Senate votes to ease gun-in-park regs

WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate has voted to ease a long-standing ban on carrying loaded guns while visiting national parks.

The 67-29 vote Tuesday saw 27 Democrats and one independent join 39 Republicans to approve an amendment that would reverse federal rules requiring gun owners to carry their firearms unloaded and stored while on national park grounds, The Los Angeles Times reported. In place of federal regulations, the measure would allow states to establish policies within their borders, even on federal lands.

The guns measure was approved as an amendment to a bill that would impose new restrictions on credit card companies, expected to be approved by the Senate by the end of the week.

The broad support for the guns measure doesn't necessarily mean it will make it to President Obama's desk, said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., the amendment's chief sponsor. He said his proposal likely would be deleted when a conference committee convenes to resolve differences between the House and Senate credit card bills.

The measure's critics said existing rules were designed to protect visitors and wildlife. Coburn countered that the ban was confusing and that states should be able to set gun restrictions within their borders.