Is this really necessary?

In the twilight hours of his administration, Bush is making it legal to carry loaded, concealed firearms in national parks. From the AP story:

Under a rule to take effect in January, visitors will be able to carry a loaded gun into a park or wildlife refuge – but only if the person has a permit for a concealed weapon and if the state where the park or refuge is located also allows concealed firearms.

The new rule goes further than a draft proposal issued last spring and would allow concealed weapons even in parks located in states that explicitly ban the carrying of guns in state parks. Some states allow concealed weapons but also ban guns from parks.

I grew up playing around in the national parks of the American Southwest, and the escape they offer seems somehow soiled by concealed weapons. Thankfully I imagine not many people going backcountry will carry a gun. That’s a lot of weight, probably more than your camp stove.