Guns in Acadia National Park

Friends of Acadia encourages you to contact your Maine state legislators to urge their support of L.D. 1737, An Act to Clarify Safety Regulations in Acadia National Park. The Maine Senate and House of Representatives will be considering this bill in the next two weeks.

L.D. 1737 Talking Points:

1. In a bill passed last year, Congress deferred to state laws for firearms in national parks. L.D. 1737 must pass to retain the present firearms regulations at Acadia allowing visitors to carry their firearms through the park as long as they are unloaded, broken down, and stored or not easily accessible.
2. L.D. 1737 would set Acadia’s regulations to be most similar to Baxter State Park, Maine’s other iconic outdoor destination. Maine has a good precedent for deciding that firearms should be limited in scope and season in some outdoor areas, like Baxter and other state parks.
3. National parks are very safe destinations. The violent crime rate for national parks is extremely low in comparison to that of the rest of the country.
4. L.D. 1737 is not an anti-gun and not an anti-hunting bill. While hunting is not allowed inside Acadia’s boundaries, hunters will be able to carry their firearms through the park if broken down, stored, and unloaded.
5. National park rangers have concurrent jurisdiction with local and state law enforcement officials, so they will be able to enforce L.D. 1737, a state law. Another example of concurrent jurisdiction is that national park rangers enforce state traffic laws and drinking age restrictions inside Acadia.
6. Acadia generates an estimated $145 million for the state economy (2007 figures), creating an estimated 3,000 jobs. L.D. 1737 will help preserve this economic engine by creating a safe environment for families to enjoy outdoor recreation.
7. Discuss how you feel about hiking, bicycling, or enjoying other activities in Acadia National Park knowing that if L.D. 1737 doesn’t pass, others may be openly carrying firearms or carrying concealed weapons with a permit.

Click here to view the text of L.D. 1737. For information on the status of the bill, click here.

Find contact information for your legislators and email or call to let them know you support L.D. 1737: www.maine.gov/legis.

Join us for a Citizen Advocacy Day in Augusta to urge our Senate and House of Representatives to pass this bill. For more information on the date or for other questions, contact Stephanie Clement, FOA Conservation Director, at 207-288-3340 or stephanie@friendsofacadia.org.

 

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