[pct-l] the sidearm thread...

[David Plotnikoff]

From: Andrew Siemer <asiemer at hotmail.com>

>  Does anyone know what the rules are for carrying a side arm through the three
>  states? Mexico? Canada?
>

First off, sir, as innocent as the question is, on its face please be 
aware you're picking at one of the top flame-war topics of all time 
for this forum, right up there with bikes, dogs and bear cans. Let's 
tread carefully here ...

As a purely practical matter, you're going to need to find a way to 
relieve yourself of a handgun before you cross into Canada. The 
Canadians are *very* serious about their firearms laws, which are 
much stricter than those in the US. There's no way you would be able 
to carry it across legally.

On another practical note, how are you planning to get to the trail? 
The rules for shipping firearms via commercial air, rail or bus are a 
patchwork. If you're flying into San Diego, you're going to need, at 
a minimum, a locked, hard-sided case which you'll then have to turn 
around and ship home.

Finally, you can't legally carry in any national park. It's clearly 
posted on every sign at every entrance, so nobody can claim ignorance 
on that point. A firearm in a bounce-box is a huge potential 
liability.

You may want to back up and ask yourself specifically what perceived 
threat you're concerned with. If it's large critters that walk on 
four legs, in order to really walk the talk you're looking at a .44 
Magnum snubby, a .454 Casull and other Yosemite Sam chamberings 
common to the Alaskan bush. Even in titanium, that's a serious amount 
of weight to be lugging around. Statistically, your chances of being 
attacked by a bear or mountain lion are infintismally small.

Best of luck,

DP