The National Park Service maintains a complete ban self defense & weapon possession via 36CFR, regulation 2.4.  Crime continues to soar in National Parks while funding is decreased and visitor safety is compromised.  Dozens of citizens rights organizations have banded together to implement common sense changes to the Parks regulations and decriminalize self protection.  Below is a time line of the administrative and legislative efforts to the National Park Service ban on self defense.     The effort to repeal the National Park Service ban on weapons and self defense began long before VCDL's Petition for Rule Making was submitted.  Here is a timeline of events from the very beginnings of the effort to present day.    Go directly to the most recent updates to the time line. The Department of the Interior / National Park Service submits it's proposed change to the weapons regulations ! Commenting on the proposed change to the National Parks & Wildlife Refuges weapons regulations After 4 1/2 months, the National Park Service finally responds to the FOIA request from Bighammer.net The Petition to restore citizens ability to lawfully defend themselves in National Parks is arbitrarily and capriciously denied! The Petition to restore citizens ability to lawfully defend themselves in National Parks is now under review! Bighammer.net obtains a response from DOI about the petition. Go directly to Contacts! Skip pre-petition efforts and go directly to the actual petition time line.  Pre-petition:   04/21/03 - The owner of (now defunct) ourcivilrights.org inquires about the NPS Ban.  He is "Taylor-Goodriched".  The term "Taylor-Goodriched" refers to what the co-petitioners to amend 36 CFR, Regulation 2.4 eliminating the 'Parks self defense ban' as a patronizing, standardized & dismissive government form letter acknowledging an inquiry, and providing a non-responsive answer to the inquiry.   07/11/03 -  VCDL VA Alert shines light on the ban:  VA Alert I replied to VCDL President with some thoughts.  This effort failed to gain momentum, and there was little, if any, traction gained.     07/22/04 - Attack on the GW Parkway.  Park Police do not respond.     "The 911 dispatcher told us she couldn’t reach Park Police"   07/23/04 - Bighammer.net contacts Senator George Allen re: the 07/22/04 incident. "There can be no justification for the National Park Service to prohibit law-abiding citizens from exercising their right to defend themselves"   08/13/04 - VA Alert item requested about the NPS ban situation.   Link   08/24/04 - The United States Department of Justice issues a memorandum opinion which provides comprehensive proof that the 2nd Amendment confers individual rights to both keep and bear arms: "For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that the Second Amendment secures an individual right to keep and to bear arms...the Second Amendment secures an individual right, and no persuasive basis for either the collective-right or quasi-collective-right views. The text of the Amendment's operative clause, setting out a "right of the people to keep and bear Arms," is clear and is reinforced by the Constitution's structure..."   Eventually, we get a VA-Alert item and as a result, some grass-roots contact to the Virginia Congressional delegation regarding the Parks prohibition on self defense.   08/27/04 - Bighammer.net recontacts Senator Allen, and contacts Senator Warner & Congressman Tom Davis This was enough to raise the issue on the Virginia Congressional delegation's radar.  Congressman Davis, & Senator Warner respond via letter and Senator Warner's office followed up with a phone call.   09/13/04 - Senator Warner's office calls:  Link While this is going on in Virginia, Pennsylvania citizens also object:   10/29/04 - Congressman Murtha is contacted by a constituent organization Efforts were now underway to investigate what needed to be done to overcome this Parks prohibition on self defense.  Much discussion ensued about producing a viable rule amendment which would preserve the Parks ability to regulate hunting, target shooting, etc., but not infringe everybody's rights in the process.    Petition effort begins in earnest: Efforts were now underway to investigate what needed to be done to overcome this Parks prohibition on self defense.  Much discussion ensued about producing a viable rule amendment which would preserve the Parks ability to regulate hunting, target shooting, etc., but not infringe everybody's rights in the process.  11/06/04 - Bighammer.net contacts other concerned citizens to put pressure on the Virginia Congressional delegation about the National Parks ban.  Discussion begins of the VCDL effort to submit a petition to amend the rule.    11/17/04 - Senator Allen responds by letter and email.  "law-abiding individuals should have the right to keep and bear arms of their choice"   12/06/04 - Efforts continue in Pennsylvania as well.  After contact between VCDL and the Johnstown Rifle & Pistol Club.  One of the aspects of the rule making process that VCDL discovered early on was that it was unlikely that a regulation in the CFR would be changed, or amended which took away government authority, and respected individual rights without a great deal of support.  It was wisely decided to seek "co-petitioners" for VCDL's effort to have the National Park Service amend CFR 36, regulation 2.4.  Furthering that effort is this letter.   12/19/04 - The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat publishes this letter: "Those intent on doing an unlawful act with a firearm will not be deterred by gun laws"   12/21/04 - The VCDL Petition for Rule Making to amend CFR 36, Regulation 2.4 makes its public debut.   At this point, you can see the number of co-petitioners is compelling.  There were many things going on to further the effort at this time.  Two of them were a meeting request Secretary Norton at DOI and contact with the NRA-ILA for assistance.  In the first week of January, 2005, both of those requests were answered.  First, the Department of the Interior agreed to meet, and the NRA-ILA agreed to meet as well.    01/05/05 - Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant Director for Fish, Wildlife & Parks agrees to meet with citizens about amending CFR 36, Regulation 2.4.  NRA-ILA agrees to attend, along with a representative of Congressman Virgil Goode's office.    01/07/05 - Congressman John Murtha contacts the Department of the Interior to support the VCDL Petition for Rule Making soon to be submitted.  'Frankly, this is one regulation I firmly believe must be amended.'   01/14/05 - Copetitioners make contact with Congressman Peterson    01/24/05 - Concerned citizens meet with Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife & Parks Paul Hoffman, DOI Ofc. of the Secretary White House Liason Doug Domenech David Jennings, assistant to Congressman Virgil Goode, and NRA-ILA representatives John Frazer & Chris Conte.    The meeting started with NRA-ILA reps going over the issue with Mr. Hoffman, pretty well, and some question and answer.  ILA had raised this issue with Mr. Hoffman in '03, but resources and money were devoted to the 2004 elections.  Mr. Hoffman was delivered a copy of the Petition to be submitted, NRA-ILA fact sheets, case law supporting regulatory boundaries of statutory and constitutional law - USC Thomas Jefferson University vs. Shalala(1994) and Stinson vs. United States(1993).  We all thought the meeting went well, and the point was emphasized that the amended regulation was crafted to preserve the NPS authority to regulate shooting, and hunting, but respect the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms, as well as defend themselves.       Post meeting: Bighammer.net contacts Senator Allen's office & follow up about the meeting with DOI:  Link    01/29/05 - Congressman Murtha is updated on the meeting with DOI:  Link    02/11/05 - U.S. Department of the Interior receives the VCDL initiated petition for rule making to amend CFR 36, Regulation 2.4.  There are over 40 co-petitioner organizations of state and national significance, representing over 1 million citizens.      02/18/05 - We lobby to get Congressman Don Sherwood onboard:  Link   02/21/05 - Johnstown Rifle & Pistol Club is "Taylor-Goodriched" for their inquiry into the status of the VCDL Petition.    Notification of the Petition goes out to major media concerning Firearms.  Magazines, periodicals, web sites, discussion lists, etc.  I submitted a message to Guns and Ammo, but it is a web driven email tool with the promise that "you email cannot be personally responded to".  Dave Workman at Gunweek also got wind of the Petition, here's my lettter to Dave.   03/01/05 - Department of the Interior assigns Jerry Case to be the point of contact for the Petition.  Petitioners are referred to Mr. Jerry Case via Karen Taylor-Goodrich.  Mr. Case is contacted about the petition.   03/30/05 - Hearing nothing back at all about the receipt, status of review or even an acknowledgement of the existence of the Petition for Rule Making to amend CFR 36, Regulation 2.4, we leave phone messages at the Department of Interior, and NPS.  Hearing nothing, Bighammer.net contacts Mr. Hoffman.  His response.   04/08/05 - Gun Tests magazine is asked for coverage. - Link   05/11/05 - US Senator Conrad Burns expresses support for the VCDL Petition.  05/29/05 - There is another murder in a National Park, right around the corner! Link    05/31/05 - Not content with the lack of progress on the petition and in the face of clear evidence the criminals don't seem to care about the CFR, or Regulation 2.4, Bighammer.net contacts the Virginia Congressional delegation again.  First, emailing Senator Allen, Senator Warner, Congressman Tom Davis, then calling all of them.  The update here.        06/01/05 -  Guns and Ammo 2nd Amendment columnist John Hay Rabb contributes to the effort by publicizing the serious nature of things.   Links to the 3 page article:  Page 1, Page 2, Page 3.   06/03/05 - In furthering contact with other supporting Congressional officials co-petitioners contact several Congressional offices.  In the course of discussion we got some ominous quotes assigned to Mr. Hoffman.  Ultimately this didn't apparently affect the petition, but at this point it was all the information we had.  One Congressional source indicated there "wasn't sufficient reason" to change the rules.  While we can't be sure exactly what was said, that's probably part of a larger discussion that when isolated was taken out of context.  Link   06/08/05 - NRA-ILA rep provides us assistance.  Link   06/16/05 - Senator Santorum's staff is updated on the events to date concerning the Petition.  Link Bighammer.net brings Senator Allen up to date on co-petitioner efforts.  Link   06/17/05 - Constituent & co-petitioner asks Congressman Murtha if he has heard back from DOI about revising CFR 36, Regulation 2.4.  Link  Remember Congressman Murtha's January 7, 2005 letter.   06/21/05 - Bighammer.net discovers that the NPS webpage concerning weapons is indicating the regulation is under review - http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/e-mail/weapons.htm .  While doing some research, we run across the Moffat County Sheriff's website which has a page indicating that the NPS has opined officially that they may prohibit hunting and shooting on privately owned land not only within a National Park, but adjacent to it - Check it out  http://www.moffatcountysheriff.com/gunsindinosaur.htm Note the case law cited.  Remember the Taylor-Goodrich letter from 02/18/05 above?    06/22/05 - Absent any meaningful update, or progress to report, I call Jerry Case at NPS, Congressman Tom Davis, Senator Allen & Senator Warner.  Congressman Davis's staff member Darcy calls me back.  Upon discussion with the Congressman, they agree that DOI owes the petitioners a meaningful response, and they fax Mr. Hoffman the voluminous previously provided by email materials - many of which previously listed on this site, including letters from Congressman Murtha, as well as supporting letters from other Congressional sources.   Link Guns and Ammo 2nd Amendment columnist John Rabb lends his advice...  Link   06/28/05 - On 06/27/05 Bighammer.net contacted Senator Allen's office who indicated that the level of attention had been ratcheted up several notches.  Lots of phone calls about the Petition.   NRA-ILA   Indicates that more support is forthcoming.  Link Congressman Murtha advises constituent & copetitioner he has not heard from DOI about the petition and will check into it again. "Your letter reminded me that I haven't received a reply to the inquiry I sent in January.  I certainly feel I allowed sufficient time for a response and I don't want this delayed any longer."     06/29/05 - Bighammer.net is called, finally, from Jerry Case.  "...It is NOT a high priority..." [emphasis his].    07/25/05 - Senator Allen's office contacts Bighammer.net to indicate that the Senator had sent a letter to DOI: "Title 36 Section 2.4 of the Code of Federal Regulations(CFR) for the Department of the Interior's (DOI) National Park Service, currently prohibits citizens from possessing a firearm in any national park, ... However, it does infringe on the rights of law abiding concealed weapons permit holders."   08/08/05 -   United States National Park Service surrenders to Lord Cornwallis  It's a good thing that General Washington was in charge against Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown:  Loyalist apologists of the National Park Service surrender to Lord Cornwallis! A series of "newspaper articles" of substantially similar content hit the online and print press.  http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/rangers081205.html & http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0808/p03s01-ussc.html & http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0605/063005p1.htm   08/12/05 - Congressman Murtha and his constituent / co-petitioner is "Taylor-Goodriched".  Ironic, since the assertions in the Taylor-Goodrich letters seem to contradict with news accounts.      08/16/05 - Senator Conrad Burns is "Taylor-Goodriched"   09/14/05 - VCDL Board, Executive Members & Members compiled a report of "incidents" in the National Parks.  Link   09/16/05 - Another news article about how bad the National parks are getting.  http://www.billingsnews.com/story?storyid=18089&issue=283  -  Remember all those Taylor-Goodrich letters?   10/03/05 - NPS has a SWAT Team?    10/15/05 - From the NPS Morning Report dated 11/16/05:  Blue Ridge Parkway Kidnapping and Assault   10/24/05 - It seems that the current "public safety and anti-poaching" regulations aren't working.    10/27/05 - Petitioners contact Senator Allen's office.  Senator Allen has been "Taylor-Goodriched".  Concerned petitioners request a meeting to discuss the petition at the staff's convenience.   11/01/05 - Constituent / co-petitioner updates Senator Santorum's office.  Link   11/02/05 - NPS Morning Report archive access restricted, significant changes.  Apparently due to a privacy issue revealed by a FOIA request, access to Morning Report archives has been curtailed.  This was an excellent resource for National Parks crime reporting.         11/05/05 - Drug Cartels and 'pot' farms in National Parks.  If you think this is no big deal: 'guards stand their ground with leveled guns using intimidation tactics'   11/10/05 - Concerned petitioners / constituents meet with staff from Senator Allen's office & Senator Warner's office.  Draft of the meeting follow up.   11/13/05 - Who knew?  Some Parks have a Rock problem...   11/16/05 - Petitioner, VCDL EM lobbies Congressman Wolf.  Link   11/18/05 - National Parks have a pot problem.   11/21/05 - Consolidation of materials related to the Petition for Rule Making to amend CFR 36, Regulation 2.4 by VCDL's Petition for Rule Making begun.    11/23/05 - Bighammer.net staff unearth cached versions of the now defunct ourcivilrights.org website.  Material from this website has proven very informative, & will be incorporated here as time permits.   11/24/05 - Ourcivilrights.org data uploaded here.    11/26/05 - Links added to saved NPS Morning Reports, news articles and other information collected during the effort to get the common sense changes in VCDL's Petition to amend CFR 36, Regulation 2.4.   11/28/05 - At the reminder of the VCDL President, I contact Congressman Virgil Goode's Legislative Assistant Mr. Kelly Simpson.  We discuss the petition and he agrees to check into this, and coordinate with other Congressional offices.  Additionally, not hearing back from Congressman Davis's office, I call and leave a voice mail requesting a call back.   11/29/05 - Hearing nothing back from my Congressman's office, Rep. Tom Davis, I call the office back @ 1550 EST.  The staff member is not at her desk, I do not leave a message.    11/30/05 - Bighammer.net calls back in to Congressman Davis's office, and makes contact with Darcy who puts us in touch with Chris Lopez.  He agrees to check into this.   12/01/05 - Mr. Lopez from Congressman Davis's office asks me for some more information.  Bighammer.net replys. US Representative Chris Cannon of Utah endorses the VCDL Petition:  "I strongly support the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and would encourage you to act quickly in changing this regulation." Bighammer.net updates Senator Allen's office & Senator Warner's office on the petition in a follow up to our meeting 11/10/05.  Link     12/02/05 - Fairfax County, Virginia Police report increased crime along the GW Parkway corridor.  'A trend has developed called ‘car hopping, when teens go through communities, enter open vehicles and take anything of value they can get their grubby little hands on...  well over 100 of these events in the last month along the George Washington Parkway corridor.'  Note - these 'bordering' jurisdictions have previously resulted in poor response due to dispatch either being unsure of contacting US Park Police or Fairfax County and not being able to get US Park Police to respond.         12/04/05 - Arms and the Law  (opens in a new window) published a short paragraph on the effort to repeal the Parks ban.   12/05/05 - Jerry Case, NPS Regulations Program Manager is on vacation until 12/13/05. I noticed that it is very, very difficult to get phone numbers from the NPS.gov website.  Next to impossible in fact.  Contacts have been updated to include phone numbers.     Bighammer.net contacts Congressman Tom Davis's office, along with Senators Allen & Warner.  Leaving messages.  No response from previous emails, or phone calls made 12/1 & 12/2.    12/06/05 - 1140 - 1144 EST, Bighammer.net calls all 3 Congressional offices again, nobody available again,  declining to leave messages.  None have returned the last 2 outstanding voice mails, or emails. Later in the day, Senator Allen's office replies.   12/07/05 - Congressman Tom Davis's office replies. Congressional offices contacted by bighammer.net.   12/08/05 - Senator Warner's office agrees to look into this, and Bighammer.net thanks them.   12/12/05 - With the Virginia Congressional delegation looking into the petition, Bighammer.net emails Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife & Parks(DOI) Paul Hoffman, copying my Congressional offices.  Text here.   Congressman John Peterson's Legislative Assistant agrees to escalate this after being contacted by a freind.  Additionally, Congressman Goode's Legislative Assistant responds to the 12/12/05 letter.  It seems that Jerry Case has been on vacation for some time, which could explain why we haven't heard anything about VCDL's Petition...  According to Mr. Case's voice mail (202) 208-4206 he will be returning to work 12/13/05.    12/14/05 - 1328 EST Bighammer.net calls Jerry Case (202) 208-4206.  Asking about "the VCDL petition, the one to allow weapons in Parks" Mr. Case:  "Oh yeah, that one.  Let me see... It's being reviewed by the Solicitor's Office and the Secretary's Office and they haven't decided what to do." Me:  "So there's no word on this yet?" Mr. Case:  "Correct.  And I don't have anything to say on it, one way or the other." Me:  "Ok, Thanks Mr. Case." His last sentence was very matter of fact, and in the context that he was not offering an opinion on the petition or it's merits, he wasn't being impolite or anything like that.  Mr. Case was very pleasant and polite.   12/16/05 - Utah citizens hear more from Rep. Chris Cannon's office.   12/20/05 - Hearing nothing back from the VA Congressional delegation from previous emails, Bighammer.net sends a reminder.  Senator Allen's office replies, they haven't forgotten...  Congressman Goode's office is also working the issue.      12/22/05 - A good friend of mine tries to get Congressman Hefley on board.  Text.   12/27/05 - Congressman Virgil Goode pens Secretary Norton a letter "...I hope this matter is not being given low priority back burner treatment.  I urge the Department to complete this review..." The letter is dated 12/21/05, but was sent later;  Bighammer.net was BCC'd via hard copy.   12/28/05 - Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Mr. Paul Hoffman calls Bighammer.net to discuss the petition.   Notes of the call. After speaking with Mr. Hoffman, Bighammer.net discovers email from Chris Lopez of Representative Tom Davis's office advising that Mr. Hoffman might be contacting Bighammer.net to discuss the petition.  Chris's email, and my response - here.  01/02/06 - Bighammer.net hits the ground running in 2006 by updating Congressional supporters.   01/03/06 - Bighammer.net speaks to Johnstown Rifle & Pistol Club to confer.  After discussing the latest developments, Bighammer.net contacts NRA-ILA.  They are not current on the most recent developments, so we discuss recent issues.  In light of the situation, Bighammer.net calls NRA-ILA to ask for assistance.   01/05/06 - Bighammer.net speaks to Mr. Paul Hoffman at DOI.  We discussed the petition, the time line, how long this is going to take, other factors, what might be done in the interim.  Nothing is "instantly changed", however Mr. Hoffman is aware of the petitioner's concerns, and has agreed to look into some things for us. Notes of the call - paraphrased only, Bighammer.net did not record this! Opinions on the call here.   Opinions and impressions separate from what we actually discussed in the call in order to be as fair as possible.   Bighammer.net discussed the call with Chris Lopez & followed up with email and followed that up with email to Keith from Senator Allen's office.   01/09/06 - After follow up with Senator Allen's office, Bighammer.net emailed Mr. Hoffman at DOI requesting a follow up phone call.  The belief being that if we have any form of practical agreement, we should solidify it.  At that point inquiries will be specifically directed and would thus produce a better response.   01/10/06 - Bighammer.net calls Mr. Hoffman, and leave him a voice message requesting a call - as the email above.   01/13/06 - Bighammer.net calls Mr. Hoffman again at 10:00 AM EST, leaving a message requesting a call back.   01/20/06 - Emails exchanged between Bighammer.net and Senator Allen's office regarding the lack of response from DOI on the petition once again.  The office agrees to consult with other congressional offices and look into the situation.   01/23/06 - Left a voice message for Chris Lopez in Congressman Davis's office.  01/24/06 - Bighammer.net emails Chris Lopez to discuss the petition status.  01/25/06 - Bighammer.net calls and speaks to Chris Lopez, he agrees to look into the situation for the petitioners.   02/02/06 - After some communication back and forth between Bighammer.net and the Virginia Congressional delegation, Senator Allen's office and Congressman Tom Davis's office have a conference call with DOI Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Paul Hoffman.  Upon the completion of this call, Keith Cassidy of Senator Allen's office requests a meeting with Chris Lopez of Congressman Davis's office and Bighammer.net to discuss developments with the petition to lift the NPS ban on self defense.  We agree, and schedule the meeting for 10 Feburary, 2006.  Keith and Chris classified the discussion with DOI as "productive".  Bighammer.net will update the time line with notes, findings and / or any solid developments as soon as time permits.       02/10/06 - Bighammer.net meets with Chris Lopez & Keith Cassidy to discuss how to best proceed to get the National Park Service to amend their regulations and end their ban on self defense.  They had a conference call with Mr. Hoffman at DOI to discuss the petition.  They expressed that it was their sincere belief that Mr. Hoffman was "on the up and up" and was willing to take up the petition.  However, it would have to be done on the Department's schedule.  Both Chris and Keith emphasized that they had the distinct impression that DOI sees this as a common sense issue, and one that should be implemented.  They also believe that the petitioners need to keep this issue on the radar for it to be taken up in a timely manner.  Basically, the petitioners need to bide their time, maintain their efforts and the effort can succeed.     03/13/06 - Pennsylvania constituents report to Bighammer.net that Tooshar Swain, has advised that - US Senator Rick Santorum has agreed to support the VCDL petition to amend the National Park Service regulation prohibiting self defense.     03/16/06 - New petitioners added to the VCDL petition for rule making to amend 36CFR 2.4.  The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen, Firearm Owners Against Crime(FOAC) & the Alleghany County Sportsmens League.  Link to the agreement here.   04/25/06 - Bighammer.net has confirmed from multiple sources that legislation to address the ban on self defense in National Parks is indeed likely in this session of Congress.  While there is certianly constituent push behind the effort, this effort to propose the changes by legislation 'is a direct response to the Interior Department ignoring repeated requests from Congress' to implement the changes in the VCDL petition.  That is an indirect quote from Congressional staff who expressed great frustration even getting the Department to respond.  Additionally, Bighammer.net has learned that National Parks are going to be taking a big budget hit, including public safety funding.  This signficantly 'alters the landscape and makes the VCDL petition several orders of magnitude more important.  Bighammer.net urges immediate action, approving the VCDL Petitions common sense changes: Eliminating the National Park Service ban on self defense Honoring Federal and State weapons laws Respecting the right of people to defend themselves, while preserving the National Parks regulatory authority over hunting and other recreational activities Finally allowing off duty law enforcement personnel and qualified citizens the ability to protect themselves in National Parks without fear of criminal prosecution. Bighammer.net contacts NRA-ILA federal affairs (202) 651-2560, speaking to Jordan Austin.  He asserts that NRA-ILA is working with the Department of the Interior, and is hopeful of a resolution to the NPS ban on self defense this year.  I discussed the Department's position on this.  Asked point blank, he indicated that he would have to confer with Chuck Cunningham regarding this.  Bighammer.net discussed the issue with NRA-ILA  01/03/06 - .  NRA-ILA agrees to update Bighammer.net.            04/26/06 - Bighammer.net contacts ... Senator Craig's office - yes there will be legislation introduced, and it will have more than a few supporters.  They are of the opinion that it is just common sense and that they have not heard of DOI having fundamental objections to the proposal.  Congressman Goode's office - Based on how well the Senate's bill is received, there may be a House companion bill.  Senator Frist's office - They would like to review the proposal and suggest mail or email.  Bighammer.net obliges.   Senator Allen's office - They want to set up a time to discuss, and feel strongly that these are only common sense changes that need to be implemented.  NRA-ILA rep. Chuck Cunningham calls and we discussed the issue of the petition, pending legislation, etc.  NRA-ILA believes that we have a committment to publish the petition in the federal register before the end of the year.  While they are not sponsoring legislation to address the topic, they indicate that they will support that legislation.     04/27/06 - Bighammer.net receives contact from GOA and we exchange some info, ideas etc. Yet another report is printed about the National Parks belt tightening. Bighammer.net is copied on contact to US Representatives Taylor & Platts. Matt Wise from the office of US Senator Burns contacts Bighammer.net.  He reports that the soon to be introduced legislation has actually accumulated a good bit of support.  He offers to assist in this effort both legislatively, and administratively with DOI.       05/11/06 - US Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia joins the effort to repeal the NPS ban on self defense.  05/15/06 - VCDL Executive Member Mike Stollenwerk lobbies for support in getting the VCDL petition to END the National Parks criminalization of self defense.  05/18/06 - Bighammer.net sends an inquiry on the status of the NPS ban repeal, reminding supporters it's been some time since any progress has been noted and given the current "de-funding" of NPS this issue is becoming more important.  Link  05/19/06 - The 5/19/06 Washington Post runs a story on NPS "expediting" things for Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder.  Bighammer.net forwards this to Congressional offices, asking them why avowed anti-semite Congressman Jim Moran is the only one talking about Second Amendment issues?  Link  06/05/06 - Chris Lopez from Congressman Tom Davis's office is no longer the point of contact for the VCDL petition to repeal the NPS self defense ban.  The new point of contact is Darcie Brickner.   07/11/06 - Bighammer.net calls Senator Allen's office and leaves a voice message for Keith.  He sets up a call for Thursday afternoon, 07/13/06.  The 13th comes and goes no response.      07/18/06 - Another attack on the George Washington Parkway.  Message sent to Keith at Senator Allen's office: "It doesn't matter how many of these attacks take place, even if someone is killed like last year, Sgt. Scott Fear is out there telling us that Parks are safe. Well, here we are again and the Park wasn't safe for this victim. I don't understand why the Park Service has time to promulgate regulations for the use of watercraft in wake free zones, but not time to address a public safety issue. This needs to be revisited." Link to story  07/21/06 - Bighammer.net contacts staff at Senator Allen's office and Representative Tom Davis's office.  Voice mails left requesting a call back.  No response.  07/25/06 - Bighammer.net again contacts Senator Allen's office and Congressman Davis's office, leaving voice mail messages requesting a call back.    08/30/06 - Associated Press and WTOP News in Washington DC report NPS monument protection is at it's lowest level since 9/11.  Bighammer.net notifies every supporting Congressional office as well as VCDL and other pro rights organizations.    08/30/06 National Parks at their least secure, practically inviting a terrorist attack. As reported by the Associated Press and WTOP News, the National Park Service is down to 601 sworn law enforcement officers and will get more dangerous before it gets safer! http://wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=897577 The Chief of Public Affairs at the National Park Service, David Barna says that "We remain confident that we are providing adequate security for visitors" But several crime victims might disagree after having been attacked by thugs on the National Mall. Repeated news accounts of increased narcotics trafficking and the NPS own "Morning Reports" tell a totally different tale: http://bighammer.net/npsbanresources.html From 08/24/06 Morning Report - Petersburg National Battlefield (VA) Assault And Attempted Kidnapping On the evening of August 14th, four girls, ages five to eight, entered the park from an adjacent elementary school, where they encountered an adult male who placed a knife to the throat of one of them and attempted to abduct all four. On the evening of August 14th, four girls, ages five to eight, entered the park from an adjacent elementary school, where they encountered an adult male who placed a knife to the throat of one of them and attempted to abduct all four. From 08/22/06 Morning Report - Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY) Assault On Rangers Just before midnight on July 31st, concession security officers contacted Lake District rangers and asked them for help in dealing with an intoxicated minor who was present at a party. Two rangers found and contacted the 18-year-old man, who was exceedingly drunk and disorderly. The man resisted arrest and became violent, striking a ranger once and attempting twice more, then getting his arm around the ranger’s neck Just before midnight on July 31st, concession security officers contacted Lake District rangers and asked them for help in dealing with an intoxicated minor who was present at a party. Two rangers found and contacted the 18-year-old man, who was exceedingly drunk and disorderly. The man resisted arrest and became violent, striking a ranger once and attempting twice more, then getting his arm around the ranger’s neck … As rangers from other areas of the Mather District were responding for assignments to these incidents at Tuolumne Meadows, dispatch received a 911 call reporting gunshots in the Porcupine Flat campground. The rangers diverted to the campground and contacted the man. They found that he had several loaded weapons on him, including a submachine pistol and a sawed-off shotgun, and that he also had methamphetamine and marijuana in his possession. He was arrested and taken to jail. Felony weapons charges are pending. From 08/21/06 Morning Report - Point Reyes National Seashore (CA) Marijuana Field Eradication On Wednesday, July 19th, rangers found a marijuana patch in the Bolinas Ridge area and placed the area under surveillance. On Thursday, rangers from Point Reyes and Golden Gate, state park rangers, and members of Marin County’s major crime task force entered the plantation and removed about 2,470 plants with an estimated street value of $3 million. An investigation is underway. Although there was no one at the site, evidence revealed that they’d recently been there. [Submitted by Colin Smith, Chief Ranger] Great Smoky Mountains National Park Marijuana Plantation Found, Plants Seized A marijuana plantation was spotted during an overflight of the Cove Mountain area in early July. Rangers hiked to the site the next day and found over 100 plants in small patches in three separate areas. They also found evidence of very recent tilling and signs that the garden’s tenders might have hastily departed just before the rangers arrived. When they revisited the sites a few weeks later, rangers found that nobody had been there since their first visit. They made the same finding again on August 9th. Since the plants were no longer being tended, they harvested the fields, seizing 165 plants ranging in height from two to five feet. [Submitted by Rick Brown, Acting Chief Ranger] On Wednesday, July 19th, rangers found a marijuana patch in the Bolinas Ridge area and placed the area under surveillance. On Thursday, rangers from Point Reyes and Golden Gate, state park rangers, and members of Marin County’s major crime task force entered the plantation and removed about 2,470 plants with an estimated street value of $3 million. An investigation is underway. Although there was no one at the site, evidence revealed that they’d recently been there. [Submitted by Colin Smith, Chief Ranger] A marijuana plantation was spotted during an overflight of the Cove Mountain area in early July. Rangers hiked to the site the next day and found over 100 plants in small patches in three separate areas. They also found evidence of very recent tilling and signs that the garden’s tenders might have hastily departed just before the rangers arrived. When they revisited the sites a few weeks later, rangers found that nobody had been there since their first visit. They made the same finding again on August 9th. Since the plants were no longer being tended, they harvested the fields, seizing 165 plants ranging in height from two to five feet. [Submitted by Rick Brown, Acting Chief Ranger] And the list goes on and on. The National Park Service is not being truthful with the American people and it's long past time to do something about it! One thing that enhance park visitor safety would be the immediate implementation of the Virginia Citizen's Defense League(VCDL) petition for rule making to permit off duty law enforcement and licensed citizens to lawfully protect themselves in National Parks. Regulations prohibit citizens and off duty law enforcement from doing so currently. You can read the VCDL Petition in it's entirety at http://www.vcdl.org/new/Petition_for_Rulemaking.pdf VCDL's petition has broad, bi-partisan support in Congress and needs to be acted upon immediately. The most recent updates concerning the VCDL petition can be viewed here http://bighammer.net/timeline.html    09/19/06 - After discussion with several petitioners asking of the status of the petition in light of the DOI change in administration, Bighammer.net and other petitioners contact their respective congressional delegations.  Keith Cassidy from Senator George Allen's office calls back.  After discussions with fellow petitioners, Bighammer.net requests Senator Allen ensure that DOI will honor it's committment to implement the petition changes by the end of calendar '06.  He agrees to investigate and update the petitioners.         09/20/06 - Darcie Brickner from Congressman Tom Davis's office calls me back.  We discusse the current situation and that Senator Allen's office is also aware of the current status.  She agrees to investigate on our behalf.   09/26/06 - After speaking with Keith Cassidy from Senator Allen's office and returning from vacation, and exchanging a few emails, it is determined that there are only interim or "acting" Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary positions for Fish, Wildlife & Parks at DOI.  Paul Hoffman has a new position.  The latter was not news, but the lack of a permanent position for either post renders it difficult to get an answer to when the petition will be implemented.  Check here for updates.  10/16/06 - Having made numerous contact attempts to the office of Senator Allen and Congressman Davis, Bighammer.net received an email from someone who ran into Congressman Davis locally.  In conversation, he expressed that he did not support repealing the NPS self Defense Ban.  Contact to the Congressman's office went unanswered and on 10/16/06, VA Alert published that Congressman Davis had decided not to support the repeal.  Regardless of personal feeling, Bighammer.net thanks Congressman Davis and his staff for their assistance in getting the Department of the Interior to give the petitioners a response.  We hope the Congressman will reconsider this action and continue to support constituent petitioners until the National Park Service has completely eliminated its self defense ban.           10/17/06 - Chris Lopez from Congressman Tom Davis's office calls.  He is happy to discuss the petition status and indicates there is no change.  As previous entries in the time line indicate, Chris has not been the primary point of contact for the petition for Congressman Davis for some time.  We discussed this issue and the preceeding misunderstanding at length.  On behalf of the petitioners as a whole, bighammer.net explains to Chris that this is the kind of misunderstanding that may only be corrected verifiably.  The conversation was cordial, even under the circumstances.  Chris enthusiastically agreed to state that Congressman Davis will ensure the petition is given it's fair shake.   His email, for the record:  "... Mr. Davis is happy to assist you in your effort to have the Department of Interior consider your petition..."  VA Alert update forthcoming. 10/22/06 - VCDL's VA Alert, available on http://www.vcdl.org by selecting VA Alert archives; VA Alert 10/22/06 part 1, item number 3 notifies readers of the 10/17/06 update from Bighammer.net confirming that Congressman Tom Davis is pleased to assist Bighammer.net, VCDL and the dozens of co-petitioners to ensure that the Department of the Interior will respond appropriately to the properly forwarded VCDL Petition for rule making to reverse the National Park Service's dangerous ban on self defense.  Bighammer.net thanks Chris Lopez and Congressman Davis for their valuable assistance. 10/25/06 - At the October, 2006 VCDL membership meeting, a volunteer for Democratic US Senate Candidate Jim Webb confirmed for all the attendees that if elected, Jim Webb would support repealing the NPS ban on self defense as VCDL has petitioned DOI for.  Upon opening the floor for questions, the volunteer was asked to confirm that he would "support the VCDL petition, in it's current form" and "the current bill s3275, sponsored by Senator Allen [to federally establish reciprocity for permit holders]"  The candidate volunteer indicated yes on both accounts.  Bighammer.net is merely reporting the facts in this instance.  Mr. Webb's volunteer was not able to answer specific questions as to what gun owners would see as a benefit for his election.  It has long been the position of Bighammer.net that talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words, so the vague response to what specific things Mr. Webb would do for the pro-rights community of firearms owners is not answered.  Accordingly, Bighammer.net indicates that on the issues of repealing the National Park Service ban on self defense, and on the S3275 reciprocity for permit holders bill, both candidates for US Senate in Virginia, in 2006 have pledged their support to these efforts.  Bighammer.net thanks both Mr. Webb and Senator Allen and their respective staff and volunteers for sharing this information and their pledged support.         11/02/06 - A lot of activity to report:  Due to the closeness of the Senate race in Virginia, candidate Jim Webb sent a volunteer to the local VCDL meeting on 10/27/06.  At that meeting, he produced his candidate's NRA survey response, as well as confirmed that as Senator he would comple NPS to repeal their self defense ban with legislation.  After much discussion, I sent both camps a letter indicating that the candidates were approximately equal on the issue of firearms.  I requested specific information on amending FOPA ('86).  Letter  /  Response; Webb     11/02/06 Letter /  Response:  Allen      11/03/06    Additionally, Senator Allen responded on 11/04/06 indicating that he would introduce legislation the week of 11/13/06 to try and "unstick" the NPS ban repeal.   VCDL obtained copies of the super secret NRA survey to both candidates, detailed in the VA Alert.  11/16/06 - Senator Allen submits bill S4057 to repeal the National Parks Ban on self defense.  Word is already going out to support this.  VCDL issues a VA-Alert email calling for support for the bill.    11/17/06 - Bighammer.net contacts Devid Verhey, at DOI leaving 2 messages.  His assistant makes the assurance that Mr. Verhey will call back as his schedule permits. 11/20/06 - The blogosphere has erupted with commentary on s4057, bringing heretofore unknown attention to the National Parks self defense ban. National Parks Traveler Black Velvet Bruce Li Spank that Donkey Free Republic Freedom Under Fire More National Parks Traveler Bighammer.net speaks to David Verhey at DOI about the VCDL Petition, legislation introduced, etc.  We agree to discuss in more specifics once he has some time to look internally at developments. (not a direct quote).     11/26/06 - After the numerous blogosphere reports on S4057, main stream media (MSM) also picks up the story. NWI times, Newsbusters, Witchita Eagle, Richmond Times Dispatch, Great Falls Tribune, Fox news, WCYB news, Human Events, The Daily Press...  And no doubt many more.  Among the articles are quotes from National Park Service spokesman David Barna (remember Karen Taylor-Goodrich?). Allowing people "with minimal or no training to carry firearms in national park areas will not lower the already negligible crime rate but will most likely increase the possibilities of basic altercations turning into something much more serious,"  & "Serious crimes against individuals in the parks are extremely low and that there is not data demonstrating a need for visitors to carry concealed firearms." Bighammer.net would like to point out the following observations: This hypocrisy and dishonesty has been pointed out before numerous times in the effort to repeal the National Parks ban on self defense.  In the 08/30/06 entry in the timeline(above), and for topicality, here are some entries from the National Park Service Morning Reports for November 2006. Let's analyze Mr. Barna's assertions.  'Serious crimes are extremely low...'  The Morning Report entries say otherwise.  Here's a 2006 Newsmax article citing quite a bit of serious crime.   Here is what allowing people with minimal or no training to carry guns in National Parks results in: "   five Mesa County SO and three Grand Junction PD officers fired about 70 rounds at Young with their handguns and a .223 rifle. Young was hit in both hands and a shoulder ..."  - From the November Morning Reports.  3 hits from about 70 rounds isn't just inaccurate, it's irresponsible, dangerous and unprofessional.  If these kinds of crime and frequency are what Mr. Barna speaks of when he says "  there is not data demonstrating a need for visitors to carry concealed firearms" then it makes perfect sense that there is no legitimate need to fund professional law enforcement for the Parks as well.  That money could then be spent on "restoring funding" to the National Parks as some of these articles allude to.  Mr. Barna and the National Park Service cannot have it both ways.  We've tried it their way and it's not working.  No matter how many times these lies are repeated by the National Park Service the facts don't back up what they're saying.  11/29/06 - Bighammer.net contacts the office of Congressman Tom Davis and Senator George Allen.  Darcie Brickner with Congressman Davis's office indicated that she had contacted DOI and was in the middle of a fierce game of phone tag.  Once she had an update she would call back.  L/M with Keith from Senator Allen's office.  on 12/04/06, FCPD's local community PO updates Bighammer.net on another GW Parkway attack - not reported on NPS Morning Report page...  Story here. Not wanting to let this stagnate, Bighammer.net requests a call with ASFWP Verhey to discuss the petition..  His staff agrees to Dec. 6th, 2006 at 1530.  Bighammer.net recontacts staff above, and a 2nd time on 12/5/06.  Unfortunately, the first contact had a date of Dec. 11th, so despite this error, Darcie at Congressman Davis's office juggles her schedule to assist in this call.      12/06/06 - Bighammer.net attends conf. call with Darcie Brickner of Congressman Tom Davis's office with David Verhey of the Department of the Interior.  He is the Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife & Parks and is directly responsible for review of Petitions to amend rules to NPS.  The discussion begins promptly at 1530 and lasts 15 minutes.  Notes of the call are in some instances paraphrased, but should be very, very close to the actual words spoken, transposed directly from my notes of the call. 12/06/06 call notes   12/20/06 - Bighammer.net contacts Mr. Verhey in reference to the NPS weapons petition.  In the previous call notes, Mr. Verhey indicated that a showing of data supporting the conclusion that law abiding citizens and off duty state/local law enforcement being able to defend themselves would be useful to substantiate the regulation change justification.  With the assistance of VCDL Board member Bruce Jackson & VCDL Executive Member Pete Clark, Bighammer.net sends email to Mr. Verhey with a compilation of news reports, and NPS Morning Reports for the year 2006, with some selected 2005 reports.  This call was short and friendly.  Mr. Verhey indicated he had received information from NPS and that it was too soon to get into any specifics.  I asked if any objections had been raised that we had not accounted for and he responded in the negative.  He then thanked Bighammer.net for the email listing, and asked if we could deliver a "hard copy".  I agreed, indicating that due to the size of what a printed package would look like, I thought it best to delilver electronically first, so that if the need for a printed version were there, they would be expecting such a package; in case they(DOI) have mail screening which might interfere with timely delivery.  He then asked if we could deliver by 12/29, which I knew would be of little concern, so I agreed.  We then agreed to pick things up Week 1 2007.   Incidentally, all the information delivered to DOI was covered previously on Bighammer.net and the compilaiton of data relied heavily on the VCDL "Dangerous Parks" website.              01/16/07 - Bighammer.net speaks to Asst. Sec'y Verhey.  Previously, his office contacted Bighammer.net to push back our meeting originally scheduled for the 1st week of January.  This was not entirely unexpected due to Christmas & New Years Day and the vacation typically associated with it.   In the subsequent weeks, Mr. Verhey indicated that there had been several meetings and ongoing discussion about the VCDL petition.  Specifics are scarce, but he did indicate that nothing "new" had been raised as an objection, and time wise, he indicated that a response should still be achieved within "weeks not months (or longer)".  He expressed that he is cognizant of the time involved here and he has no interest in prolonging this.  The next scheduled call will be in 2 weeks, but that it is possible he will contact Bighammer.net prior to this.        01/30/07 - Senator Arlen Specter writes DOI urging them to support the VCDL petition. 01/31/07 - Bighammer.net speaks to Asst. Sec'y Verhey.  Petition status is being discussed; process for comment is under review now.  An update should be forthcoming very soon.  On the same day, Displaying a startling ability to deny reality and aligning themselves with the flat-earth society, NPS acts; all petitioners are "Taylor-Goodriched" and the petition is arbitrarily and capriciously denied. 02/06/07 - Petitioners, fed up with Taylor-Goodrich's lies begin once again contacting Congress.  Bighammer.net requests a con-call with Assistant Sec'y Verhey.  No response.  02/08/07 - Given the assertions remain unchanged in NPS's "flat-earth" denial, Bighammer.net FOIA's the Department of the Interior for supporting data to author the petition denial letter.   03/06/07 - Discussion is underway with Congressional offices including Cantor, Davis, Webb, Specter & Murtha. The following alert was issued by VCDL: **URGENT** **URGENT** **URGENT** VCDL has just learned from our sources on Capitol Hill that the Department of the Interior (DOI) is **livid** over the National Park Service's (NPS) asinine rejection letter sent to VCDL concerning VCDL's Petition for Rule Making! (http://www.vcdl.org/pdf/NPS_Denial_of_VCDL_PRM.pdf) That petition would allow a law-abiding citizen to carry a handgun for self-defense in a National Park if the state in which the park is located allows such carry. Apparently the National Park Service DID NOT CLEAR that rejection letter with their parent - the Department of the Interior! The Department of Interior had been telling VCDL and key Congressional members that DOI would seriously consider VCDL's petition. The ensuing NPS rejection letter made DOI look like fools and liars. DOI doesn't like that at all, and I don't blame them. The word that I am hearing is that the Department of the Interior is investigating how to OVERTURN that rejection letter and soon!!! We have an incredible opportunity to save TWO years of work and pull off a victory for all gun owners! But we must make our voices heard LOUD AND CLEAR. I need all of you to do the following FOUR things NOW and URGENTLY no matter where you live, as this this is a NATIONAL effort: ******** 1. CALL the DOI Legislative Affairs and leave a message for the Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne.   Say something like this: "I encourage Secretary Kempthorne to implement the Virginia Citizens Defense League's Petition for Rule Making that the National Park Service has rejected out-of-hand. Law-abiding citizens should be allowed to protect themselves and their families while visiting a National Park." PLEASE MAKE THAT CALL - WE WANT DOI'S TELEPHONE LINE LIT UP BIG TIME! Mr. Kempthorne's telephone number in Washington, DC is: 202-208-7351 ******** 2. Call your U.S. Senators and Congressman. Their names, phone numbers and email addresses can be found by clicking here and entering your zip and address: http://capwiz.com/nra/officials/congress Say something like this: "Please have the Senator [Congressman] contact the Department of the Interior's Secretary, Dirk Kempthorne, and ask him to overturn the National Park Service's rejection of the Virginia Citizens Defense League's Petition for Rule Making. Law-abiding citizens should be allowed to carry a handgun to defend themselves while visiting a National Park if the state in which the park is located allows such carry!" PLEASE MAKE THAT CALL - WE WANT CONGRESS' TELEPHONE LINES TO LIGHT UP AS BRIGHTLY AS DOI'S! ******** 3. After calling your Senators and Congressman, follow up with an email. Here is a sample email you can use: Please ask the Department of the Interior's Secretary, Dirk Kempthorne, to overturn the National Park Service's arbitrary rejection of the Virginia Citizens Defense League's Petition for Rule Making and to implement that petition! VCDL's Petition for Rule Making, representing over ONE MILLION gun owners, would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun for self-defense in a National Park as long as the state in which that National Park is located allows such carry. The National Park Service's rejection letter was not only asinine, but condescending towards America's gun owners. My family member and I are given but one life each. I ask that you make sure that I can defend those lives while visiting a National Park! Please let me know what you are going to do. ******** 4. After calling and leaving a message for DOI, follow up with an email to Secretary Kempthorne: Email address: exsec@ios.doi.gov Suggested email subject: Please approve VCDL's Petition for Rule Making! Suggested email text: Dear Secretary Kempthorne, I ask that you approve and implement the Virginia Citizens Defense League's (VCDL) Petition for Rule Making that would allow a law-abiding citizen to carry a handgun for self-defense in a National Park as long the state in which the park is located allows such carry. The National Park Service sent a rejection letter to VCDL listing four very poor reasons for the rejection. None of the reasons listed legitimately justifies denying a person the right to defend the only life they have been given. The Petition, representing over ONE MILLION gun owners, was basically rejected out-of-hand. Please let me know what the Department of the Interior is going to do regarding this matter. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] ******** OK, ladies and gentlemen - let's ROLL! Please spread this alert far and wide! We need gun owners from all over the country to make this happen! 03/14/07 - Darcie Brickner from Congressman Davis's office calls, she is waiting to hear from DOI with regard to our inquiry and will update us as soon as she hears back.  We discussed the issue briefly and review recent developments.  03/18/07 - Pursuant to discussion with the Department of the Interior FOIA appeals department, DOI effectively denied the FOIA request for documents related to VCDL's petition.  Accordingly, we submitted an appeal on 03/17/07. Johnstown RPC and Pa. Federation of Sportsmen counsel their elected delegation in Congress to take action. New contacts added for Rep. Murtha Senators Specter & Casey. 03/22/07 - Nelson Jones is now on board with Senator Webb's office.  He called Bighammer.net to discuss goings on at DOI.  Nelson is a former litigator and has known Jim Webb for many years.  He will be a few days getting acclimated and getting access to resources he needs.  He agrees to get back in touch soon in regards to our efforts. 03/26/07 - Darcie Brickner called to say that after getting no response from David Verhey at DOI she got in touch with the legislative affairs office. She is awaiting a response from them with regard to our previous inquiries, including the FOIA they've neglected to respond to.     03/28/07 - Bighammer.net receives a return receipt via email from Diane Cooke at NPS for the petitioners FOIA request.  Yesterday, Darcie advised that DOI had received the original FOIA, which Bighammer.net confirmed as well, but that they had neglected to forward it to the appropriate staff.  On March 9, 2007, the statutory limit expired and according to DOI regulations, the FOIA request is denied by default.  The only way to appeal is in writing to DOI, which Bighammer.net did previously.  Darcie was able to confirm that the appeal was previously received as well, however, the likely outcome of the appeal would be that they would request we resubmit the FOIA!  At her investigation, both Darcie and Diane suggested submitting the FOIA directly to Diane - where it would potentially end up any way from the appeal.    04/27/07 - NPS responds to the FOIA request for records for supporting evidence in their rejection of VCDL's petition.  This is a formality, they want confirmation that the requestor will pay.  Bighammer.net questions the "managerial search time" assignment.  These are public records, not the formula for nuclear fuel, a clerk will do just fine.   FOIA response     06/05/07 - Hearing nothing from DOI/NPS, Bighammer.net contacts Diane Cook at NPS.  According to her (call back) The FOIA is prepared, and slightly exceded the estimated charges.  Fortunately within the "approved amount".  She indicates this is waiting for the Associate Director's signature and mailing.  06/11/07 - The National Park Service responds to the Bighammer.net FOIA request with 163 pages of data.  The original FOIA request, linked above, asks the following: "Right to carry laws do not reduce crime" 1:  Please provide copies of any and all records the Department of the Interior used, or referred to in order to make this assertion. "In fact, armed citizens attempting to assist rangers create volatile situations, often putting the private citizen or ranger's life in jeopardy". 2:  It is currently against regulations for citizens to have weapons to assist rangers, calling into question the veracity of this statement. Accordingly, please provide copies of any and all incidents reports or known events to have occurred in which armed citizens attempted to assist National Park Service Rangers in a National Park or NPS managed property. "Right to carry laws do not protect visitors from wildlife. Most weapons carried for protection from wildlife are inadequate for that purpose. Untrained individuals attempting to protect themselves from dangerous animals often exacerbate the situation." 3:  Please provide any and all supporting documentation to this conclusion, including, but not limited to minimum caliber sufficient to protect from dangerous animals including muzzle velocity, projectile weight and ballistic coefficient required.  Please also provide any reports or evidence to substantiate individuals on National Parks Property attempting to protect themselves from dangerous animals and"exacerbating the situation" within the last 3 years. The first request is broad, and catches about 12 pages of germane material.  The 2nd request was not fulfilled.  The 3rd request was honored by copies of a 2004 police report of a Bakersfield, CA LEO shooting a bear in a park with his duty gun - a "TRAINED INDIVIDUAL" so to speak.  This request went back 3 years, so assuming that the NPS has COMPLIED WITH FEDERAL LAW and produced "ANY AND ALL" documentation, there isn't much.  Here is the FOIA data scanned.  They are low resolution to save space.  Also of note, this FOIA response was presented in the format of a "document dump", with pages jumbled together unrelated to one another, etc. Once they are sorted through and organized, they will be posted here: The "response and FOIA bill" NPS FOIA doc 1. ( this .pdf is an email chain, and should be in order now ) NPS FOIA doc 2. Weapons violation by Bakersfield PD officer McVicker from 09/08/1994 Unsure what this represents One of the major contentions of the Park Service is the same tired "Parks are safe" propaganda.  Here's what the Park Service has to say about how safe they are in the year 2004.  2004 crime summary. This was the only such report included so subsequent year reports either do not exist, or were not used in determining that people shouldn't be allowed to defend themselves.  These subsequent year reports, if they exist would make a good next FOIA request for anyone interested. 1999 report from the Minnesota House of Representatives.    Part 1  & Part 2  Other material includes 3 pages from www.packing.org federal law info, 3 pages of news article from David Barna about former Senatof Allen's bill to repeal the NPS self defense ban, 30-40 pages of Congressional research service report on gun laws in Congress 108th & 109th sessions, 12 pages of MMM/Brady propaganda and 71 pages of report from Jenniver Boyter of IACP boyterj@theiacp.org  Some of this looks only remotely related at best, but a review will take some time to process.  Check here for updates. 09/14/07 - After a very long and unexplained wait NPS decides to respond to the Bighammer.net request for an explanation why they did not respond to the FOIA questions.  Their response here. 12/17/07 - 47 Senators, including Virginia's Senator Webb sign and send a letter to the Department of the Interior urging them to implement the changes in VCDL's petition for rule making.  The following note was in the NRA-ILA email alert from 12/17/07- Note:  The NRA initiated and worked closely with Senator Crapo on this letter and appreciates his bipartisan effort to get 47 Senators to sign a letter to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne requesting a change in policy allowing state law to govern the carrying and transportation of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges, as is the case of national forests and BLM lands. We have been working for nearly five years to change this policy and applaud the strong Senate support for this policy change expressed in this letter. Bighammer.net welcomes NRA-ILA to actively participating in the effort to repeal the NPS ban on self defense.  02/06/08 - After review of the response and lack thereof to the FOIA, and with the support of 47+ Senators in the US Senate, VCDL and dozens of co-petitioning organizations file a new petition for rule making to amend CFR36 regulation 2.4.  This petition answers items raised in the NPS denial of VCDL's petition in 2007. VCDL Petition to lift the National Park Service's ban on self defense    On 02/06/08 the National Park Service, Intermountain region responded to the Bighammer.net FOIA to produce documents pertaining to scientists having to sign personal safety waivers to conduct scientific research in Organ Pipe National Monument. The FOIA response confirms that NPS has been requiring scientists to sign a waiver of responsibility for the scientists and assistants personal safety. Remember, Karen Taylor-Goodrich, speaking for NPS said that the Parks were safe. Cover letter & overall response. General permit conditions. Nothing special in this document. Actual scientific research permit granted by NPS for Organ Pipe Cactus NM.  In it, NPS makes a condition of issuance: "The National Park Service cannot guarantte the permittee's and permittee's assistants' safety.  The permittee knowingly assumes all risks, and accepts full responsibility for the safety and security of themselves and their equipment, when conducting research in any part of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument." Organ Pipe Cactus response to a permit application dated 02/01/08.  In it, Park Superintendent Lee Baiza advises:  "...border-related safety concerns continue in Organ Pipe Cactus NM...  Because of these conditions, we cannot guarantee your personal safety..." Document from Lee Baiza and Tim Tibbits with... slightly different accountings of the personal safety waiver issue.  According to Mr. Tibbits, OPCNM has been requiring personal safety waivers since 2005 and going back to 2002 there have been suspensions of permits due to safety concerns.       02/11/08 - 4 more US Senators join the VCDL effort to repeal the National Park Service's ban on self Defense, bringing the total to 51 US Senators on board.  The letter asks that DOI 'modify these regulations to allow the lawful transport and carrying of firearms consistent with state law...' which is exactly what the VCDL petition for rule making does.  A copy of their letter to DOI is here.  02/15/08 - VCDL asks the NRA-ILA to co-petition the NPS to amend the Parks weapons regulations pursuant to the letters from 51 US Senators to DOI.  VCDL & Petitioners letter to NRA-ILA requesting their support of VCDL's petition for rule making to end the NPS self defense ban. 02/22/08 - Senator Crapo and co-signers who support repealing the NPS self defense ban receive confirmation from Secretary Kempthorne that NPS will revise their regulations by 04/30/08.  A copy of the letter is here. 03/12/08 - Several Petitioners conference call with Lyle Laverty expressing concern over any extra restrictions possibly endorsed by NPS on the Petition & Congressional requestors.   03/25/08 - After months, NPS finally responds to the Bighammer.net FOIA request for records from December 18th, 2007.  Previously, Bighammer.net asked NPS for records pertaining to the identity of "several experienced National Park Service employees who have many years of field and management experience" [and whose collective wisdom was allegedly used to deny the 1st VCDL petition for rule making to restore the citizens self defense rights in National Parks].   ..."no such documents exist" - Bighammer.net requested records, not necessarily documents and this difference is not insignificant ( to a government bureaucrat ).  Nevertheless, this response effectively undercuts the Taylor-Goodrich assertion and shows to what lengths the NPS will go to in order to thwart the will of the People, Congress and the Freedom of Information Act.         New! 04/28/08 - Petitioners to end the NPS self defense ban score a major victory as the National Park Service publishes it's proposed regulation to end the ban on self defense in National Parks & Wildlife refuges. These changes aren't using the exact wording the petitioners submitted, but close. Here's a link to a report by NPR.  It's a Congressional hearing in which Mary Bomar tells Congressman Jim Moran that it's the Virginia Citizens Defense League and over 4 dozen co-petitioners, not NRA-ILA who has petitioned them twice now and hence the reason for the regulation change.  The exasperation in Moran's voice is self explanatory   At time index ~01:45 into the report.    Here are the NPS proposed regulations:   Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property CHAPTER I—NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DOI PART 2—RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION 1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows: AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 9a, 17j-2, 462. 2. Amend § 2.4 by adding a new paragraph (h) to read as follows: § 2.4 Weapons, traps and nets. * * * * * (h) A person may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national park area in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded and operable firearms in any state park, or any similar unit of state land, in the state in which the federal park, or that portion thereof, is located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise complies with applicable federal and state law     Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DOI PART 27--PROHIBITED ACTS 1. The authority citation for part 27 continues to read as follows: AUTHORITY: Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 614, as amended (16 U.S.C. 685); Sec. 5, 43 Stat. 651 (16 U.S.C. 725); Sec. 5, Stat. 449 (16 U.S.C. 690d); Sec. 10, 45 Stat. 1224 (16 U.S.C. 715i); Sec. 4, 48 Stat.402, as amended (16 U.S.C. 664); Sec. 2, 48 Stat. 1270 (43 U.S.C. 315a); 49 Stat. 383 as amended; Sec. 4, 76 Stat. (16 U.S.C. 460k); Sec. 4, 80 Stat. 927 (16 U.S.C. 668dd) (5 U.S.C.685, 752, 690d); 16 U.S.C. 715s). Subpart D -- Disturbing Violations: With Weapons 2. Amend § 27.42 by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows: § 27.42 Firearms. * * * * * (e) Persons may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national wildlife refuge in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded and operable firearms in any state wildlife refuge, or any similar unit of state land, in the state in which the national wildlife refuge, or that portion thereof, is located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise complies with applicable federal and state law. Relevant sections are bolded, underlined or both.  If implemented as proposed, the changes would allow a citizen to carry a CONCEALED firearm in a National Park IF they could legally carry a firearm in a STATE PARK or "similar unit of state land".    This deviates from the Peititioners proposed language, located here http://www.vcdl.org/pdf/VCDLPRM_010408.pdf on page 8. 05/01/08 - The Federal Register comment period is open: DATES: Written comments will be accepted through June 30, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the number 1024-AD70 by any of the following methods: --Federal rulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. ** Direct link to NPS weapons regulation amendment comment form (opens in a new window) --Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: 1024-AD70; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203. --Hand-deliver: 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203. Bighammer.net comments - I support the proposed change to permit loaded firearms / weapons in National Parks and Wildlife refuges but comment that the proposed regulation should be amended as follows:   the Department of the Interior & National Park Service should amend the current regulation concerning weapons as follows: Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property CHAPTER I?NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DOI PART 2?RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION 1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows: AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 9a, 17j-2, 462. 2. Amend § 2.4 by adding a new paragraph (h) to read as follows: § 2.4 Weapons, traps and nets. * * * * * (h) A person may possess, carry, and transport loaded, and operable firearms or other weapons within a national park area in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport loaded and operable firearms or other weapons in the state in which the federal park, or that portion thereof, is located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise complies with applicable federal and state law. Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DOI PART 27--PROHIBITED ACTS 1. The authority citation for part 27 continues to read as follows: AUTHORITY: Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 614, as amended (16 U.S.C. 685); Sec. 5, 43 Stat. 651 (16 U.S.C. 725); Sec. 5, Stat. 449 (16 U.S.C. 690d); Sec. 10, 45 Stat. 1224 (16 U.S.C. 715i); Sec. 4, 48 Stat.402, as amended (16 U.S.C. 664); Sec. 2, 48 Stat. 1270 (43 U.S.C. 315a); 49 Stat. 383 as amended; Sec. 4, 76 Stat. (16 U.S.C. 460k); Sec. 4, 80 Stat. 927 (16 U.S.C. 668dd) (5 U.S.C.685, 752, 690d); 16 U.S.C. 715s). Subpart D -- Disturbing Violations: With Weapons 2. Amend § 27.42 by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows: § 27.42 Firearms. * * * * * (e) A person may possess, carry, and transport loaded, and operable firearms or other weapons within a national wildlife refuge in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport loaded and operable firearms or other weapons in the state in which the federal wildlife refuge, or that portion thereof, is located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise complies with applicable federal and state law. Points of concern: 1: The DOI proposed regulation contains language concerning "analogous state lands" that is irrelevant to the proposed change in both policy and regulation. This issue is purely federal in nature. Regulations must be subservient to both statutory and constitutional law. The current regulation clearly recognizes the "keep arms" provision of the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution, but fails completely to honor the "bear arms" guarantee secured by the 2nd Amendment. The proposed regulation would assimilate ONLY a state granted privilege to carry a concealed firearm in states where a permit or license is granted to do so or where it is not illegal to do so at the state level. Since current National Park Service enabling legislation allows NPS law enforcement personnel to enforce both state and federal law, the "analogous state lands" language is both superfluous and irrelevant to the change in policy and regulation. This superfluous language was not requested by the Petitioners to amend the National Park Service weapons regulations http://www.vcdl.org/pdf/VCDLPRM_010408.pdf nor was it requested or approved, sanctioned or even tacitly ignored by the United States Senate who requested this change on behalf of the United States Citizens -http://www.bighammer.net/images/022208_Kempthorne_response.pdf 2: The DOI proposed regulation changes present a requirement that firearms may only be loaded when concealed. This presents a conflict of common sense and legal doctrine. Should an off duty state or local law enforcement officer, or out of jurisdiction law enforcement officer who is carrying a firearm under the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act, or other permitted citizen otherwise lawfully transiting, entering or visiting a park or wildlife refuge expose the firearm in any way, including self defense, or inadvertent exposure they would be in violation under the DOI / NPS proposed language. The current regulation prohibits off duty state or local law enforcement officer, or out of jurisdiction law enforcement officer who is carrying a firearm under the Law Enforcement officer's Safety Act, or a citizen otherwise lawfully transiting, entering or visiting a park or wildlife refuge. The proposed regulation would permit the persons to have a loaded, operable & concealed firearm, but then place them in legal jeopardy in the event they were forced to use it or if it were exposed inadvertently such as in normal activity. 3: The proposed regulation "analogous state lands" unnecessarily over complicates administration of Parks weapons regulations. The changed regulation should harmoniously assimilate the law of the state in which the park or wildlife refuge resides without having to maintain a list of current state park or similar "analogous" lands at the federal level.  The National Park Service has a track record of failing to respond to petitioner inquiry, Congressional inquiry and Freedom of Information Act requests in a timely and responsible manner.  Given this track record any rule implemented should be one which requires no upkeep on the part of the National Park Service or DOI such as the current proposed rule of 'analagous state lands' language requires.  4: Some opponents of this change, including some Park Service unit superintendents have commented they don't see a need for this change and why would a person need a weapon in a park. This of course is a false premise. There have been several murders, rapes, robberies, drug smugglers, and other crimes in National Parks. Further, the National Park Service has publicly stated it "(NPS) cannot guarantee the safety of ... park visitors" Documented in NPS Intermountain region FOIA response IMR/08-51 dated 02/01/08. In the response, officials from the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument admit that they require researchers to sign a waiver that they will not hold the government / NPS liable if they are injured or killed by border crossers or other criminals. They go on to admonish that NPS cannot guarantee the safety of researchers or assistants. See - http://www.bighammer.net/images/020608_NPS_permit.pdf See also - http://www.bighammer.net/images/020608_NPSFOIA_notsafe1.pdf Additionally, the Petitioners to amend the National Park Service Weapons regulations have twice shown to the Department of the Interior that crime is all too common in National Parks despite what statistics are thrown out by NPS. See -http://hkshooter.net/nps/crime.html data submitted with the previous and 2008 petition to amend the National Parks weapons regulations. One thing is certain, regardless of statistics if you are one of the victims in a National Park it won't matter to you how safe they are or aren't. It will matter that it happened to you. 5: The proposed regulation does not address those whose domiciles lie within, or adjacent to NPS managed lands. Under the proposed regulation, citizens who live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Ocracoke Island, Oak Island, Colonial Parkway, George Washington Parkway, Cape Cod National Seashore and many more NPS managed lands would be in violation of the propose regulation the moment they walked outside their house if the firearm was not loaded & concealed. See - http://www.moffatcountysheriff.com/brookstocomstock.htm See also - http://www.moffatcountysheriff.com/npstomantle.htm 6: Organizations such as the NPCA have asserted that the proposed change would increase poaching and crime in National Parks. This is the same unsubstantiated assertion made by organizations such as the Violence Policy Center (VPC), Brady Campaign and other groups which advocate and lobby against self defense in every state in which Shall Issue legislation has been introduced. These allegations have not proven true and in fact these groups were lying. They have never apologized for lying to the American people for misleading them about the overwhelming majority of states which have shall issue handgun permits to carry and they have reverted to their same arguments here. The arguments are factually false, and these advocates against firearms & self defense have a proven history of being wrong. By appropriately amending the Parks weapons regulations the National Park Service will better respect the rights of the several States & Citizens to make determinations on having a firearm while maintaining Park Service necessary regulatory authority on the use of firearms and maintaining visitor safety as well as resource protection. 7: When General George Washington & French General Rochambeau stopped over at Mount Vernon on their way to Yorktown to pummel the British outpost into submission securing freedom from the King of England, nowhere in the historical record does it indicate that any point along the Washington-Rochambeau route did they ever stop, unload their firearms so they could transit through a 'national park'. Neither did the Generals, or their respective Armies disarm on the Yorktown battlefield. Instead, they lay siege to the British until they surrendered. Were General Washington alive today he most certainly would not stop at the foot of the George Washington Parkway, or any other park service land to disarm. Though he served as General of the Army, and President of the United States his most cherished role was that of a Virginia Farmer and citizen. It was the many great deeds and sacrifices of General Washington and the Continental Army which secured the liberties we all hold dear and a government of 'We the People'. This freedom was wrongly usurped and taken from the People by the National Park Service and it is incumbent upon current employees of this servant of the people to right that wrong committed so many years ago. Anything less would be a disgrace. For all of the above reasons, the Department of the Interior & National Park Service should amend the current regulation concerning weapons as follows: Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property CHAPTER I?NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DOI PART 2?RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION 1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows: AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 9a, 17j-2, 462. 2. Amend § 2.4 by adding a new paragraph (h) to read as follows: § 2.4 Weapons, traps and nets. * * * * * (h) A person may possess, carry, and transport loaded, and operable firearms or other weapons within a national park area in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport loaded and operable firearms or other weapons in the state in which the federal park, or that portion thereof, is located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise complies with applicable federal and state law. Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DOI PART 27--PROHIBITED ACTS 1. The authority citation for part 27 continues to read as follows: AUTHORITY: Sec. 2, 33 Stat. 614, as amended (16 U.S.C. 685); Sec. 5, 43 Stat. 651 (16 U.S.C. 725); Sec. 5, Stat. 449 (16 U.S.C. 690d); Sec. 10, 45 Stat. 1224 (16 U.S.C. 715i); Sec. 4, 48 Stat.402, as amended (16 U.S.C. 664); Sec. 2, 48 Stat. 1270 (43 U.S.C. 315a); 49 Stat. 383 as amended; Sec. 4, 76 Stat. (16 U.S.C. 460k); Sec. 4, 80 Stat. 927 (16 U.S.C. 668dd) (5 U.S.C.685, 752, 690d); 16 U.S.C. 715s). Subpart D -- Disturbing Violations: With Weapons 2. Amend § 27.42 by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows: § 27.42 Firearms. * * * * * (e) A person may possess, carry, and transport loaded, and operable firearms or other weapons within a national wildlife refuge in the same manner, and to the same extent, that a person may lawfully possess, carry, and transport loaded and operable firearms or other weapons in the state in which the federal wildlife refuge, or that portion thereof, is located, provided that such possession, carrying and transporting otherwise complies with applicable federal and state law. By amending the National Parks & wildlife refuge weapons regulations as above without the superfluous "analogous state lands" language the regulation accomplishes the goals as stated in the published amendment "purposes", eliminates the need for complex verification of state law and regulation of all 50 states' State Parks rules at the federal level, and creates a rule that is more respective of both the citizens and the several States.  Contacts: Principals involved in the process to amend CFR 36, Regulation 2.4 to amend the National Parks self defense ban. Bighammer.net - Contact Bighammer.net with questions concerning the Petition or to submit documemnts to the timeline.    DOI / NPS contacts: Dirk_Kempthorne:  Secretary of the Interior.  Presides over DOI & NPS. Lyle Laverty:  Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife & Parks.  Doug Domenech:  (202) 208-5647.  DOI Secretary White House Liason.  Met with Petitioners. (maybe old) Karen Taylor-Goodrich:  (202) 208-???? Nothing else needs to be said. Jerry Case:  (202) 208-4206.  Petition reviewer at NPS. Congressional contacts: Luke Tomanelli:                      -  Legislative Assistant to Senator Crapo  Michael Sozan:  (202) 224-4024 - Assistant to Senator Jim Webb. Nelson Jones:  (202) 224-4024 - Legislative Assistant to Senator Jim Webb.  Sean Carney:  (202) 225-1492.  Legislative Assistant to US Representative Tom Davis.  Chris Lopez:  (202) 225-1492.  Legislative Assistant to US Representative Tom Davis. Tack Richardson: (202) 224-2023.  Legislative Correspondent to US Senator John Warner. Mr. Kelly Simpson: (202) 225-4711.  Legislative Assistant to US Congressman Virgil Goode. Morna Murray:                     Legislative Assistant to Senator Casey.  Richard Spiegelman:              Legislative Assistant to Senator Casey. Damion Nielson:                    Legislative Assistant to Senator Spector  Brooke Roberts:  (202) 224-2752.  Legislative Assistant to US Senator Larry Craig   Deborah Tekavec:  (202) 225-2065.  Legislative Assistant to US Representative John Murtha. John Hugya:  (202) xxx-xxxx   Legislative Assistant to US Representative John Murtha. Jeffrey Vorberger:  (202) 225-5121.  Legislative Assistant to US Representative John Peterson. Alex Davis:  (202) xxx-xxxx  Legislative Assistant for US Senator Bob Casey.    Nate Berry:  (202) 225-5836.  Legislative Assistant to US Representative Todd Platts. Bill Dolbow    (202) 225-2815. Deputy Chief of Staff to US Representative Eric Cantor.