Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

Did crime plummet after U.S. let guns into national parks?

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that violent crimes in national parks fell 85 percent after a gun ban was lifted in 2010. Is that correct? Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that violent crimes in national parks fell 85 percent after a gun ban was lifted in 2010. Is that correct?

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that violent crimes in national parks fell 85 percent after a gun ban was lifted in 2010. Is that correct?

Louis Jacobson
By Louis Jacobson May 10, 2013

During an interview on the MSNBC show Morning Joe, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., argued for legislation he’s proposing that would allow guns to be carried into lands controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers. A similar measure for national parks took effect in 2010.

"In 2010," Coburn said on Morning Joe, "everybody said you can't dare let guns go into the national parks, and of course the rapes, murders, robberies and assaults are down about 85 percent since we did that."

That’s a pretty stunning drop. Is it accurate? In a word, no. We rated the statement False. Read our full report to see the numbers for yourself.

Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter

Our Sources

See our fact-check for complete sources.

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Louis Jacobson

Did crime plummet after U.S. let guns into national parks?