Backpacker shoots, kills grizzly in Denali

[fightingquaker13]

First he fired 9 rounds.....shoot until the attacker stops.   Sounds good me.

Second, we don't know how many rounds actually connected.

Third, whose stupid idea is it that you can carry a gun, but can't fire it?   What did they think someone was going to do....throw it?
  One would hope there's a self-defense clause in the rules somewhere.

Actually, its not a stupid idea. The point is that you can carry it. But if you fire it, the burden of proof is on you to justify why you did so. It balances the right to SD against the threat of poachers in a no hunting National Park. I think it makes sense as a compromise. Eg., "You can carry the gun, but if you shoot someting you're going to have to tell me why". I don't have a problem with that.
FQ13
PS Its no different than what we live with as CCW holders. You can carry the gun, but if you shoot someone, you're going to have some slain'in to do. Not a problem. Same is true with critters in NPs. The Rangers have every right to keep poachers out, but also a duty to let folks defend themselves. Ths seems ok to me.

[Fatman]

First he fired 9 rounds.....shoot until the attacker stops.   Sounds good me.

Second, we don't know how many rounds actually connected.

Third, whose stupid idea is it that you can carry a gun, but can't fire it?   What did they think someone was going to do....throw it?
  One would hope there's a self-defense clause in the rules somewhere.

I'm guessing they don't want the park used as a range, SD is probably OK. Kind of like our ordinance prohibiting discharge of a firearm within 450 ft of an occupied dwelling, but no one is prosecuted for it in cases of SD.

Google search on park rules underway...

[Fatman]

Hmm... NO provision for DLP under fed regulations? I thought applicable state laws regarding firearms were to be extended onto fed property within that state... Congress yank a fast one on us?

11. Can I carry a gun or firearm to protect myself from bears?
If you are entitled under applicable federal and State of Alaska laws to possess a firearm, recent changes in federal law make it legal to carry firearms in most outdoor areas of Denali National Park and Preserve.

However, hunting and the use or discharge of a firearm is still generally prohibited by federal law within the national park. Limited exceptions exist for qualified local rural residents engaged in subsistence hunting on lands added to the original Mount McKinley National Park in 1980 by ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act). Contrary to the belief of some, firearms are not needed for protection from bears, and studies have shown that pepper spray may actually be more effective in preventing a bear attack than firearms. Any shooting of an animal by non-subsistence users of the park must be immediately reported to park rangers who will conduct a thorough criminal investigation. The State of Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property (DLP) regulation does not apply within Denali National Park and there is no DLP regulation in federal law.

Yeah, you're supposed to wait and see if the bear 'suddenly stops a short distance from you in a bluff charge'.  WTF? Kinda like the retreat provision w/ a criminal attack?  A little late if either situation turns against you.

[GUNS-R-US]

Lot's of place allow the carrying of firearms but forbid the firing of them! Almost every city in America has a law like that on the books. Justified use of SD is usually good for an exemption in most cases!

[Paraguy]

A man and woman reported that they were hiking Friday evening when the bear emerged from trailside brush and charged the woman, park spokeswoman Kris Fister said in a statement.
 
I hope the people judging the situation will take the fact that the bear was charging into consideration.  Even an Anti and activist judge will have to see that pepper spray is NOT the answer when a bear is charging.  I hope the hikers did have a "less lethal" option like the recommended pepper spray and chose the .45 as the only way to preserve their health.

For their sake, thank goodness there is not a right to arm bears ;-)

[Sponsor]

[r_w]

Third, whose stupid idea is it that you can carry a gun, but can't fire it?   What did they think someone was going to do....throw it?
  One would hope there's a self-defense clause in the rules somewhere.

True most places, illegal to discharge a weapon.  Self-defense is determined on a case-by-case basis.  

[graywolf]

Park officials are determining the justification for the shooting. It's legal to carry firearms in that area of the park but illegal to discharge them.

That's why I always carry my SA 1911.  Can't hit the broadside of a grizzly bear with it, but damn I can throw it a country mile!

Does this mean you can't even fire it to signal someone for help?  I guess it's just meant to make you feel warm and fuzzy by carrying it.

[fightingquaker13]

Park officials are determining the justification for the shooting. It's legal to carry firearms in that area of the park but illegal to discharge them.

That's why I always carry my SA 1911.  Can't hit the broadside of a grizzly bear with it, but damn I can throw it a country mile!

Does this mean you can't even fire it to signal someone for help?  I guess it's just meant to make you feel warm and fuzzy by carrying it.

I think the idea is that you just have explain WHY you fired it. I remember a lecture from a Western Civ class in college. When a stranger came to the city gate in the Fertile Crescent back in the day, their sword would have a "peace bond" knotted around the hilt. It was easily breakable. The thing is though, you had to present your sword when you left the city. If the knot was broken you had to say why. If it was for a just cause you were ok. If not, not so much. I think that what we have here is about the same. We trust folks to carry weapons. We just don't trust them so much as to let them fire them without having a good reason for it. To me its non-ideal, but a compromise I can live with.
FQ13

[twyacht]

from rules:

Contrary to the belief of some, firearms are not needed for protection from bears, and studies have shown that pepper spray may actually be more effective in preventing a bear attack than firearms.

Written by a true liberal bureaucrat.

Fine, I'll take my G21, and this asshat take the pepper spray.

I understand the reasoning to allow carry, while "determining justification of discharging said firearm"... so yahoos don't make a range, poaching etc,....etc,...

After all, it is Alaska, ........better than New Jersey or Kalifornia any day.

I think, except for this rule crap that the shooter/hiker, will be exonerated. The question is:

Does he get the bearskin rug?

[Timothy]

Deptartment of Natural Resources is advising hikers and campers to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field.  They advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them.  They also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear.

Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poop.   Black bear poop is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur.

Grizzly bear poop has little bells in it and smells like pepper.





My bells have been augmented with high caliber propulsion!