There are many contributing factors to our problem. It’s an American problem. We love our guns. But we can’t keep having these mass shootings!
Briefly about me — I did not grow up with guns. Until the military, I never fired a gun. I served from 1980-1993. I did not buy my first gun until about 2006. I now own several, and when my wife and I camp remotely I feel much more secure having my gun with me.
I am now actively working to support the following:
● Universal background check for every gun sale or ownership transfer in America.
● Minimum age of 21.
● Limit magazine capacity to 10 rounds.
Here is how we like to roadtrip. This is how we roll. I will bring my gun with me.
I do not believe firearms are allowed in national parks unless specifically authorized. If you do not want to get eaten by a bear, do not leave food in your tent/campsite or car.
Just comparative purposes: curious what is allowed in the US compared to Canada. But I don’t want to hijack this thread, so won’t ask anything further.
I have been camping in Yosemite and encountered pumas (OK, it was a single puma) and I still say don’t bring any guns, even if allowed, which I doubt. You want to go camping, you take your chances, just use those bear-proof containers as instructed (i.e. not in your camp).
Gun-grabber Obama reversed the ban put in place by friend of guns Bush.
In his first month in office, Obama overturned a 20-year ban on loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges. Licensed gun owners from any state can now carry concealed, loaded weapons on federal land.
“Like the majority of Americans, I believe that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms,” he wrote. “And, in fact, my administration has not curtailed the rights of gun owners - it has expanded them.”
I might, I say might feel different if you were camping in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness or something. I have no experience in those areas, though, so I would listen to what the natives have to say. Still the general principle of not giving bears a reason to sniff around where you sleep is a sound one.
You’re not in grizzly country, so what dangers do you imagine you’re facing? Only someone marinated in U.S. gun culture would think it fits the description “responsible” to carry totally unnecessary weapons when out camping. The greatest risks you and your family face in the California backcountry are
(a) a road accident driving to the trailhead
(b) getting accidentally shot with your own weapon
The first picture was taken at the Pillars of Rome in southern Oregon. Some mischievous people, if they wanted to mess with us, they could have tried it. It’s a possible scenario.
ETA — the first three pictures were at the Pillars of Rome, Oregon.
