[pct-l] To carry or not to carry

[Douglas Tow]

Good afternoon!

Bullets vs. bears:  Bears only want your food, and properly managed, they
won't get it.  Poorly managed, a bear will try for it, but is no danger
unless the food is in your tent.  It is immoral and illegal to shoot a bear
just for stealing your food, and if you keep food in your tent, you don't
belong on the trail, with or without a gun.

Bullets vs. people:  The PCT is one of the safest places in the country to
be in terms of potential violence.  If you carry a gun in public places,
and you are still worried about violence on the trail, nothing but legal
restrictions (national parks and the like) will probably deter you, in the
beginning, but

Bullets vs. trail reality:  By the time you are 40 miles up the trail, you
will be looking at any way to reduce weight, down to tearing labels off of
teabags.  The gun and ammunition will probably be in the first box back
home.

Can we go yet?

Doug