not think that they should be charged to use the resources and there has been much complaining, strife, and civil disobedience by the "I want it free" crowd.

Hunters should not be taxed to support those that want to stop hunting.

[Mulder]

SIRI-GIAN KHALSA

This turd need to get the f*** out of my country and go back to whatever third-world sh*thole he came from.

Attempting to overthrow our Bill of Rights, as this terrorist is attempting to do, should be dealt with by deportation at least, and a public hanging at most (after a trial by jury, of course)

[Search4Truth]

Sacred of his own shadow.

[tet68]

Ummmmm. I don't suppose these laws would apply to Sikh's carrying knives?

Mr. Khalsa.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The idocy of people who think a statue outlawing the carrying of guns will prevent rape and murder really amazes me. This moron must have ridden the short bus to school.