Boondocking safety-Are you armed?

Testudo wrote:

2oldman wrote:
In 15 years I've never felt threatened. Criminals are lazy, they generally don't drive to secluded places.

Ditto... My wife is always whining that crazy killers are going to 'get us'. The places where the people are is what you want to _avoid_. Recent catastrophe in Las Vegas - - case in point...

A neighbor is more likely to kill you in a disagreement over a garden hose than someone who goes to the trouble to find you in some oubliette.

Watch your back...

While I agree with this, I think the wording is off a touch.

I think most people are more worried about an attack of opportunity. Neither the neighbor nor someone "who goes to the trouble to find you" would be such an attack (the wording suggests that both are specifically targeting YOU).

So, I think it should be "you're more likely to be attacked by opportunity in a populated area than you are in some oubliette."

There are very few situations where someone was attacked by a person(s) (outside Hollywood) while camping (as in traditional camping and not overnighting in parking lots, etc.) - and much lower for attacks of opportunity versus other attacks (e.g., the victim wandered into a marijuana field, etc. - which are still much lower than in the alley in town).

Testudo wrote:
...in some oubliette.

I learned a new word today. Thanks!

2oldman wrote:
In 15 years I've never felt threatened. Criminals are lazy, they generally don't drive to secluded places.

Ditto... My wife is always whining that crazy killers are going to 'get us'. The places where the people are is what you want to _avoid_. Recent catastrophe in Las Vegas - - case in point...

A neighbor is more likely to kill you in a disagreement over a garden hose than someone who goes to the trouble to find you in some oubliette.

Watch your back...

momentum rv wrote:
Don't ask don't tell.

If the bad guys believe all us campers are armed, the safer we all are.

If they believe half of us are armed we will all be safer.

Don't ask don't tell.

If the bad guys believe all us campers are armed, the safer we all are.

to answer the OP's question.....


Yes.

toedtoes wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

doc brown wrote:
Sweet! Eight pages and we are still on. Interesting, the antgunners will never convince the progunners and visa versa. I carry whether you like it or not, you'll never know I have one but you better pray that when you are in a really bad situation someone is nearby and willing to help. Help could involve a firearm, not necessarily. But if a firearm is required you'll be thankful the armed citizen was willing to help. No law says he has to. As my neighbor in my sticks and bricks neighborhood who knows I carry and knows my house is stocked well asked, "if I'm in trouble over here will you come and help?" My answer, "I'd call 911" , but he says "that will take about 10 minutes for the police to arrive", "sorry why don't you get a weapon for your families safety", " no way I would never own a gun". There you go, I hear that quite often. I refuse to be a victim.

I protect myself. I do not depend on a stranger carrying to keep me safe. Likewise, I don't expect an armed neighbor to come to my rescue. I take precautions as I see fit, not as others dictate.

I am willing to accept the "risk" of not having a gun. I refuse to be a victim too. I just don't believe I need a gun for that.

As part of discussion......
What do you use to protect yourself?

First and foremost - my brain.

Second - my attitude.

Third - my dogs.

Fourth - whatever I have handy.

I have never had to go to the fourth - the other three have always been successful. And yes, I have been in situations that were dangerous (two vagrants fresh off a train trying to bash in my front door with a railroad tie, etc.).

Agree on first, always be aware
Agree on second, attitude showing confidence
Don't have a dog
Agree on fourth, my gun is always handy

toedtoes wrote:

rjxj wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

rjxj wrote:
They never seem to like the idea but my best recommendation for those who dont like guns is to post it on the front of their homes and RV's "No guns in here". You know, sort of like those very safe gun free zones.

You say that's your "best recommendation". Recommendation for what? What purpose does that serve other than to continue to break down civilized discussion.

Do you have a sign on your house or RV saying NO GUNS IN HERE? It's a yes or no question.

That's not what you said before - you said you recommend that people post a sign, not asking if they do.

To answer your question, no I do not. I also don't post "I don't have any knives", "I have money", "I took self defense courses","beware of dogs", and so on. I don't post signs on my house or Rv period. I don't post such a sign because I'm afraid I'll be a target, I just don't post signs. I don't even have a welcome sign or my name on the mailbox. Why would I? What does it have to do with whether one chooses to carry a weapon when boondocking?

And why get upset with someone who has stated she doesn't care if you choose to carry a gun, but she chooses not to do so and chooses not to let them in her home? I'm not infringing on anyone's rights - I'm just asking others to not infringe on mine.

The only gun regulations I'd like to see is registration (so a gun used in a crime can be used to assist in the arrest of the perpetrator), penalties for those who buy guns for someone who can't qualify to buy one themselves (same with buying alcohol for minors), and required courses. Nothing in my stand suggests taking away anyone's guns just because I don't personally like them.

But this is where the discussion dies every time. Everyone gets defensive and then it resorts to "you're trying to take away my rights" and "no one should have a gun". I had a relative tell me that banning lakes and rivers is the same as banning guns - they both can kill people. That type of argument does no one any good. One can't walk into a school with a lake in their pocket and kill grade schoolers. On the flip side, the argument "guns are evil" is just as lame. The gun was the tool used, it was the person to blame. And that's my stand - there are certain people who should not be allowed to have guns - several in my own family (I've seen their trigger finger and their unsafe handling of guns and they are a greater risk to me than some stranger in the forest).

The only things you would like to see.....registration...already law...you buy a gun retail, it is registered. If you buy a gun for someone who can't, you are in big trouble. I suggest you read the federal form that has to be filled out to buy a gun.

Thanks to everyone that posted to my original post. The responses have been great. I am not new to guns, but raising kids and keeping a gun out of the house took priority over having one available. As a kid, we would go shoot with my Savage 22-410 over & under rifle. Also hand guns with snake shot. So far my RV experience has been free from any situations that would require a gun. Now that I have a few miles on me, I know when I don't feel comfortable in an area when we camp. A couple of times we changed the areas we thought would be nice. If you carry or not, please use common sense and stay safe-Thanks

The OP's question was about boondocking and it's best not to drift too far afield from that, but wallydocking and the like should be on target. :D The couple murdered in NM were hijacked from a rest area and that, as well as visitor centers, are also places that we overnight.

Always carried by me: HK USPc .45 in a Crossbreed Supertuck holster. My wife carries an XD 9mm in a holster and a Ruger LCP .38 in her purse. She's also a coach and Range Saftey Officer at the local range. Plus, we have a 120lb Akita that is a great "watch" dog. He doesn't bark, just watches. ;)

LS