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Reader Participation Day: Has The Change In Gun Rules Changed Your National Park Plans?

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Since late February it's been legal for properly permitted concealed weapons owners, and rifle and shotgun owners, as well, to bring their weapons into a national park if the surrounding state law allows such carry. Has that change in national park gun regulations changed your thoughts about visiting a national park?

There was quite an uproar over this rule change, on both sides of the issue, with more than a few folks saying they wouldn't want to be in a park where some folks might be armed. Has the issued turned into much ado about nothing? Or, if you opposed the rule change, are you changing your plans to visit a national park?

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Black bears, grizzly bears, and bison can all survive gunshots (multiple gunshots) from commonly carried handguns long enough to do some damage to the person doing the shooting (or anyone else nearby). They will often die of their wounds later. That is why the parks with bears suggest that visitors carry bear spray. That and you don't have to be a an incredible shot with bear spray.

When I tell family that I hike in bear country or that I saw a bear on the trail, they often remark "Did you have a gun with you?" I have also had friends and many strangers ask the same question. I never do, but I usually have bear spray. It identifies the problem that parks face in properly educating the public about bear safety.

Last fall a guy just east and outside the boundary of Grand Teton NP shot a bison with a large caliber revolver. Before his guide had a chance to convince him otherwise, he walked up to the bison to inspect it. Before, it died from a couple rifle shots from the guide, the bison was up and goring the guy. He didn't realize that bison were so tough. He spent the next few weeks in a hospital thinking about that.

If you are interested in doing some reading, Steven Herrero's book on bear attacks has multiple stories of griz that were shot and survived to maul the shooter or their partner.


Gary,

First, thanks for the agreement that open carry is wrong-headed.

I still have to say that, although I agree it's constitutionally protected, and they don't really scare me, I disagree with the logic of gun-toting for safety for the average American. I don't think statistics back that position, I don't think human or criminal behavior backs that position, and I think it just expands the likelihood of accidents and satisfies ego more than anything else.

Carry them if you want, just be safe and responsible about it, and don't use them to intimidate folks. Otherwise, I'll see ya on the trail (I'll be the guy you want to rob because I'm unarmed I guess ;-) ).


Firearm ownership has gone up dramatically over the last 10 years and accidents and even murders committed with firearms has gone down. What has gone up is the number of rapists and home invaders who have been scared off or shot when a home owner brought out the firearm. Just the other day an 89 Year Old woman shot at the young man who broke down her front door. It scared him and he was arrested shortly after. The old lady was fine. I wonder what would have happened if she had not had that handgun. 47 States issue permits to carry concealed firearms. 38 of those states are shall issue and as long as you have had 8 to 16 hours training and no criminal record they will issue you a permit to carry. 8 of those states do not have any training in their law. In Alaska and Vermont anyone who can legally own a firearm can carry one concealed without any type of permit. You can carry one in those two states if you can legally own the firearm. Arizona just pasted the same law and on 7/1/10 anyone who can legally own a firearm can carry it concealed in Arizona without any type of permit from the government. VT and AK don't have problems with people carrying firearms.

As for bears etc. I will shoot a bear and continue shooting if someones life is in danger. There is no reason for me to approach an animal if I have to shoot to save myself or someone I love. Shot placement is the most important element when taking down any animal. I have hunted since I can remember so it has been almost 50 years. I have shot more deer than I can count and not one has gone over 30 yards. I could drop it in its tracks but that ruins meat and that is why I hunt. My whole family likes wild game. It is low in fats and is more healthy than store bought beef. I know where to shoot animals that live in the wild.

As for stories of someone doing something stupid while hunting. I can tell you stories about Bicycle Riders who did stupid things. Does that make all bike riders stupid. I can tell you stories about people who drive drunk. Does that make all people who never drive while drinking but have a drink or two at home? I can tell you stories about Doctors and stupid things they have done in the operating room. Does that make all Doctors Idiots? If people misuse a firearm the can hurt someone. If someone misuses a Car they can hurt someone. If someone misuses just about anything they can hurt someone. Are you afraid of cars? No you get in one and drive it everyday. If you do it properly then everything is OK. But everyday 100 people are killed in or by automobiles in this Country. Transportation saves lives everyday. I am an EMT and have used Transportation on the ground and in the air to save lives. A person with a Firearms can hurt someone but they can also save people. It all boils down to the person behind the wheel or the firearm.

My Government trusted me with fully automatic Rifles, Machine Guns, explosive and rockets that could take out a 50 ton tank. I used them to protect my fellow soldier. My Buddy. Now that I don't wear a uniform i still have the right and the responsibility to protect my family. I take that responsibility very seriously.


Paul "Barky" Dionne,

Didn't say open carry was wrong headed. I said I wasn't a big fan of it. The big reason there is Open Carry in the news is mainly California and Virginia. California county sheriffs won't issue permits to qualified applicants so they have no choice but to go by the law on the books that allows them to open carry an unloaded firearm. In Virginia if you have a permit to carry if you go into Fridays to eat dinner you can't carry a concealed firearm in any place that serves alcohol. But you can just tuck your shirt in because open carry is legal in places that serve alcohol in VA. It is the state that makes the rules. Those who open carry are just going by the rules. Wisconsin is the same way. They won't let people carry concealed firearms with a permit but the law says they can open carry. Again the Elected officials make the laws we just obey them. Open carry is legal in some states. People are just obeying the law. What I don't like about open carry is not that there are people who are afraid of firearms. All my training in the military and outside the military teaches one thing. If you have the element of surprise you have an advantage. If It comes to me having to use my firearm I want all the advantages I can get. No one and I mean no one wins a gun fight. There are only survivors!


You have a good point, but we should take it one step further and lay off all LE rangers. Then you paranoid gun nuts can provide enforcement and save the rest of us a few tax dollars.


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