Outgoing Seantor George Allen has introduced Legislation to allow the carry of concealed weapons in National Parks. The usual suspects (NYT, Brady Bunch, etc.) are up in arms that anyone would feel so unsafe as to want to carry a gun into the pristine wilderness. They are ignoring incidents suck as this one from Hawaii in 1999, this National Geographic report on Organ Pipe National Monument, or this report listing the 10 most dangerous National Parks.

Two legged critters aren’t the only threat in the wilderness areas, bear attacks have resulted in multiple deaths in recent years. Even so called experts are not safe, as the death of Timothy Treadwell so clearly demonstrated.

National Parks are located within the boundaries of states, and citizens of most of those states can legally carry concealed weapons when licensed to do so. There is no reason for their rights to be suspended at the border of the park. Just as with the ‘Gun Free School Zone’, having a gun free Park creates multiple targets of opportunity for criminals. Instead of asking why a visitor ‘needs’ a gun, they should be asking why their rights stop at the entrance station.