The potential danger of carrying firearms on camping trips has been highlighted by a truly tragic accident in Canada.
A 22-year-old man has shot and killed a fellow camper after mistaking him for a bear outside his tent. The 17-year-old victim died following the middle-of-the-night incident at a camping area at Bloodvein River, 250 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
The two men were part of a four-strong camping party.
Sgt. Line Karpish from Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it was not that unusual for people in Canada to be mistaken for wildlife and shot accidentally.
“These people were out in the middle of nowhere and there are bears out there and cougars. There may be other types of wildlife that may pose a threat,” she said. “In this case, the young man believed it was a bear and fired the gun … it is certainly a very sad reminder of the great responsibility that comes with handling firearms.”
While Australian wildlife has a worldwide reputation for the danger it poses, firearms are not allowed in national parks and there are strict rules about who can carry them, and when they can be carried.
Nonetheless, there are those – grey nomads among them – who say that travellers should be allowed to carry guns for their own protection.
Back in 2004, a 4.2metre crocodile dragged a man from his tent at Bathurst Bay, about four hours north of Lakefield National Park on Cape York. The man was saved when a 60-year-old woman distracted the croc by jumping on its back and another member of the party then grabbed his gun and shot the reptile.
Have you heard of people who surreptitiously travel with firearms? Do you think people should be able to travel with guns? Comment below
There are many nomads who have admitted on this forum that they carry guns. For them, it’s an inalienable right. No matter how many accidents like the one in Canada occur, gun owners will always resist any attempt to deprive them of their toys.
I wonder why we need to be dragging up silly stories that have no bearing on our type of lifestyle…
The last time I heard of dangerous bears was Drop Bears.
The last time I heard of a camper/traveller shooting was years back when someone went troppo.
I’m sure its just as bad camping in Africa or the frozen Arctic but you don’t print stories about that.
Don’t we have enough great stories in Australia without resorting to sensationalism from gun toting god-damns?
I am a fully licence’d & responsible gun owner, my licence was issued under strict personal check from the A.F.P.
I do travel with my firearms & Ammo, my gun is NEVER taken from its case outside of a gun club, i have NEVER used it for hunting,[Coles supply my meat] . Although on one instance we did come across a medium sized Kangaroo caught by it’s back leg in a cattle grid, we did free the animal but sadly it had a broken leg, the best option was to end its life, one single shot ! should we have left it for a “B-Double” to do the job ? You can carry your golf clubs I can carry my firearms. Thank you