I tried asking this question on a similar kind of legal forum, and was met with mockery and too many people who did not understand anything surrounding the question or the subject matter. I figured I'd try my luck here with a new community. I'm 16, and I've grown up hunting and hiking in California my entire life. I'm interested in going overnight hiking. I haven't decided whether or not I will, but if I did, I'd want to carry a handgun with me. I'm aware that 21 is the legal age that I can own and be in possession of a handgun...but at the same time, I know there are some gray areas where the lines get blurred sometimes. If you're native here, you'll know that bear and coyote populations are on a steady rise, which also increases the statistics of an attack. It's a long shot, but It would be nice to know. Thank you.