What's the best, LEGAL weapon to take to a national park with me?

Question

Although i think i know some good answers, it's beter to get a few informed opinions on questions like this. I need a weapon that can defend me against bears, cougers, coyotees, wolves, and the most fearsome and dangerous predetor of all, humans. it needs to be legal to carry into a national park, under 5 pounds, easy to use, and have a range of at least 25 feet. are airguns, black powder guns and crossbows considered "firearms"? of course any national park legal weapon i can think of wont be the ideal for bears and such, it just needs to be a beter defense then a knife.

Answer 1

I believe it is August that the new rule  l will go into effect

The DNR has agreed to change it's rulings on carrying in national Parks "after a period of public discussion" which was supposed to end in  Jun

The public discussion was overwhelmingly in support of the new ruling so they extended the period til August 8th to give the antis time to gear up discussion against it

So far that is also not going the way they wanted

Until then a big can  of bear pray is the best you get

I did not forget the S

Answer 2

Well the list of weapons that you reeled off are currently not authorized to possess in our National Parks. I'm not sure air guns are restricted but the others are. There is current a bill before congress that if it passes would allow individuals who have concealed carry permits to carry in National Parks. We are hoping it passes and that will solve your problem.

However, until that time you best bet in pepper spray specifically designed for bears. If it will repel a bear you can bet a human won't be able to deal with the stuff. Here are a couple of the thousand manufactures that make a bear repellent and it looks like they are affective up to 20 feet. If they pass the new law apply for a carry permit.

http://www.udap.com/product.htm

http://www.tbotech.com/bearspray.htm

Answer 3

a machette and a paint ball gun, that should scare the animals away without injuring them. The machette is the last line of defense for in case.

Answer 4

At least for now it is unlawful to carry firearms in National Parks.  Consider a Taser.  It probably won't work on a bear but you'd be hard pressed to explain why you shot or Tasered one of their park bears.  Wrong or right, wildlife is protected in National Parks.  I'd just worry about the two-legged predators.

H

Answer 5

What you can do is get yourself a taser.  There are two different kinds.  A normal taser which you need to be within arms reach for use and an air taser which is shot like a gun and goes about 15 feet.  They are better then a knife because they will only stun an animal or person and wont kill them.

Answer 6

Bear spray.  At least one can for everyone in the party.  A big knife and or stick are good backup.

Answer 7

500 s&w

Answer 8

I hope you are confusing National Parks with National Forest/ BLM Lands. No firearms are allowed in National Parks and probably all State Parks. However, with specific exceptions, guns are allowed under ordinary regs in the National Forests and BLM Lands. All projectile weapons are considered guns in the Parks. I won't go to a park where there are brown bears, simply because it would either be unsafe or illegal, depending on whether I was adequately armed or not. Write your congressman. Regards, Larry. Addendum: a friend tells me that it's ok to have a gun in the parks but not to shoot it. Wow.

Answer 9

a 35 remington lever action carbine marlin model 336c using 220 grain buffalo bore jacketed flat nose ammo it'll kill anything in north america granted you hit it in the vitals or head and at reasonable distance this gun is light not an explosive kicker but it has the word self defense gun written all over it a couple other items you should carry is pepper spray to sting it away and a blank gun to scare it away so you dont have to wound or kill the animal which is better for people who arent hunters but i could care less because its you are the half ton grizzly in charging you well anyhow good luck hope you enjoy your trip

Answer 10

Take a strong walking stick. If you use a wooden staff, put a sharp spike in the end of it. If you use the modern metal ones (like ski poles), they already have a strong carbide tip and in a pinch, those can be used to defend yourself.

Answer 11

A rubber band.