Hi Scottish888, There are states in the USA that are friendly with the fact the people own firearms. Some states allow open carry either with or without permits per their state law. The USA would not be the USA IF the people back before 76 had not had their own firearms.
FACT: The Police in the USA can not stop crime they can only take the report after the crime has happened. A crime will be perpetrated on an Honest Citizen and the police can do nothing about it. Each Citizen is responsible for their own well being! Each state has variations on their firearms laws and currently here in the USA Horrific Violent acts using firearms have been taking place. Some people in the USA want all firearms taken away from all citizens but then only the Government and the Criminals will have firearms and at times in history the Government has been the criminal.
California is one of the States that is so intent on removing our rights to own firearms. Police, Forest Service Agents and the like have become increasingly ugly to the citizens of this state about firearms and yet these Government agents are unable to protect us at all hours of the day. Each Citizen must protect their self and even this thought runs into sticky legal ground as legal citizens that have had to protect themselves from criminals have lost in courts because the citizen damaged the crook in the very act of stealing property as well as having entered a private home without permission.
Be careful in California! I commonly carry a small plastic bottle filled with a STRONG ground pepper. This works on animals with either two or four legs.
Here in the State of California though in the 1970's I had the Honor of instructing a Girl Scout Troop on a rifle related firearms safety course and after weeks of instructions we went to the Coyote Point Shooting Range for live fire practice. The Range Master on duty was not pleased to see all "those girls" however after they demonstrated their safe use of the firearm he gave me the biggest smile. He did not happen to mention that he'd loaned them a spotting scope, a range rifle and had given them all the targets they could ever use. I've taught all three of my own children how to use rifles and handguns. When I am out in the California Wilderness I carry a very large handgun (454 Casull caliber) as the Bears out there are Plentiful, have wrecked many of my camps, ruined my equipment and stolen my food and IF I had gotten in their way I would have been in trouble. I have NO desire to shoot a bear or any wild animal BUT if it is a me or them situation then I will defend myself to their demise if needed. Usually firing the weapon into the ground produces so much noise they choose to leave and I'm good with that!
Be aware of the prospecting rules in California as they can change from location to location. Do not expect that the Ranger or Policeman you ask about the rules ACTUALLY knows and understands the actual rules, its a mess here due to Illegal California Actions violating our Federal Mining Rights. Locate a prospecting shop in or near the area you will be closest to for input on the laws in that location. Pans are allowed but the types of digging tools have some strange restrictions.
I hope you have an enjoyable time as the beauty of the Out Doors in California is special!..............63bkpkr
