Originally Posted By TomD
Pika, I think you are right about the need for a state CCW, but the problem I see is how do you enforce the rule once people get the idea they can carry a weapon? Very few people in CA have such permits, but I am sure some people will either not be aware of that aspect of the rule, won't have a permit or have one from another state, which I don't think are valid in CA (could be wrong on that) or just ignore the rule as a "technicality" based on whatever the NRA tells them they can do.

Rules like these just encourage more firearms in the parks, which I think is a bad idea. I understand most people are law abiding, etc., but let's face it, this country is awash in firearms and gun violence is an everyday occurrence. Maybe you don't see it where you are, but in LA, people get shot every day, mostly for trivial reasons.

My other concern is that the NRA has promoted the idea that parks are dangerous and you need a gun on you at all times. That's how they got the law passed. This is nonsense, but it will encourage people who don't know any better to pull out a gun the first time they see a wild animal or hear a noise at night and start shooting at it because they think they are protecting themselves or their family.

I don't envision a shootout, but I do think we will see some dead or wounded bears and likely a kid or two get shot by someone who thinks they heard a bear.



i think perhaps you are falling victim to the very fear that you described- you're afraid people who have little experience with camping will hurt wildlife and/or ruin your camping experience.
these people lack experience backpacking, but they make claims about backpacking

you lack experience with firearms, yet you make claims about firearms- you are concerned that people will use them irresponsibly.

I am a firearms enthusiast. I go to the range for a couple of hours a month and shoot paper targets. My guns have never hurt anyone/anything, and I hope they never have to.

in an attempt to assuage your fears, I can assure you that the people that use firearms irresponsibly were probably already carrying in parks. idiots/criminals will be idiots/criminals no matter what the law says. the only thing this new law has done is empower law abiding citizens to protect themselves from those very bad (and hopefully, very rare) situations that might come up. responsible firearm owners know to not shoot unless they have positively identified their target AND what's behind their target.
you carry a first aid kit hoping to never use it. I carry a firearm hoping to never use it.

that being said, a shotgun full of slugs and birdshot is probably the last thing I'd carry while camping. i do not support hunting for pleasure, and since you are going backpacking, anything you do will be for pleasure. carry food. foraging from nature means that that part of nature wont be there for the future.

as far as self defense, a large caliber hand gun will be the most effective tool to protect you from the boogey man. considerably easier to conceal, lighter weight, etc.