Apr 30, 2008 5:35 pm US/Eastern
Decision On Handguns In National Parks Coming Soon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
The government will decide whether to ease-up on a ban on loaded handguns in national parks and one of those parks is Independence Hall, the very spot where the second amendment was created.
We're talking about possibly carrying a concealed weapon. The National Rifle Association and its friends have been pushing for this. Several retired Park Service leaders have been fighting it. Shotguns and rifles would remain banned but a handgun could be another matter.
"I mean there's no real reason to have a loaded weapon in a national park," Michelle Hoffman from King of Prussia said.
A King of Prussia woman in Valley Forge national park was surprised. When a fox is the biggest wild game and the place Washington camped is so peaceful she feels safe.
"I'm a believer in the second amendment," Charles Smith said.
Smith said 'yes' to guns in a controlled way if there is space.
"Some restrictive use or restrictive portion of the park that's reserved only for gun use," Smith said.
The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are parts of a national park. People there were surprised by the idea that somebody someday may be carrying a gun
"I'd be nervous if I heard anyone was carrying a gun because of the world we live in today," Peggy Dolan of Port Richmond said.
The Interior Department wants to know how the public feels about bringing concealed weapons to national parks.
"We put it out for public comment," Jane Cowley with Park Service said.
"I believe people have the right to carry responsible people," James Colossi said.
Long time gun dealer James Colossi stresses though he favors restrictions and reason.
"Any place where there is wildlife and there is a danger people should have a right to protect themselves," Colossi said.
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