Thread: Guns in National Parks

Well Congress just passed it. So off it goes to the President.

Will he sign it?

Do we need guns in national parks? I for one know that the AT is a haven in some spots for people running from the law, so yes no matter what I would carry. If I was backpacking in the heart of Yellowstone bear country. It would do me little good to go plunking away at a brown bear with a 45 or 10mm. So I do not know if I would carry.

I think it is a good thing and I hope he signs it. I read that he will for whatever that is worth. As for bear and such, that is not something I have to contend with but If I did I have a 44mag with a 2 1/2" barrel that would be better than nothing.

I generally don't bother with a gun when backpacking as nothing that is portable will damage a bear sufficiently. maybe one of the new .500mag pieces, but I usually just carry a can of the strongest bear mace I can find.

Bear tastes good or so I'm told.
A shooting freind of mine (named Lynn ironicaly)has a relation somewhere in th US with access to bear hunting. He never misses an invite.

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?????

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.

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 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.