My buddy thru-hiked (solo) in '04. He said that he carried a handgun with him “just in case”, but never had to take it out of his pack.
I know most people do not carry guns on the trail, but I’m sure some do. What percentage of thru-hikers actually are packing firearms, in most people’s opinion. Just a curious question.
tacit
I don’t carry a gun, but I’m betting a surprising (or scary) percentage do. Just wondering what others thought.
tacit
I’m picking up a gun today and will carry it with me. However, I only need it because of all the dogs on the trail.
super scout
Must be a full moon,first it was dogs,now guns,what will they think of next? I’ll take two dogs,well done,hold the side arm. 
old&intheway
tacit-
In 05 I thru hiked the A.T with an M60. You know, the gun of Rambo.
I plan on bringing an RPG, two M4’s, three hand grenades, four chrome plated 357’s, six land mines, two sewing needles, one bad ass ninja sword and four pit bulls with me on my 2010 PCT walk.
Bubble Boy
No way that you need two M4’s or four 357’s. One of each is plenty. And why the heck do you need two needles? Also, I would suggest good old claymores and trip wires instead of the landmines. I agree on the pit bulls. You will need them to help you carry ammo.
YUK-YUK
Claymores are excellent for defending your perimeter from unruly mutts and gooks. I always set up a NDP with at least two claymores on either side of my tent or the shelter, facing toward the trail where they’re likely to approach, and sleep with my CAR-15 by my side with a few frag grenades if things really get hot.
Lurp
What the hell is going on here. You both sound stupid. Bob is just a forum thread, take it easy. Back to the real topic, Is it really that bad for people to carry weapons with them on the trail?
joe
I met a guy who carried a .38 Special and the thing weighed almost 5 pounds. Why carry that??
Lady Treehugger
Hey, sorry for bringing up such a taboo subject. I apologize for inciting such idiotic discourse… Seriously.
Should have had the foresight to see that this would evolve into a 2nd amendment circus.
tacit
Forget the weight. What good will a firearm be to you? If you are mugged on or off the trail, where’s the weapon? On your hip? I doubt it. In your pack? probably. It’s not available to help you? Attacked by a bear (a frequent occurance on the trail-right)? Barring carrying the largest caliber weapon, a 9mm, .38, .357, etc. will do nothing but irritate the animal (assuming you can get at the weapon before you’re mauled). What about state gun laws on carrying concealed weapons? Most police will cut a hiker plenty of slack, but weapons, particular illegally concealed weapons are a quick trip to several zero days now as well as months from now when your court date arrives. Weapons can be a good tool in some circumstances but I don’t see backpacking the AT as one of them.
Ankle Express
Thanks for the sensible answer Ankle Express. Those were the same questions I asked my friend when he told me he carried a gun on the trail.
He agreed that a weapon would be pretty much useless against bear attack, but that he was obviously more worried about other people.
He said that legally, he really only was concerned in state parks. I don’t know this to be true or not, but he said that if you are licensed conceal and carry that the law carries over in several states on the trail.
tacit
