Comments on: Packing heat in national parks: What do you think?

By: bob doucette

bob doucette — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:41:33 +0000

I seem to remember a story out of the Kiamichis where an unarmed couple got ambushed by an armed criminal wearing a gilly suit. Winding Stair area. Good example of that. Not sure if they could have defended themselves if they were armed, but anyway…

I still say if I were traveling in grizzly country, whether I’m in a national park or not, I’m packing heat. Here in Oklahoma, I’m probably not. One memory I had was backpacking with friends in Colorado, and one of our companions who was inexperienced at backpacking but quite familiar with guns brought a revolver, holster and gun belt complete with spare ammo. He wasn’t in the best of shape to begin with and had a pack that was too large. The extra 6-8 pounds that the gun/belt/holster/ammo provided nearly stopped him from making it to camp. Someone else had to help re-pack his pack and take the gun up for him. He said he’d never bring one to the high country again, if I remember right.

By: Ed Godfrey

Ed Godfrey — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:02:26 +0000

The problem with gun laws, or any laws for that matter, is that the only people who heed them are law abiding citizens. Therefore, only the bad folks will be carrying the guns.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:23:34 +0000

Conceal carry is designed for self protection and does not mean people will be shooting for pleasure in the park. I think it is a right we sould have. If someone is shooting it will mean their life is in danger.

By: bob doucette

bob doucette — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:11:31 +0000

Interesting. I’ve heard that sentiment before. Just for disclosure’s sake, I’ll say that I’m a gun owner. I’ve never brought a gun into a national park before. Haven’t seen the need, and on backpacking trips the added weight just wasn’t worth it to me. However, I can definitely see some reasons for people doing so. If I went solo or in a small group in Montana/Idaho/Wyoming/Alaska, I’d definitely consider a high-powered handgun, like a .357 (grizzlies). Here in Oklahoma, just haven’t seen the need.

Any other toughts?

By: Paul Prappas

Paul Prappas — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:59:31 +0000

There’s no doubt in my mind that the US is headed for Civil War – Yes, again. What a (expletive deleted) nutso country! I will further add that one reason I go to National Parks is to GET AWAY FROM DOGS AND ATVs and NOISE AND GUNS AND ALL THAT (expletive deleted) THAT YOU FIND EVERYWHERE ELSE. I mean what’s the point of going to a fricken park at all?