Chattanooga: Hikers packing concealed heat

timesfreepress.com ^ | May 5, 2008 | Joan Garrett

[CDHart]

I take a .38 with me when I go to Kansas City!

Carolyn

[budwiesest]

small bag of trail mix on the bayonet .

Lol!

[dljordan]

I started hiking in the Cherokee National Forest and on the trail back in the early 70’s. I always carried a firearm with me even where I wasn’t supposed to. It can be dangerous up there.

[Billthedrill]

[ltc8k6]

BFR in .30-30 5.3 pounds

[kbennkc]

When is the barbecue ?

[P8riot]

Handguns weighing five to 10 pounds are comparatively heavy, and if they are buried in a backpack out of sight it could take a hiker too long to reach one in an emergency, he said.

Then my 2-1/4lb .475Linebaugh in a drop-leg holster should be just what the Dr. ordered.

[MaxMax]

There are federal laws in CA that allow you to carry a weapon
"going to and from" fishing. As long as you have a fishing license.
It's the work around when I pan for gold, I just carry a pocket fisherman
and a license.

[AuntB]

“The USNPS is exactly correct in allowing concealed carry in our parks”

Here’s a very good reason:

Your parks and national forests are being devastated by armed Mexican drug cartels growing pot farms on thousands of acres every year. They destroy the habitat for miles around them and the garbage....take a look.

http://towncriernews.blogspot.com/search?q=invasion+800+miles

[Spktyr]

Well, depending on how old it is, it may be marked for “9mm Kurz.” - aka .380 ACP.

[Mr. Silverback]

Bump for later reading.

[Free Descendant]

“Sorry, but a 9mm handgun isn’t going to do much to deter an angry mama bear.”

What about a .357 Magnum? I prefer revolvers...they’re point and click. :)

[AppyPappy]

AT is closed near Va 606 due to a shooting.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/161026

[bill1952]

>I've also encountered Black Bears in the Smoky Mountain Park. Shortly after our visit a woman was killed by a bear.

Almost in another world back in the late 60s, but my first hike ever was when I was 14 or 15 in Glacier National Park, where I hiked the Trout Lake trail.

I saw exactly what bears can do to people there. - In fact, I even saw that bear up front and personal.

- Scared me senseless.
I swore at that young age never again to hike long distances without being well armed.
and I never have.

[Ghengis]

I usually carry my .357 or .44 mag on the trail. A little more punch, no matter if the violating critter is 2 or 4 legged.

[AppyPappy]

Man who killed two hikers in 1981 in custody for shooting two fishermen

http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/161026

[angkor]

>>>>I never saw a woman that attractive on or near the trail.

Lots of babettes in the White Mountains of NH.

[Magnum44]

I dont know all the laws for every state, but I believe the majority now have castle doctrine, which means in your place of domicile, including your camp ground, possession of a gun for self protection is legal. In CA, your allowed to “transport” to and from places where you can legally possess, but most places require that “transport” to be with the gun unloaded and inaccessible (in the backpack?).

Otherwise, your correct, you would need a permit to carry the loaded gun while hiking on the trail. That could be a concealed carry permit, or a hunting license. You might have to convince the ranger your 9mm is an appropriate hunting gun.

[angkor]

I’ve had friends encounter drunken louts on the A-T in spots where it intersects with favorite rural “drinking spots”.

I personally encountered some guys - one with a Remington bolt action rifle - way deep in the White Mountains and they weren’t hunters or hikers, not dressed for it (cowboy boots!). No packs, no water, nothing. That’s when I decided to pack discreetly while hiking (I was with my girlfriend).

Just outside Dolly Sodds in WV, we were chased off private property by some psychotic hillbilly with a rifle, after the owner had already given us permission to camp there for just the night. He fired several shots at us as we were leaving.

In Abiqui, NM I was compelled to display my loaded and cocked Marlin 1894s to some dudes in a van who were brazenly checking out every campsite in this small Forest Service campground. They finally got the message and left post haste.

Bears? Don’t ask. But some friends were stuck on the top of a large boulder for a good 30 minutes while keeping a black bear at bay.

It’s legal to open carry in most National **Forests**, and where it isn’t I’ll make my own decision.

[SJackson]

I dont know all the laws for every state, but I believe the majority now have castle doctrine, which means in your place of domicile, including your camp ground, possession of a gun for self protection is legal. In CA, your allowed to “transport” to and from places where you can legally possess, but most places require that “transport” to be with the gun unloaded and inaccessible (in the backpack?).

I was thinking more of hiking than at ones campsite, which would put local “transport” regulations into play. Which in most places would mean at best cased, unloaded and in the pack. Unless open carry is legal. Obviously people need to check to local laws, which is why imo consistant laws on federal land would be nice, but I don't think castle doctrine overrides local gun laws. For example while Illinois doesn't have a distinct "castle doctrine" law, deadly force is authorized to prevent bodily harm, that doesn't override local handgun bans, for example. Or state ownership licensing.