NRA appeals concealed weapon ruling

WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- The National Rifle Association is appealing a federal court ruling blocking a rule allowing concealed weapons in U.S. national parks, the group said Friday.

The Bush administration issued the new rule Jan. 9, one of many changes in federal regulations made shortly before the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The change allowed concealed handguns legal under state law to be carried in national parks and U.S. wildlife refuges.

A court in Washington issued a preliminary injunction Thursday that blocks implementation of the change pending the outcome of a lawsuit by gun control advocates. The National Parks Conservation Association, a private group supporting the parks system, said it was "relieved" by the ruling.

The NRA filed a notice of appeal Friday.

"NRA is moving aggressively to protect this common sense rule and that's why we filed this notice of appeal today," said Executive Director Chris Cox. "Just as we did not give up the fight to change the old, outdated rule, we will not give up our fight in the courts to defend the rule change. We will pursue every legal avenue to defend the American people's right of self-defense."