[pct-l] Guns in National Parks

[ed faubert]

Amanda, not to throw a wet blanket on you but are you aware one of the likely ?s asked by the folks at home and people you meet in town stops is, "Are you packing" I am not sure how many hikers have carried "something" in the past but i know of some that did at least for a few hundred miles yet never heard of a problem  about this. This also will not be something few folks will admit to but its not unheard of. Perhaps after a few 100 miles under their belt they sent them home by at least KMs.
Meadow Ed

Amanda L Silvestri wrote: 
> This whole Guns in National Parks issue really bumbs me out.  Who needs a concealed hand gun on the trail anyway or in a national park generally?  As has been pointed out here a number of times before, the most dangerous animal on the trail is man and then mostly near road crossings.  A hand gun is likely too small to protect you from a bear or a mountain lyon.  That is not likely to attack you anyway.  It is too small to hunt dear with and a dear would be waisted on a hiker anyway.  If you are not a hiker, then use a rifle and only during hunting season.  
>  
> One of the reasons I go hiking is to get away from people with guns and the society that encourages their use.  I get nervous on the trail during hunting season and have probably ruined the shot of a hunter or two by announcing myself. At least hunters are out there with confidence.  Someone who is carrying a hand gun is doing so out of fear and that is far more dangerous.  Perhaps we could start a campaign to write to the state legislators to restrict hand guns within their states to the extent possible by law in the affected states.
>  
> Amanda (Shepherd)
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