Not just guns banned: no bear spray allowed in Smokies

There’s been some question as to whether bear spray is allowed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smoky Mountains Information blog requested clarification from the park and got this answer:

“There is no legal form of bear spray allowed in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and like any other weapon, trap or net, it is illegal to carry, possess or use in the Great Smoky Mountains national park. PERIOD”

Shocking, but not surprising if you follow this sort of thing. Countries and U.S. states with restrictive laws on guns often have restrictive laws on non-lethal weapons, such as pepper spray, batons, or Tasers. The United Kingdom has gone about as far as you can go down this path, making all sorts of edged weapons and even kitchen cutlery illegal or restricted in their weapons-obsessed mania.

Hat tip to Michael Silence.