Enature group against guns in parks-

[Lady Beretta]

This was sent to me today, just thought I'd pass this along.
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Dear Friend,

The comment deadline is approaching! Send your comments by August 8th!

Take Action

For nearly 5 months now, NPCA and our allies have been working to keep loaded guns out of our national parks. Our campaign first began when Senator Coburn (R-OK) tried to amend a public lands bill to allow guns in parks. With the help of our allies and supporters we put a stop to it. However, despite our aggressive attempts to keep the NRA from pushing their political agenda to allow loaded guns in our national parks, we are up against one of the most powerful organizations in the nation on this issue.

We could really use your help.

The administration, caving to pressure from the NRA, has opened up the regulations to the public for comment. We have only a few weeks left to steer the process in the right direction. Will you take a minute to send your comments today?

NPCA isn't opposed to individual gun ownership. The NRA was looking for a polarizing election-year issue and our national parks have become the target (no pun intended). As nature and wildlife enthusiasts, we need your powerful voice to speak out. The NRA is throwing a lot of their money and power into this issue, and in order to keep loaded guns out of national parks we must do the same.

The loss of wildlife due to poaching has been identified as a natural resource issue facing the National Park Service. As it stands now, park rangers are struggling to stay ahead of poachers and vandals, and poaching is already threatening a number of species like black bears in Shenandoah National Park. Allowing loaded guns in national parks will make the rangers' job 10 times harder!

Write to the Department of the Interior (DOI) today and urge them to keep the current regulations in place. The policies on the books right now are Reagan administration policies, and they are sound policies that respect both gun owners and park visitors alike. Gun owners can have their guns in parks, as long as they are unloaded and safely stored. Sound unreasonable? We didn't think so either.

Don't wait. DOI has extended the comment period until August 8, 2008 to ensure that every voice has been heard. Please write to DOI today and tell them to keep the current regulations in place and protect visitors and wildlife from loaded guns in national parks. Take action!

Thanks for all you do,

Signature

Tom Kiernan, President
NPCA

P.S. Over the next two weeks, the NRA is going to push hard to get their members engaged on this issue. We don't have the power or financial backing that the NRA does. What we have is you, and your love and appreciation for our national parks. Please send your comments in before the August 8th deadline.

This message was sent to you by the folks at eNature.com on behalf of the National Parks Conservation Association.

E-mail NPCA at TakeAction@npca.org, write them at 1300 19th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036, or call 800-NAT-PARK (800-628-7275).