[XR7]

If you can take your hat off in church, you ought to be able to keep your gun in the car when visiting such a place.

Real smart. Let the low-lifes feel safe in the knowledge that no law-abiding park visitors are packing heat. After all, why keep the criminally-minded guessing? Let 'em know that everyone's an easy mark. Then we can all feel "safe" from evil guns. Right?

[Fred911]

"guns are a poor defense against the main predator, grizzly bears. Pepper spray is both non-lethal and more effective, since you don't have to hit a bulls-eye to deter a charging griz." Let me get this straight....I should wait until the charging bear gets close enough to use pepper spray, say 3 or 4 feet? Somehow that is more effective than putting a few 357 rounds in his head at 4 feet????

[Robert357]

Do you feel the need to pack heat while wandering the wildflower meadows of Paradise on Mount Rainier?

I don't have a problem with that.

If I were to hike the Cascade Crest trail that crosses through a lot of park and national wilderness lands, I would definitely be carrying my snub-nose 44 mag or one of my many 357 Magnum revolvers.

And yes, I do have a CPL.

[MrPiper]

do a google search on: Appalachian trail murders or Yellowstone National park murders. Where there are people, there is a need for self defense.

[theBuckwheat]

IMO, if the Bill of Rights applies anywhere, it also applies on Federal Government land. Our rights are not subject to a “utility” test. For example, we cannot say that because in a particular town nothing ever happens that nobody can exercise their right of a free press. If anything, public lands are particular areas of concern, for we know that law enforcement in remote areas is remote, not to mention having the means to repel an attacking animal. One hundred years ago anyone venturing into these remote areas would be considered a moonbat to venture very far while unarmed. It appears that moonbattery is still with us, only now they are in positions to pass laws, or prevent their repeal.

[theBuckwheat]

>>
If you can take your hat off in church, you ought to be able to keep your gun in the car when visiting such a place.
<<

This is often said in the same tone of voice as “do we need this? I don’t think so.”, as if the person asking that question somehow has veto power over all the rest of us. Speaking of the rest of us, if you want to leave your firearm in the car, you are free to do so, but don’t stop me from bringing mine along. You may be happy I did. If I misuse it, you are free to inform law enforcement and have me arrested.

On that point, you demonstrate a failed logic: a person who is not restrained by the law against armed robbery, assault, rape or murder (all felonies) will certainly will not be restrained by any laws requiring him to be unarmed.

To assert otherwise is to assert your lack of clear thinking.

[PapaBear3625]

I asked him if he carried a .357 magnum with him in the back country, and he said well, if you take one of those as grizzly protection, you better be sure and file off the gunsight. Why? Because that way, he said, it won't hurt so much when the bear shoves it up your ass.

Nice straw man argument. He deliberately chooses a caliber that would be ineffective against bears to imply that NO gun would be effective against bears. A .44 Mag or better (like the S&W .500) would approach being adequate bear protection.

[TalonDJ]

“How do you feel about allowing loaded guns in our national parks?”

The same way I feel carrying a gun any place else. Safe.

[dbwz]

Are you determined to protect yourself against overly aggressive squirrels at Hurricane Ridge?

It's not often that I do this because I try to maintain some decorum when discussing the shortcomings of anti-gunners' arguments, but...

What sheltered corner of suburban utopia did this idiot crawl out of? What an absolute flaming ignoramus. This may come as a surprise, but there are people who go to parks for more than a quick guided tour and a few photos. Plus, I don't think your larger variety of wild animal - you know, like those black furry ones that weigh about 600 lbs and can snap your bones like toothpicks - has any regard for marked trails and designated viewing areas.

And do any of these candy-ass "journalists" have an original thought in their heads? They run with the same kind of deprecating sh*t in every single "guns are bad" article.

"Overly aggressive squirrels". Jeez. Grow the F up, princess.

[Pistolshot]

Democrats have claimed it is a political ploy, backed by the National Rifle Association, to force Democrats to take a tough gun vote during an election year.

As opposed to the Democraps not taking any votes on anything substaintial at all this year.

[Brouhaha]

I think the idea of carrying a gun in Paradise is outrageous.

Carrying one on Earth, however, is an entirely different matter. I plan to pack whenever I visit a national park whether it's legal or not. "Better to be judged by twelve..."

As for our parks being safe havens from crime (is the author really that stupid?), Berger should try a Google search for "national parks crystal meth." This brings up the USDOJ: Meth Awareness Homepage and a National Park Service page on Mohave National Preserve.

According to the Department of Justice "Small Toxic Labs produce smaller quantities of meth. These labs can be set up in homes, motel rooms, inside automobiles, and in PARKS or rural areas -- really almost anywhere."

The National Park Service tells us that "One of the most dangerous consequences of Mojave's nearness to urban areas is the use of the park by illegal narcotics manufacturers and drug dealers. Manufacture of illegal methamphetamine, often referred to as 'crystal meth,' has posed a considerable problem to the park."

If Berger and his Alaskan friend want to smooth their gun barrels, or other cylindrical objects, to facilitate their own rectal violation, that is their choice.

As for myself, I plan to keep my front site in working order so as to increase my hit probability when I am threatened by a Hell's Angel or other meth-producing outlaw.

USDOJ Page: http://www.usdoj.gov/methawareness/

NPS Page: http://www.nps.gov/archive/moja/adminhist/adhi7.htm

[Lord_Calvinus]

***Pepper spray is both non-lethal and more effective, since you don’t have to hit a bulls-eye to deter a charging griz.***

Reminds me of a joke in my area....

Tourist: How do I protect myself from bears in the woods?
Park Ranger: You wear bells on your shoes cause bears hate the sounds and you take pepper spray.
Tourist: How do I know bears are nearby?
Ranger: You will find feces full of bells and smelling like pepper.

If MORONS would quit feeding the bears, they would be quite a bit more shy of people instead of associating them with dinner. I worry more about cats.

[Gritty]

National parks don't look like Paradise-like "crime free" zones to me!...

Below are the Level I crime statistics for National Parks (these are the most serious reported crimes):

PART I OFFENSES........2006...2005...2004...2003

Homicide/Manslaughter.......11.....17.....13......8
Rape - Forced/Attempted....35.....49.....64.....48
Robbery...........................61.....68.....68.....65
Kidnapping........................16......5......6......8
Aggravated Assault.........261....225....288....246
Burglary...........................411....436....448....468
Larceny/Theft...................3465...3696...3488...3192
Motor Vehicle Theft...........146....174....171....135
Arson...............................79.....83....110.....89

TOTALS....................4485...4753...4656...4259

Below is a partial listing of Level II offenses (less serious)...

PART II OFFENSES.......2006...2005...2004...2003

Other Assaults-no weapon...320....311....322....355
Stolen Property...............447....536....458....476
Vandalism....................3064...2641...2825...3094
Weapons......................1950...1674...1926...1703
Sex Offenses..................362....487....529....393
Offenses Against Children.142....187.....22....192
Drug Abuse...................6348...5744...5469...5419
Disorderly Conduct...........2770...3034...4959...2971

*(sorry for the unprofessional formatting)

Incident Reporting Procedures

[Vicki]

We need to be able to carry guns in our parks. In my state of Washington, besides all the meth lab operations in our national forests we recently had a mother and daughter killed in the forest. Case remains unsolved.

[Centurion2000]

How do you feel about allowing loaded guns in our national parks?

Why the hell should anyone care how I feel when considering legislation?

Ask me what do I THINK about a subject.

I THINK that guns are a great idea in the wilderness in case of bear, wolf or cougar attacks.

[NewJerseyJoe]

> Pepper spray ... you don't have to hit a bulls-eye to deter a charging griz

The moron author obviously has no clue about the effective use of pepper spray against bears. The sprayer's timing and aim are critical -- to make sure that the bear inhales the spray (or gets it in his eyes), instead of running right through it without harm.

[TC Rider]

Glacier National Park there is no crime problem and that guns are a poor defense against the main predator, grizzly bears. Pepper spray is both non-lethal and more effective, since you don't have to hit a bulls-eye to deter a charging griz.

Choose wisely Grasshopper!

[Poser]

Question: “Do we need guns at Paradise?”

Answer: Yes!

[tet68]

Here at Firebase Paradise firearms are manditory,
if you don’t have one we will issue you one.

[TigersEye]

Given all the people they allow in National Parks I wouldn’t go there without a gun. Especially since most people think everyone there is unarmed.

[bad company]

guns are a poor defense against the main predator, grizzly bears. Pepper spray is both non-lethal and more effective

Printing a lie like this is criminal.