Guns Laws across state lines and into a NP?

[Jim_H]

So if I went to Glacier, is it legal to borrow a friends gun to have with me? I believe in AZ I don't need a permit or any kind of registration, so he can give me a gun and I can drive around with it and carry it free of fear of legal trouble. What about if I cross state lines and go through Utah, Idaho, and Montana, what then? In the Park, I can carry in the back country with out issues, right, it goes by your home states laws, so I wouldn't need a permit in the park, right?

[PaleoRob]

No, it goes by the state you are in. Make sure that it is legal for you to carry a firearm openly without a permit in Montana (I believe it is). Also make sure that you know the laws for transport in Utah and Idaho pertaining to your vehicle. Some states have different laws. You can certainly borrow a friend's gun here legally - but make sure that the other states don't require registration.

[Al_HikesAZ]

We are not attorneys and we do not want to visit you in jail.
Alan Korwin and Bloomfield Press have several books on Gun Laws. Check it out - don't listen to our yammering.
http://www.gunlaws.com/travel.htm
The Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States
by J. Scott Kappas, Esq."

Read it before a trip, pack it, or leave one in your vehicle, so you know what to expect as you approach each state line. Clear writing gives you the basics for every state in one handy guide. Plus, each state is rated for its relative freedom, based on its gun laws, from zero to 100. See where your state ranks.

Good general advice is to keep weapon and ammo secured and separated and out of your control. Except when needed

[big_load]

Don't forget the bear spray.

[joebartels]

@Al_HikesAZ while you are my favorite member (of course) and I'm not sure I'd trust forum answers for serious questions...
It would be kind of scary to buy a book that could easily be outdated many times over
- Notice how their disclaimer is lengthy and prominently displayed

Of course I know absolutely nothing about it so maybe it is a wise choice?

[Jim_H]

I've been looking at some other websites, like, http://OpenCarry.org From what I have read, I should have no issues if I carry a gun over spray.

[nonot]

From what I have read, I should have no issues if I carry a gun over spray.

Sure, if you run into a disgruntled hippy. Unfortunately for you, a Glacier NP bear will laugh at your small caliber firearm over dinner (you are of course the main dish!)

[Al_HikesAZ]

Don't forget the bear spray.

Bear spray just makes them angry. I was told to apply Buffalo Wing sauce to my body - that way they will eat me quicker and I shouldn't suffer as much.

[big_load]

Then don't forget to put a dab behind each ear.

[Jim_H]

From what I have read, I should have no issues if I carry a gun over spray.

Sure, if you run into a disgruntled hippy. Unfortunately for you, a Glacier NP bear will laugh at your small caliber firearm over dinner (you are of course the main dish!)

Is a .45 small? Golly gee, I thought that was a good size.

Funny how people only think of Ursa, since Alces is the more dangerous animal in the park, according to the NPS.

[big_load]

Alces is the more dangerous animal in the park, according to the NPS.

That wouldn't surprise me, from a statistical point of view.

[azbackpackr]

Grizzly bears can kill you after you have killed them because their hearts beat so slowly and pump so much blood that even several minutes after they are mortally wounded they are still up and about, and killing you, because they still have perfusion to the brain.

From what I hear it takes at least five slugs from a shotgun to kill a grizz.

I had always thought you are not allowed to carry guns at all in NPs, but maybe they changed that law in the past couple years?

[big_load]

I had always thought you are not allowed to carry guns at all in NPs, but maybe they changed that law in the past couple years?

The change recently took effect.

[Al_HikesAZ]

Is a .45 small? Golly gee, I thought that was a good size.

Bears have thick skulls and dense bones. Even a .45 bullet can bounce off the skull or deflect off a bone and miss the vital organs. A few well-placed shots should do the trick. Don't just shoot for the center of mass. I know this is easier said than done when the adrenaline starts pumping. Spend some practice time on the range if you are rusty. Penetrate through the shoulder to the heart. Know exactly where the heart is located on a bear. But Lizbeth is correct - a bear can keep motoring even after you have hit the motor. Some of the charges can be bluffs - the trick is knowing which are bluffs and which are real. For "one shot - one kill" I would want an AA12 with HE-FA shells.

Funny how people only think of Ursa, since Alces is the more dangerous animal in the park, according to the NPS.

I have heard this, but I tend to think they are including vehicle accidents. I agree a Moose approaching or during the Rut is unpredictable and Dangerous. Red Velvet is not your friend. But early in the season, from my limited experience they are fairly docile. Don't surprise them, don't mask your scent, don't dab Cow Urine behind your ears.

[Jim_H]

The Rut is ON!


Though mostly, I am considering the gun for personal protection due to my expected proximity to the border. You know, those illegal Canadian Coyotes can be a real rough bunch.

[Al_HikesAZ]

You know, those illegal Canadian Coyotes can be a real rough bunch.

The trick is to wear flannel clothing and recite the Molson "Rant". They will hug you and do that "passive-aggressive" apologizing thing that they do with Americans. Please don't shoot them. Just smile and ask them which Province of Canuckistan they are from. Works almost every time. :A1:

[Jim_H]

Flannel, you say.

[Al_HikesAZ]

Flannel, you say.

OOPS Sorry I think I was supposed to say "Flannel / Flanelle" to keep the Quebecoise happy. That's one of the problems with having a couple of official languages.

[Thoreau]

From what I have read, I should have no issues if I carry a gun over spray.

Sure, if you run into a disgruntled hippy. Unfortunately for you, a Glacier NP bear will laugh at your small caliber firearm over dinner (you are of course the main dish!)

Is a .45 small? Golly gee, I thought that was a good size.

Funny how people only think of Ursa, since Alces is the more dangerous animal in the park, according to the NPS.

.45 might be suitable for the smaller bears here in AZ, but it is very much underpowered for what you'll find in Glacier =) Since I'm not to keen on the bigger calibers myself, I'd just go right to a 500 S&W and be sure. Of course, a 45 is still better than a stick and angry words... That said, I only carry a .40 since that's just what I have. The abovementioned 500 S&W would certainly be an item I'd look into before hiking grizz-land, or perhaps a pistol-gripped Mossberg 500 with slugs (MUCH cheaper option.)

[azbackpackr]

Then again, you could always just stay home.