Everyone is entitled to their individual opinions, and they go both ways and even sometimes ricochet when guns are the hot topic.
Personally, I carry a firearm all the time, and not just when camping. You could call it an occupational hazard.
For those worried over bears, that insist on having a gun, I would suggest that you carry a gun of appropriate caliber, albeit heavier firearm for your pack.
Plenty of bear attacks have been successfully thwarted by a firearm, probably more so in Alaska. Bear spray, blowing whistles and ringing bells have thwarted probably even more.
My opinion, as long as you are legally able, morally responsible, properly trained and safe, go ahead bring your gun.
Just remember that it's a huge responsibility and there are repercussions that occur, even if you are in the right. You should take those into consideration prior to bringing your gun.
If the reasons are machoism, bravadism or to just so you can look cool then are you are setting yourself and possibly others up for failure.
I don't recall too many camper vs camper confrontations that resulted in gunbattles. However, I do recall a hiker that was in a national forest out west that was confronted by armed illegal marijuana growers several years ago. I don't recall any more details other than the hiker was armed also and that no one was shot.
Personnaly, I am more concerned about the potential for a criminal encounters to and fro my camping destination then bears or drunks crashing my campsite in the woods or even at a state park late at night. I also don't live in Alaska where bears have killed two people recently.
Avoidance, if possible will ALWAYS be the best course of action whether up against a nefarious person or hungry bear.
Noting good wil come out of setting up your campsite next to a bunch of Hells Angels drinking Budweisers and throwing firecrackers on their campfire.
Attacking poisonous snakes on the other hand, well those are best reserved for your trusty machete, as most would probably miss and might end up with ricochet your bullet into your own eye.
Safety first.
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