Alaska Governor Palin Expresses Support for Concealed Weapons in Public Parks

February 18, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today encouraged U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to support recently adopted regulations allowing concealed weapons in national parks and wildlife refuges. Secretary Salazar has directed a review of the regulations that were approved by the Bush administration.

In a letter to the Interior secretary, Governor Palin outlined the importance of the possession and use of firearms as a matter of safety.

“The possession and use of firearms are critical to urban and rural hunters in Alaska. As you know, my state contains vast, pristine areas where the ability to carry firearms can address a potentially life-threatening situation, enabling citizens to respond to bear and other wildlife conflicts. In addition, many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs. Like the residents of other states, Alaskans also rely on firearms for self-defense in the vast acreage encompassed by our national parks and refuges.

“In my opinion, reliance on state laws governing the possession and transport of firearms will not detract from the purposes of national parks and wildlife refuges. Existing state and federal laws are adequate to protect public safety and natural and cultural resources against poaching, vandalism, and other offenses.”

A copy of the letter can be found at: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/pdf/Salazar_ConcealedWeapons-Feb18-2009b.pdf

Source: Alaska Governor