Rainier rangers: A sharp eye on the slopes

, a "gun totin' liberal".

Isn't that an oxymoron ???

I'm gonna get a ski pole with an ice-axe ( a Whippet )for one hand and another pole with a Glock automatic in the other handle ( The Glocket) for the other hand for ski touring next year.

Scotsman - sounds like the makings of the new 007 movie!

I didn't want to carry one but it was part of the job.  Though I learned as a kid to use a bow and arrow it is different getting used to carrying a firearm.  Only fired about a bears head to scare it off.
Personally, I wouldn't see a need in MRNP but the rangers deal with all types of folks.  They are the law enforcement in our national parks.

Scotsman - sounds like the makings of the new 007 movie!

I didn't want to carry one but it was part of the job.  Though I learned as a kid to use a bow and arrow it is different getting used to carrying a firearm.  Only fired about a bears head to scare it off.
Personally, I wouldn't see a need in MRNP but the rangers deal with all types of folks.  They are the law enforcement in our national parks.

Since we are having this discussion I admit to seeing the need to have armed rangers in our parks BUT I can't for the life of me see any justification for allowing visitors the same rights despite BillK's grizzly argument( which I respect but disagree with).
If you want to take the grizzly argument further then look at the unfortunate accident that happened locally last year when a hunter  shot a woman he mistook for a bear in the mist.

Now if you multiply that by allowing visitors to have guns in the National Parks how many more times is that going to happen? A scared tourist, rustling in the bushes and a bushwacking skier returning from a ski tour has a bullet in them.
Also the ability to have guns for self protection against bears will embolden people to venture into bear terrain when previously the fear of encounter would have deterred them. It's supposed to be a wilderness where natural creatures have dominance.
Also couple that with drunken tourists with guns arguing about camp site behavior or loud music etc and  there are bound to be incidents.

I find it hard to believe that this law passed without much comment or objection.

I've got  news for you: people are already carrying guns in the parks.  Not really worth arguing about...

Wasn't that a Little Feat tune: "I've Got a Glocket in My Pocket"?

BTW, I'M an oxymoron, emphasis on the -moron Aren't you glad I'm armed?

I've got to agree with Scotsman's sentiments. As for stopping bears, aside from the 12 gauge w/ slugs & double OO buckshot, relying on a pistol is only slightly better than spitting at it - 45 or not. I guarantee you when a bear charges you aren't going to put a handgun round anywhere near to stopping it - particularly a Rocky MT or Alaska Griz. Your adrenaline will be firing so hard you'll be hard pressed to get the safety off. A guide friend of mine in Alaska has had better luck using an air horn - you know, the kind you buy at Boaters World with the air canister - he just gives the curious or pushy river grizzlies a good blast and off they run. More recent research is showing that pepper spray is the best real deterrent - probably good for bushwhacking b.c. skiers as well.
Gerry H

I've got  news for you: people are already carrying guns in the parks.  Not really worth arguing about...

Wasn't that a Little Feat tune:  "I've Got a Glocket in My Pocket"?

BTW, I'M an oxymoron, emphasis on the -moron   Aren't you glad I'm armed?

Well you do have a good sense of humor so I'll tour with ya anytime as long as you keep smiling. Need to find that song, thanks for the tip.