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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 17, 2008

Guns Could Be Lifesavers
Regarding "Gunning For Trouble In National Parks" (Commentary, May 11):

The fearmongers writing the article would have us believe that crime will increase in national parks if government permits the carry of concealed weapons on National Park Service property.

They ignore the reality of current criminal activity in parks.

The fact is campers and hikers in national and state parks currently have no legal means of protecting themselves from criminals on these properties and are falling victim at an alarming rate, as more criminals seek refuge in these remote areas.

Meredith Emerson, Irene and John Bryant and Cheryl Dunlap were all killed (one beheaded) while hiking in national and state forests in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina in the last year.

If only they had a means of defending themselves, maybe they would be alive today.

NPS regulations should be amended to allow concealed carry by persons legally entitled to do so in the state. The same goes for state parks.

BRIAN BOYLE

Tampa

Times Have Changed

Many national parks already allow hunting and usually respect state laws. Unfortunately, organizations like the National Park Service Retirees feel since they are past employees, that they are the mouthpiece and so-called experts of the park system. I can tell you from experience that they are not.

I moved to Florida from Pennsylvania. The area I lived in had thousands of acres of National Park Service property. I hunted and fished this area for many years.

I witnessed an anti-gun, anti-hunting mentality by the park rangers until a local congressman and the National Rifle Association became involved. My point being many of the park personnel were honest, hard-working people, but the few buffoons made it bad for everyone.

My advice to these retirees is stop trying to use your influence to force your warped way of thinking on us. We appreciate your service, but times have changed.

Assault, murder, rapes, burglary and vandalism are very real concerns not only in national parks but in state, county and local parks - not to mention the chance of being mauled by an animal in some of the more remote parks.
Park rangers wear body armor and are armed in national parks for a reason. Many areas are understaffed and underpaid. Not too long ago several campers were murdered in Ocala National Forest.

If they had been armed, things might have turned out differently.

ROBERT MONICA

Bell

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