Fine print in credit card reform: concealed weapons at national parks

When Democrats retook the Senate and House in 2006, liberals rejoiced. Little noticed at the time was this intriguing fact: Democrats won their new majorities thanks in part to an infusion of new Democratic voices from the West and rural America.

Now, those new voices are joining with Republicans to create some unanticipated consequences.

Exhibit A is today's House vote on credit reform legislation, a bill that would force credit card companies to notify customers when they plan to raise their rates. It would also require the firms to post their policies online, where, presumably, even those of us with glasses could actually read the fine print. And the bill discourages anyone under 21 -- like college kids -- from using credit cards to pile up debt, requiring proof that they can repay the money or that they have backup from a parent or guardian.

President Obama, who wants to sign the legislation, has asked congressional leaders to have it on his desk by Memorial Day.

But Senate Republicans, working with new Democratic colleagues from more-rural states, inserted language in the bill giving gun owners the right to carry concealed weapons into the national parks.

"It's a shame," said California Sen. Barbara Boxer. "But you have to come to a realization around here that at this point in time, the NRA gets the votes."

Translation: the National Rifle Assn. is too strong to overcome. So if the White House and Democrats in Congress want to pass consumer-friendly credit card reform, they have to swallow hard. Today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is splitting the vote into two parts. While both will end up in the bill, at least urban Democrats can tell constituents they voted against the guns.

The provision's inclusion is a victory for Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, who insists the measure is less about guns than about states rights, ensuring that those with permits to carry weapons are not precluded from doing so when they enter parks or national preserves.

"Timing is everything in politics," he told the New York Times. "I don't like guns necessarily," he said. "What I want is those constitutional rights to be protected."

-- Johanna Neuman

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Comments

[Mike in San Diego]

Why in the world would anybody need a gun in a national park?

I hope Sen. Coburn is available for comment and questioning the first time someone gets seriously injured or killed from the use of a gun in what should otherwise be a non-threatening environment -- at least when it comes to the troubles of man.

[Tannim]

A victory for the Second Amendment, and the ability to cut crime and wildlife attacks in national parks.

Now, if they only could have capped the credit card rates at 5%...

[Jonathan Volzke]

Such is why the public has so little respect for politicans.

The games they play.

[Carl in Chicago]

"...inserted language in the bill giving gun owners the right to carry concealed weapons..."

Johanna, please. You know as well as I that the inserted language (or Congress) does not "give" anyone the right to bear arms. That right preexisted. It's a natural right that extends from the human right of self-preservation. Congress has merely repealed a longstanding infringement on the right.

Your wording conditions your readers to believe Congress possesses powers which it does not.

[Eric]

Guns in a wildlife refuge?

What part of "refuge" does Coburn and the rest not understand?

[just joe]

What the....? Here's a bill regarding credit card reform. I would expect that ALL the language in this bill would be about credit cards. BUT NOooooo! Without getting into arguments about guns, WHY was this gun issue inserted? Yes, I read the article! What I want to know is.... ARE THERE ANY HONEST PEOPLE LEFT IN U.S. GOVERNMENT? If not, recall them ALL.

I'm starting to see that I was taught A LIE when my teachers told me that this is a government "by the people and for the people". This is a government by the special interests and for the special interests.

If our "representatives" cannot be trusted to conduct business in an above board, honest manner then they have no business running this country.

[D - man]

Thank goodness for the so-called blue dog dems and the NRA for upholding the 2nd admendment. i dont even own a gun but i swore an oath to uphold and protect the constitution while in the military. It seems like some of our new dems are also upholding the oaths that they made. i just with our own californian senators would honor the constitution as did i. good job blue dogs!

[Rita Marinko]

The national parks now will likely be like a scene from Deliverance. I will not ever go to a national park again - all the gun nuts will be shooting at anything that moves - chaos will be the order of the day. What a boneheaded bill.

[Da Maverick]

Oh wonderful. Let's see...pack up the car, bring the family, take a hike in nature, and sure why not, pull out my Smith Wesson and fire off of a couple of rounds.

After all, National Parks is where you go to celebrate the 2nd Amendment, right? My god, how stupid are the Congressional Republicans? I think they are mentally ill.

[BobFoolery]

The ability to carry concealed weapons at our national parks will surely be convenient to those harvesting marijuana on our national parklands.

[J Henson]

Explain to me like I'm not old enough to know what credit cards are: the vote can be split but the measures either both pass or both fail?

[Terry]

Obama does it again.

First the delinquent mortgage holders are bailed out by those that are responsilbe.

and now, Obama does it again. Those that pay their monthly credit card bills will be faced with paying a yearly fee to make up for those greedy people who charged and charged and charged and charged.

Reward the bad, punish the good. Obama has it backwards.

NO to more taxes to pay for those who fail to be responsible.

[Kat]

To those who support stricter gun laws, inform yourself (bradycenter.org), and understand the gun lobby will bully Congress into submission until the 87% of Americans who support stricter laws pick up their phones and call their reps.
Continue to stay online & in the debate, offer a couple facts, and stay cool. The NRA hotheads are their own worst enemy, reminding debate observers of creeps they have known: the purple-faced barking boss, the brother-in-law who threatened the family, or the psycho down the street that scares the whole neighborhood.

[MJ]

Those complaining have most likely never done serious hiking in national parks. Never read about mountain lion attacks, huh?

And those growing Marijuana are already carrying weapons in national parks, and are already criminals. Why should I not have the right to carry concealed in a national park when I have a concealed carry permit?

People are so ignorant.

[Andrew]

You anti gunners just don't understand. From the posts I have read I Will respond to many with theses words. The right to carry a gun is for the protection from those growing marijuana in the national parks. Just because you can carry a concealed weapon in a National park does not mean that you can as one post said "SHOOT UP EVERYTHING" it will still be illegal to discharge a weapon in the National Parks unless you are assaulted by someone and are just protecting your self from the criminals who could care less about LAWS in the first place. So in a nut shell this provision will protect those smart enough to carry a weapon from the drug dealers and growers and the illegal aliens that use the National Parks to enter our country and use up our health care and education systems at TAX PAYER expense. If you don't understand what a TAX PAYER is then look at your pay stub and see what the government that is not representing you is stealing from you to give to those that are either not here legally and those not willing to work to provide for themselves. Wake up and stop giving a drunk a drink and ween them off the government's (your tax money) teat.

[Chad]

FYI: There were several Democrats that voted FOR the bill too!

[Ridgeway]

Considering both sides, I decided to conduct some research on the matter prior to posting. This is what I came up with;
Crime in parks is known in certain locations, such as Organ Pipe Cactus NP in AZ for the illegal immigrants or Postpile National Monument in California for the illegal drug activity. The conclusion I came to during my research is that the NPS should regulate which parks are authorized (Based on current events) concealed weapons.
While I agree the majority of public opinion is boasted on ignorance, some concerns have validity. The major concern in my eyes is for the safety of the Ranger. However, with an individual that is carrying legally, they have been somewhat trained to understand when and where to use.
Please note that Park Ranger roll very small, at some locations they totally vacate at certain times of the day to avoid injury to themselves. Rangers are 12x's more likely to be assaulted than a regular law enforcement officer.
Again, each opinion counts, but let's make some recommendations. My soon to come rec is to the department of interior and the NRA: Enforce a registration of visitors carrying concealed weapons. This will allow hunters, campers, and hikers alike to know they will be identified if something happens. Having a Ranger scan every individual that is packing will allow them to possibly identify possible suicide victims as well.

[John Rowell]

We need to get a bill passed that will specifically prohibit riders from being attached to bills, and cross our fingers that this no-rider bill doesn't get too many riders attached to it. *rolls eyes*

[Jason]

The blowhards on the left have been crying wolf about concealed weapons permits ever since Florida passed their CCW law back in 1987. No Old West or fender bender shootouts. And it is has been what, over 20 years? Virginia passed a major CCW law back in 1996. Same thing, no problems. So where is your evidence anti-everything commies? THANK YOU!

Jason the Fed