Firearms are severely restricted within the National Parks system. Currently people are required to lock up firearms in their trunk, even if they have a concealed carry permit. This prohibition extends to those going into wild backcountries and those travelling in dangerous, southwest border areas.

Work on the issue has been going on since at least 2003. The Virginia Citizens Defense League is now driving the effort to get a rule change. Go to this page to get a status update. Get behind their effort.

S.4057 was introduced in 2006 into the Senate to address this issue. Senator Allen was the sponsor. Senator Webb, who is replacing Allen, has committed to introducing similar legislation.

Update December 21, 2007: Loosening Gun Laws on Refuges -  Congress is getting into the act. 

Update February 6, 2008: Senator Tom Coburn has introduced Senate Amendment 3967 which would prevent the Secretary of the Interior from regulating firearms within National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges. This is a budget amendment.

Update February 19, 2008: House Bill 5434 - Protecting Americans from Violent Crime Act of 2008

Update March 14, 2008: House Bill 5646 - Protecting the Second Amendment and Hunting Rights on Federal Lands Act of 2008

Update April 29, 2008 - Senate leaders bypassed Senate Amendment 3967 on April 10 through procedural machinations making it dead.

Update April 29, 2008 - Brought to you by the NRA: U.S. Department of Interior Proposes New Rule Regarding Right-to-Carry in National Parks

Key info:

• National Park carry to have same regulations as state park law for the state you are in.
  
• Sixty day comment period.
  

Read it for yourself: General Regulations for Areas Administered by the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service.