If there’s three things the Bush administration has loved, it’s guns, deregulation, and ignoring the concept of an electoral mandate. So the Department of the Interior passing a last-minute rule change allowing concealed guns in national parks in states that allow concealed weapons is a perfect storm.

This derailing of a 25 year-old gun control rule introduced under the Reagan administration is just the latest package this particular lame duck has left on the White House doorstep on its way out. Even though the November election was a clear renunciation of Bush policies. Even though the move is opposed by the Association of National Park Rangers, the National Parks Conservation Association, the Park Ranger Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; even though national parks include buildings in the middle of cities; even though pretty much the only group that has supported the change is the National Rifle Association …

Oh. Hang on. Now it becomes clear.

But what’s worrying is that the changes don’t match national parks to the often stricter rules for state parks, just to the normal concealed weapon rules of that state. Anyone care to doubt that the NRA will demand that state parks meet the new federal standard?

This article appears in December 5 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.