Guns and the Trail

On a web site apparently called simply "TMZ.COM" there is a paparazzi photo of a celebrity named Ashton Kutcher wearing what is apparently a handgun under the title "Ashton Packs (Heat) for Camping Trip" that was posted on 29 May 2007. He's out in California someplace. One of the comments by members of the general public is this interesting remark:

"11. Actually when we go camping we always take a gun in case of wild animals and also other aggressive hikers(there ARE some crazies out on the trails). And when we are bored we sometimes target shoot beer cans (yes even with hand guns). So where I am from it is very common to see people with firearms of all sort on the trails.

"But I live very close to the Appalachian Trail on the east coast. I've never been to Malibu so someone would have to tell me how wild the camping and hiking can be out there......

"Posted at 2:04PM on May 29th 2007 by Tick"

Yeah, okay, please let me know just what part of the Trail this person lives near.