For more than 20 years, people have been prohibited from openly carrying firearms in most of America’s national parks. Rangers argue that the rule cuts down on the potential hazards to wildlife as well as to visitors in the congested parks. But now, 47 senators have signed on to a letter to the Interior Department requesting an end to the ban on firearms. Initiated by Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, the letters other signatories include Montana’s two Democratic senators — Max Baucus, who is up for re-election, and Jon Tester — as well as the entire delegations of Wyoming and Idaho.
Technically, you can drive through a national park with a firearm, as long as it’s not loaded and not readily accessible in order to prevent poaching and accidental shootings. But now the senators want the law loosened to allow Winchester-toting, pistol-packin’ visitors to enjoy the national park, without feeling as if they were somehow engaging in an illegal act. The change in the regulations would most immediately benefit pro gun-rights constituents who live near Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton national parks, allowing them not only to bring in their weapons but display them as openly as they would outside the parks.
I have mixed feelings on this. I have spent much time in our National Parks, Yellowstone and the Tetons are two of my favorite camping destinations. There are special dangers, in particular bears and mountain lion, in these two parks, so I can see the practicality of this action. However, I am also in favor of firearms training for anyone wanting to possess or conceal carry firearms in public access areas.
#31,
you think a M16 on full auto would be easier? Seriously, with a charging bear at 20 feet I would want a shotgun loaded with slugs.
When using a pistol against a charging bear at 20 feet, you want to file all of the sharp edges off of the pistol, so it wont hurt so bad when the bear shoves it up your ass.
If you’ve got a bear charging you, you’ve done something wrong; bears are naturally fearful of humans, as we are kind of dangerous, so a charging bear is generally the result of some rube trying to pet a mother bear or something equally suicidal. That being said, I’d rather have a .22 in that situation than no gun at all.
Oh good… It’s gun day 🙂
I love the never ending debate between those who fear guns and those who have a fetish for them.
Scott, we had some idiot get killed and eaten by grizzlies up here a couple of years ago. You may have heard of it? The fool was one of those that thought all he had to do was “respect his four legged brothers”. Him and his old lady got the chomp. He also had plenty of time out in bear country, so he should have known better.
Li, you are dreaming. Bears have been known to hunt humans; black bear are the most likely to prey on humans, Polar bear are most likely to want to (but lack the chance), Grizzly have been known to (they are least likely to actually eat a human). Bears are afraid of humans because bear get hunted. Stop hunting bears, and they will stop fearing humans.
But, yes, idiot city people are most likely to get themselves into trouble, /because/ they think bear are harmless.
Mike Potter, you demonstrate a total lack of knowledge of fire arms. Full auto firearms are /hard/ to shoot accurately, and only a fool would use a .223 on a bear.
As for “20 feet”, you are an idiot:
And remember, bears accelerate faster than humans.
#36. Must be talking about Grizzly Man, that movie was a hoot. The guy was talking to Grizzlies in baby talk, freaking idiot. He left his tape recorder running during the attack, got it all on tape, chilling.
#31 Mike Potter: “The NRA is a bunch of nutters.”
Mike, you need to look beyond the headlines and research the history of the NRA. They are the largest gun control organization in the history of the UNITED STATES. The NRA has forged alliances with the likes of Chuck Schumer, Carolyn McCarthy, and Pat Leahy.
Your owners don’t want you to own a gun.
#20 – Enes,
You don’t need a gun to protect yourself, what you need is a hot pepper spray. I read somewhere that cayenne pepper spray stop the grizzly bear.
Yeah. If you’re really good with it and get them in the eyes. If they’re that close to you, you already made a serious mistake. Up in the Canadian arctic they call the stuff (comes in a canister the size of a small fire extinguisher) BPO for Bear Pisser Offer. The guides I’ve spoken to practice with it a lot. They’ve also never had to use it. Best to keep your distance.
#22 – McCullough
Scott, you live in the city right, and so your tourists forays make you an expert, how? Have you lost pets or livestock to predators, or been confronted in the wild?
Been confronted. Yes. See above.
#32 – GigG,
Is the AAA a bunch of nutters as well.
Yes. Actually, they are.
#36 – Phillep,
I don’t think bears are harmless. I think they’re highly dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. And, I agree with your assessment of the varieties of North American bears.
For those who get themselves in that situation, perhaps natural selection is the answer.
I met a bear researcher in Knight Inlet, BC who had half his face taken off by a griz. He had been researching them for 20 years. He admitted immediately that he panicked and ran. He said, ‘Do not hurt the bear. The bear was just being a bear. I screwed up.’ I have tremendous respect for someone that can say that and mean it after being attacked.
Grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan…not that much really dangerous wildlife around, some coyotes, badgers, very rarely a wolf or a lynx. Then worked in northern Saskatchewan…not a park, but a fly-in mine with nothing but trees, lakes, bears, and wolves around it. Lots of the latter two. Ten bears at a time outside the buildings, the occasional bear wandering through a trailer if someone was silly enough to leave the door open, wolf packs looking for food and entertainment…there was one attack that I am aware of, one only – because people wouldn’t quit feeding the wolves, and they started to follow workers, and a worker panicked. I’ve been within arms length of both wolves and bears while working up north, and personally, I don’t see why guns are needed – not that they aren’t dangerous, but I admittedly put myself in those situations. We are in their space, as someone pointed out, the little that is left to them. Educate people to be more cautious and more careful. I’d be curious to know how many people out there would look at this as an opportunity to shoot some game with impunity…’I was justified…it was going to attack me’…
I just saw this article. Based on this, I’d say killing more large mammals is probably not a good idea, or at least large non-human mammals. Humans may be endangered, but not from numbers too low.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7161644.stm
#9, Norman,
I live in the country. Unfortunately, I have been having foot problems for the past couple of years so long walks are out of the question now. Fortunately, I can bike a bit. When I was able to though, I often took long day trips. Just me and my camera. Yes I use my car a lot more now.
Around these parts there are some coyotes and a few wild dogs. They help keep the rabbits and mice populations under control. I’ve never heard of anyone ever being attacked though.
I have never been face to face with a bear or moose although I have been close. The bear moved off on its own; the moose stood its ground so I moved off. As amazed as I was, I still had the presence of mind NOT to pretend they were Yogi and Bullwinkle but real live large animals.
Oh, and that is MISTER Catshit to you, sir.
#36 – But, yes, idiot city people are most likely to get themselves into trouble, /because/ they think bear are harmless.
What is idiotic is thinking people from the city think bears are harmless. What’s also idiot is making an issue out of bear attacks.
• There have been 45 fatal bear attacks in North America since 1900, according to the University of Calgary in Canada. That’s less than one every two years. I’m not too worried about bears.
I’m not against guns in the wilderness. In fact, I’m for it. But if I were arguing for the issue, I wouldn’t use fear of bears as a strategy to win the debate.
We as humans are accustomed to being at the top of the food chain, and once you step into the back-country–or jump into the ocean–you enter that food chain, and not necessarily at the top.
I declare every Senator’s backyard a “National Park”
#45 – the answer,
ROFL!! And, since it’s paid for on the public dole, you’re correct. I love it! Front yard and living rooms too.
#46, Scott,
And in the bathrooms they could claim their “wide stance” is for a steadier aim when they shoot.
#45, answer,
Love it.
You A-holes keep debating and I’ll keep carrying, – just as always.
#48 – Upyours,
That’s probably just because you are a fearful little man. (Little in mind, even if you’re a large oaf.)
Ya gotta love our gun society. We’re afraid of iran, we’re afraid of terrorists, we’re afraid of H5N1, we’re afraid of divorce, we’re afraid of our neighbor, we’re afraid of Canadians, we’re afraid of Mexicans, we’re afraid of urban youth, we’re afraid of death, we’re afraid of life, we’re afraid of being alone, we’re afraid of being with others, we’re afraid of fear.
Our solution?, guns, naturally.
So are we.I bumped into a grizzly in our town centre,it smelt of Watneys Red Barrel,and looked very akin to one of a local gang of gyppos who camp near us.
We are not allowed to carry,or even in most cases own a firearm over here (u.k.)and apart from cars,heart attacks,and the EU (all bastards),sorry I hate politics,our biggest killer is inner city gangs,this posting may be tongue in cheek,but beleive me youre not the only ones suffering from dumb laws and crazy common sense.Happy new year to all of you!!!!
I find a brain is a much more effective weapon against animals in the wild than a gun. Having hiked in bear country in Alaska and the northwest, I have learned that is more important to be careful than be armed. If you can not be careful, stay in OK or whatever god fearin’ state you come from. A
An armed human is more dangerous than any wildlife.
I am a wyoming resident and have spent a lot of time in the regions mountains. There are a lot of people with anti gun and wildlife is harmless opinions who have no clue about the issues around wyoming. The Grizzly bear population has flurished while it has been protected to the point that they are almost overpopulated. Then they decided to introduce wolves back into the area. The wolves have reproduced like rabbits and spread through the region. due to the competition for food the Grizzleys are becoming incredibly brave. last year there were multiple bear attacks in the park area. I was one of the people attacked fortunately I was carying a gun. the bobcats and mountain lions have also become more of a problem. They have been killing dogs in peoples front yards. It’s only a matter of time before it’s someones child or even an adult.
#35 has his bears confused but he is partially right On verry rare ocations grizzly’s have been known to stalk and attack humans. for the most part if you keep your distance they will leave you alone but It is way to easy to unknowingly get too close. By the time I knew something was there the grizzly I encountered was alrerady on the war path. When I turned around and imidiatly fired from the hip the bear was only 15′ from me at a dead run. The next day when I took the game warden back with me to the area and he was chased out by 4 grizzlys. If he had been on foot as I was the day before he would have had to shoot one.
The danger of wildlife is one reason to alow guns in the park but not the best reason. vilent crime has increased in our national parks due to the fact criminals know law abiding citizens are not armed and have no way to defend themselves.
It is our right to bear arms as we see fit not how the government tels us we can. Banning guns to prevent poaching is not a justifiable reason poaching still takes place the same as it did before. poachers dont use main gates and roads they come in from the outer boundries where they will not be seen.
Fearing and banning guns is not the answer for any reason. Education and teaching right from wrong is the answer. If more people wetre carrying guns criminals would be afraid to try anything. If you take guns away from law abiding citizens you are making easy targets for criminals.
also remember the first move of a dictator is to disarm the citizens. Sometimes it is a slow process. First they ban certain types of guns. Then all guns in certain areas then the areas expand untill before you know it it is illegal to own a fire arm.