Did he have bear spray? It is pushed hard in these parks.
Out of curiosity, I looked it up. Evidently you can legally carry a firearm in a national park if you can legally carry one in the state where the park is located.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/firearms-in-national-parks.htm
Two quotes from the link:
“Visitors should not consider firearms as protection from wildlife.”
“ Unless expressly authorized, Federal law prohibits the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon in NPS facilities. ”
- Folks need to be aware of that second one. You might be legally able to carry in the park, but walk into an information center and you’ve committed a felony.