I really doubt there has been an increase in hiking homicides. I believe you might hear more about cases when it happens because of our media based country... but is it necessary to arm yourself when you take a hike? No. Come on guys- most of the posts on this topic are bordering on paranoa.
Before anybody shoots backs at me on this one (no pun intended), know that I am a gun owner and I have been involved with professional camping for 20 years. I have never taken anything more powerful than bear mace on a hike. Never needed it either.
Go back and read these posts and tell me that this isnt an overeaction to a very simple question about homicides somewhere while hiking.

We hear about stuff more than we used to- thats it. Baby abductions are not on the rise- we just get them crammed down our throats when it does happen.

How do you stay safe on the trail? A few people have touched on it- Be prepared. One of the best books I own is the Boy Scout Handbook.- Best toilet book ever printed. Carry a pocket knife, wear comfortable shoes or boots- keep an extra pair of socks on a ziplock. Tell people where you are going. Sign the trail head log. Make donations to your local Search and Rescue- or better yet volunteer. (Karma kicks ass.) Cell phones are pretty popular these days. So are GPS devices. I've left a note on my windshield- "If this car is here on Monday after sun down..."

If you really want to take a gun on your hike, do it because it's your right as a citezen, not because our country is overun with crazed stalkers and rabid racoons.

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