Carry in the Smokey Mountain National Park?

[roscott]

Hey, I'm taking a backpacking trip in the appalachians this summer, and I definitely want to take a handgun. I took the same trip last year, and had several very exciting encounters with both bear and boar. (Somewhat more exciting than I prefer.)

Anyway, with the big commotion being made over national parks lately, I was wondering what the current status is... are carry permits valid in national parks?

 

[Dogman]

Hey, I'm taking a backpacking trip in the appalachians this summer, and I definitely want to take a handgun. I took the same trip last year, and had several very exciting encounters with both bear and boar. (Somewhat more exciting than I prefer.)

Anyway, with the big commotion being made over national parks lately, I was wondering what the current status is... are carry permits valid in national parks?

I don't think you can carry legally in national parks until Feb. of next year.
If you want some interesting reading, go online and put in "smokey mountains missing persons". I use to have a book about some of the missing persons cases. Makes you wonder.

 

[mrjarrell]

It is currently illegal to carry in any National Park, like dogman said. That should change after the first of the year, tho. That said, what rangers don't know won't hurt them.

 

[Soundslikejosh]

It is currently illegal to carry in any National Park, like dogman said. That should change after the first of the year, tho. That said, what rangers don't know won't hurt them.

.... and might keep you from getting eaten or victimized.

 

[CapBuster49]

With the black bears in the area make sure when it is legal to bring something that packs a punch! 50 Cal Desert Eagle..jk they are probably more affraid of you..

 

[kyle1058]

Lol @ Dogman's response... basically saying, well it isnt legal right now, so go and get eaten... Reminds me of american government...

 

[Thundorr]

i've hiked this section of the appalachian trail a couple of years ago. i also had a couple of close encounters with black bears. they were not threatning but having a weapon would sure have made me more comfortable.

 

[Dogman]

It is currently illegal to carry in any National Park, like dogman said. That should change after the first of the year, tho. That said, what rangers don't know won't hurt them.

kyle1058, how is my answer like the government?
I'm not telling him to carry or not to carry, that's his choice. But ask yourself if it's so safe in the parks why do the rangers carry guns? Why not just some pepper spray like they tell people to do.

 

[kyle1058]

kyle1058, how is my answer like the government?
I'm not telling him to carry or not to carry, that's his choice. But ask yourself if it's so safe in the parks why do the rangers carry guns? Why not just some pepper spray like they tell people to do.

Well i wasn't trying to take your post out of context, simply saying my beliefs as how the american government like's to take away our rights by saying we are safer by having less guns and less firepower to defend ourselves. Nothing personal and I didn't mean to offend you by even attempting to take anything you said out of context. I apologize if i did just that.

 

[Denny347]

Unless your an LEO.

 

[Dogman]

Well i wasn't trying to take your post out of context, simply saying my beliefs as how the american government like's to take away our rights by saying we are safer by having less guns and less firepower to defend ourselves. Nothing personal and I didn't mean to offend you by even attempting to take anything you said out of context. I apologize if i did just that.

Not offended at all, I just didn't understand what you were saying.

 

[Dogman]

Unless your an LEO.

I don't think even LEO can carry under LEOSA in the parks right now since it's federal property. I might be wrong and even hope so since we plan on driving out to Washington later this year and will be driving through the northern cascades mountain range.

 

[Denny347]

I don't think even LEO can carry under LEOSA in the parks right now since it's federal property. I might be wrong and even hope so since we plan on driving out to Washington later this year and will be driving through the northern cascades mountain range.

Federal Parks Police as well as the Federal Park Rangers have no problem with me carrying to Liberty Island/Ellis Island. Its a Federal Park with airport screening (metal detectors, x-ray, and explosive sniffers). They were more than happy to have me there armed, I was able to bypass security. I don't see why any "less secure" federal park would be different. I heard DC is quite friendly with visiting LEO's in their federal parks as well.

 

[Dogman]

Federal Parks Police as well as the Federal Park Rangers have no problem with me carrying to Liberty Island/Ellis Island. Its a Federal Park with airport screening (metal detectors, x-ray, and explosive sniffers). They were more than happy to have me there armed, I was able to bypass security. I don't see why any "less secure" federal park would be different. I heard DC is quite friendly with visiting LEO's in their federal parks as well.

Sounds good to me.

 

[roscott]

Blast! Well, I suppose I'll just have to man up and use a club.

If my posts suddenly stop here in a few weeks, you guys will know what became of me.

 

[Mikeh82]

I go to the Smokeys 2 times a year. I always CC and never have a problem. To be honest the bears are not as bad as what people make them out to be. I mean the Smokeys get Millions of people every year and there is rarely an attack. Everytime I encounter a bear im not reaching for the pistol, im always reaching for the camera.
Disclaimer... Im not in no way saying it is legal to carry in the National Park. Im just saying, I do it with no problems.

 

[Agent 007]

.

 

[mistergreentree]

My family and I visited the smokies a few years back and it just happened to be after a fatal bear attack...needless to say we didn't walk those trails without protection. I feel if I'm legal within the state then I should be legal while camping in a park in that state.