READERS COMMENTS

Gun's are awesome and just having them visible worn on the hip will almost always deter sketchy people. If you don't have a gun and are hiking in bear country you should have bear spray anyway and it works quite well on people too.
Posted: Dec 10, 2011 Josh

I've backpacked since I was 21 (I'm 58 now). The only weapon I've ever carried is a Swiss Army Knife. When car camping, I carry a 9MM pistol. I've never had to use it (Thank God). A better weapon might be one of those collapsible batons, although I've never owned one. Don't camp too close to roads and be careful crossing roads. Be safe and God bless.



















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Posted: Sep 24, 2011 Bill

I was worried about bears... Now, I'm just worried about the hundreds of people walking around, with loaded weapons, waiting to shoot someone for looking at them funny when they pass each other on the trail. So much hate in these threads. Can't stand to think of it all out there in serene wilderness.
Posted: Jun 28, 2011 Elm-O

I run a meetup group in Albuquerque, and I've had a couple instances where my holstered sidearm kept people from getting crazy around my group. The majority of the time, just the presence of the weapon is deterrent enough.

However, I would use it if the situation warranted it.
Posted: May 11, 2011 Jason

You give someone an opportunity to comment about their gun and they will...
Posted: May 06, 2011 Armchair Expert

You give someone an opportunity to comment about their gun and they will...
Posted: May 06, 2011 Armchair Expert

better to have a gun and not need it....than to need a gun and not have it....gun are tools designed to save your life or somone elses....
Posted: Feb 10, 2011 donto

Some facts to consider if you are planning to carry firearms on National Forest land:

Some states have laws concerning carrying in National Forests. You must know the law.
In most states if it is legal for you to carry a firearm concealed in the state the National Forest is in, you can carry your firearm concealed in a National Forest in that state.

If it is legal to carry a firearm openly on your hip in the state the National Forest is in, you can legally carry it that way in the National Forest in that state.

Some states have laws against carrying in National Forests in their state.

Any firearm carried in National Forests shall not exceed the legal maximum calliber for the hunting season during which it is carried.

Do be advised that any Ranger Station or Visitors Center in any National Forest is considered a Federal Building. It is illegal to carry any firearm into such a building either concealed or openly even with a CCW from the state the National Forest Ranger Station or Visitors Center is in.

You may carry a gun on National Forest land as long as you are in accordance with state laws and regulations concerning firearms. Please note these additional exceptions:
You may not hunt within 150 yards of a residence, building or developed recreation site, and you may not display a firearm within a developed recreation site. See Supervisors Order DB-07-00.

Firearms are excluded from Wildlife Management Areas except during special designated hunting seasons.

Please observe the general rules of gun safety and courtesy.

For more information on your National Forests and for more safety tips visit
http://www.fs.fed.us/safety/
Posted: Oct 29, 2010 Smokey

I travel by air frequently for my job and get some solo hiking in where possible. Since air travel can restrict self defense options, one can easily opt for a can of wasp spray- some shoot an accurate stream for 15-20 feet- beats mace or pepper spray. Not too shabby for a weapon in a pinch and readily available for a couple bucks. Good against bad people and bugs. Not so sure about big mammals or cold-blooded critters. Everything has its + and -.
Posted: Oct 23, 2010 Gene

I am a firm believer in self-defense. The article does a great job in how to escalate an issue to get the aggressor to back off or for you get away from a harmful situation, as it should be. In the end, it is up to you to provide your own security whether it is against an attacking assailant or an angry black bear or worse. As this Seattle Times article shows, there is an increase in crime in the national forest: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/277599_hikers15ww.html. Unfortunately, we live in a violent world and it is up to you to provide your own self-defense. It is up to you whether to carry. As for me, I choose to carry a side arm.
Posted: Oct 21, 2010 Ron

I carry a sidearm as well as dog food foe my well trained Rottie and Shepard. No one seems to get close to me which is what I desire. I have crossed paths witha bear a couple wolves and countless rattlers. I never felt the need to draw let alone use my side arm but it sure makes me feel safe. Never met any scum bags on the trail. Probabbly because I go where the lazy ones wouldn't be able too.
Posted: Oct 20, 2010 geronimo

GrizGary needs to consult an attorney.
The scenario wsa a definite bad-guy. Take no chances. Most encounters in teh backcountry are more ambiguous. Most confronations can be avoided by common sense and walking away. IN an ambiguous situation, unzipping a fanny pack, big pocket, or some other repository of unknown tools can indicate that you are not a victim. Bad guys prey on the defenseless. Don't be defenseless and do not appear defenseless. And go where there are either crowds or nobody at all.
Posted: Oct 16, 2010 Argosinu

I find so many of the comments interesting.
As far as carrying a side arm, if the person with the gun is responsible then i could care less. I have carried many times and once it prevented a problem from becoming even worse.
As far as a reference to the martial arts, I am a black belt in two styles and all I know is that there are people out there who could be a very big problem.
So know what is going on around you, be alert to a problem and do what you have to if attacked.
As I was told by the police in a situation where I had to intervene when someone was being attacked - it is better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
I was not judged, the attacker was.
Posted: Oct 12, 2010 Larry D

Look and act like a backcountry lunatic. Blow snott out of your nose and spit on the ground and then tell them that you hate them and growl. They will either befriend you or run like hell. It works on the NY subways.
Posted: Oct 12, 2010 Laughing Dave

Carry what you need to survive for any situation, all the time. its your right to bear arms if that is your choice. Anyone who comments against self defense or using a weapon for self defense does not value their own personal liberty and safety. As for the consequences of your actions, those are also yours and yours alone to deal with. but if you have consequences do deal with after an incident, then that means your still alive. as for you people that recommend bear spray, that is a good defense but it needs to be in your hand while you walk if their is risk of bear in your area. Having seen enough footage of bear surprise attacks, that is the only way you will have enough time. REMEMBER the rule, it takes a human less than 2 seconds to cover the distance of 22 feet and a bear can move faster than a human. NOW, with all that said, you can still have a great uneventful hike as long as you are aware of your surroundings and prepared for any situation.
Posted: Oct 12, 2010 jbgecko13

I'm surprised in how many people carry guns according to this post. I'm all for the right to bare arms, but on hiking trails? I don't think it is necessary. I'm from The Bronx, I don't carry a gun, (besides it being illegal) why would you need it in the back country?
Posted: Oct 07, 2010 matt

I have both the guns and the right to have them with me and I can certainly see why ya would want them but some of you guys better cool ya jets about their use. Hope some of ya above have a little more self control. I have seen MANY guns taken away from the guy who took it out because he was a little to hot on the draw.
Posted: Oct 04, 2010 Scott

I have both the guns and the right to have them with me and I can certainly see why ya would want them but some of you guys better cool ya jets about their use. Hope some of ya above have a little more self control. I have seen MANY guns taken away from the guy who took it out because he was a little to hot on the draw.
Posted: Oct 04, 2010 Scott

Ask those in Yosemite who were attacked.....I don't care if it's man or beast who threatens you, a powerful handgun in the hands of one who is willing AND KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE AND USE IT SAFELY is the best deterrent out there. I will use it as a last resort against an animal because they are only acting on instinct, but a human knows what he's doing when he tries to be intimidating or threatening, and I will never hesitate to let a threat know I have one and am willing to use it to DEFEND MYSELF OR THOSE WITH ME.
As for the person above who claims to know martial arts, you should really know how to spell it before you claim to be knowledgable.
Bear spray....how are you going to get it out and use it before the person is on you? Go back in time and ask Lewis & Clark how they dealt with threatening or attacking bears.




Posted: Sep 29, 2010 Mike D.

(LeGuitre Sept 01, 2010) Stupid? Why Yes, You do sound Stupid to Me! I Carry a .45 Auto and Extra Mags. Why? Because You never know? I'm a Retired Combat Soldier. And all I want is to be Left Alone! You Don't Bother Me, I Won't Bother You! That applies to Humans and Animals too. It's a very, very, very Simple Policy. Even You should be able to understand. As for the Law, Yes, where are they? Will they be coming to save Me soon? No? Well gee that's too bad. I'm Not really trained for Law Enforcement. Just My Combat Training and Experience. I break things an kill people. I thought I'd Retired. But everytime I start to believe that, something reminds Me that I'm Not really Retired after all. It's almost sad what some people will try and pull on others these days. Defend Yourself and Protect Your Family! Don't be the Victim! As for waiting around to be to Report This? No. No Thanks. I just know that there will be a lot of stupid questions. Tens of Thousands in Legal Fees. And a Stern Lecture on how I did it All Wrong! Except I didn't do it wrong. I'm alive, their not. They started it. I didn't. So at most I'll just be responsible and drag them off the trail. Perferably into a depression or some brush. Someone will find them, eventually. Or Not! You really should not mess with strangers who are not messing with You! That's called being Civil, Decent, and showing Common Sense! :p :p
Posted: Sep 17, 2010 ZEEMADMAN

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