McCollum Denounces Senate Amendment to Allow Guns in America's National Parks

Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) today denounced an amendment by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) which returned the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights (H.R. 627) to the U.S. House tainted by an irresponsible amendment to allow individuals to carry loaded, concealed guns in America's national parks.

"This is a shameful example of the failure of the legislative process and I would urge President Obama to veto the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights and send it back to Congress to take the guns out," Congresswoman McCollum said. "What rationale is there for the need to carry a concealed weapon on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial? The only rationale can be for politicians to score political points with the NRA. Our national parks are treasures. They don't need to be protected by random people carrying loaded, concealed weapons around millions of vacationing families."

After the U.S. House passed the credit card reform bill and sent it to the Senate for passage, Senator Coburn added the reckless measure with the support of sixty-six other U.S. Senators, as well as the National Rifle Association. While Congresswoman McCollum voted in favor of a "gun free" version of H.R. 627, she opposed the bill that included the Coburn concealed weapon language. The final bill heading to President Obama's desk includes the provision allowing loaded, concealed weapons in national parks. The original legislation the House passed solely focused on leveling the playing field between card issuers and cardholders by applying common-sense regulations that would ban retroactive interest rate hikes on existing balances, double-cycle billing, and due-date gimmicks.

In a statement for the Congressional Record Congresswoman McCollum said, "Senator Coburn's amendment to allow people to carry loaded, concealed firearms in America's National Park System is nothing short of insane and a political game played at the expense of millions of families who will visit our national parks seeking enjoyment, recreation, and peace."

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