Re: National Parks
I was under the impression that the state laws supersede the National Parks regulations, at least in CA. That basically means you can't carry in open, must be locked, unloaded, in the trunk for transport, etc. I don't think you can legally shoot in any of the National parks, but that doesn't mean you can't be transporting it through the park. National Forest and National Seashores are different though, and the rules can vary from place to place. Best way to be sure is to call ahead and ask the rangers because the rules change often. Sometimes they say no firearms allowed, sometimes they just want to know if you're hunting, and other times they just dont' care either way. I would never risk carrying in a foreign country though, just too many legal hassles to deal with.
I'm glad this topic came up, because I've always wanted to ask the same thing, but didn't want to start a debate. I never used to carry anything with me, but I've recently started to carry a firearm, and usually only if I'm going to a remote area with just a couple of us. I don't know if it's because I felt invincible when I was younger, or more paranoid as I get older, but I don't feel as safe as I used to when I go camping. I would usually keep it locked in the car or in the tent with me at night, and I'm the only one that knows I have it. For large groups I feel safe enough without it.
And for those people from other countries, it's not the wild animals that that I am worried about. It's some of the people that are out there that make me nervous. I can deal with bears and mountain lions and whatever else lives out there as long as I keep my distance. But sometimes you just can't avoid the criminal element, even in the backcountry.
