CNN

maybe the gun isn't for the four footed beast, but most definitely for the two legget ones which can be just as deadly! i feel you on that virginia man.

Ninety percent of you don't understand what you are talking about. You have way too much time on your hands and very little understanding of the topic. You need to understand Alaska and its people. There aren't supermarkets every 100 yds or sometimes every 100 miles. It's a wilderness. People rely on game for subsistence. Bears and moose roam Anchorage. Bears have attacked and killed half a dozen hikers, joggers, and bikers in the last 6 months. Much of Alaska is park country so it only makes sense to allow for protection. For those of you who are anti-Palin, anti-gun, or anti-meat educate yourselves before speaking. You are just highlighting your ignorance.

I dont think that bears should have concealed weapons, this woman is dense.

Gary Stayner murdered three Yosemite National Park sightseers, Carole Sund, Juli Sund and Silvina Pelosso. To bad they were dependent on the government for protect..

I'M SCREAMING RIGHT ABOUT NOW UHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

LISTEN PEOPLE THE TONGUE IS A POWERFUL THING...

LET US BE CAREFUL WHAT WE SAY.... ALSO WHAT WE THINK...

IF YOU ARE A PERSON THAT WAITING FOR OBAMA TO FAIL, THEN TRUST ME YOU ARE WAITING TO FAIL YOURSELF, FAMILY AND FRIENDS...

WE ARE LETTING THAT UGLY RACISM DIVIDE US ONCE AGAIN AND THIS THING WITH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IS GETTING A LITTLE OUT OF HAND RIGHT NOW .....

I HATE TO SAY IT BUT I MUST..... THIS HATRED REMINDS ME OF THE GENOCIDE IN AFRICA WITH THE TUTU'S AND MUMU'S WHATEVER THE HELLZ THEY CALLED THEMSELVES...... NOTHING

SEPARATING THEM BUT DUMBNESS AND HATE FILLED IDIOLOGIES THAT NEVER GOT THEM NOR WILL IT GET US ANY DAYUMMM WHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GROW UP AND LET US STAND TOGETHER FOR ONCE THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD IS LAUGHING AT YOU BECAUSE INSTEAD OF ACTING LIKE THE INTELLIGENT BEINGS WE ARE WE ARE ACTING LIKE (SOMEBODY FILL IN THIS BLANK FOR ME PLEASE)

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IS YOUR PRESIDENT LIKE IT OR NOT
STAND BEHIND YOUR LEADER AND LET THE MAN LEAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow surprise the monster who cuts off wolf legs for bounty and allows mother bears and cubs to be slaughtered and sues the bush admin for being to liberal on the environment by protecting the last of the polar bears she wants to kill. This hateful liar who steals tax payer money should just pay her taxes and stop making tax payers cover her F word network interviews and shut up.

I HAVE NEVER FACED ANY CHALLENGES AT A NAT'L PARK SO THAT I CAN'T SAY! BUT I HAVE FACED A CHALLENGE AT THE MOVIE THEATER JUST TRYING TO BUY SOME POPCORN ! A GUN AT THE MOVIES, OH YEAH!

And let us not forget Meredith Emerson, the 24-year-old missing hiker from Vogel State Park, who died from a blow to the head last summer.

I would like to see Palin shoot a Grizzly w/ a pistol in self defense ... probably will work.. hah! ... maybe she should come up with a logical argument.

To late for the two women found murdered while hiking and camping along the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park Virginia,.

@ a kickin' donkey, who asked "How many of us think that Mr. Obama would give any consideration to any request made by Sarah Palin? What are the chances she has ANY influence with him?"

I certainly don't think she has any influence, but I think it would be naive to think, based on everything he's done and said so far since the inauguration, that Obama intends to play petty, vengeful games like a GOPer would. It's not his style. He'd rather hand someone the rope and let them hang themself.

@ Gracie

I fly fish in Yellowstone a couple of times a year. I don't "seek out" dangerous animals, but a couple of times now moose (and one grizzly) seem to have found me. Yellowstone allows no guns whatsoever, rifles, pistols, concealed or openly carried. Even gun parts are banned. I haven't been injured yet, and hope I never am, but I would feel a lot more comfortable with a single action .45 under my arm than a measly bottle of bar spray.

Also, it's clear that 90% of the anti-gun posters here know nothing about firearms except what they've "learned" from movies and TV.

Maybe they should allow loaded guns in government buildigs and see if No-Clue Palin feels the same way. Afterall- you never know when a wild carzy perosnmay wander in!

This bimbo is totally out of her mind! The national parks are there so that we can enjoy the beauty of this country without fear of being shot by some bozo with a gun. Check 'em at the gate....you betcha...wink, wink.

If the folks in Alaska are anything like their politicians they don't abide by the laws anyway......

Send Mr. Cheney and Ms. Pelosi to do a study in the Alaska forest, but only let Cheney carry the gun.

Heh.......will someone tell Yogy to get away from wahtever park she is going into..........help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lifethreatning??????????????????yep ,those 7 day old pups in the den....eyes not open yet......yep,she's got to kill them to....ya know.
seems like she is the threat.
Why won't she just stay in Alaska......?
The Native people there are starving.........could ya 'help them ol'sarah"??????????????Do ya" have to take that off the state tax form you don't send in......
There are alot of things you realy ought to be paying attention to.Leave the National parks,the tourist,animals alone.
Thanks but no thanks.

"many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs."

I'm so confused. I have no problem with allowing people to carry loaded weapons in a national park. There are dangers. But this statement is weird. First of all, what is the difference between an urban hunter and a rural hunter? Second of all, what cultural needs are met by carrying a loaded weapon?

Why should she pay her taxes... The Democrats don't.....

By the way "When seconds count the police/rangers are minutes away."

Hate to tell you Duane, but a fork does not make a conscious decision to get fat, but a person using a gun makes a consious decision to fire a weapon does. Needless to say, your comaprison was idiotic.

Recently, 4 people were murdered outside of Rochester NY by a man who got his pistol permit on the 3rd try, after having been denied for having a felony conviction for assault. He made the decision to use that weapon. He was not carrying it for protection against bears, which is what Palin is asking the Interior Department for (which was the thrust of the article). This article was pertaining to the use of guns inside national parks, and I find myself in agreement with Caribou Barbie on this one.

Once a moron, always a moron......

"inside the park" no! "outside the park" you betcha!

Guns are meant to KILL, people, animals or whathaveyou. Either way you look at it, its a license to kill which in wrong.

Guns can kill, they do not give one a license to kill, they are meant to deter and defend as well. Evil people kill inocents with intent to kill. They use guns, knives, baseball bats etc.

Palin advicing Obama funny February 19th, 2009 1:24 pm ET

Do anyone really think that President does anything but laugh when he recieves anything from Palin. Do you think he really needs her advice he probably says look at the Michelle and they laugh as if they are watching SNL.----–since obama is as dumb as the average rock all of america knows he NEEDS some advice.

Poor Ray Ray. Computer-literate illiterate.

Quite an epidemic in America it seems, if these message boards can be taken as a sampling of our population.

But you just can't tell some neo-cons 'yes,' I guess?

Perhaps a permit to conceal one's opinion until it's warranted or relavant would alos be in order?

Sarah is running for president in 2012. Why does CNN or anyone care about her or report this nonsense.

Why is there no reporting on people in Alaska going hungry?

YES, SARAH your constituents are going hungry.....that might be a story........

The woman has never shot a wolve or killed a wolve.

Do you research.

WOW she is SO pretty!

Who really cares what this woman thinks. She doesn't matter.

Obviously, Palin didn't write the letter. It contained coherent sentences. Concealed weapons should be banned – anywhere. If they hunt for food, then let the gun be visible, not concealed.

It's funny that she wants people to take a loaded weapon into a park, but she also wants you immediately arrested if you attempt to take a loaded weapon into one of her speeches. Now why is that? Why can't the general public bring loaded weapons to a speech by a politician, a governor, a president? Anyone curious why? Hmm? It's because the politician wants to be SAFE and not get SHOT. So why can't the same protections be held up for common citizens who wish to visit a national park?

Sarah, I think you need to be more concerned about paying back taxes on meal money that you used for meals your family ate at home and for travel you did not take before you start worrying about what weapon you can carry where. Dig it?!

And doesn't carrying a weapon in a National park fly in the face of the park's original purpose, too?!?!?!

I agree that the citizens of Alaska need this in order to "satisfy their nutritional....needs", but maybe if a dozen eggs didn't cost $22 and a gallon of milk $15, they would be able to pay for their food instead of hunting it.

I'm all for carrying a weapon, just not a concealed one. Why should it have to be hidden? I, for one, would want to know if the other person was carrying a gun.

You just never know when one of those wily racoons is going to sneak up on you.And to steal a line from an old W.C.Fields movie:
"Is that thing loaded?"..."No,but I bet you are"......

Back woods is as back woods does.

Let's put up x-ray machines that check for weapons as cars enter parks. If any are spotted, up come the road teeth. I satisfy my cultural needs by getting away from heavy metal; guns included.

You just never know when one of those wily racoons is going to sneak up on you.

Hey America First don't go to the theatre I already carry my gun there. Also you should avoid the grocery store, gas station, church, the highway, the flea market, pretty much anywhere you go I carry a gun there.

Here we go–Obama is taking away guns!!!
The amendment says that we have the right to have an armed militia, not that every blessed citizen has an assault rifle! The NRA has twisted this so much that people are convinced they have the "right" to own whatever gun they can buy, and that the mean old government is protecting criminals. GUNS KILL PEOPLE-that is what they do.

Just because liberal Democrat areas filled with liberals cannot allow such hateful, angry, dangerous people with no regard for human life to carry guns, doesn't mean that the thoughtful, responsible, great Americans in the bible belt cannot own them. Face it, a lib with a car is a much bigger threat to safety and lives than a conservative with a gun.

Duane:

I'm not worried about the criminals. They were there before, they will be there later. Plus: they know how to use their guns...

I'm worried about Suburban Joe and his apathetic, uneducated kids slothing about in public. The second a branch cracks and his cowardly, high-strung, fear-driven nerves make him react and blow away someone's kid...well...Maybe then common sense will be common.

I don't think Sarah has enough to do being governor. Maybe she can fill out an application at her local Walmart or gas station.

But first February 19th, 2009 1:29 pm ET

I can see why someone would want to carry a gun into a wilderness area but first I need to know: Does Dick Cheney go camping?

I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than ride in a car with Ted Kennedy.

@ Duane, who said "the criminals will still carry their guns wherever they want "

And so will angry Republicans who think the law doesn't apply to them when they disagree with it.

Just say "No" Mr. President.

I hunt.
I enjoy the outdoors as much as anyone but carrying concealed weapons in a National Park is irresponsible.

As far as being attacked by bears.....yes it can happen. The probability is absolutely miniscule if people use common sense but I have to return to an arguement that I often use. We are FAR more threatened by walking in our neighborhoods than we will ever be in the woods. One of the primary reasons people go to the National Parks is FOR the wildlife. If you're afraid....stay home.

Maybe we need to worry more about chimpanzees......

Yeah, just what I want to think about when I go to Yellowstone-the guy in the next tent has a gun! Oh, wait, it would be the gal in the $200,000 RV.

Another thought: Everyone always says that having a weapon will keep you from getting raped or robbed, but never cite statistics to back that up. Most criminals use the element of surprise when they attack; they don't wait for you to go grab your weapon.

My understanding from law enforcement officers is that having a weapon doesn't necessarily protect you and in fact, can put your life in greater danger.

So, Gov. Palin thinks that a weapon that could be concealed (i.e., a handgun) would offer protection against a bear? I don't think so, unless it's a "hand-cannon". I could understand being allowed to pack a rifle, but it would be difficult to concel such a weapon.

Hunters that conceal their weapons: the proper name for them is criminal.

If you are really hunting anything, a hand gun will not do it. Shoot a bear with a .38 (or .44) and you're just giving him incentive to tear you apart more before he eats you.

Oh yeah, "Urban Hunters" hunt people, not animals. People in the city don't hunt. They understand that there are a million more important and intelligent things that they could be accomplishing.

Obama Victim February 19th, 2009 12:54 pm ET

go girl…………looking forward to your election in 2012…………..only 3 years and ii months to go with this loser
_______________________________________________________
you are one twisted moron if you think palin is presidential material. she can't even complete a sentence. your comment must be a joke.

McPalin says "... many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs."

Satisfy their nutritional needs to KILL something !!!!!

Satisfy their cultural needs to GO HOME & DRINK BEER AND BEAT THE WIFE !!!!!!

When will this hyena go away ? Her rantings are so out of touch with reality, I cannot believe that she was elected to anything !!

What is wrong with America ? Why do we elect such idiots like Palin, Bush, McCain, Kantor, Boehner, etc, etc.

Thise cretins must be stopped NOW !!!

i love to hear the morons that say "We need to ban guns everywhere". So how many stories do you hear on the news when someone gets stabbed or in a fit of road rage runs over another person? Do we ban knives and cars? After all they can be used as deadly weapons as well.

to all supporters of concealed hand guns in national parks:you have a 9mm under your jacket vs a 700 pound grizzly,any experienced hunter will tell you he is BETTING ON THE BEAR !!!! a hand gun is useless in this case even if you could get it out in time.

You're not allowed to hunt in National Parks, so the bit about "many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs" doesn't make sense.

That said, there are parks (such as in Alaska or some mountainous areas in the Lower 48) where a hiker having a gun would offer protection from wild animals such as grizzly bears and cougar.

I think this should be determined on a park-by-park basis. Where there is a legitimate danger of being attacked by a wild animal (grizzlies, cougar), then I think concealed guns should be allowed. Otherwise, I don't think people should have concealed weapons in a National Park.

Thank God for Godly women and men with a backbone. People that don't expect or want the government to control them. Pray to God that our right to bear arms is protected...........

My taxpayer dollars go into these national parks, too. I do not approve of hunters satisfying their nutritional and cultural needs to murder animals in my national park.

Liberals are IDIOTS!

Hey all you conservatives out there (LOL)! This would not affect wildlife, because they are shot at from a helicopter. It's only republicans like Cheney that need the rifles on the ground.

YES SIR.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS IT GOING ON.

THEY HAVE A POLE DANCER, A PAIN PILL ADDICT,

A GRAND WIZARD & A MORON SPEAKING FOR THEM.

She knows Dick about the economy or foreign affairs, but guns are her favorite issue. Drill baby drill, glad it is Obama in Canada today, and not McCain, with Sarah minding the shop in Washington. We love Obama here too

Yeah Duane, because criminals can only find helpless victims in the park. When was the last time you heard about gang violence in Yosemite? I can answer that...never. The people who generally commit crimes in National Parks or folks that you would consider "law abiding citizens." Do some research before popping off about topics you know nothing about.

Palin is such an idoit. WHY on earth should one be allowed to "carry concealed" weapons? Why would you not want a weapon UN-concealed? What are they in fear of that they would have to have a concealed weapon? This woman really is a CRAZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE to say the least.

I believe that under certain circumstances, this law is applicable. For example, the fact that Alaska is filled with tons of wildlife and open country makes carrying a firearm a good reason. I agree with Will though, I don't understand why the law has to go so far as to protect concealed firearms. Also, the fact that its restricted only to wilderness makes it a pretty safe law.

IDIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT !!!!!!!!!!!!

For once i agree with Sarah Palin, i see no reason why people should not be able to carry fire-arms in a national park. After all to "keep and bear arms" is a right in this country. Think of all of the vast area of unprotected land in this park. Visitors are practially left on their own for self-defense. People should be able to protect themselves especially if the park police are not around. However, not all National Parks are big. I believe that this should only apply to National parks of a certian size and that the state government's should determine which parks the rule should apply to.

lol Does this woman ever take a break in the media..such vanity!

What is the fear of concealed weapons. People who go through the process in general aren't out to hurt anyone. People who commit crimes with guns didn't buy them legally or go through the permit process. Why take a law abiding citizens weapon away when the criminals don't follow the law. A gun is a tool just like anything else. I could hit someone with a bat, stab them with a screwdriver or hit them with a car should we ban all of these. If you get attacked by an animal or a person don't look for me to protect you with my gun. Call the cops they will come fill out a report and take you to the morgue. Don't forget when you are being attacked the cops are only 5 min. away.

Really??.. You need a CONCEALED weapon to protect yourself from BEARS??!?!?!?

Please, Lord, shut this moron up! I am soooooooo sick of her!

IDIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT !!!!!!!!!!!!

All this law does it make it more dangerous for other park visitors and wildlife. Do we honestly think that, when a person sees a bear or mountain lion, they will wait until it threatens them to shoot? No – they will shoot when they first see it for fear it is going to attack them.

When you go to a national park it is to see nature as it is. When out hiking, you assume the risks that come with it. If you are that afraid of wildlife, a National Park is not for you. I have come across bears, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, and I'm also pretty sure that I've been watched by mountain lions. I have never once had a problem with any of these animals. If I ever do then that is simply the risk and consequence that I accept in order to enjoy the natural beauty of our great country.

ALASKA CAN'T BE PRISTINE IF PALIN LIVES THERE.

I am a nature lover and hiker and I would certainly not hike in a state park in Alaska.
We know how guns can ricochet and go a long distance and one would not want to be shot or duck becausese Gov. Palin decided to shoot at a squirrel in a state park and instead killed innnocent bystanders taking afternoon stroll. In the NRA eyes it is always shoot first in any circumstance. I am not for outlawing guns but this is ridiculous.

Did any one see that tape of Palin hunting down and killing wolves from a helicopter?
That is the epitomy of ignoranance and stupidity. There is no excuse for it. The wolves are badly wounded and then have to suffer a horrible, painful death.
It made me SICK!
Too bad the wolves can't have guns to shoot her out of the sky!

Palin's utterances remind me of Barney Fife with his one bullet that he often shoots into the floor. However, I'm reminded of the time I saw a great horned owl with only one wing. His licensed keeper told me that this beautiful raptor had only one enemy in all of nature: "man (mankind) with a gun." A national park should be a sanctuary for wildlife. In regard to Palin's political aspirations, she needs to "nip it in the bud."

My question is. Did she write it or did she have a ghostwriter write it. lol

i feel bad for not liking her so much.

The right to bear arms is given to us by the US Constitution.

Moreover, this is a matter of safety. We, as citizens, should be entitled to carry a concealed weapon to protect our lives and the lives of those around us. The use of these weapons would be under emergency situations only. It is very likely that naturelovers will encounter a lifethreatening situation atleast once in their lifetimes. For instance, a couple of weeks ago, I saw an interview on 20/20 with a woman that had actually had a mountain lion bite her face. Her friend was there to help her, but if she had not been there to assist the woman, she could have died. In similar situations, the presence of a concealed weapon could truly determine the difference between life or death.

I agree with Melly's comment

Palin says "many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs." Well–there's a solution for folks on food stamps!!! Give 'em firearms to satisfy their nutritional needs!! And someone please tell me, WHO has a cultural need to carry a firearm!!!??? George Armstrong Custer and his troops, perhaps!! I understand Alaska is a huge state and the need to address "life threatening situations" ( i.e. a charging bear), but does this mean we're going to start qdefining just which national parks have enough "threats" to allow firearms? By that rationale, visitors to most national parks in DC should be toting guns. And visitors to TX's Great Bend area should carry loaded firearms to protect themselves from deadly snakes.

the nursury

the toddlers that are taken by force and we respond with an Amber alert, they are with out defense, we need to arm them!!!! When predators kidnap them, they should be able to defend themselves

It is their right as written by the constitution

arm the toddlers, loaded weapons, It is necessary

they are discriminated against, Palin would agree and so should you

Ah the hunter's and poacher''s dream come true.

Hunting via the back door........I was not hunting/poaching officer. I am allowed to carry a weapon in the park and that bear charged me so I defended myself. Like I defended myself against that elk, that mountain lion and those deer.

THANK GOD THERE ARE STILL POLITICIANS OUT THERE WHO ACTUALLY DEFEND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION!!! WAY TO GO SARAH!!!

Having loaded weapons in national parks isn't a risky measure. All states won't have the need for them, only states like Alaska, where wildlife is abundant and threatening. It is a beneficial measure that ensures public safety from wild animals. Without this measure, there is the risk of "life threatening situations" as Palin said, and loaded weapons are needed as a source of protection. Additionally, there are regulations that demand that people that carry the weapons follow state gun laws. Therefore, the usage of the loaded weapons for non-protection purposes has a low probability of happening and even if it does happen, people will be prosecuted for using it for the inncorect purpose. Also, they will be watched to make sure they are using the weapon for safety purposes only. Having the weapon concealed is necessay for psychological purposes. If people are seen walking around with guns, it may be uncomfortable for children and adults. In short, this rule would not change anything in that people will still be able to enjoy and experience national parks and wildfire refuges. It'll only serve as a method of protection.

Tim makes an excellent point- allowing weapons might even be a detterent for criminals planning to commit crimes in the park. the fact that a victim might be armed might keep them from commiting these crimes, and therefore would make the park safer for everyone visiting. while parks should be a family-friendly place, it is inherently possible that dangers could be lurking anywhere at any time- whether the danger is a crazed animal or a crazed person.
Also, no one is making you carry a weapon if you don't feel comfortable. if you believe that it's a better idea to take your chances in the wilderness unarmed, then you absolutely have the right to do so. but don't criticize people who decide to safely and responsibly exercise their constitutional rights.

The clueless pathological liar has a thought.

i love that the same people who B*tch that only cops should have guns are the first ones to B*tch when Cops actually use them.

Look at that facts across the country the unwarranted use of firearms by on duty and off duty police are far away higher than the unwarranted use of firearms by those with lawful conceal and carry permits.

... I'd love to see someone try to take down a bear with a concealed weapon. You'd need a shotgun and those aren't so hard to conceal. So the point is – get a weapon that isn't concealed if you're worried.

Palin is wayyyyyy out of touch with the lower 48 and humanity as a whole!!!
God Bless President Obama and his team!!! Apparentely Canadians LOVE President Obama and by the thousands!!!!
Palin–go away!!

Allowing these right wing wing nuts into national parks with loaded, concealed weapons is ridicoulous.

The most danergous animals are the wounded ones ,and sooner or later some dumbo is going to shoot at a bear, wound it and get mauled.

It is a park. You shouldn't be shooting anything in a park.

And wildlife preserves? Are you serious? The entire reason there are wildlife preserves is because there are already too many loaded weapons around these animals, thereby forceing the non-republican of us to protect them.

CNN HAVE A CRUSH ON SARA PALIN AND SARA PALIN HAVE A CRUSH ON PRESIDENT OBAMA. SHE GET JUST AS MUCH COVERAGE AS THE PRESIDENT.

Weapons? Yes.
Loaded weapons? Yes.
Concealed weapons? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

There is no reason to conceal a weapon from wildlife. No reason what so ever!

The only reason to conceal a weapon is to keep OTHER PEOPLE from knowing you have it.

@ DG says,

"How many people have been harmed/killed by wildlife in national parks?

How many people have been harmed/killed by guns?

Do the math."

-----

DG – how many people have been harmed/killed by guns IN ALASKA NATIONAL PARKS?

THATS the question, numbnuts.

Common sense, people. Don't just jump on something because you dislike the source. Alaska has very, very large, wild, natural parks with bears and wolves and critters. It's not safe to wander around without protection. There's nothing wrong with licensed gunowners (and I'm betting most Alaskans were taught gun safety in childhood) carrying appropriate weapons.

You know why gun rights scare so many people. Down here where I live in sourhtern La. , a young Chinese exchange student went trick or treating for the first time in one of our more "rural" areas. The man answered the door, and when he saw an Asian young man say "trick or treat", he got scared and shot the kid. He died. Why? Because the middle aged white man was scared to death of anyone that didn't look like him coming to his door.

It's ignorance that makes me afraid when I hear about gun rights. Most gun owners down here in the South are barely high school graduates, if they got that far, and are totally ignorant on anything except their own miserable, hicked out lives.

I see no problem with it at all. Of course the Dems will complain because the majority of them live in densely populated urban areas. This gives them a bias against guns and an over protective sense of nature. Don’t get me wrong the natural world is beautiful but it can also be dangerous. The folks that live in rural areas of America like Palin have a different view of guns and nature.

I suppose if you are stupid enough to get close enough to a bear you may need some kind of glock to free yourself.

@ Melissa says,

"People get killed. Parks are supposed to be places where people don't have to worry about getting shot in the head by hunters who are morons and not watching."

Keep blathering! You're the best thing that happened for the NRA since Charleston Heston. Idiots like you make everyday people buy guns.

Obviously you've never ventured outside your suburban romper-room world. You've never known the involuntary shivers the body makes at the sound of a grizzly rustling through bushes merely yards away.

Please STFU.

another day another Palin story... I think because most Palin stories here gather at least 200plus responses both positive and negative are why they keep on coming.

Sarah use your brains woman isn't enough crimes on the streets for you asking for people to have concealed weapons in a PARK where kids play .This is one place guns do not have to be concealed or not.It is just too open to the public and god forbid if someone just starts shooting innocent people can get hurt or killed.You Sarah can just stay keep your guns in Alaska and leave our parks alone.And help your people there in Alaska with some type of assistance who are starving their selves to death and paying almost 20.00 for eggs

WHO CARES WHAT PALIN THINKS!!!!!!

Melissa February 19th, 2009 1:20 pm ET

What is with this insane obsession that Americans have with the ability to carry guns? I don't get it.

it's called the right to bear arms, sweetheart. Guaranteed in the constitution. Go read it.

Liberals are incompetent fools. They believe an animal has more of a right to live than a human being. Liberals can only argue with emotion, there is no intellect involved. They are the dumbest human beings

What worries me isn't the guns in the park, but the illegal hunting in the parks that could occur as a result. And if the Ranger has nothing but a badge and a flashlight up against a truck load of drunken alaskans, well....what's the point?

I'd like to see numbers on how many people are killed each year in national parks by bears, cougars and wolves. Then how many are killed in accidental and hunting shootings....then lets figure it out.

I love how Liberals and Democrats feel they have a monopoly on African Americans. By the looks of every post for the Michael Steele story, if you are black you cannot possibly be conservative or you are a joke or an Uncle Tom. The Democrats have long encouraged class warfare but now they are guilty of pimping out race as well. They make me sick

What have we here? Annie-Get-Your-Gun Palin, Slim-Pickins McCain, Nerd-Master Cantor, Big-Pill-Pappa-Lim, and Flava-Flav-Steele. Ummmm.....Can't wait until 2012 to see the rest of the "Hip-Hoppers." Groovy.

You have to ask yourself, what is more important to you, your safety and well-being, or some stupid law put forth by some idiot politician. Then, act accordingly.

SARAH PINHEAD STRIKES AGAIN!!!

LOL!!!!!

Obama Victim February 19th, 2009 12:54 pm ET
go girl…………looking forward to your election in 2012…………..only 3 years and ii months to go with this loser
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sarah Palin should run in 2012. By then, the majority of the world’s population may need to be reminded as to why it distrusts and hates Conservative America(ns).

SARAH PALIN HAS TO REMEMBER THAT GEOEGE W BUSH IS HISTORY AND THE NEW PRESIDENT IS BARACK OBAMA AND WHAT HE SAYS IS FINAL SO ALL THE SUPPORT SHE IS GIVING TO WHAT BUSH DID SHOULD BE THROWN THROUGH THE WINDOW.

Why are you doing this to me CNN? I was having a good day til I seen she was in the press again. Please stop.

......It may look like we're outgunned at the table, but thankfully we can compete because we've got supremely powerful ammunition. It's called the Alaska Constitution, and it provides our strength as we deal with corporations whose ultimate goal is to make themselves maximum profit and leave as little behind.

I respect industry's contributions to our economy as it pumps our oil, gets it to market and makes mind-boggling profit off our resources. I personally appreciate the blue-collar job opportunities industry provides. I am, in fact, married to a Slope worker, so I'm not out to bash industry, nor do I expect officials to use a hammer in negotiations. But I do expect us to stop acting weak and confused and just do the right thing for Alaskans, via our Constitution.

Here's what the Constitution says: Negotiate for the maximum benefit of all Alaskans. Period. That must be the objective. It really is that straightforward.

[...]

It's amazing to consider the perspective our founding fathers had when crafting the Constitution. An astute Alaskan recently said, “It's almost like they knew to protect something they didn't even know existed yet.” What they knew to protect may not have been fathomed in their wildest dreams whilst writing the document, but I believe their concerns are manifesting today with these negotiations.

Alaskans deserve to be listened to as our resources are on the table. Our message to officials: use restraint, don't rush decisions that have long-lasting impacts. Don't tie oil taxes to a gasline contract that isn't even available for scrutiny.

More specifically to the governor: Trust the public with all the information. Don't let companies hide behind confidentiality, handing them control of our revenue by undefined terms and undeveloped credits. Don't give retroactive credits to stimulate investment decisions made years before, as “retroactive incentive” is an oxymoron. Make financial models public.

Simply, let us trust you to uphold your oath to defend our Constitution.

Former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin is a Republican candidate for governor.

No, sorry, I'm a Democrat living in Alaska. There is a pretty sizable population that relies on hunting and fishing to feed their families, it's not about sport or some weird fascination with guns.

Not many of these people venture into National Parks or Wildlife preserves. They hunt in the areas around their homes, usually hundreds of miles from emergency services, stores and other basic needs that people living in cities take for granted.

They don't shoot up the countryside. Hunting is just a daily or weekly chore that needs to be done in order to put food on the table.

They grow vegetables in their gardens, make septic systems and wells for water and sewage, they have wind powered and solar generators for electricity.

They also don't necessarily vote republican.

I'm not certain if guns are needed in lower 48 National Parks, at least not by tourists, but I suspect that many of the same dangers exist there too.

Bears usually run away, as do wolves, wolverines and other dangerous animals. But sometimes you take one by surprise when their food or young are around and in those situations you need a means to protect yourself.

What any of this has to do with concealed weapons is beyond me though. The hunters and fishermen I know do not conceal their weapons, they have them ready to use and very much in the open.

i didnt know loaded guns were not previously allowed in National Parks/Reserve.
I mean if hunting for sport is legal, to me the legality of a loaded gun in the wilderness is kind of a given...

interesting. But most hunters know what they are doing, and are wilderness saavy. Those that are not find the sport rather boring.

Not to mention the fact that they are all still subject to criminal negligence, homicide laws as applicable. No kidding.

Alaska newspaper, adn.com, has pdf on Palin's November & December per diem & reimbursement requests.

Palin charged Alaska $60.00 reimbursement for FOX Interview after the election

On 11/21, she charged Alasak $60.00 reimbursement for talking on the phone to "Sen. Eliz. Dole" even though Dole was not a senator on 11/21.

Palin charged reimbursement for talking to Gov. Ed. Rendell - hmm.... something fishy about that. I wonder if Rendell charged PA for talking to Palin?

There are mostly families with children visiting these parks for enjoyment I would not want my kids or grand kids shot

I ref=get to say it, but in this "one" instance I must agree with Palin. There needs to be an exception to the rule in the state of Alsaka where national parks are really wilderness and wild life does rule the day.

This imbecile just gets more ridiculous everyday.

This is a "human" (and I use that word lightly) that considers murdering wolves from a nice safe helicopter as a SPORT.

A sport usually has two sides that :

KNOW THEY ARE FRICKIN' PLAYING!!

This woman is a loaded gun.

To Jean-
WHAT a SPIN!!!

This woman is an idiot. Who wants to go back to anything Bush did. We rejected that November 5,2008

Sarah Palin could tell the news that she had to go to the bathroom today and all the disbelievers would have a field day and denounce such vile activity unbecomming of a governor and tell her how she doesn't care about the environment or it's pristine conditions that made her famous. (shaking my head in disbelief)

Anything for attention... She could care less about the people of Alaska or the animals... after all she hunts from a helicopter. She's stolen money from the State, so ... should we take her serious at all?

For those obviously urban experts concerned with "concealed" arms, please get a clue. If you want to defend yourself in the wilderness, you will most likely be carrying a rifle for that with perhaps a large caliber pistol for backup.

What you urbanites have to understand is that there is no one to conceal anything from, so stop trying to apply your city 'logic'. This is not downtown LA.

Listen to the flaming Liberals assert that there is never a need for a weapon. These liberals are ruining the fibers of our society. This is a 2nd amendment right. Then again, Liberals do not believe in the Constitution.

Sounds good! I have long been a proponent of the right to arm bears.

Why do you need a concealed weapon? I thought that if you give the bear a tax cut it won't attack you.

Speaking of tax cuts, I really like how far Sarah took the whole idea, giving herself a tax cut, independently and illegally, par for the course with this woman.

LOOK there goes Moose and Squirell .......................FIRE!!!!
There is Smokey the bear............................FIRE!!!!

This is the same as hunting in a baited field........................WEAK!!!!

I

need

a

beach

front

condo,

Mr. Presiden!

No guns should be allowed in public parks, National Parks or any park whatsoever. People have a right to own a gun, but it should be limited to where they carry a gun.

There doesn't need to be a blanket rule.

Clearly carrying a loaded gun in Denali National Park is different from carrying a loaded gun to the Statue of Liberty.

Maybe there should be a policy in place that allows each individual park to set their own rule here.

I don't believe some of you people. All the people in favor of being able to have a concealed hand gun with you in a state park are saying is, if its legal in that state to have one, whats the difference if you wear it in a state park? People carry a hand gun to protect themselves. It shouldn't matter if the protection is from muggers or animals. I don't think they are going to take out their gun and shoot trees. I live in MN, and states like ours are different then living on the coasts. I don't think you city dwellers understnd that. I don't think you understand how we are raised and how we live. We are really getting tired of the more populus coastal states deciding on how we should live or act. This law should be decided by each individual state period!!!
Chaun from MN

so lets put all those who disagree here in a park, without a gun with a lot of bears and wolves about. social darwin time!

and to Scott the Independent who stated "Did it ever occur to Palin that the animals have a right to wonder around their homes. "

does it occur to the looney left that a fetus has the right to wander around its home

To Lisa.. you shouldn't have to worried about being raped, mugged or murdered in a National Park to but such things do happen.
I respect the views and rights of people who don't wish to own or carry a weapon, but you than must show the same respect to those who do. I legally carry concealed everywhere I go and no one around me is aware of it. I hope I never have to draw on someone but if my life or family member is threaten with bodily harm than I will

The left would tell you that outlawing all guns is the only way to go but you only need to look at England to see that it doesn't work and the law abidding citizens over there are unharmed and now at the mercy of the criminals.

Those of you who feels so safe that you don't need a gun, that the police is always there to protect you, I suggest you try walking down an urban alley in Washington D.C., Detroit, Chicago or New York in the middle of the night.

I would think the National Parks System is sophisticated enough to review firearm policy in each park, and make a judgement as to whether firearms are allowed on a case-by-case basis. National Parks with vast stretches of wilderness should probably allow firearms for protection from predatory animals. National Parks in urban or densly-populated areas shouldn't. Would it be too much to ask to let the superintendent of each park make suggestions, and pending the approval of the leadership, allow or disallow weapons?

And to put "concealed weapons" in context, as an avid back-country hiker, I wouldn't want to have to carry a pistol on my hip in plain sight, but I'd sure like to have one in my pack somewhere. The straps and other gear that are part of a backpack don't lend themselves to wearing a holster very well.

Guns are meant to KILL, people, animals or whathaveyou. Either way you look at it, its a license to kill which in wrong.

OBAMA VICTIM???

OBAMA VICTIM – 1.....BUSH VICTIMS – THE ENTIRE USA

IF YOU LIKE HER SO MUCH WHY DON'T YOU GO LIVE WITH HER.
I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR YOU.

I can see why someone would want to carry a gun into a wilderness area but first I need to know: Does Dick Cheney go camping?

To Texas against Palin Obama and his staff probably see letters from her and laugh and call in other staffers and say read this. And the question they ask themselves is Palin really think they need or want her advice,, got to huffington and read what she has been charging the state of Alaska to do Interview with Faux News, talk on the phone to ex senator dole there are some crazy expenses there. She is becoming a joke a day

hey all you liberal's out there...before you all go popping off about "not wanting to get shot in a park", remember this. This law would ONLY effect law abiding citizens…..the criminals will still carry their guns wherever they want (they are criminals you see and they do not pay attention to laws, that’s why they are criminals) So, if you refuse allow abiding citizens to carry a weapon then (now really think about this) who will be the ONLY one’s in the parks with weapons? THE CRIMINALS DUMMY!!!!!! So if I was a criminal and I wanted to rob people of there cash, cars or rape (you know, criminal stuff) then were would you go to do it? AT A PLACE WHERE YOU KNOW ALL THE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS ARE DEFENSELESS!!! National Parks!

Blaming guns for people getting shot makes about as much sense as blaming a fork for making someone fat.

First of all, if you are worried about being attacked by any WILD animal at a National Park, then DON'T GO.

The ignorant problem with people in national parks is they NEVER adhere to the rules, they always wonder off somewhere, they always want to "feed the WILD animals" or take pictures with the WILD animals. Until these WILD animals turn around and BITE their heads off!! Then it's the animal's fault. Give me a break.

WHAT part of WILD don't people understand?

The argument that you should be able to carry a concealed loaded weapon to a National Park is to protect you from the "wild life" is just so absurd on all levels. These animals DON'T SEEK people out... it's the PEOPLE WHO SEEK THEM OUT by feeding them and seeking them out in their habitat.

Whenever I'm at a national park, I'm NOT worried about the animals,
I'm MORE worried the WACKO walking around with a concealed weapons thinking everything in the park is a "wild animal" including PEOPLE!!!

It's just like I will NEVER understand these idiots who think tigers, lions, poisonous snakes, chimpanzees, etc. are house pets just because they trained them since they were a baby. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND?? DID it ever cross your mind that sooner than later that WILD animal is going to figure out that it's a WILD animal and not your pet???? WHEN does it sink in people? ANIMALS are created by GOD with animal instincts, not HUMAN instincts!!!! I'm just amazed some of the brightest people are so stupid to this reality until it's too late. I just don't know when are we gong to start realizing these animals are NOT humans and never will think or behave like humans, they are NOT design that way.

Just because you feed a shark doesn't mean he's NOT the same shark who will eat you alive when you turn your back!!! LOL

I live in New York, so do you think it's a good idea for me to carry a concealed weapon in Central Park? Plenty of possible threats in that place.

Isn't there a difference between hunting rifles and concealed weapons?

If they use the fire arms for "sustenance" then they should not be in a national park since it is illegal to hunt in them. Moron!
And for you who are blaming Obama, Bush lifted a 25 year ban that spanned, yes, over the terms of the "great" Ronald Reagan. Just like torture, violating long standing treaties and defiling our great land, Bush yet again proves that he is the worst president ever.

--------COMMON SINCE AND LOGIC----------
"As you know, my state contains vast, pristine areas where the ability to carry firearms can address a potentially life-threatening situation, enabling citizens to respond to bear and other wildlife conflicts," Palin wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

She added that "many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs."

--JUST WHAT PARTY DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND ??????---

This coming from the woman who shoots wolves(dogs) from helicopters. Give me a break, your intentions are clearer than your words.

It is Alaska you morons.

They have wild animals all over the place.

Use the common sense part of your brain and not the hate Palin part.

HEY EXTREME LIBERALS. STOP EMBARRASSING THE REST OF US IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. IF YOU DON’T GO TO NATIONAL PARKS THEN KEEP QUITE

The reason it's for "concealed weapons" is so there's not a requirement that the weapon be visible at all times. Really, it'll just allow for the carrying of a handgun, rather than a rifle or shotgun.

Ellie – you can be anti-gun if you like, but perhaps you need to think a bit more logically, and compare the likelihood of shooting sprees in national parks to the number of people injured, maimed, or killed by everything from rattlesnakes to mountain lions and bears in national parks. This is a good and logical use for firearms, but it's just too easy for people to cast all use as evil...

She's not afraid to shoot them from helicopters

I'm not a gun nut by any means but this does make sense.

Why does the weapon that one uses to defend against a hungry bear need to be concealed? Are we concerned that the bears will be provoked when they see an Alaskan with an Armalite slung over her shoulder? Concealed weapons are the choice of assassins and have exactly nothing to do with the Second Amendment.

Many urban hunters? Does she mean gang members?

Because of gun lovers like her, tons of weapons from American gun shops near the Mexican border are being used by extremely violent Mexican gangs. And they're starting to come over into the U.S.
I can understand people who love guns and use them appropriately and abide by the law, but these gun shops that sell to just anyone should be banned.

What next GUNS in theaters, palin go pay your taxes, maybe you will be IMPEACHED.

When you're hunting from your helicopter over the park, are you actually in the park?

She's an idiot that really needs to stay up there in Alaaska.

Wow.... they say never say never, and I guess it's true.

For the very first time, I actually agree with her!! LOL

Do anyone really think that President does anything but laugh when he recieves anything from Palin. Do you think he really needs her advice he probably says look at the Michelle and they laugh as if they are watching SNL.

--------COMMON SINCE AND LOGIC-----------

Palin said the new measure provides Alaskans with a means of self-defense in a state with vast swaths of federally-protected wilderness.
"As you know, my state contains vast, pristine areas where the ability to carry firearms can address a potentially life-threatening situation, enabling citizens to respond to bear and other wildlife conflicts," Palin wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

She added that "many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs."

--JUST WHAT PARTY DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND ??????---

What good is having guns in national parks if you can't have a helicopter from which to shoot the animals?

The intelligence level of some of these posts is laughable at best.
Having a firearm when out in "nature" is a smart thing.
Being attacked by an animal or another person for that matter, is a very REAL possibility.
And for you tree huggers, those carrying the weapons still have to abide by state and federal gun laws as to who or what can be shot and under what circumstances. Violate those laws and you will be prosecuted accordingly.

I suggest some of you wake up and smell reality.
The world is not all warm and fuzzy and smokey the bear would kill you in a heart beat and not think twice about it.

Do tranquilizer guns count as well?

Concealed carry is law designed for law-abiding citizens to carry legally purchased handguns. Law abiding citizens who have training and an FBI background check. It is beyond logic to oppose allowing those law abiding people to carry anywhere when criminals will continue to carry illegal guns, knives and other weapons.

The reason the rule specifies "concealed weapons" is that a revolver in your backpack is a concealed weapon in the eyes of the law. It isn't about somebody wanting to play James Bond in the park. Not many wish to have open carry in a park, either.

It is a fallacy that armed citizens make an area more dangerous. A person who is out to rob or molest people in a park is already planning to violate the law. I don't think violating another law is going to be much of a worry. However, that fact that an intended victim MIGHT be armed is a deterrent.

Also remember, to "keep and bear arms" is considered a right in this country. The person carrying is the one who decides whether a firearm is needed or not.

The way you showcase Palin one would think Palin is the President.

After two months of Obama maybe she should be.

Why don't you tell us about this stroy:

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) notified Judicial Watch this week that it has “closed the file” on our complaint against Senator Barack Obama for allegedly accepting a below market rate mortgage loan in 2005 not available to the general consumer. In its factual and legal analysis, however, the FEC does confirm that Obama obtained a discounted loan but said no laws were violated.

So, to sum: Yes Barack Obama did receive a special below-market loan the rest of us couldn’t get. And a big “no” to the idea that he ought to be held accountable for it. Upset? So are we.

The chance of being confronted by a bear or mountain lion can be nearly eliminated by being a smart camper or hiker. Don't put food in your tent, don't sleep in your cooking clothes, carry a bear bell, avoid wildlife feeding areas, carry mace, etc.

The risk of animal attack is far less than the risk of being shot–accidentally or intentionally–by someone with a weapon.

For someone like Palin who lives her entire life in the wilderness (literally and figuratively), how does she NOT know that BEARS don't attack PEOPLE unless provoked?

I do think that Alaskan wilderness, federal land or not, is a different situation than Rock Creek Park in DC. I can see the need for being able to carry a weapon for self-protection, but I do not think that it should be concealed. Oh my gosh, I just agreed with Sarah about something!

As a person who has held concealed carry licenses in many states over the years, I would like to say this. The majority of states that grant concealed weapons licenses require some form of training that includes classroom and practical applications, as well as background checks. To think that the parks would be less safe is a serious misnomer, and if anything it makes them more safe. There are far too few park rangers in the national parks, and as development encroaches on non park lands, the predatory wildlife is being increasingly boxed in. Not to mention the human criminal factor with people growing pot, psycho's dragging people off into the woods and raping/killing them.

As predators get more comfortable with people in close proximity, they figure out that although we are higher up on the evolutionary chain, we are still a nutritious food source that is comparatively easy to catch and subdue. I've been a woodsman for years in a lot of places, and I've never been able to outrun a deer. So if a mountain lion or bear decides it wants a fresh kill, guess who'll lose if it's a race.

I think this is one thing that the Repub's got right and I'm glad to see that the current President is going to let it stand.

I don’t know what the laws in Alaska look like but if she supports this then folks with loaded weapons should be allowed in the Alaska statehouse. If politicians are so eager to support letting people carry guns, then they should not be allowed to carve out "safe zones" for themselves.

Did not know that bears needed to be suprised by conceled weapons. Maybe we need to give bears permit to roam around in New Yoork City concealing weapons in their fur. Makes sense we go into their home why should they not come to ours (armed and all)

What is with this insane obsession that Americans have with the ability to carry guns? I don't get it.

Now I can not enjoy the park for the fear of being shot????? Ok Palin go visit those freezing starving villagers in your state that you have not helped and it is going on 3 months they are probably dying by know. What a hypocrite.

Thats not even defendable. Not for one second. The only people that should have them are park rangers or police. No one else. And even then, they should be tranquilizers and nothing more.

People get killed. Parks are supposed to be places where people don't have to worry about getting shot in the head by hunters who are morons and not watching.

I cannot stand this woman.

Oh well with Palin – no one wins and no one loses – this is one of those subjects that "one-size-fits-all" doesn't work. Someone with 1/2 half a brain ought to be able to come up with something plausible. We ain't all stupid you know.

Loaded weapons make NO sense, not even in Alaska. I lived in Alaska for a number of years, I visited many of its national parks and wilderness areas...many times and mostly on foot.

The best protection, even from wild animals like grizzly bears and moose (moose, by the way, are much more dangerous then bears) is intelligence, not carrying a gun, although a gun certainly could be useful if one is suddenly attacked by a grizzly bear in the bush, one can shoot oneself in order to die quickly.

(a startled person with a gun probably won't be able thit a bear in the bush at close range with a killing shot with little or no warning of the bear's charge).

I know Alaskans like Governor Sarah Pathetic, this is just an excuse to allow poaching INSIDE national parks, which are large, isolated and poorly patrolled.

It is also a violation of our laws and traditions.

I WANT A BLOG ON THE PALIN PER DIEM REPORT AS REPORTED IN THE ADN.. SHE CHARGED THE STATE OF ALASKA 215.00 TO STAY IN THE RITZ CARLTON AND TO PAL AROUND WITH OBAMA THAT IS TOO FUNNY SHE CHARGED THE STATE OF ALASKA 215.00 TO STAY IN THE RITZ CARLTON AND TO PAL AROUND WITH OBAMA THAT IS TOO FUNNY!!!!! SHE CHARGED THE STATE OF ALASKA 215.00 TO STAY IN THE RITZ CARLTON AND TO PAL AROUND WITH OBAMA THAT IS TOO FUNNY!!!!!! NEVERMIND

How many people have been harmed/killed by wildlife in national parks?

How many people have been harmed/killed by guns?

Do the math.

She's saying you need a concealed weapon to protect yourself from bears? How you gonna conceal a Marlin .30-.30? Because anything less than that's not going to help you much against a bear. You shoot a bear with a handgun, you're just going to make him mad.

The Republicans are really destroying their credibility, accepting this dullard as their big new star...

How many of us think that Mr. Obama would give any consideration to any request made by Sarah Palin? What are the chances she has ANY influence with him?

I'm sorry but as a good Christian man, if you lied about me, pureposefully maligned me, twisted my words, belittled my deeds ... I might forgive you ... but don't come asking for favors. I don't expect our President to be any different.

Since the lowly Sarah Palin has weighed in, I now hope Obama personally calls Salazar and tells him to make sure he rules the opposite way.

Sarah Palin & McCain couldn't conceive that Barack Obama would win the Presidency and that one day, they might have to pay a price for their mean, hateful rhetoric. Well, this is what accountability looks like.

Be smarter next time.

I think the air in Alaska is very thin, bad for the brain!

And thus, we come face to face with a valid point Gov. Palin is making in this regard. Well trained, and licensed in the use of loaded guns, a person can make crucial assessment of the situation vis-avis a wild animal, in order to ward off and/or thwart a possible attack. After all, human beings do accomplish a lot in being productive to society, in a number of ways. Nobody can gainsay that, we bet.

What's she worried about? She simply flies over them with a helicopter and murders them. That's not life threatening, that just straight up cowardly!

POOR EXCUSE FOR A WOMAN

Don't see a harm in allowing people to carry a weapon into an Alaskan National Park.

Very dangerous area...

Stop killing innocent animals from helicopters Sarah. By the way, pay your TAXES!!!

What is the danger in National Parks that requires weapons and why is anyone still listening to that idiot from Alaska? Actually, the more she keeps on talking (guns, abstinence, unpaid taxes) the better it is for our side.
Now get in that helicopter and start shooting those vicious animals – how dare they take a dump in our national parks, anyway.

Wow... the Republicans just don't get it. They do not understand what is happening to their party, at all. They think lower tax cuts are the answer to everything, even when the majority of the nation aren't even receiving an income. So undermining the power of the government is somehow the answer!? Yah – thanks to the republicans, we are in another Depression, and listening to them is going to hurl us into a third world nation with China emerging as the new dictatorial regime of the world.

National Parks in Alaska vs National Parks in DC makes this a tricky argument. Palin makes a great case for Alsaka type of National Parks, but its a scary thought for it to be the same in DC. I would be less inclined to take my kid to DC National Parks.

i have seen really large rats in Central park, NY – should i be carriyng "a loaded weapon" to protect myself??

Make this a state by state issue, in rular Alaska i can understand but warn people that no costume wearing in the park — if u dressed like "BIG FOOT" or BEAR u might just be hunted…..

No more hide and seek in national park for the kids …why?? Because there are scared people walking around with loaded gun….sad

DEAR GOV. SARAH PALIN,
LET'S START BY U PAYING UR TAXES (that money might be used to secure the park)

So Palin says "many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs."

Great, may I ask why she feels that allowing guns in National Parks would satisfy either a nutritional or CULTURAL need? This is just her oh so clever way of saying that she wants to open up all national parks to hunters.

Can't say it enough–this woman is an idiot. Poster girl for the gun totin', Jesus lovin', fetus savin', gay hatin' far right nut jobs. You betcha!

February 19th, 2009 12:31 pm ET

After the Obama folks enforce a ban on firearms in the Alaskan National Parks (the freakin' wilderness) – they'll next demand US zoos become free-roaming environments and invite school children for a walk-through.

Did you ever read the article you simpleton

If they are that concern about wild animals then to me it makes better sense to build a fence around the park and the parking lot

I will agree that there are indiginous peoples in AK that have to have weapons in parks. OK. But Joe Blow from Idaho in his rented RV does not. If you use common sense when in the wilderness, then you will be fine.

Palin has no credibility on anything.

How about carrying concealed weapons into government tax offices when paying the back taxes one owes on income not reported???

Just more nonsense from Sara Pinhead.

I only hope the GOP keeps her around as long as possible. They continue to surround themselves with MORONS. Give them all the rope they require and let them continue to -hang themselves-.

i have seen really large rats in Central park, NY – should i be carriyng "a loaded weapon" to protect myself??

Make this a state by state issue, in rular Alaska i can understand but warn people that no costume wearing in the park - if u dressed like "BIG FOOT" or BEAR u might just be hunted.....

No more hide and seek in national park for the kids ...why?? Because there are scared people walking around with loaded gun....sad

Look I am a progressive but if you don't know why you would need a gun in a national park then I need to ask you, have you ever been in a national park. It is deep dangerious woods. I will take my gun camping in a national park to protect my family wheather there is a law or not. National parks are as back woods as it gets.

I'm curious, is it just loaded weapons or concealed weapons? Carrying a loaded weapon in some remote areas included in national parks, especially in Alaska, where there is a genuine threat from wild animals certainly might be justified. I do not understand, however, why these weapons would have to be concealed. I have friends who have hiked and camped all over Alaska while living up there for the last twenty years and have yet to feel compelled to carry a weapon. This includes a group of women involved in a weekly hiking club. What they do take is a large, very protective dog and they exercise good judgement. Many people advocating carrying concealed weapons appear to resist the idea of allowing good judgement to be their guide.

I'd love to see the statistics for wild animal maulings vs. accidental gunshot deaths in Alaska. Allowing use of firearms in National Parks makes these places less safe, not more safe.

the key word is CONCEALED sarah! what did your constituents do for the last 25 years anyway?

I am just writing to say that due to CNN's inexplicable obsession with Palin that I no longer log on to the website at home, and this is my last quick log in at work. I just couldn't take logging on and having the word "Palin" show up on the home page at least once EVERY time. Congratulations on losing another viewer as what is left of your standards circle the drain!

hahaha..."urban hunters"...what next, "rural traffic jams"?

Who is this "Ray Ray" ? A complete retard ???

Yeah, let's shoot bears and wolves in our National Parks. And let's kill a few kids as well while we're at it.

Bush in a Skirt with Lipstick!

WHO CARES ABOUT BUSH OR PALIN????? WHY DOES SHE KEEP TRYING TO COMMUNICATE WITH THAT ONE THAT IS NOT LIKE HER, AND PALS AROUND WITH TERRORIST.

Probably more murders in Central Park than there are in ANWR. But, if Central Park were a National Park, I'm sure this move would save lives.

What a cop-out, Salazar has to study the "environmental impact", nice to cloak anything you're against in a PC mantra.

I'm certain that the amount of lead entering the environment due to gun shots in national parks is less than the asbestos he belches into the environment by driving his car for a week and utilizing the brakes.

Of course, cue the people going to bag on Palin just because she's Palin in 3...2....1 .....

WoW ...She can write letters..

PALIN HAS A CRUSH ON OBAMA DID YOU SEE HER PER DIEMS SHE CHARGED THE STATE OF ALASKA 215.00 TO PAL AROUND WITH OBAMA CHECK OUT THE HUFFINGTON POST

While I am not and have never been a supporter of Gov Palin, I must admit that under certain conditions, the carrying of loaded weapons in National Parks makes sense from a safety point of view. What I do not agree with is the carrying of concealed weapons. If one is carrying a weapon for protection, it should not be concealed.

I also feel that the decision to carry weapons in National Parks should be on a case by case basis. I mean it makes no sense to carry a weapon in a National Park as stated above such as Washington, DC while it makes good sense to do so in a National Park in Alaska.

Most hunters do not conceal their weapons.

They can still carry rifles. They're talking about weapons that can be concealed. And they should not be allowed in parks. Period.

Maybe if you quit giving her all this press, she might just fade into the sunset. Hopefully.

If the carrying of a weapon in the Alaska wilderness national parks is overturned, I think that Alaska should take the national parks away from the Federal Government and run them themselves. I think we should do this with ANWR now and start pumping oil.

We may be facing quite a reasonable arguement from Gov. Palin, as to carrying loaded firearms in Alaskan parks. She does seem to make a valid point that is difficult to gainsay.

If confronted by a wild animal, a person, trained and licensed in firearms usage, can make a reasonable assessment of the situation and defend himself. The same person can be productive to society by this maneuver of safety, rather than by just relying on either cops or animal control personnel. We opine that precious lives and time can potentially be saved.

way to go plain!!! i love it when politicians arent afraid of the ignorant 2nd amm. haters

YOU spend the night in DC and I'll spend the night in Yosemite.

We'll see who wishes they had the gun the next morning.

Ah, Sarah. Desperate to stay in the spotlight? Now you want to let people in National Parks and Wildlands carry guns. I wonder why. National Parks and Wildlife Refuges are supposed to be protected from hunters except under closely supervised and specific periods. I fully support the right of native Americans to do subsistence hunting - after all, they aren't getting any of the oil money you so deftly hand out to the whites in Alaska, but they know how to hunt without long-term impact. Urban hunters really equals tourists who pay to hunt and they can bag their trophy antlers on private hunting reserves.

Perhaps you can go hunt with Cheney, and let him fill you full of buckshot to order to understand that National Parks have VISITORS in them, and that most URBAN hunters have not the slightest idea of gun safety. And Wildlife Refuges are just that, REFUGES where animals can be safe from man. There are thousands of acres of unclaimed lands in Alaska that are neither National Parks or Wildlife Refuges where both urban and rural populations can hunt...and where you can shoot wolves from the comfort and safety of your helicopter. Personally, I don't call that hunting, I call that slaughter, but then, I've always believed that a hunter should be able to find and track their prey on the ground, and take only what they need.

Carrying a concealed weapons permits are issued by the state you live in, and must be recognizeed in the state you visit. This permit is not issued by the federal government.

A NV CCW(Carry concealed Weapon) permit would be ok in Utah,and other states, but if you carry in CA, you could be arrested, no matter if you are in a national park. Of course Palin would say something like this. How stupid of her. She loves killing wildlife! Moosekiller Palin is a disgrace to her state.

NOTE
If you want to carry a concealed weapon, check if it is recognized in the state you want to visit, or face possible arrest.

Palin should be allowed to legalize poaching. The conservative trick of always pushing the “hot buttons” and ignoring the obvious has become old.
There are more pressing issues like the economy which if we don’t get going again then we’ll all need guns to protect ourselves from each other because when the economy tanks down with it goes civility and survival of the fittest kicks in. Rest assured Obama is not going to do anything with the 2nd amendment. Sarah hindsight is 20/20.

Conservative “utopian thinking” is of no “earthly good” and they need to get into “realistic thinking”.

1. While it’s ideal to practice abstinence, in Sarah’s daughter’s own words it’s not practical.
2. A tax cut can’t fix everything because it takes millions of year for the stars to lineup and the planets, moon and sun to be in perfect unison.
3. In perfect situations the markets will be able to regulate themselves if there were no greed and criminal elements in them.

I have not lost my values; I've only reconciled them with the realities of this world.

She needs to realize that she wont have a chance in 2012 either.

Sooo.... the guns have to be concealed.... from the bears?

I'm fine with Alaska, but really do not want idiots carrying guns in NH parks! Why would Alaskan's need a concealed weapon anyway? Couldn't they just carry a gun?

Concealed weapons shouldn't be a problem as long as you have ther proper documentation.

However... they are easier to get than most people think.

I can see Alaska... and states like that... but in say central park... not so much.

Ummm you don't need to shoot a bear ...IF YOU STAY OUT OF THE BEAR'S TERRITORY!

You know, I think I need a concealed weapon. The other day, I stuck my head in a bee hive. If I only had a gun, i wouldn't have gotten stung.

If Palin is for it, then it is obviously a bad idea. And just what the hell is a "cultural need" to kill things?

I cannot believe Palin is still in the news, SHE IS AN IDIOT.

Doesn't allowing guns into national parks go away from the reason the parks were created to began with

go girl............looking forward to your election in 2012..............only 3 years and ii months to go with this loser

Will you please stop giving thie person free press

CNN are you in love with Sarah Palin?"

Sarah Palin is in Alaska governing her state.

Why didn't you tell use about the headlines below:

VIDEO: 'The government is promoting bad behavior... do we really want to subsidize the losers' mortgages... This is America! How many of you people want to pay for your neighbor's mortgage? President Obama are you listening? How about we all stop paying our mortgage! It's a moral hazard'... MORE...

TRADERS REVOLT: CNBC HOST CALLS FOR NEW 'TEA PARTY'; CHICAGO FLOOR MOCKS OBAMA PLAN

I don't understand this bizarre logic that everyone should have a gun – especially a concealed gun? We as Americans kill more people per capita than any other industrialized contry in the world. And a huge majority of the time we are killing our friends, family members, and neighbors out of anger and rage.
And "more guns" is always the answer we hear??
Why is this a good thing?
What would Jesus do? Jesus was a flamming liberal who carried no weapons in a very dangerous time when most people were armed.

Responsible gun use when in the wilderness seems ok. The key to living in a free society is responsibility.

I grew up in Brooklyn, New York and the thought of carrying a gun to a national park unthinkable. However I now live upstate new york and young people get guns for hunting at a very young age. i think politicans like sarah palin should adopt a more global look at the citizens of the america if she ever wants to be president of the usa.

just shut the hell up.palen..cnn you are dumb for posting this witch from frozen north.GO HOME WITCH AND STAY.

I agree with carrying weapons in areas where there is a likelihood of a bear or other animal that would be a threat to humans. I hope they make it clear which parks weapons can be carried to. Make sure the specify "no amusement parks"

I don't see why not if a teacher can have a loaded gun in the classroom in Texas why not a national park. Scary thing is these comments are coming from the Idiot in Alaska.

GO AWAY!... At least SOME want to PROTECT the ENVIRONMENT!

Sarah, Pay your taxes and give back those $10000 dresses or pay tax on them also. Then -JUST GO AWAY!

I do have to admit that political humor has had a very good time with your campaign so, perhaps you should give more interviews Tina needs the extra money.

Gov. Palin, we all know your take regarding loaded weapons. I wonder if you would be so fond of these weapons if one of your children is shot or killed by someone carrying a loaded weapon at a national park, or if an entire family is killed while picnicking at a public park by someone who should NEVER have been allowed to have a loaded weapon to begin with!!

I wonder if you would still feel the same way.

Have we NOT learned anything yet? There have been more than enough WACKOS shooting up in high schools, churches, grocery stores, day care centers, college campuses, etc.

WHEN is enough enough?

HOW MANY MORE killings is it going to take before we WAKE UP to the fact that NOT everyone is RESPONSIBLE with a loaded weapon?

How many more LIVES are we going to watch get wiped out by someone unstable to begin with because YOU feel it's okay for someone to walk around a national park with a loaded gun?

I'm sorry, I'm sick of hearing about shootings where the person doing the shooting was able to "beat the system" and get a gun just as easily as I can go into a store and buy a pack of bubble gum. YET there were SERIOUS warnings that could have prevented these fatale and horrific shootings but people like YOU Governor didn't heed the warning signs until it's TOO LATE. Thanks, but NO thanks.

The fact that Obama is an advocate of Bush's overturning of a 25 year long ban on guns in Nat'l Parks will get swept under the rug as a matter of survival for the Republicans. What would they do if they couldn't scare people about Obama taking away their guns.... well.... they'll lose anyways on all their other pointless idealogies but if the public gets a stiff wind of this they will have one less thing to be afraid of when it comes to Obama and that is bad for the GOP. Fear, fear, fear, fear!!!

As an American I shouldn't have to worry about being shot in a National Park.

"regulation that allows the carrying of concealed weapons in national parks."

"ability to carry firearms can address a potentially life-threatening situation, enabling citizens to respond to bear and other wildlife conflicts"

Because the bear might think twice in attacking you if it thinks you might be packing heat under your jacket.

I understand why guns could be helpful even though it could lead to poaching, but why do they need concealed weapons, so that people can surprise bears that are attacking them???

If the welfare of visitors to Parks is the concern of Ms. Palin, there is a much easier solution, – limit the number of visitors. While she is corect with regard to the size of NPS and FWS areas in Alaska, one should also examine the number of people who vitit these rather remote sites. Even in areas in Alaska where there are large congregations of Brown Bears during the fish runs, I have fished those areas, along with the bears, without problem. Staying away from wildlife in the Parks is much easier then shooting them when a person feels threatened. The Parks are there to PROTECT wildlife and their habitat, not to protect those who go to visit them. If one takes the rationale that people need protection in Parks and Refuges, then of course it is a small step to suggest they need protection outside of the parks as well. How about we just let everybody carry weapons, and the laws associated with their use, and let folks fire away whenever they feel threatened.
KLastly, if people ned weapons to protect themselves in Parks and Refuges, the much easier method of protection is for those folks not to go in the first place.. They need to find their wild life on the corner.
Parks and Refuges are for critters first.

Oh God!

I think I'm going to be sick.

Palin's r r r r right. Oh jeez that hurt.

I lived in towns surrounded by Tongass National Forest which would not have been affected either way because it's not a park – HOWEVER – anyone wandering into the wild without adequate protection from brown bear is a damned fool. This is not to say I would shoot one, but if the sucker decided I was lunch, I'd want and '06 or better to discourage him.

The same goes for Denali which has the younger cousins, grizzlies.

God, please forgive me. But the moron is correct on this one.

Shooting wolves from airplanes – or at all – killing moose for antlers, using turkey killers as a backdrop – those things put her back into the realm of the tiny-brained...but on this. Oh – I can't believe it

Most "urban hunters" in Alaska are self-styled weekend warriors who want to be able to shoot their moose without breaking a sweat. They don't NEED the meat, they just want the testosterone fix. Hardly what anyone would call a sportsman. I lived in the Interior of Alaska for fourteen years and the REAL hunters actually went out far, far from the city to bag their kill. On the other hand, as a scientist who spent a fair amount of time doing field work in remote areas of the state, I recognize the need to be armed in case of the (very rare) bear attack. I think this should be on a case-by-case special permit basis, not a blanket permission for anyone who pleases bearing arms in all National Parks and Wilderness areas and especially not Wildlife Refuges, for pete's sake.

Right on Sarah.
Ever met a grizzley or a Black Bear or a Mountain Lion face on at 20 paces?
If you have, then there is no doubt in your mind that you would really like some kind of protection, even though it might not make any difference at that point.
Concealed weapons are allowed around so called civilized people, so why wouldn't they be allowed around animals that might choose to dine on you?

That may be great for Alaska but what about all the other national parks. This will make it much easier for people to kill animals that are in protected areas just for the heck of it.

She added that "many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs."

Why isn't it illegal for these "urban and rural hunters" to kill wildlife in national parks and refuges even for their cultural or nutritional needs?

I remember during the campaign reading a story that she also supported legislation to allow people to carry firearms into banks and bars. Talk about a ticking time bomb.

This woman is so backwards it's amazing. It's like the wild-wild west in Palin's world.

Why not just give every park visitor free reign to a helicopter so they can shoot prey from the air? This is an incredibly dangerous practice that Gov. Palin advocates. As a Pennsylvanian native, I have heard one too many stories of folks getting shot while hunting because another hunter did not see them when they were targeting their deer. Folks wandering around a state part with concealed weapons could lead to the same eventuality, and that's assuming that they would actually only shoot an animal if it were attacking them. My guess is that there is a lot of unchecked shooting of supposedly "protected" wildlife in those state parks up there, and that makes the danger to people who are just in the park for general recreation all the more real. Someone tries to shoot a bear and some innocent bystander gets taken out. Just another on the long list of reasons why I am so glad this woman's ticket did not make it into the White House: between her being trigger happy for animal killing and McCain, probably suffering from PTSD after his time in Vietnam (old man pounds podium, speaks with gritted teeth, refused psychiatric counseling after coming back from 'Nam) = veiled anger all over the place), we'd all have license to shoot to kill anything we saw, any time.

As has been consistently the case, Palin lands on the wrong side of every issue. What an embarrassment.

hospitals
nursury schools
old folks homes
ice cream palors
church
at the beach
in bed
goodness... we need loaded weapons everywhere!!!
at the soccer game
at the music for toddlers class
at story time at the library

'cause the constitution says it and Palin is just backing it up

at the ultimate fighting event
in the gambling casinos
for the inmates in prison

we have the right dadgummit, and guns are fine its just the person that is holding it that is bad

we need guns at the grocery store
at the park when our kids go down the slide or on the swing

Thank you Palin, you are sooooooo smart

The people in Alaska are starving, dying as a matter of fact and the priority is guns? Rethuglicans = party of guns, uber rich and corporate greed and fake religion.

For the first time I agree with Palin defending something that makes perfect sense to me but this should be limited to only huge national parks with wild and dangerous animals and each state must determine which parks the rule should apply to.
That's just common sense.

The vast areas of the parks are virtually unprotected. Visitors are pretty much on their own for self-defense. Considering the number of incidents of rapes, murders and abductions that have occurred in them, citizens should be allowed to protect themselves if the undermanned park police can't do the job. Allowing concealed handguns poses little risk to wildlife, and whatever increase in unlawful hunting is balanced by the protection gained by park visitors. Allowing high power hunting rifles would be ludicrous, but not allowing handguns. To further reduce the threat to wildlife, only permit semi-automatic handguns loaded with full metal jacket rounds, which is a combination basically useless for hunting, i.e., low range, low power, short sighting radius, low shocking power, etc.

As is usual with Palin, her opinion is not very well thought out. What other punitive laws will kick in when the hapless park-goer discharges his or her firearm in their own defense? Is there a law protecting the animal to a greater extent than the law allows self defense? I don't know, but it would not surprise me if there was.

Did it ever occur to Palin that the animals have a right to wonder around their homes. After we are discussing land that is set aside for wildlife and nature. If human beings want to camp in a bears cave what should the bear do move or die. Again on the wrong side of right.

So now Palin can hunt animals in national parks via helicopters, good to know. This, however, should only apply to parks that have dangerous wild animals. But, how many times do we hear of people being attacked while in National Parks?

Palin wants to attract the NRA money for her presidential run with this letter or allow poaching in the federal areas. I wonder how they have been protecting themselves in the parks for the last 25 years without the weapons.?

Can someone tell me WHY you need a gun in a national park?

For that matter, WHY would you need a gun ANYTIME or ANYWHERE unless you're a cop or a soldier on duty?

Hey Sarah, if Jesus were here, what would he think of guns?

After the Obama folks enforce a ban on firearms in the Alaskan National Parks (the freakin' wilderness) – they'll next demand US zoos become free-roaming environments and invite school children for a walk-through.

Not sure why you need to carry a concealed weapon in a national park. I doubt very much that wildlife are going to decide *not* to attack if they assume you may be packing heat.

Palin always comes up with the stupidest remarks:

"many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs."

She makes it sound like people are going to starve if they don't hunt in Alaska. Are there no places to hunt in Alaska other than national parks? And fine, if they do allow hunting in national parks, why do you have to carry a CONCEALED weapon?

It sounds bad to "carry a loaded weapon in a national park" until you realize that many parks for vast wilderness areas where the potential of being attacked by wild animals, snakes, etc is REAL.

Carrying a loaded weapon in a national park in Washington DC is probably not a good idea – but hiking in Yosimite National park is a different story.

Loaded weapons make sense under Alaskans' circumstances. . . What I'm not sure about is why the measure has to protect *concealed* weapons.