Unless one takes the position that the U.S. Constitution applies only part-time in certain places, but full-time everywhere else, you will be gratified to know that the Second Amendment is valid again today in national parks.

Some people argue that the right to carry firearms shouldn't apply in national parks -- these are such pristine and special places, supposedly, that Americans ought to happily waive our rights to go armed there. But national parks aren't crime- or danger-free zones. The right to defend oneself, with firearms if necessary, isn't signed away, and then magically restored, when we cross over a park boundary. And it's absurd to argue that certain provisions of the Constitution don't apply on our own "public lands," because they allegedly detract from the back-to-nature experience.

Yelling might disturb the peace and tranquility, but the First Amendment remains in full force when Americans visit our national parks. All other Constitutional protections are in full force there as well -- with one glaring exception. Bravo to those who fought to restore the full force of the Second Amendment to national park visitors.