A recent press release from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, an organization comprised of park rangers and other government workers, reveals a disturbing trend in the National Park Service: law enforcement numbers have halved since 2010 despite rising park attendance. When we consider that firearms are still banned in many Park Service buildings, a key anti-gun argument falls apart.
Less Law Enforcement Patrolling Parks
When you go to any U.S. national park, you’ll see lots of people wearing badges. But, unlike outside the park, there are all sorts of park rangers, most of which are not engaged in law enforcement. Non-LEO rangers do things like guide tours, issue permits for special activities, answer visitor questions, sell admission at entry gates, conduct research and help people who have gotten hurt or lost.
These non-LEO ranger jobs are essential to the running of the park service, but law enforcement rangers are still needed for public safety and enforcement of criminal violations. Not only are they the only Park Service employees authorized to carry firearms, but they’re also the only ones who can make arrests and show up to court to help prosecute criminals.
Sadly, the federal government hasn’t been keeping the number of law enforcement rangers up, despite new records for park visitors every year. Just since 2021, more than a quarter of rangers have left the agency and were not replaced. Since 2010, 48% of ranger slots went vacant with no replacement. Many parks have few visitors during the off season and “shoulder seasons,” but seasonal ranger jobs have mostly disappeared, going from 825 slots in 2010, 323 in 2021, and only 43 positions in 2023. NPS special agents that conduct plainclothes investigations are also way down, with only 30 special agents on the job today.
“The Park Service’s ranger force is in deteriorating condition and getting worse,” stated Pacific PEER Director Jeff Ruch, pointing to the House proposed FY 2025 budget that would cut overall NPS funding by 12.5%, resulting in the loss of another estimated 1,000 park staff. “This steady ebb of ranger staffing puts both visitors and park resources at greater peril.”
Because National Park visitation is constantly growing, response times and the safety of the remaining officers are both getting far worse.
”You Don’t Need A Gun, We Have Cops”
In 2009, President Barack Obama begrudgingly signed a law repealing the outright carry ban that had existed up until then in national parks after it was inserted in a must pass bill. Since then, the agency has only been allowed to ban guns from buildings where their employees work. But, the agency has interpreted that ability rather liberally, defining almost everything as a ban-worthy building, including natural formations like caves.
But, with all of the rangers, nobody needs a gun, right?
That argument was suspect in 2009, as even then there weren’t cops everywhere and some banned buildings can be dozens of miles along twisty roads from the nearest law enforcement ranger. But, with these severe cuts to law enforcement presence, the remaining shreds of validity in that argument go away.
If anything, the service should repeal the building bans, allowing the public and the employees of contractors to carry for personal defense. NPS should also work to train non-LEO rangers to carry for lawful personal defense and defense of visitors, even if they wouldn’t be allowed to make arrests or engage in other law enforcement activities.
I have worked as a scientific employee of a Park Service contractor a few times and when I was young thought the Ranger’s jobs were pretty cool although, at this point, I regard not pursuing a job as a good thing. As a result I have read a few books about the Ranger experience. The most bizarre classification, though are not law enforcement but the coroner Rangers at the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Denali, and perhaps a few others. Turns out they expect a certain fatality rate among the tourist hoards and accommodate it!
Scott, that is practical, but it boarders on the morbid.
As a former co-worker of mine pointed out this also means there are fewer LEOs to arrest you for the crime of not leaving your safety behind when you go to the bathroom. At the time I told him I would rather take my chances being arrested for watering a tree though I did agree it was irresponsible to leave a firearm where a thief could get to it.
“At the time I told him I would rather take my chances being arrested for watering a tree…”
And, there you have it. The only effective way to protect national (and state) parks for future generations is to ban humans from those parks. Every time a park comes into contact with humans, the physical and environmental damage increases.
Save the Parks. Ban humans !
Scott, that is practical, but it boarders on the morbid.
Not to worry campers, you meet the nicest people in the deep dark forest…right.
Generally yes if you meet anyone at all. Exceptions being cartel/other gang grow operations and occasional weirdo who is a bit too into Most Dangerous Game. Most people who tend to start shit don’t tend to spend hours to days hiking in the wilderness.
right…
Lol what in the missing 411 fuck is that supposed to be?
you never know when you might walk into a grow operation…they are out there…just carry the damn gun!
I’ve slept in Appalachian Trail shelters with strangers. Most people are cool. Pro tip: avoid shelters near horse trails. The guys coming in on horses won’t be tired, and they have the ability to bring plenty of alcohol with them.
BREAKING 2A NEWS: BIG VICTORY IN FEDERAL COURT!
In Federal District Court in Maryland, a major decision on “sensitive places” aka government-mandated gun free zones was released. Mark Smith Four Boxes Diner analyzes the opinion.
Evidently, as predicted many times and has replayed through all history, if the bad guys don’t have any other weapon they will use a rock and stick > https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/oceanside-homeowner-shoots-intruder-pd-investigating-as-potential-self-defense
No reason for a carry ban to exist in national parks anyway. Too many dangers from drug dealers and cartels as it is. There’s been more than one article about it in the past.