Do you feel the need to have a weapon when camping

[LACamper]

I'm with the bring it and hope you don't need it crowd.

We were backpacking in S Mississippi and came upon a few guys that had escaped from a juvenile detention center at Camp Shelby with nothing but shorts and t-shirts. They stopped and 'talked' to us trying to shift around behind us, looking at our gear, etc. Two of the four of us were armed. They finally moved on. A few hours later we made camp. I was glad to have the firearms that night!

At home if you want to be anti-gun that's fine. Police are always no more than 20 minutes from my house, and nothing bad can happen in just 20 minutes if someone decides to kick in your door, right? 20 miles into the woods response times are going to be so much better. If you can get a cell signal. If they can find you (I'm right here by the oak tree! next to the tree with a knot that looks like Abe Lincoln!). It shouldn't take them more than 5 or 6 hours to find your body...
Seriously, when you go out into the woods you're responsible for your own safety, even more so than at home. If you get hurt then someone is going to have to come get you. Its not right to expect that of others unnecessarily.

 

[0uTkAsT]

It's not even about guns really. To my wife, peace of mind means as much as actual safety - and I think most people probably have that same way of thinking. Problem is, peace of mind can and does lead to a false sense of security, and sometimes carelessness. To me, it's actual safety that brings peace of mind. You can never be absolutely certain of anything, but you can take reasonable precautions to significantly better your odds.

I won't go anywhere, especially with my wife or daughter, unless I am reasonably certain that I am prepared to protect them from likely threats, whether we're talking driving through town to a see movie or going out in the wilderness for a hike. I'm not just talking about having a gun or a knife or a cell phone with me. It comes down to situational awareness, having the right stuff at the right time, and not taking unnecessary risks... In town that means keeping seatbelts on, having my daughter in a quality car seat, keeping a well stocked first aid kit in an accessible location, carrying a concealed handgun, watching who and what is going on around us, etc. When we're off-roading in the desert it means having plenty of water, sunscreen, a snakebite kit, adequate recovery gear, etc. In bear and mountain lion country it means listening to your surroundings, controlling food odors, having a fast handling and sufficiently powerful rifle ready, etc.

So to me, guns are as much a tool as sunscreen and a quality car seat. Just as you endanger yourself by not keeping properly hydrated outdoors or not wearing a seatbelt while driving, not keeping a firearm that you're proficient with puts you at greater risk of becoming a victim during incidents that are unlikely but entirely possible.

 

[Overlanerd]

I've had mixed reactions in the backcountry. Never had a physical altercation with anyone or have been threatened by an animal. I have however, had a few very uncomfortable encounters when someone has come over to check out one of the few Scouts that I've owned- especially the one with the pop-up camper. I'm Filipino and, although I was born and raised in the USA, have felt the, “What are you doing around these parts?” vibe- even in California. My friendliness and my jibber-jabber about wishing I had a T-19 wide range transmission, and Dana 300 with the 4:1 low range, usually mitigated the uncomfortable situation. Tech talk, a personable demeanor, and the fact that I'm 6'2” definitely helped. That being said, I usually carry a Colt 1911 that was given to me by my father.

I went exploring solo recently on the 50- mile Jawbone trail (unplanned side trip after visiting FRP for a Flippac warranty issue) and camped unarmed. After passing quite a few vehicles in OHV area, I only encountered 1 person for the next 45 miles. I left my firearm and dog at home with my wife (and two small children), which I thought would keep her safer. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I kept that Flippac hand- crank clutched most of the time outside the camper at night. I'll definitely bring the firearm next time, especially when it comes to protecting my family and exploring more remote locations.

After almost 20 years of gun ownership, I've only pointed that thing at empty beer cans and broken appliances (at my buddy's property). Although I will hopefully never use it for self-defense, I feel much more prepared having it, knowing how to use it, and knowing when to use it.

 

[Kiwi-Yank]

i camped for over 20 years with no firearm. never had a problem.
that included campsites in Africa with large dangerous animals. no problems.
i've got nothing against guns, and no problem if people want them around.
but by no means are they a necessary item. your brain is always your best weapon.

cheers,
K-Y

 

[MojaveKJ]

Always. It's just a different mindset. It think it kind it kind of boils down to have it and not need it (like all emergency gear) or need it and not have it.

I have carried a field splint for over 15 years and happily have never needed to use it. I have carried a multi-meter in my toolbox for 20 years and never needed that either. <knock wood>

In almost 27 years of camping as an adult I have never gone out without a gun, and I have never had to use it for any reason, thank God. I've had some weird encounters camping alone, too. But if I need to use it on my very next trip, and all those after, it will be there and I will use it where necessary.

Happy Camping!!

 

[SGTCap]

Unless I'm at work I always have a Glock 19 on me and there is always a .22 rifle in my truck. If I'm going into the woods or on a road trip I'll augment that with an AR-15. I'm more concerned with 2legged predators than 4. The number of marijuana grow operations and meth labs in parks is on a steady increase, not to mention robbers, rapists and murderers. I think its foolish to consider yourself safe while unarmed in our society
I know I'm in the minority there though.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Unless I'm at work I always have a Glock 19 on me and there is always a .22 rifle in my truck. If I'm going into the woods or on a road trip I'll augment that with an AR-15. I'm more concerned with 2legged predators than 4. The number of marijuana grow operations and meth labs in parks is on a steady increase, not to mention robbers, rapists and murderers. I think its foolish to consider yourself safe while unarmed in our society
I know I'm in the minority there though.

Me too. I would rather have a weapon and not need it than to have someone attack my family and not have the weapon.

 

[JWP58]

Yes. I feel the need to carry a firearm no matter where I go....including camping.

 

[ssc45]

Indeed.

Cheers, Steve

 

[Arktikos]

No, but I have seen "Deliverance". Guns are for hunting-period- in my opinion. Now if I was camping in inner city LA perhaps my attitude would change.

 

[fowldarr]

I usually take a .22 and sometimes others, but it is more for recreation. My family enjoys shooting.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I've camped most of the Northern Sierras for over 50 years and I've encountered Cats/Bears/Drunks, but never had to use my sidearm, but

I always have one of my .45s, I don't need a reason-

:costumed-smiley-007:bike_rider: JIMBO

 

[NorthernMexican]

I always have my Benelli Super Black Eagle 2 12 ga. with 4x1.25 ounce slugs. I only go camping when I'm hunting; where I hunt I've met face to face with wolves, cougars, lynx, black bears and grizzlies... Wherever there are lot of predators there is lots of prey! Eating elk jerky as I'm typing this, lol.

 

[toylandcruiser]

No, but I have seen "Deliverance". Guns are for hunting-period- in my opinion. Now if I was camping in inner city LA perhaps my attitude would change.

I'll bet you think the 2nd amendment was for hunting huh?

 

[1911]

I always have one of my .45s, I don't need a reason-

My vote for best answer ever on the subject of carry in the U.S.