Thread: Guns in National Parks

Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

I LOVE gamey tasting meat

have you tried Essex girls??

I always thought if a state tried to prosecute you for a firearms offence in the US, you claimed your Federal RKBA!?? And the State usually backed down!
In the UK when I tell people we used to be able to bear arms* in the UK untill quite recently and believe we should still have that right, they look at me as if I have just climbed down from the Christmas tree!
We have a lot of sheeple in the UK though
(*untill the early 20thC, the Conservative government got frightened that all these armed working people might one day take their power away)

I agree. When I hike on the AT (or many other trails that have a certain feel), I have with me the capability to protect myself from two legged predators.
Bear country....bear spray. If I had a firearm for bear, at least .44 mag. There is a great short rifle chambered in .45-70, .457 mag or .50 Alaskan that would be nice if you had the time to shoulder it. Honestly, in my brain, I think I'd prefer the spray...when I've been in brown bear country...I think I would have preferred a big bore. Hiking in black bear country, I've never carried anything aside from that which is reserved for people. Had many black bear encounters, and only once felt like I wish I had a weapon capable of dispatching it.

This has been the law of the land for quite some time, No Firearms allowed in State/National Parks....

Some places it is so bad that they are not even allowed in the trunk of the vehicle stored unloaded and locked in a case....

So my question has always been????

Can I sue their dumb A$$ if I am attacked, and was prevented from protecting myself by a means that in any other place I would have had at my disposal.... This was the argument used in DC also...

I honestly can see no reason to outlaw firearms anywhere (except Bars and Banks), if you can legally carry one place why not another?????

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I honestly can see no reason to outlaw firearms anywhere (except Bars and Banks), if you can legally carry one place why not another?????

it all boils down to jurisdiction. I live in Texas. I can carry, but not in a bar. I CAN carry in a bank. Texas makes those rules. So, places that aren't Texas, the rules don't apply. e.g. Federal post office, Federal wildlife preserve, etc. National parks are in the same basket, Texas rules don't apply there, Federal ones do.

And you cannot sue the federal government unless they waive sovereignty.

True stuff.

Something I learned in Law class.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

And you cannot sue the federal government unless they waive sovereignty.

True stuff.

Something I learned in Law class.

I think you also assume the risk, when you enter a National Park where there be bears (not to mention pick-a-nick baskets).

Originally Posted by igitur55

I think you also assume the risk, when you enter a National Park where there be bears (not to mention pick-a-nick baskets).

Oregon has a fantastic law called the "Inherent risk law."

The basic crux of the law is that if you engage in any activity which carries an OBVIOUS inherent risk, you cannot hold anyone else liable for any injuries or damages.

Like many laws, it's vague and hard to prove a case in either direction, but at least it's on the books. For example, I once went to a ranch that did long distance trail rides, and they had a big notice board quoting the inherent risk law and warning people that any activity involving a 2500 lb animal with steel-shod hooves carries a variety of inherent risks to personal health and safety. The vagueness comes in because if you break your neck because your saddle slipped sideways, was that an inherent risk, or negligence on the part of the ranch hand who put the saddle on?

Originally Posted by singlewedge

And you cannot sue the federal government unless they waive sovereignty.

True stuff.

Something I learned in Law class.

Well, they would have to waive soverign immunity....not sovereignty itself.
It's actually a pretty cool doctrine. Man, I can be such a law-nerd...did I reallt just say "cool doctrine?" I'm going out back to give myself a wedgie.