Man gets escorted off of NF trail for open carrying rifle and pistol. UPDATE!!

[timberghost72]

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2014-08-03.0115965344

This was on Mt. Pilchuck trail which is NF and State
land towards the top. He wasnt threatening anyone but trail was closed and he was escorted off.

Thoughts? I know its a popular trail but he didnt break 
Any laws. Also lots of hunting area to be accessed from the trail away from people on the backside of the mountain. 

[Bmcox86]

What are they going to do to hunters accessing land from a trail now? This was stupid. If he wasn't doing something wrong I hope he goes up their every day for a hike now.

[CAMPMEAT]

Typical reaction to something people have not a clue about. Very irritating to gun owners.

[bearpaw]

I hope the person who was illegally escorted off the trail files a lawsuit against whatever agency violated his rights. 

[jackelope]

Trail was closed because the guy had a gun?

[bobcat]

The trail was closed, so how can you say he wasn't breaking any laws? Maybe that's why he was escorted off?

[timberghost72]

It will be interesting to find out as to why. So far I have not heard anything to suggest he was up there for bad intentions. Just out walking his rifle  I am up that mountain at least twice a year and always have a side arm on (not that I feel threatened there. It is a very high use trail) and have never had an issue with it and have seen others with sidearms. I believe the ranger was up there and Snoco Sheriff too but not 100% on that.

[pcal]

 These morons have now violated the hunters rights and will now have to pay and if it were to happen to me, I would have documented and taken names of those LE's who thought this was a good idea. I have been on a lot of  trails in the NF  hunting  and when I came upon hikers who seem shocked and scared by the sight of firearms, I usually make some wry remark to calm them down. When grouse hunting I've said : You have nothing to worry about unless you crap though feathers and are about the size of a small chicken. Two girls on the Goat Lake trail in the Goat Rocks were scared s**tless until my dog came up to them. The general public are so brainwashed by the mass media that they think anyone carrying a gun must to be a mass murderer.

[pcal]

 

I hope the person who was illegally escorted off the trail files a lawsuit against whatever agency violated his rights. 

 

[coachcw]

Mass aniMal murderers

[timberghost72]

The trail was closed, so how can you say he wasn't breaking any laws? Maybe that's why he was escorted off?

Because it says that he was escorted off because other people felt uncomfortable. No reason to believe otherwise. Especially since that info came from the Verlot Station.

Quote from the thread

update

I just spoke with someone at the Verlot ranger station. I was told that this is a tricky situation since it is legal to carry in the state of WA. The young man was in fact carrying a real rifle and was escorted off of the trail since people were uncomfortable. Whether it was loaded or not was not addressed.

[Curly]

Probably a hunt-wa member.  What was the name of the guy on here that had a run in earlier this year with sheriff deputies while he was legally carrying his AR?

[NW-GSP]

Im not sure how they felt they could infringe on his rights just cause some people felt uncomfortable,

[washelkhunter]

Well I looked again. Nowhere in the Constitution is anyones personal comfort(able) level mentioned. It does however state that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". Weird huh? I am more than ready to show up for a fully armed and loaded hike.

[bearpaw]

The trail was closed, so how can you say he wasn't breaking any laws? Maybe that's why he was escorted off?

The trail was open and other people were passing the guy, please read the info again. Unless it was a gun free zone, his rights were violated!