Man pleads not guilty after firing gun at bear in Glacier

A Texas man faces a federal charge after firing a single round at a charging bear in Glacier National Park back in July.

Brian R. Murphy, 57, pleaded not guilty to discharging a firearm Friday in United States District Court in West Glacier. He appeared via telephone conference and was represented by an attorney.

Murphy told park officials he was hiking on the Mount Brown Lookout Trail on July 26 when a grizzly bear charged him. He said he felt he was in danger and discharged bear spray, followed by a shot from his .357 revolver, which wounded the bear.

It is legal to carry a firearm in a national park, but illegal to fire it, even in an emergency.