Multiple people have been wounded after gunshots were reportedly fired near a car show in Peck Park in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. The incident has drawn focus to the state’s gun laws, which are among the strongest in the US. However, Peck Park is also popular among residents who use it as a recreational spot and during the shootout there are reports of baseball games going on, apart from the car show. In light of this situation, there are questions about how safe parks are in the state of California.
As per the Department of Parks and Recreation, there are rules and regulations in place to protect parks so that future generations can enjoy them while park visitors can have a degree of safety and convenience.
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The department website makes it clear that loaded firearms and hunting are not allowed within the State Parks system. It continues, “Possession of loaded firearms or air rifles is prohibited. Exceptions are for hunting in recreation areas that have been designated by the State Park and Recreation Commission.”
Peck Park, where the shooting took place, falls under the Los Angeles City Parks and Recreations department but has the same rule about guns being carried into the public space.
LA County laws state, “A person shall not bring into, discharge, or shoot any firearms, air gun, slingshot, or bow and arrow in any park except at areas designated for such purpose by the director.”
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There was a push to arm park rangers, and those in LA have been campaigning for it since 1996. LA park rangers can carry firearms while off-duty, but can’t take them into parks. They have to inform the Los Angeles Police Department if they witness a violent situation while they’re on duty.
“This is for the protection of our park rangers, so they can go home every evening”, said LA Park Ranger Chief Joe Losorelli, campaigning for park rangers to be armed.
