Maine to try and ban CCW in National Parks (Portland: house, restaurant)

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by kevin5098

Apparently the ban which existed at the time didn't stop him from using a gun in the park. The idea of CCW (concealed carry weapons) is not protection from animals, but protection from people.

I'm well aware of that. The guy went with the express purpose of killing the daughters boyfriend. This was over at Seawall

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by retiredtinbender

I go along with you all. I would be worried about some of the folks I've seen there being armed. Worst thing there is the seagulls stealing your picnic in places. A good airhporn canister would do them in. Definately not an attack on Ammendment II.

One of these could be quite interesting indeed.

[arctichomesteader]

Rights are not subservient to other people's views of what's "needed." I always keep a gun while hiking or otherwise out in the woods. I've experienced rabid animals, had an encounter with a catamount (mountain lion), I've come across coyotes with absolutely no fear of me, and then there's the dangerous people, people growing drugs out in the woods, etc. If someone feels they don't need a gun, don't carry one, but don't tell others they can't.Never be lulled into thinking "it can't happen here," because no place is truly "safe."

So, who's proposing this anti-gun stuff, some flatlander transplanted to Portland or thereabouts? I know several extremist environmentalist groups were against the change of rules for parks, they behind this thing?

[kevin5098]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

So, who's proposing this anti-gun stuff, some flatlander transplanted to Portland or thereabouts? I know several extremist environmentalist groups were against the change of rules for parks, they behind this thing?

Apparently it's a group called "Friends of Acadia"

Friends of Acadia - Maine Nonprofit, Conservation Organization, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by kevin5098

Apparently it's a group called "Friends of Acadia"

Friends of Acadia - Maine Nonprofit, Conservation Organization, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor

Looks like my guess was right. The environmental extremists are at it again...

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by AustinB

One of these could be quite interesting indeed.

Hey, don't pick on me because I can't spell. LOL

[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by OutDoorNut

Law abiding citizens should be able to legally carry firearms anywhere they feel like.

Anywhere? Even into a court room or onto a strangers private property?
Interesting.

[Maineac]

There's a lot of people that manage to get CCW's that I'd prefer didn't carry when me and my grandchildren are in a State or National Park. Since I don't carry, and never was paranoid enough in decades of guiding deer hunting, bear hunting, whitewater, fishing and canoeing, the only reason I'd WANT to carry is if I knew some flatland trigger happy wanna be Grizzly Adams twit was wandering around with a loaded gun LEGALLY. At that point, the hell with it.

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

Looks like my guess was right. The environmental extremists are at it again...

No, your guess is wrong. Friends of Acadia are just what they say they are: "Friends of Acadia". They are a sort of civilian auxilliary of the National Park system rangers that run Acadia National Park. They include a lot of well meaning, fuzzy headed fools, a bunch of Bambi's personal body guard, as well as a lot of other, just plain folks who feel that Acadia National Park is some sort of special place that needs to be kept up and kept up without being knocked down in the Atlantic Ocean.

If you think that my characterization is sort of mixed, you would be right. I support the spirit and intent of "Friends of Acadia", just like I support the spirit and intent of the other "civilian" groups that support almost every other National Park in the country.

Unfortunately the "Friends of Acadia" are very well politically connected and have been conspiring with successions of representatives and senators for decades to create a more "pristin" Mt. Desert Island, AS WELL as protect the Park. This political sandbagging will be next seen with the development of a gigundo bus terminal, Park Welcome Center and parking lot located in Trenton, about twenty miles from the entrance to Acadia National Park. This "intermodal facility" is going to be smashed down onto 170acres of old farm land that will no longer be just a beautiful old farm field along Route 3 leading to Mt. Desert Island.

What's wrong with this? Why, the Townspeople of Trenton were never invited to the planning table at all, until it was a done deal. Not Senator Snow, nor Representative (now: GOVERNOR) Baldacci had the common sense decency to inform the Town of Trenton what was being planned when this was begun FIFTEEN years ago. So, the Town now gets a big non-profit establishment that it can defend with it's smallish volunteer fire department and NO police force, because the oh, so wonderful folks who love Acadia National Park, surely do NOT want such things a propane buses parked on Mt. Desert Island.

This is evidence of the power of the National Park Movement. But don't think it will end there: not far in the distance you will have to park your car in the parking lot in Trenton, and take the bus if you want to visit Acadia National Park at all.

And, yes: you will likely have to check your guns at the Intermodal Facility, too.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

No, your guess is wrong. Friends of Acadia are just what they say they are: "Friends of Acadia". They are a sort of civilian auxilliary of the National Park system rangers that run Acadia National Park. They include a lot of well meaning, fuzzy headed fools, a bunch of Bambi's personal body guard, as well as a lot of other, just plain folks who feel that Acadia National Park is some sort of special place that needs to be kept up and kept up without being knocked down in the Atlantic Ocean.

If you think that my characterization is sort of mixed, you would be right. I support the spirit and intent of "Friends of Acadia", just like I support the spirit and intent of the other "civilian" groups that support almost every other National Park in the country.

Unfortunately the "Friends of Acadia" are very well politically connected and have been conspiring with successions of representatives and senators for decades to create a more "pristin" Mt. Desert Island, AS WELL as protect the Park. This political sandbagging will be next seen with the development of a gigundo bus terminal, Park Welcome Center and parking lot located in Trenton, about twenty miles from the entrance to Acadia National Park. This "intermodal facility" is going to be smashed down onto 170acres of old farm land that will no longer be just a beautiful old farm field along Route 3 leading to Mt. Desert Island.

What's wrong with this? Why, the Townspeople of Trenton were never invited to the planning table at all, until it was a done deal. Not Senator Snow, nor Representative (now: GOVERNOR) Baldacci had the common sense decency to inform the Town of Trenton what was being planned when this was begun FIFTEEN years ago. So, the Town now gets a big non-profit establishment that it can defend with it's smallish volunteer fire department and NO police force, because the oh, so wonderful folks who love Acadia National Park, surely do NOT want such things a propane buses parked on Mt. Desert Island.

This is evidence of the power of the National Park Movement. But don't think it will end there: not far in the distance you will have to park your car in the parking lot in Trenton, and take the bus if you want to visit Acadia National Park at all.

And, yes: you will likely have to check your guns at the Intermodal Facility, too.

Also on the list: Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Maine Appalachian Trail Club

All these groups are of the mindset to make more parks, drive off people from their homes, and they tend to be anti-traditional uses, including anti-gun, anti-hunting, etc. The National Parks tend to represent an elitist mentality. Preservation versus conservation. I'm well aware of the political connections of these groups.

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd bet many visitors are already toting guns to national parks, and have been for years.