Firearms In National Parks...by Way Of Credit Cards?

[tgard27]

The idea of allowing people to carry concealed weapons inside of national parks causes me some concern. Its not that I mind responsible gun ownership and I realize that those who are experienced with guns can handle them in a safe manner. What worries me is when you allow someone who just bought a gun from cabelas to carry this gun through the park for self defense. I think that there should be a level of experience that one must obtain befroe they are allowed to carry an armed weapon inside of a national park or anywhere for that matter. Bear spray seems to be a great alternative and I am in favor of anything that takes an armed gun out of the hand of an inexperiencedd person.

I can talk a little about the use of guns for protection as I was robbed at gunpoint here at longview lake while fishing a few years back. Let me tell you, if I had a gun on me someone was going to the hospital, but I don't know if it would've been me or one of the three people who robbed me. I graduated with a Criminal Justice degree and the statistics show very few reported incidents where a gun was successfully used as a means of self defense. More often than not the gun the person was trying to use as a means of self defense was turned around and used on them. I think that a little foresight on my part would have been helpful, I should have meet my friend at his house instead of waiting for him by the lake. But I wasn't shot, I got my car back the next day with nothing missing and the KCPD arrested the individuals responsible for the robbery within a week. But if i pulled a gun out on those guys I think that I would've either been shot dead or killed a person; and I know that I couldn't live with either. I think a good poll question would be; Have you ever been in a situation while fishing where you felt that a gun would have made feel more secure?

Travis

[RSBreth]

It's not legal to "just carry a gun" concealed. You have to pass a CCW course.

You said "Its not that I mind responsible gun ownership" then say "I am in favor of anything that takes an armed gun out of the hand of an inexperienced person". These two statements are totally opposite of each other.

I will never understand the mindset that's more concerned with what may go wrong when good folks are trying to protect themselves but doesn't seem very focused on the people who do have evil intent as their main program.

Sorry I'm grumpy, I didn't get to fish today. To answer your last question. Yes. And not to feel secure, but keep me from getting rabies. Or my leg ripped off.

[jjtroutbum]

Tgard27

I wonder how much interaction you have actually had in the use of the simple tool known as the gun. As in actual shooting experience. Only reason I ask is that most every person I know that has taken the time to learn a few simple safety rules and has become proficient in the use of a handgun, rifle, or shotgun. No longer fears a simple tool. That is exactly the same as any other that it will not just jump in the hand and act on its own.

It is unfortunate that you were a victim of a criminal assault and it is not even close to being ok or acceptable that these things happen. It is an unfortunate fact that there will always be predators as long as there is prey. But I feel fairly confident the criminals/tyrants do not prefer unsafe working environments such a places would be detrimental to their retirement plan. There for its my conclusion that their the biggest supporters of gun control.

Video link

The following quotation is sometimes attributed to Thomas Jefferson:

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed one."

This is not something Jefferson wrote, but rather comes from a passage he included in his "Legal Commonplace Book." The passage is from Cesare Beccaria's Essay on Crimes and Punishments.

[ozark trout fisher]

The idea of allowing people to carry concealed weapons inside of national parks causes me some concern. Its not that I mind responsible gun ownership and I realize that those who are experienced with guns can handle them in a safe manner. What worries me is when you allow someone who just bought a gun from cabelas to carry this gun through the park for self defense. I think that there should be a level of experience that one must obtain befroe they are allowed to carry an armed weapon inside of a national park or anywhere for that matter. Bear spray seems to be a great alternative and I am in favor of anything that takes an armed gun out of the hand of an inexperiencedd person.

I can talk a little about the use of guns for protection as I was robbed at gunpoint here at longview lake while fishing a few years back. Let me tell you, if I had a gun on me someone was going to the hospital, but I don't know if it would've been me or one of the three people who robbed me. I graduated with a Criminal Justice degree and the statistics show very few reported incidents where a gun was successfully used as a means of self defense. More often than not the gun the person was trying to use as a means of self defense was turned around and used on them. I think that a little foresight on my part would have been helpful, I should have meet my friend at his house instead of waiting for him by the lake. But I wasn't shot, I got my car back the next day with nothing missing and the KCPD arrested the individuals responsible for the robbery within a week. But if i pulled a gun out on those guys I think that I would've either been shot dead or killed a person; and I know that I couldn't live with either. I think a good poll question would be; Have you ever been in a situation while fishing where you felt that a gun would have made feel more secure?

Travis

I'm sorry to say this, but this sounds mighty anti-second ammendment.

Lawful citizens with guns are good.

Unlawful citizens with guns are bad.

You will have the latter no matter what laws you make.

Still, I'm very sorry about your incident at Longview Lake. People like that make me absolutely sick to my stomach.

[taxidermist]

am in favor of being allowed to have a weapon in a national park, but let's be realistic - the chances of needing one to fend off a bear is is highly unlikely, except possibly in Alaska. Most of us who backpack and canoe in wilderness areas consider ourselves lucky if we ever SEE a bear.

I have ran into several while riding horses on the Buffalo River, I would never go into the back country in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Great Smokey Mountain, Olympic, Mt Rainer, Nez Pierce or Northern Cascades. Big Bear or manyo f the wilderness areas, try the Bob Marshal, Selway/Bitter Root. Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

This is not a complete list by anymeans and these all have bear populations. Some have Grizzly bears and Mt Lions too.

I feel personally that its fine, I would like to see more training onhandling for people.

Someone posted that many people had their firearms taken away and used on them in one report. Thats because those people lacked the training.

[osuangler]

It was very interesting to see everyones comments and opinions on this issue. I am an avid supporter of the 2nd amendment and am very wary of gun control laws. I constantly carry a firearm with me for personal protection for no other reason than self defense from others who think that harming people is a sport. I know that sounds really negative towards society today but it is not unwarranted. I choose not to be in a situation where I cannot protect my family and for that reason I have to support this measure. As some of you have mentioned though, it opens the door for those who do not have self control or have ill intent to also carry firearms. Well, in the words of Captain Call " It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." Thank you all for your comments and I hope to have many more discussions in the future.

[tippett7]

Here is a great question? Do some research on this before answering.

What happens to crime rates when citizens are not allowed to protect themselves by having guns. If you like seeing deadly brutal crimes everyday you should be for gun control. If you like living in a safe country then you should own a gun.

[osuangler]

Here is a great question? Do some research on this before answering.

What happens to crime rates when citizens are not allowed to protect themselves by having guns. If you like seeing deadly brutal crimes everyday you should be for gun control. If you like living in a safe country then you should own a gun.

Was this question for me, or just in general?

[tippett7]

Just in general.