[pct-l] first night out

[David Ellzey]

Gerry,

As long as you abide by the laws, you are certainly within your right to carry while hiking. I personally have never researched the requirements for carrying a firearm on the PCT but you should look into the following:

1. I believe there are many places do not allow concealed carry without a permit.
2. CCW permits have restrictions as to where they are applicable, assuming you have a permit you will need to accommodate those constraints.
3. I'm pretty sure permits are restricted by state, with some states honoring other state's permits.
4. The national parks do not allow open carry, only legal CCW.
5. I believe California state parks do not allow firearms under any conditions.
6. A lot of people on the trail, your fellow hikers and trail angels that make up the PCT community experience did not grow up around firearms. They will be very uncomfortable in your presence during times you are required to open carry.
7. There is a good chance that trail angels will not allow you into their home's knowing you have a firearm. The alternative is to deceive the gracious hosts that are extending their home to you.
8. Check the laws about hitch hiking while carrying a firearm. Certainly in areas where you might have to open carry it might make for some long hikes into town.

So whereas I support your right to legally carry a firearm, it does seem to be a royal pain in the @ss to actually do it within the constraints of the law. I mean, the amount of trail that passes through California states parks is alone a huge deal. Also, you really don't want to alienate or deceive people you meet on the PCT, you will miss out on a big part of the experience if you do.

My suggestion is to reconsider the handgun and be open to exploring the trail on its terms. I think you will find that you will never really be alone (even if you want to be) during hiking season, and aside from the smell your fellow hikers are a harmless lot. Whatever your decision, I wish you a great hike. I wish I was out there this year.

BigToe

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Gerry Zamora
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 6:03 PM
To: Devon Taig
Cc: Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] first night out

Canada rules.  Sorry no taser for me I like the smell of gun powder.  At the
end of the day does it matter as long as we are all safe.  Like I said I
wont be walking around flashing it besides myself and whomsoever im hiking
with no one will have a clue.  Better that way.
On Mar 17, 2011 3:33 PM, "Devon Taig" <devon.taig at gmail.com> wrote:
> If you really must be armed, how about using pepper spray or a taser
instead
> of a gun? The link below is for a small cell-phone sized taser.
>
> Check it out:
http://www.beststungun.com/firestorm-cell-phone-stun-gun.html
>
> Downside of a gun:
>
> 1. A gun is heavy
> 2. A gun is extremely dangerous / lethal
> 3. A gun may not be legal
> 4. A gun to be affective against a bear would need to be a very *BIG* gun
> and be well aimed. I'm not claiming that a taser will bring down a bear (I
> seriously doubt it would), but neither will a .22 (not in a worthwhile
> period of time anyway).
> 5. A gun can't be pulled out of your pocket like a taser and is therefore
> less available.
> 6. A gun makes other hikers feel uncomfortable.
> 7. In most situations (e.g. someone opens your tent in the middle of the
> night looking for food, or a drunk guy in camp is sexually harassing you)
a
> gun is really more fire-power than you want. Do you really want to point a
> gun at someone (or God forbid use it) in a situation like that?
Particularly
> at night where it is really hard to assess the situation accurately? Of
> course not. So better not to have it at all so that when you're scared (as
> a person would have good reason to be in the above situations) they don't
> overreact and kill someone. If you need to, sleep with your taser next to
> you. **With the safety on**
>
>
>
> <http://www.beststungun.com/firestorm-cell-phone-stun-gun.html>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
_______________________________________________
Pct-L mailing list
Pct-L at backcountry.net
To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

List Archives:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/