Looks like a new law comes into effect, peculiarly, one that liberates guns in parks.

From SuperTopo

www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-parks-guns22-2010feb22,0,35>>>

Should have been that way the whole time, in my opinion.

In many states (State Parks) you can carry your firearm in your vehicle, or on your person if you have conceal-carry permit. I can't think of an instance (though I'm sure they're out there) where a law-abiding citizen blazed a wild animal or another visitor out of fear.
That said, "many states" ain't California!

I'd like to see some statistics on gun violence, vandalism, etc in state and national parks. . . I could look 'em up, but I'm going climbing before the snow hits!

I believe that people understand the difference between BLM or USFS lands and passing through a gate to enter a "park". . . the vast majority for sure.

What are your thoughts Adam?

Why the hell would you need a gun in a national park?

Yeah +1. People are murdered in National Parks, too. Just because you pass through a gate doesn't keep the crazies out.

Dirty Gri Gri...Soouueeee, I think he was told to yell. 'You sure got a purdy mouth.' was the cracker's comment. Too funny, but not really.

Another reason for guns....how else am I suppose to get the cap off my post-climbing brewski?! It's so much more convenient to carry a gun than a bottle opener or biner for that matter.

When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

I'm just curious; no offense intended. To men who are anti-guns; if you have, or had daughter(s), and/or say a GF, a wife, or sister etc... that was hiking/camping alone, or even with another female in National Parks, or elsewhere, would you be more, or less comfortable if they were packing (if they were trained, and legally carrying a gun, or rifle to hunt, or for protection)? Would a knife, or an ice pick be better, or no weapon, whatsoever?

Dam just another thing to try and fit in my pack.....

In favor of guns in the backcountry. Maybe not so much the popular parks that are small and really crowded.

I have been chased buy a couple of coyotes before! Not fun.... At all

Also most midwest (IL, WI, and MI) park rangers carry guns and some carry tazers too.

I never go anywhere unarmed ever!

In case of wild animals? That's gotta be the worst reason I've ever heard. Hell I'm more afraid of hicks trying to rape me in the woods than I am of the wildlife. I live in a part of the state with the highest concentration of mountain lions. I've ran into mountain lions, by myself, and I still don't consider carrying a gun.

Hell, I own a gun and don't consider carrying it around with me because I don't exhibit the constant fear of murder and molestation that the vast majority of the public does. It'd be a lot more fair if nobody owned guns, keep the playing field level. Too bad that ship has sailed.

My fear is that the reckless jackasses who some how are allowed to possess guns; the same ones who shoot up NFS signs and throw their McDonald's wrappers out their RV window, the Winnebago Warriors, and the motorized mutton heads, feeling vindicated as they do to tote around their newly legalized erectile substitute will get so excited playing with each other's Boom Sticks that they might just lose control have a little accident. You know shoot an "intruder" who walked through their campsite, be it a furry critter, or just one needing to take a piss. The mind plays funny tricks on people.

If you're not going for a confrontation then why bring something confrontational with you?

If you're so afraid of the things in nature then why go there at all?

GiGi, to answer your question I wouldn't encourage my girlfriend, sister, or mother to carry a gun or any other particular weapon. There are lots of things that can be used as weapons. If a gun gives you a sense of security then I feel badly that males have given you such a sense of insecurity, I'm not in charge of them so I can't do anything about that. I'd argue that the sense of security one gets with a gun or any other weapon is false. Just because you've got one doesn't mean you'll get to use it or be willing to use it.

jmeizis;

Painting with a broad brush there, brother. Glad you aren't making the laws. People use weapons over 600,00 times are year to defend themselves, and that is usually without firing a shot. How does a 100 pound woman defend against a 250 pound guy? Wish him to go away? Get real there, dude.

Unfortunately, laws generally have to hit pretty close to the lowest common denominator. If people could behave themselves then laws would be necessary.

Testicles hurt on everyone who's got them. So do eyeballs, pressure points, ears, hair. I don't worry about my sister too much, who weight half as much as I do and nearly half my height. She's resourceful.

Sure, and there's a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow!

This is just a brief summary of a conversation I had with a friend once I discovered the 357 Mag in the glove box of his truck while en route to a crag in northern New Mexico:

Me: Why do you have this thing in your glove box?
Him: In case I accidentally hit an Elk, and subsequently need to put it out of its misery.

Me: Ok (skeptical)..why is it fully loaded!!
Him: Because Elk travel in herds.

GiGi...you rock.

And to the above post... just because someone has testicles...does mean you'll have the chance to kick them. If someones intent is do you harm...they will be a force to that end.

I don't pack heat...though a mountain lion run-in made me want to change that.

Of course...if that Lion really wants you...it's not gonna come running at you across an open field as you blast away...it will be on your back, crushing your skull before you could even pull that weapon out.