how many carry a handgun (RE: safety concerns) while hiking on the AT
just wondering
with a valid concealed weapons license of course
Please folks, let this thread die without comment.Originally Posted by opfldc
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln
Ill just point out the obvious.
You dont need a concealed license, if you dont conceal it
You might want to conceal around town
No reason to in the woods.
If its concealed, its of little use to you, unless its small enough to put in pocket.
Last edited by MuddyWaters; 08-30-2013 at 03:54.
Just make up a number.
214 people carried concealed on the appalachian trail last year
The only place I don't carry a handgun is on the AT. Sure there's been some crazies on the AT, but proportionally there's really nothing to worry about. Keep your wits about you near towns especially in southern va, and hike on.
There is no good way of getting a good estimate because most all responsible gun owners do not want anyone to know what they have. They are like people with herpes-- you might see some indication but they sure as hell are not going to advertise the fact.
Only rarely do you see guys carrying in the open-- just 2 or 3 Trail states allow unregulated open carry (VA & NC?) and at least one prohibits open carry even if you do have a carry permit. In the northeast I suspect more people carry than most realize, but you almost never see someone carrying a handgun on their hip. For the most part, a carry permit allows one to carry concealed and gun owners know the mechanics of carrying discreetly while mainlining access to their guns.
One thing is certain, of the 5 thru hikers (yes, thru hikers) and 1 long-distance section hiker that were murdered on the AT, none had a hand gun to protect him or herself. Would a gun have even helped them? Who knows..
In general, I think that very few thru hikers carry a handgun. If you aren't a former LEO who is up to date with requirements, it is virtually impossible to be legal in all 14 states. So you question would really apply to weekenders and such.
Its a good question, though.
Last edited by rickb; 08-30-2013 at 06:54.
My girlfriend gives me too many compliments.
It's actually 215. I forgot to tell anyone....
RIAP
Did not see the straight-forward category. Apologies to the mods.
No idea - no way to know - don't care either way.
Last edited by Old Hiker; 08-30-2013 at 07:43.
Old Hiker
AT Hike 2012 - 497 Miles of 2184
AT Thru Hiker - 29 FEB - 03 OCT 2016 2189.1 miles
Just because my teeth are showing, does NOT mean I'm smiling.
Hányszor lennél inkább máshol?
I like turtles.
Some states allow open carry but if you do that in MD, NY, NJ you'll have your hike cut short.
Most of the AT states will allow you to carry with a non-resident permit. Utah issues a non-resident permit that is good (has reciprocity) with all the southern AT states and PA.
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
I'll be the a$$hole and point out that this is the Straight Forward forum and there is only one topic here from the OP's question, and that is whether one carries concealed or not.
Smart concealed carry is like fight club, we dont talk about fight club.
igne et ferrum est potentas
"In the beginning, all America was Virginia." -William Byrd
You serious? I hope not, I'll just chalk this up as being naive
I, myself, want you to guess if I'm carrying.
guess.jpg
I'm not really a hiker, I just play one on White Blaze.
As a LEO, I myself do not carry while hiking, and don't carry probably 95% of the time when off duty. Each state has its own laws and rules on carrying and use off deadly physical force and justification, as everyone saw in the Zimmermann trial recently. If you don't know these laws and aren't familiar with each jurisdictions regulations then I would recommend leaving your firearm at home. Last I checked there aren't roaming bands of criminals robbing thru hikers of there dirty sweaty underwear and socks and stealing our gourmet taken noodle dinners.
Come on guys. This is an obvious attempt to start a fight on Whiteblaze. The OP is not serious. Putting on ignore. Don't care if my post gets deleted. Don't feed the jollies of this troll post. Putting thread on ignore.
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln
VT is an open carry state too. And you can carry concealed in VT without a permit. Cross the border into MA, and your in a world of hurt
If you make it all the way to NY, not only do you probably not have the right permit, but your gun could be illegal to carry too. In MA there are a number of firearms illegal for a store to sell, but not illegal to own, like a target shooting 22lr pistol. In NY, most those guns are illegal to carry, transport, own, etc.
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Here, here...........
2,000 miler. Still keepin' on keepin' on.
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