Gun owners throughout America use public lands for target practice, hunting and training. In fact, on most BLM land it’s always been legal to do so. But new rules, that are now being drafted by the Obama Administration, could severely limit your rights to shoot on public land.
In a major move by the Obama Administration to restrict gun owners rights, the interior department is planning on banning gun owners from shooting on millions of acres of public land.
The proposed draft, if approved, will be a blow to gun owners and will also restrict the rights of hunters and limit the use of Bureau land for hunting.
The BLM is trying to sell this proposal by saying they are concerned that shooters are causing a “public disturbance.” Supposedly, people from “urban areas” are not comfortable hearing gun shots while they’re using these public lands.
“It’s not so much a safety issue. It’s a social conflict issue,” said Frank Jenks, a natural resource specialist with Interior’s Bureau of Land Management. He says that people “freak out” when they hear shooting noises on public lands.
And lets not forget the “environmental reasons.” After hundred of years of shooting on public lands it’s now apparently hurting the environment. According to the BLM shooters are endangering plants and littering public lands.
There are a few groups trying to fight this new policy change, including the National Wildlife Foundation, Cabela’s and the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, but so far this story has received very little media attention. You can read the WHHCC public response at http://www.fws.gov/whhcc/doc/BLMshootingsportspolicycomments.pdf that’s the only thing we can find in the public record so far about these proposed changes.
http://offgridsurvival.com/obamahuntinggunrightsblmland/
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2137509/posts
I am all for wild life having their their rights and land to breed, roam around, and live, however I do believe that God gave us thumbs and the brain to be able to hunt. I am definatly not for some redneck prick going and shooting just to kill something, but if people honestly do hunt and feed their family for the sake of nutrition, the game, continuing keeping the food chain alive, and the welfare of their families health and well being I see nothing wrong with it. I do believe that they should try their hardest to use as much of the animal as possible and give the rest back to mother nature. If you wanna complain about noise pollution lets start with the ridiculous stereos I hear on my street or the sound of a muscle car roaring down the highway (which I do enjoy from time to time). If you take out all the noises will our children be able to play in the streets anymore(providing its still a safe place)or will it interrupt peoples “self time”? Close the friggin windows and stop complaining or better yet figure some way to put your negative outlook to use for the good of Gods creatures.