PROBLEM: The rule would have dismantled longstanding Reagan Administration regulations, allowing visitors to federal parks and refuges to carry loaded, concealed firearms.

To stop the rule, the Brady Campaign filed suit in federal court asking that the court strike down a last-minute Bush Administration rule change allowing concealed, loaded firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. A U.S. District Court Judge agreed with the Brady Campaign and issued an injunction, restoring prior rules in those public lands that weapons be unloaded and safely secured, calling the process "astoundingly flawed."

However, in May, 2009, Congress passed, and the President signed, an unrelated bill designed to protect credit card users that included the Coburn amendment allowing loaded firearms to be carried both concealed and openly in most of our national parks, in urban areas as well as rural areas, based on the patchwork of state laws that currently regulate concealed carrying in each state's parks and refuges. It goes into effect on February 22, 2010.

THREAT: The unnecessary and misguided legislation reverses the safety-oriented gun responsibility rule adopted early in the Reagan Administration.

URGENCY: Park and refuge visitors armed with loaded, hidden semiautomatic weapons and other firearms may endanger park and refuge visitors and lead to an increased risk of gun crime and shooting injuries and death.

SOLUTION: The U.S. Congress should repeal the legislation allowing loaded, concealed firearms in National Park Areas and National Wildlife Refuges.

GET ACTIVE: Contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to urge them to repeal the Gun in Parks legislation.