CCW on The Apalachian Trail

W

WETSU

New member
Any thoughts on CCW on the Apalachian Trail? Assuming you hike through several states, some are friendly to concealed carry, others are not. This would be different than traveling by car, different than hunting. How many would take their chances and be judged by 12 tha carried by 6?

I understand you can meet a lot of nice folks on the trail, but it would give me the willies without a gun, sleeping off a well-used trail in the boonies.
 
I have looked into this, and the Applachian Trail Conference, which oversees the development of the trail, has told me no guns on the trail when I called, although they do support carrying weapons when hunting season is open :confused:.

I bought a SIG P232 specifically for backpacking, and even more specifically for backpacking along the Appalachian Trail.

I know what I'm going to do. We each must make our own calls on this kind of stuff.

Their website: http://www.atconf.org/

[This message has been edited by Joseph (edited February 04, 2000).]
 
Well, I try to be a law-abiding citizen, but in this case I think I'd rather take my chances with jurors than goblins. Inasmuch as "old, slow, weak, and small" is a reasonable description of my physical characteristics, the prospect of unarmed combat holds no appeal for me.

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"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein

[This message has been edited by mk86fcc (edited February 04, 2000).]
 
WETSU,

BGs are usually too lazy to venture very far off the beaten trail to cause someone trouble. That said, the A.T. passes through all types of areas. Regardless of the "chances" of running upon a 2 legged beast, which is more probable than meeting trouble w/4 legged critters, you have the God-given right to go armed, (albeit not the legal right). The risk is yours. BG vs. LEO. If you stay out of trouble, as I am assuming you will, and stay off of posted private property on the way, and don't camp in areas you're not sure if legal, chances seem slim that you w/be frisked and arrested.

I've been shot at while hiking and minding my own business in the least likely of places. Another time I've had BGs w/long guns looking for trouble at midnight far from main roads....stalking outside our camp perimeter. Had to let them know we were armed before they decided to leave us alone. I've come to the conclusion that some BGs do "whatever they want" w/out regard for life, or property, when they are in rural areas. Why? Because they know that they won't get caught. Seems as if some who are intent on doing someone harm has some alcohol or other drug in their system are liable to do anything. The only thing that these people seem to respond to is immediate equal consequences to their actions. I hate it when someone places the innocent in a possition in which they are in fear for their life. I also hate it when those who think they know better, legally deny the innocent the means to defend his life.

If you decide to go armed, one thing to keep in mind is that if you get into a situation where someone attacks you, you probably won't get much/any notice to prepare. Keep your side arm immediately accessable. In other words, it won't do much good in the bottom of your pack.

I like what Thomas Jefferson said. "Let your gun be the companion of your walks."

Have fun! I wish I had the opportunity to hike that trail.

robert

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"But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." -Jesus Christ (Luke 22:36, see John 3:15-18)
 
Forget about it in New York. I guess the best policy is "Don't ask, don't tell" (about firearms of course)


Geoff Ross
 
But Guys! If it's against the laws passed by our representatives then we shouldn't DO it! After all, it's just another "reasonable compromise, right?

Remember "the times we live in"....

Grrrr :mad:

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Either you believe in the Second Amendment or you don't.
Stick it to 'em! RKBA!
 
911 doesn't work well enough in urban areas. It is obviously nonexistent on the trail ... any trail.

Bought my first sidearm after spending a night in the woods, alone, listening to branches break all around me. Nothing happened, but I had lots of time to consider my options. There aren't many when you're in the middle of nowhere - if someone wants to hassle you, it's not going to be a good night.

I'm squarely in the 'don't ask, don't tell' camp. Keep a low profile, don't look suspicious, stay courteous, no one will likely be the wiser. And, if you need it to survive, then there is no question it is better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. IMHO.
 
Jeff Thomas said exactly what I was going to say about "Don't ask, Don't tell!"
I have hiked The Appalachian Trail several times, but I've only been able to do four states though. (GA, NC, TN, and VA)
I would advise you to carry if you can, and keep it where you can get to it in a hurry.
Chances are good that you won't run into any "Gun Cops", and they're also good that you'll run into some shady type who looks like they "don't belong", and several unarmed hikers HAVE been murdered on the trail. :mad:

Oh yeah, and from personal experience, I also came face to face with a bear at 3 am the last time I hiked it! :eek:
Luckily he was more scared of me than I was of him.
Good luck and Be prepared!

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We ARE the Militia!
 
Jeff - "911 doesn't work well enough in urban areas. It is obviously nonexistent on the trail ... any trail."

Sure it does and just as well as in "civilization". But you forgot to add the leading 1. ;)
 
I am an avid backbacker, and have hiked many miles of the AT in Virginia. The trail is easily accessable in some places to people who may intend to do you harm. I never hike unarmed, even if its only a j-frame .38 in the top of my pack. Forget about bears, its people and dogs you have to look out for. You meet lots of nice people hiking the AT, and you meet some spooky ones.
 
Do not go unarmed...I've run into some Scary people on the AT. Also, avoid going alone if possible.

Its a shame you have to worry about your safety in such a beautiful place.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Outlaw1:

Oh yeah, and from personal experience, I also came face to face with a bear at 3 am the last time I hiked it! :eek:
Luckily he was more scared of me than I was of him.
Good luck and Be prepared!

[/B][/quote]

I saw some advice on hiking around bears that I must share with you nice people . If you carry several bells it will warn the bears of your coming and they will run away . Also Pepper Spray is said to work well as a deterrant .
Also it helps to know what bears are in your area . Brown or Black bear droppings are small and lumpy . Grizzly bear droppings , however , are larger and usually contain numerous small bells . Also it is said to have a strong smell of pepper .
Hope this helps .
 
i always camp/backpack armed, for obvious reasons.i have in the past carried a "short" tho legal shotgun and a handgun.the only time you may have trouble on the AT is where the trail goes thru state parks,occasionally the trailhead uses a park entrance that has a ranger station (thats park ranger, not the army type...but whats the diff anyway ). make sure your weapon is concealed and your dog tethered as you move thru those areas.if you buy the little trail guides the ATC puts out, these areas will be easily passed.being the paraniod i am...i also camp away from the shelters that are provided.maintain a fire a bit away from the actual camp, and set up a perimeter of trip flares and flash bangs with concertina for channeling any assualt and mine the dead areas...oh wait ..that was in the Marines.i basically use the same precautions i used when in bear country in alaska, everywhere i camp.
you can "hunt" sections of the AT for whatever is in season.youll need to be licensed in the state youre in.
 
Oh yeah, about the bear. I crawled out of my sleepin' bag to answer natures call. ;)
This guy was only about 7 or 8 yards from my bag (I usually don't use a tent unless it's rainin'), and as I stumbled over to a tree still half asleep, he decided to let me know he was there by standin' up and makin' a loud bear noise. 'bout that time I made a loud human noise, and then I guess we each had an "understanding" of sorts. :)
He still wasn't near as scary as some of the people I've met on the trail though.

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We ARE the Militia!
 
I've backpacked, etc. before there was nylon.
I always carry - legal or not. & as said, it was never for the critters on 4 legs.

Be discrete but pack it "at the ready." A pistol in the bag next to your first aid kit is more than worthless.

There's a list of the "10 Essentials" for backpacking - I use 11.
 
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