I come to you this evening in a request for examination of a long standing policy in America's national parks. I am a current resident of Colorado with a one-year pass to Rocky Mountain National Park. I love visiting the park, camping, hiking, and enjoying my time there.

At the same time, I tend to feel vulnerable. Directly exposed to unknown campers, large quantities of wildlife, all with only the sparse smattering of ranger presence that budget allows. I know that in some national parks, the rangers attempt to patrol pull-over areas as best they can. With "romo", as it is called sometimes here, the sheer size of the park makes this highly difficult, if not infeasible. Concealed weapons are not allowed in America's national parks, the CCW license that allows handling of a licensed handgun in the territory of a state is useless once a person crosses into the federal parkland. As policy currently stands, it is my understanding that unless you have the special permission of the Secretary of the Interior herself you may not carry under any circumstances.

I am interested in opening a channel of communication by inquiring what the current status of consideration or investigation (if any) is of a change or amendment to current policy by the secretary of the interior or by one of the many policy committees. The Secretary of the Interior has considerable latitude in amending the Code of Federal Regulations as I understand it and I would be interested in an inquiry into this situation on the public's behalf.

Wayne S. Frazee
Concerned Citizen of Colorado,
Frequent Patron of Rocky Mountain National Park