Packing Heat...who does it?

[BlackX]

All of this discussion brings up an interesting thought for a situation I was in last year. I was camping in Anza-Borrego and in the middle of the night was awoken by a bunch of trucks driving into our campsite. All of the trucks had lights off, people were speaking spanish, and our ice chests were raided. Since it was the middle of the night and I was groggy I ignored it and they drove off.

This situation has made me think of getting a gun for protection out there because what if their intentions were different. However, if I had a gun would I have been more likely to confront them? Probably. The situation could have escalated and I could have been in a serious confrontation with drug runners or coyotes.

It's something I still think about and just not sure which direction to go.

 

[jham]

All of this discussion brings up an interesting thought for a situation I was in last year. I was camping in Anza-Borrego and in the middle of the night was awoken by a bunch of trucks driving into our campsite. All of the trucks had lights off, people were speaking spanish, and our ice chests were raided. Since it was the middle of the night and I was groggy I ignored it and they drove off.

This situation has made me think of getting a gun for protection out there because what if their intentions were different. However, if I had a gun would I have been more likely to confront them? Probably. The situation could have escalated and I could have been in a serious confrontation with drug runners or coyotes.

It's something I still think about and just not sure which direction to go.

In that situation, IMHO it would be best to stay put and only use the gun if you need it. Like you said, one man with a pistol isn't likely to run off 2 truck loads of beer-hungry men, especially if they are armed. They would likely retaliate, and you've got a bad situation on your hands.

Your thinking sounds correct - had you owned a gun in that situation, best bet would be to stay inside and hope they take what they want and leave. I would only resort to deadly force if they tried to enter my establishment (tent, house, whatever) and steal from my person, or harm me or my family/friends.

 

[valkyrie]

the worst thing I can imagine stumbling across in the boonies is a well armed meth lab and the last thing I would want to do is point anything in the direction of somebody who is motivated to shoot first.

Having recently been in that situation, from my perspective the worst thing in the world would be to have stumbled upon the meth lab with them thinking/knowing I was defenseless.

Violent people typically only understand violence or the threat of violence... take away their upper hand, calmly and respectfully level the playing field and let everyone see everyone's hand. I believe that mutually assured destruction encourages (not guarantees of course) civil discourse.

I personally choose to have the ability to exercise defense of myself, my family and my companions if need be, however I respect the decision of those who chose to venture unarmed a well as those who chose to venture armed... it is an intensely personal decision that is free from judgment IMHO.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Yeah, for the what? The third or fourth time?

.

Yeah, no kidding. What's the cycle, about every 4 months or so we get a thread like this?

Near as I can tell, nobody's mind gets changed, the packers think the non-packers are naive fools, the non-packers think the packers are dangerous lunatics, and the non-US commentators jump in with "You Americans and your guns!"

It doesn't start off as a political topic but it often ends up that way.

My recommendation would be to move this to the sub-forum that is directly related to firearms, that way those who seek genuine information (such as "what gun should I carry?" or "what are the laws regarding carry of firearms on public lands?**") can get that info, and those who have no interest in firearms can just avoid the whole topic.

**Generally speaking (and I emphasize "generally" ) Federal Laws apply when you are in National Parks/Monumaents or military reservations. I *think* Federal laws may apply when you are on Indian reservations but I'm not certain. If you are on land that is administered by the Forest Service or BLM, or State, then State law generally applies. The situation becomes somewhat more cloudy when you are on, for example, a National Monument that is administered by the BLM rather than the NPS (Grand Staircase/Escalante and Canyons of the Ancients, to name two.)

 

[7wt]

 

[MoGas]

That said, I have found that I can present a very intimidating "that guy is unbalanced, best stay away" persona if the need arises...

The truck alone should do that.....:sombrero:

My old Wagoneer portrayed quite the "unstable" persona.


Dave

 

[Mc Taco]

7wt, BRAVO!

 

[Curmudgeon]

Good smarts and savvy traveling trumps fire power any day.

I spent my entire adult life as a police officer, investigating all kinds of crimes against people, and that statement is sheer fantasy.

JP

 

[Robthebrit]

Having recently been in that situation, from my perspective the worst thing in the world would be to have stumbled upon the meth lab with them thinking/knowing I was defenseless.

Violent people typically only understand violence or the threat of violence... take away their upper hand, calmly and respectfully level the playing field and let everyone see everyone's hand. I believe that mutually assured destruction encourages (not guarantees of course) civil discourse.

I personally choose to have the ability to exercise defense of myself, my family and my companions if need be, however I respect the decision of those who chose to venture unarmed a well as those who chose to venture armed... it is an intensely personal decision that is free from judgment IMHO.

I worked in South Central LA for a while and you learn how to deal with it, bad stuff happens and gang are violent but as long as they don't see you as a threat you'll be ok, I met some real bad people but I never had a problem with them, didn't judge them and they had no problem with me. Having a gun changes things, people suspect things and if there is more than 1 of them you'll probably be the dead guy.

I do not own a gun, probably never will and certainly will never carry one. I am have met some f-ed up people in the boonies and they have given us a few laughs but never any problems. I've come across meth labs and knew damn well the people were armed, again its how you play your cards that matters. Me having a gun would potentially escalate the situation. In reality I needed no weapon, I slowed down, exchanged a few friendly words, BS'ed with the guys and left.

Handling yourself in these situations is a good skill to learn because you won't always have a gun and if you travel outside of the US you can't take a gun.

Rob

 

[Antichrist]

+1

Except I carry 2.

The first rule of self defense, always make sure you have a backup weimeraner in case you lose your primary.

 

[7wt]

Rob,

You do know anything about the man you quoted. Let him speak for himself and try not to lecture. I am quit sure valkyrie already has a dad. Having met him, I can tell you more than a few people he stumbles across in the backwoods would feel threatened by his sight. Somebody on the lookout for the "cop" type would make judgements based on his haircut alone and no amount of sweet talking would get him out of trouble. Another thing to keep in mind is Texas is not California. People act differently and should be handled differently as well. When in Rome, you shoot Romans.

 

[RusM]

I carry everywhere I go. Every time I walk out of the house I am armed. In nine years of daily carry I have never had to expose my weapon (you can see my carry weapon in the pic with the dog). There have been a couple of times where I have been close, but it has not happened yet. I also carry a fully automatic American Bulldog when I am in the woods. He is quite an effective threat deterrent!

 

[cruisertoy]

I agree with Jim.

That said, I have been less worried about people in my travels than I was about wildlife. We carry on our 10 day float trips in Western Alaska. Several Shot guns packed with slugs, various other large cal pistols and such. We have spooked large bear while fishing and been charged on several occasions. We make a reasonable amount of noise while fishing to warn bear of our presence. The river we float sees a dozen people a year on it so the bear are not "humanized" and generally high tail it out of there. But every other day or so you get a young one that decided he thinks he wants what you've got. Couple shots in the air and they generally turn around and go on their way. We had one last year charge within 25'. Two warning shots had already been fired and we were about to open up on the animal when it stopped, got up on it's hind legs for a moment and then turned around and ran into the woods. Bells and whistles are just a dinner bell in some cases.

 

[Robthebrit]

Rob,

You do know anything about the man you quoted. Let him speak for himself and try not to lecture. I am quit sure valkyrie already has a dad. Having met him, I can tell you more than a few people he stumbles across in the backwoods would feel threatened by his sight. Somebody on the lookout for the "cop" type would make judgements based on his haircut alone and no amount of sweet talking would get him out of trouble. Another thing to keep in mind is Texas is not California. People act differently and should be handled differently as well. When in Rome, you shoot Romans.

Other than your replay, wheres the lecture? I simply stated my personal experience and why I have no need to carry a gun, why do I have to know the person I quote?

I have no problem with guns, if you want to carry a gun thats fine by me - I'd be lecturing if I told you why I think you shouldn't have a gun, I don't care if you have a gun. To be honest some of you gun folk, and the all holly cop, scare me a lot more than any gang banger or drug addict.

Rob

 

[7wt]

Handling yourself in these situations is a good skill to learn because you won't always have a gun and if you travel outside of the US you can't take a gun.

OK, what would you consider this statement if not a lecture?

Other than your replay, wheres the lecture? I simply stated my personal experience and why I have no need to carry a gun, why do I have to know the person I quote?

I have no problem with guns, if you want to carry a gun thats fine by me - I'd be lecturing if I told you why I think you shouldn't have a gun, I don't care if you have a gun. To be honest some of you gun folk, and the all holly cop, scare me a lot more than any gang banger or drug addict.

Rob

I can only guess you are considering me as a member of that infamous "you gun folk". That is a terribly pompous comment. You can look down your nose and make "you people" comments all you want, it only shows that you have no idea what you are talking about. I don't feel the need to correct you as to what folk I fall in with. As to your fear, I appreciate your honesty. Are you familiar with the concept of projection? That might be a good place to start if you ever want to confront your fears.