Guns in national parks

A new law just took effect which allows people visiting National Parks to carry firearms into the parks.  I heard that some celebrated the passage of this law by going to Gettysburg National Park with their guns and having a barbeque.  Gettysburg is the scene of the greatest carnage in American history.  More than 50,000 soldiers lost their life in those three days on that battlefield in Pennsylvania.  That park is sacred ground to me and should be for all Americans: much the same as Arlington National Cemetery.

Do those who “celebrated” their right to bear arms have any concept of propriety?

I am outraged by their thoughtless act.

I don’t give a darn if they were exercising their right to bear arms.

People also have the right to free speech.  Free speech includes the use of profanity.  But anyone with a brain the size of a walnut should realize that one should not walk into a church or elementary school and yell out obscenities.

The carrying of firearms on to the sacred ground at Gettysburg is mindless and incredibly crass: as crass and mindless as if they were carried into Arlington National Cemetery.

Too bad the right to bear arms isn’t tied to one’s ability to think.

Thomas Weller

High Springs, Fla.