Crapo: Rule Change Keeps Gun Law Consistent

Washington, DC - Changes sought by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to streamline rules regarding the carry and transport of firearms in national parks and fish and wildlife refuges were issued today in a final rule from the U.S. Department of the Interior. By issuing the rule, the Department's implementation of Crapo's requested rule change will permit law abiding gun owners to transport and carry concealed firearms in federal parks and wildlife refuges in accordance with the firearms laws of the host state. The final rule, which is expected to be published on Monday, December 8, does not apply to shotguns and rifles.

"If this rule stands, law abiding gun owners will be subject to a more sensible and simplified framework for governing the possession of concealed firearms on federal public lands," Crapo said. "I commend Secretary Kempthorne and the Department for their hard work on this matter, particularly with regard to improvements made since the proposed rule was issued on April 30."

Crapo, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, proposed the changes in December 2007. He led a bipartisan group of 50 Senators who wrote Kempthorne requesting the changes.