A Missouri man shot himself in his leg when he set down his backpack, which was carrying a handgun, on a rock at Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park/NPS
A hiker carrying a handgun in his pack shot himself at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado when the gun discharged when he set the pack down on a rock at Emerald Lake.
The 70-year-old, from Missouri, took a bullet to a leg Sunday and received initial care from bystanders before rangers arrived and provided advanced medical care. The unidentified man "was carried out via a wheeled litter to the Bear Lake Trailhead, where he was taken by Estes Health Ambulance to a meadow in the Glacier Basin Campground" and flown by an air ambulance to the Medical Center of the Rockies in Estes Park.
The round did not exit the man's leg, a park release said Tuesday.
"There were numerous visitors in the Emerald Lake area when this incident occurred, the release added.
A Missouri man who shot himself in his leg when he set down his backpack, which was carrying a handgun, on a rock at Emerald Lake had to be airlifted out of the park to medical care/Courtesy Roger Wolfe via NPS
"It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearm laws before entering the park. Open carry of handguns and rifles, and transport of the same in vehicles, is permitted," the park staff said. "Concealed carry is allowed pursuant to a legal Colorado concealed carry permit and applicable state reciprocity laws. Federal law prohibits firearms in certain facilities (visitor centers, ranger stations, government offices); places that are marked with signs at all public entrances.
"Recreational target shooting or discharge of a firearm is not allowed in Rocky Mountain National Park. Firearms should not be considered a wildlife protection strategy. Bear spray and other safety precautions are the proven methods for preventing bear and other wildlife interactions."
No further information as to the man's condition was available.
Comments
MattD How do you know the safety wasn't on, assuming it even had a safety to begin with. As was suggested earlier, perhaps he thought it wiser to carry it in his backpack than leave it in his car where it could be stolen. Amazing how quick people are to judge.
Not so much when they ar on your back. Bears come from the front, Mountian Lions are suprise from behind.
I've lived here for 3 years. There's been two attacks, neither fatal. I've never seen one and I'm in the woods every weekend in prime Mountain Lion territory. You absolutely do not need a gun.
You think too much. It could be a firearm he keeps for self protection whilst travelling and didn't want to leave it unattended in his vehicle.