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Travel Snapshot / New Mexico Travel / New Mexico Field Trip / Dangerous Travel / Food Travel / Guns / New Mexico Restaurants / → All Tags

Why Are Santa Fe Restaurants Posting No-Guns-Allowed Signs?

In Santa Fe, we visited James Beard Award-winning Cafe Pasqual for breakfast. As we waited outside for the restaurant to open, we saw the above sign, which read "Notice: No Guns Allowed."

We weren't packing heat, but we were curious as to why there was a need to put up such a sign, especially in a nice spot in the historic plaza. We also then were left wondering if we'd have to duck and cover if we ate elsewhere.

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Bad Ideas / Amtrak / Guns / Train Travel / → All Tags

US Senate Votes To Allow Amtrak Passengers To Bring Guns Along

The United States Senate, in a ringing endorsement of the 2nd Amendment or something, has taken the bold stance that passengers riding on trains should be allowed to transport handguns as checked baggage. Apparently everything else has been taken care of, so they had time to get to this:

The Senate voted Wednesday to permit passengers on the Amtrak passenger railroad to transport handguns in their checked baggage... 'Americans should not have their Second Amendment rights restricted for any reason, particularly if they choose to travel on America's federally subsidized rail line,' said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who made the proposal. Current Amtrak policy, put in place after the bombings of passenger trains in Madrid five years ago, prohibits weapons, including firearms, from being carried on its trains.

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National Parks / Guns / → All Tags

Guns, Like Grizzlies, To Be Welcome in National Parks

Last year, to the delight of NRA members everywhere, the idea of allowing guns into national parks was tossed around, but it didn’t really move forward. Things have changed however, and now it no longer just looks like a dream for those who love the second amendment right to bear arms.

When President Obama signed the latest credit card reform bill, there was also a little tidbit slipped into the new legislation. The firearms text that was included will now allow people to bring loaded guns into national parks and other protected natural areas. No need to lock them in your glove compartment anymore, just toss ‘em right into your backpack and hit the trail.

For now, guns are still banned; so don’t get too excited over the Independence Day weekend; please refrain from the 21-gun salute and stick to firecrackers. The credit card law doesn’t go into effect until February of 2010, so no guns until then please. While packing heat is always a questionable move, at least now you'll have a fighting chance should a grizzly come after more than just your picnic basket.

Related Stories:
· Gun Amendment Allows Guns at National Parks [Chicago Sun Times]
· National Parks Travel: Six-Shooters Coming Soon? [Jaunted]
· Guns coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: miso beno]

Crime / Guns / → All Tags

Miami Celebrating A Murder-Free October

Maybe the killers had to flee town after defaulting on their condo mortgages? Miami is celebrating more than a month without a murder.

One homicide investigator was thrilled to mark the milestone:

It's a great record when people are not killing each other.

Which isn't to say some folks aren't trying to cause trouble: Some acts of violence haven't upped Miami's body count because of terrific work from local doctors. And that's after the city lost surgeons Sean McNamara and Christian Troy!

Related Stories:
· Miami Goes a Month Without a Murder [Miami Herald]
· Crime coverage [Jaunted]

National Parks / Guns / → All Tags

National Parks Travel: Six-Shooters Coming Soon?

There's now one more thing that you may be able to add to your packing list for a trip to a national park. The Christian Science Monitor reports that after the Supreme Court ruled that Americans have a constitutional right to keep a weapon at home for protection in June, many started looking to get restrictions on guns lifted elsewhere.

The US Interior Department is considering lifting the 25-year ban on concealed weapons in the parks. If it does, packing heat would be legal parks that are located in states that permit concealed weapons.

Grand Canyon, Shenandoah, Isle Royale and Yellowstone, among others, would all allow weapons. California has tougher regulations, so no dice if you're traveling to Yosemite or Sequoia. Confusion has already begun regarding the Appalachian Trail which travels through many states before ending in Maine. As for now, guns are still a no-no at our national parks, but in the future things could become a little more dangerous--or a little safer.

Related Stories:
· Bid to Allow Guns in National Parks [CS Monitor]
· National Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ~Darin~]

Airport Security / TSA / BOS / Guns / → All Tags

TSA Travel: Still No Guns Allowed

Just a reminder to everyone out there: We know the TSA is constantly changing the rules, but you still can't carry a loaded gun onto your flight. Sorry to remind those of you who already know this, but apparently Louis Tasiopoulos didn't remember.

He was about to hop onto his JetBlue flight from Boston to Florida, police say, before they caught him with a 9 mm Glock pistol. Seriously? Tasiopoulos told police:

I forgot it was in my bag...I meant to leave the gun in my room at the hotel and could not leave it in my truck.

He's been charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a secure area, and has already been convicted in the court of TSA opinion. Said an agency spokeswoman, "It is beyond stupid to think that you can pass through a security checkpoint with a loaded gun."

Related Stories:
· Is That a Gun in Your Carry-on Bag? [Boston Herald]
· Airport Security coverage [Jaunted]

Disney World / Disney / Crime / Guns / → All Tags

Mickey, Don't Take Your Guns To Town

Be careful what you carry in to a theme park. Sneaking a snack in your bag to avoid the temptation (and high prices) of the almighty funnel cake? That's just fine. Taking a handgun? Bad idea, as a woman discovered when she was arrested at Walt Disney World for carrying a loaded gun into the Magic Kingdom.

The 63-year-old woman from Pennsylvania had a .32-caliber Beretta in her bag which was revealed during a bag check along with a scissors and a knife. Hey, just because Lil' Wayne, Snoop Dogg and Al Pacino do it doesn't mean it's OK. Leave your guns at home, or at least check the official Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms guidelines before you leave for the theme park. (Friendly reminder: We're not lawyers!)

Related Stories:
· Disney Security Reports Woman, 63, With Gun, Knife In Purse [WESH Orlando]
· Disney World coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Royal Doulton]