[Jack Black]

Thanks to the gun-banning greenies NO GUNS IN NATIONAL PARKS. What a travesty. This is a law all sane people just violate, I'm afraid to say.

[agincourt1415]

There is an overpopulation of Bears in all the parks, Smokey Mountain National Park, is so full of Bears and NO FOOD, the Black Bear population will eat anything.

I wouldn't go hiking without a 44 Magnum.

[little jeremiah]

I agree 100%. I'd rather risk a fire arms violation than getting "lucky" like that guy. Or unlucky, and have my mortal coil wind up as bear poop.

Bears's strength is in another universe. It can't be imagined.

[Arthalion]

Yes, sane people do violate that law with some regularity.

Personally, I have a two shot .45ACP derringer that's tucked into a hidden compartment on my full frame pack whenever I'm hiking. it's 3" barrel isn't going to give me much accuracy, but it's a desperation weapon...the idea is that any bear charging me will get two point blank rounds to the skull before he gets a bite. Even if it doesn't kill him, it should daze him enough to let me get away...or to reload again.

The gun sits in a hidden compartment in my pack, and isn't detectable unless you dump the whole thing and specifically search for it. Since I never pull the gun in the park, the rangers have no reason to search me. If they did, I would be charged with a felony, of course. If I ever had to use it though, it would be a worthwhile tradeoff...I'd rather be alive and arguing my case to a jury than be law-abiding bear spoor.

I do also carry pepper spray, and I've heard from other hikers that it works well. Still, I don't trust it enough to leave my gun at home.