WOW!! I have a question. Does EVERYONE in the US have a handgun? It sounds like it's a real possibility that most people you would pass on the street would have a gun on them. I guess I'm just a "little" nieve (sp). Up here guns stay locked in a safe until hunting season and I would NEVER think to carry one on me, "just in case". I DO live in the sticks, it's a 3 hour drive to a city with 100.000 people in it, but I would never carry a gun for "protection". This thread makes me a little nervous about traveling to the US. How common do you think it is for people to be "packing" when in the "bush"?
Don't be nerves it should make you feel more comfortable. As far as how common it really depends on what state you are in, California would be very small to all most none, you definitely wont see any one doing it. Arizona on the other hand is a real state and has a large percentage packing. If it was legal here in CA I would be packing every were I went. I would also venture to guess most of the bordering state are high percentage.
__________________ "Because in the end it has almost nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with setting
out to accomplish something that is intimidating, that is unknown to you, something you know you
have a good chance of failing at but doing it anyways and slowly but surely proving yourself wrong." Mike Ambs
www.corva.org "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
WOW!! I have a question. Does EVERYONE in the US have a handgun? It sounds like it's a real possibility that most people you would pass on the street would have a gun on them. I guess I'm just a "little" nieve (sp). Up here guns stay locked in a safe until hunting season and I would NEVER think to carry one on me, "just in case". I DO live in the sticks, it's a 3 hour drive to a city with 100.000 people in it, but I would never carry a gun for "protection". This thread makes me a little nervous about traveling to the US. How common do you think it is for people to be "packing" when in the "bush"?
In a nutshell:
The pandoras box was opened a LONG time ago in the states...there are a LOT of guns out there and a lot of thugs with guns. The Genie is out of the bottle. You could do a national gun ban TOMORROW...and the thugs would have enough left over for the next 100 years. This has helped fuel paranoia along with our "entertainment tastes" and myriad other myths.
The vast majority of Ameicans do not "pack" and unfortunately the majority of peopel who DO are likely inadequately trained and not even aware of the consequenses if they were ever thrust into a position to use their weapon(s).
Remember-It's usually the lunatic fringe that gets the publicity however.
Location: Parker County, TX and Santa Fe County, NM
Posts: 2,163
Re: Weapons in the boonies?
Quote:
SteveFJ previously said:
In my personal experiance (hint...hint....not applicable to everyone) people who feel the need to carry a weapon for protection in the "boonies" have never really been to the "boonies" in fact they've never even been half way to the "boonies", and they are basing that opinion on something they've never experianced but heard from some other source that there are scary things out there but that's not fantasizing.....right?
Well, I've already given from personal experience an instance of armed "scary things" in the mountains. I'm pretty sure I was not fantasizing; I have the scars of two bullet holes in my right leg that convince me I was probably not.
Quote:
SteveFJ previously said:
...firearms are in fact illegal in any National Park.
I thought you were talking about more than half-way to the "boonies"? You can argue how far from pavement these things can happen, but to me it doesn't matter - armed thugs are just as dangerous no matter what distance from civilization you may happen to encounter them.
Steve, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Personally, I don't think it helps your argument to use words like "psychotic hillbillies", "scary things", "fantasizing", and "paranoia" just because you have never had a bad experience in the great outdoors. I would only suggest that if you or a loved one were ever to be the victim of a violent crime (and truly I hope you never will be) it's possible your opinion might change. Fortunately, we can both have our separate ways - you don't have to be armed, and I can be 99% of the places I choose to go. And best of all, if you met me on the trail you'd never know that I was carrying, so everyone stays happy.
__________________
KE5VTE
TLCA # 16550
All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible - T. E. Lawrence
Remember-It's usually the lunatic fringe that gets the publicity however.
It is funny that you say that.....
On a side note blaming the tools, in this case guns, for the sins of men is not a viable answer. If we were to remove all the guns in the world tomorrow man kind would revert to the tools they used to harm each other before they had firearms. In fact many of those weapons of old are still taught and available today. Man kind uses tools to help and sometimes to do harm that is our nature. If there were no guns today people would still harm each other with everything from kitchen knives to cars. Actually they already do look at any statistic you like. And if we were to remove all the tools available to man kind then someone wishing to do harm would revert to using their bare hands. So any argument that has the removal of any one tool as the solution has not studied history nor human behavior. The issue isn't the tools but the men behind them. As to the choice of entertainment being the culprit, well the history books I have seen depicting ancient wars that predate any movie or video game out there would lead me to a different conclusion.
After all this I am leaning towards a locked box, because as you guys say this would be a very rare occurrence. And I'm in California by the way. But at least I'm not in San Francisco.
I am interested only in protecting my family. But as you can tell I worry that a family member will get shot by the gun via one accident or another. Those of you with kids know the crazy things that can happen in an instant.
So I am balancing the likelihood of an accident with the gun, vs. the likelihood of running into a meth lab where I need the gun.
For some time I have wondered about rubber bullets. Now, don't laugh. Imagine your 6 year-old pulling a pistol out of your holster while you are not looking for a second. The other Dads here will find that very easy indeed to imagine. That is an issue that hasn't been addressed here.
I will say that if you nail me with a rubber bullet I will prefer to be elsewhere, and quickly. I would also assume that I had been really shot, at least for a few minutes.
I know I sound lame here guys, and I appreciate your patience with my noob questions and fears.
After all this I am leaning towards a locked box, because as you guys say this would be a very rare occurrence. And I'm in California by the way. But at least I'm not in San Francisco.
I am interested only in protecting my family. But as you can tell I worry that a family member will get shot by the gun via one accident or another. Those of you with kids know the crazy things that can happen in an instant.
So I am balancing the likelihood of an accident with the gun, vs. the likelihood of running into a meth lab where I need the gun.
For some time I have wondered about rubber bullets. Now, don't laugh. Imagine your 6 year-old pulling a pistol out of your holster while you are not looking for a second. The other Dads here will find that very easy indeed to imagine. That is an issue that hasn't been addressed here.
I will say that if you nail me with a rubber bullet I will prefer to be elsewhere, and quickly. I would also assume that I had been really shot, at least for a few minutes.
I know I sound lame here guys, and I appreciate your patience with my noob questions and fears.
I wouldn't recommend any "rubber bullet". But if you are looking down that path here is a product that is on the same thought. Ultimate Gun Safety Device- fast- easy- inexpensive This is a round that would, if fired, stop the functioning of the gun. The pro is that if an unauthorized user were to fire your gun then the gun stops functioning. The con, well if the stuff hits the fan would you remember to cycle that round out of the chamber and not turn your firearm into a club? My suggestion is to go get some really good training and then start down this path. You may discover that you don't want a fire arm after all. Everyone is different. You may have other questions that you have not even though of yet. But at least you will have the basics and then can begin to grow from there.
If you are not comfortable with any handgun around your kids, maybe look into a civilian model taser. Works on people and animals, although animals are tricky to get sometimes.
Just like any other tool, you'll need a little training, and no it is not guaranteed to work every time, but neither is anything else. S--- happens.
After all this I am leaning towards a locked box, because as you guys say this would be a very rare occurrence. And I'm in California by the way. But at least I'm not in San Francisco.
I am interested only in protecting my family. But as you can tell I worry that a family member will get shot by the gun via one accident or another. Those of you with kids know the crazy things that can happen in an instant.
So I am balancing the likelihood of an accident with the gun, vs. the likelihood of running into a meth lab where I need the gun.
For some time I have wondered about rubber bullets. Now, don't laugh. Imagine your 6 year-old pulling a pistol out of your holster while you are not looking for a second. The other Dads here will find that very easy indeed to imagine. That is an issue that hasn't been addressed here.
I will say that if you nail me with a rubber bullet I will prefer to be elsewhere, and quickly. I would also assume that I had been really shot, at least for a few minutes.
I know I sound lame here guys, and I appreciate your patience with my noob questions and fears.
Todd, I would suggest that you would go with a "locking" holster like the Blackhawk SERPA or a Safariland holster. I own both for use with my Glock. They both are Very Safe weapon carrying systems, the Safariland is a little more secure with the tab over, I use both.
This unique holster design allows you to forget old-fashioned thumb breaks that slow your draw and complicate re-holstering. The patented SERPA Technology lock engages the trigger guard as you holster the pistol and won't let go until you release it. The release is made using your normal drawing motion, with the trigger finger beside the holster body.
SERPA Technology Features:
Full firing grip for draw and immediate retention upon re-holster
No thumb break or awkward middle finger release to slow down your draw
Speed cut allows fasater draw and easy re-holster
Or you can go with the Safariland. I use the Safariland Tactical drop leg for work. Both are great holsters that will keep your weapon safe and secure when on your person. I hope this helps
Model 6518
Concealment SLS Paddle Holster
Concealment version of the SLS holster
Suede-lined, custom-formed, thumb break paddle holster
Features medium- to hi-ride carry, wraparound design
Offers a user-adjustable tensioning device providing excellent weapon retention
Comes with Spacer Kit to adjust angle and stand off from the body
Available in Plain Black or STX TACTICAL™ finish
__________________
.
"Good people sleep peacefully at night safe in the knowledge that rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf" (George Orwell)
I don't think I know anyone that "carries" here, other than on duty officers. We take the rifles with us when we go hunting or shooting but that is it.
I remember asking my dad why we had no handguns when I was very young. We were standing in front of the locked gun cabinet about to finish loading the truck to go hunting. He told me this, "Handguns have one purpose, and that is to kill a person."
Honestly, I think having a hand gun on my person would make me more uncomfortable. If I ever needed one, I think it would be when someone else was pointing one at me, and I could only see that as escalating the situation. I wouldn't even want one if that were to happen. If they were going to shoot me they were going to shoot me. I don't think I'd want to be able to see who could squeeze the trigger faster.
As for bears in the woods, what's a handgun gonna do? Piss him off. I go wheeling out into the middle of no where here in BC all the time with no firearms. There are guys walking around with rifles in arm all the time. If one of them decides they want my FJ or something, what am I supposed to do? Reach into a lock box and point a pea-shooter at them? I just honestly can't see the point of being armed as a civilian, but maybe you can convince me otherwise.
__________________ WANT MORE FROM YOUR FJ? Click one of the links below!
Linear Mode
