Hand Guns

Have not had to use it but never leave home without it, it is a mater of personal choice.

If you want one or if you need one get one. It is not rocket science to use one or defend yourself with one.
Practice and familarity with the guns is the best course to safety with one. you don't want to have to figure out what to do with it when it is needed. Always practice safe handling. Never point a firearm at anything or anyone you don't want to use it on empty or loaded. safe handling needs to become instinctive. Take it to the range or on your property or someplace safe and practice. Let the fascination wear off.
Once you pull the trigger you can't call the bullet off.
However don't be afraid to use it just know when and where to use it.
Never use it except in defense.
You're old enough not to need it but I would take a Hunter Safety Course. A CCW class will cover legal questions too.

My family (DW and DD and I)just completed our CPL class. If nothing else it's a great eye opener. If done right, the class will teach you how to avoid the need to pull out a gun. You need to know how to be aware and alert to what is going on around you and how to avoid situations that could become confrontational. I highly recommend the class. If you do choose to go the gun route, remember pulling it out is ALWAYS the last resort, but knowing it's available can be comforting. If you don't have to pull it out theres a lot less paperwork and lawyers involved. If you do get a CPL, it makes purchasing and transporting much easier. Good luck.

I carry all the time. Have Conceled Lis. Hope I never have to use it but if the situtation demands would not hesiate to protect my self or loved ones,

Wolf3gang I see you are from Ill. Are you going to maintain your Ill res. when you fulltime? The reason I ask is because Ill does not yet have a concealed carry law although it was mandated by the courts. I am a former Ill. resident so I keep up on these things just for fun. If you chose to arm yourself and your wife the advice to be trained is right on the money. Find someone who will give you a good through hand gun course, not just a 2 hour demo. The type of firearm you purchase will also be influenced on your physical abilities.
You would be wise to go to the range at lease a couple of time a year to retain your abillity to handle whatever it is you decide to carry. Many of us think going to the range is fun others don't. Remember that if the time ever comes to use your weapon your action will depend upon your training with that weapon.There will not be any time to think about trigger pull, is there one in the pipe etc. The decision to own and or carry is one that you need to think out. Some feel safe without a firearm others feel safe with a firearm. Remember as said before when seconds count the police are only minutes away. The most accurate shooter in typical defense type event is the average person who practiced the correct techniques of operationg the weapon. Not the top marksman who can light matches at 100 yrds. Whatever you have to ask yourself if you or your wife has the ability to use that weapon if that time arises. A lot to think about good luck.

I have been following this thread since yesterday. Very interesting. For all the bad things people have posted about rving Mexico I am surprised that people need so much protection in the U.S.

Here in Mexico we can own guns (yes, even a foreigner who is a resident) but only for self-defense at home. You have to take a course from the military, pass the test, and have your gun registered and certified by them. I've never felt the need and we always boondock here.

I think I'll stay here. This thread makes rving in the U.S. sound scary.

If you have done your homework, purchased the proper weapon for your needs and been thoroughly trained in not only its use but the applicable law you now have an option that the unarmed do not. It is now your choice when confronted with a threatening, often rapidly deteriorating situation whether or not you will utilize deadly force. In all situations I for one, like to have options.

Most folks are all for law and order but get a little squeemish when it comes to chapter and verse. As pointed out calling the police may be the right thing to do but most of the places we camp are 30 minutes to an hour from any sort of police response.... if your cell phone works.

We have been to a nice campground where campers were murdered, their trailer burned to the ground and their vehicle stolen (Near Greer Arizona). At another the host was attacked by a rabid bobcat and severely bitten(Peppersauce CG outside of Oracle AZ). My bride and her friend walked right past a mountain lion that 30 minutes later lay dead (shot by a Ranger), after it threatened a man and his young son (Ventana Canyon, Tucson AZ). I was accosted in a gas station by a couple of locals begging for money (just off I-40 in NE AZ). In every one of these scenarios a weapon in the hands of the well trained either did or could have made for a better outcome. If you don't think things like this happen or that they only happen to others you might want to think again.

Everyone has to find their own comfort level when it comes to weapons but if you choose to have one you had better be prepared. My Concealed Weapons Permit instructor stressed that every bullet leaving your gun comes with three lawyers attached and none of them are your friend. If you are going to have a gun you must be wiling to use it without hesitation and be skilled enough to do so competently. This involves not only taking classes but lots of ongoing practice. If you are not willing to do so then maybe a gun is not the best choice. As always... Opinions and YMMV. :C

Hi westernrvparkowern,

Hear Hear!

When boondocking in the States, we have felt comfortable at all times but I am terrified to be out in the bush in British Columbia where rabid, ravenous beasts and sadistic and phycopathic bogiemen are roaming the woods. To make me feel comfortable at night I take along my security guard.



Here he is locked and loaded. When in attack mode, I have seen his powerfull tail knock over a 2 year old and his tongue can take the hide off a rino.

Dave

Do not do it, and I mean do not get a handgun and do not full time if you are so afraid of what you might encounter you feel you need to carry a weapon that can end someone's life. In an RV you will have many more encounters with strangers, that is the nature of RVing. You will likely encounter some people who have been drinking at some point in time if you stay in RV parks. You will have a startling encounter with someone who just walks out of the woods if you are boondocking. You are going to hear strange noises, something or someone is going to bump into your rig at some point in time. Something uncomfortable has happened to every person who RVs, and yet we are all still here. Though these forums are full of tough talking gunslingers, the fact is none of them has ever shot and killed a human being while defending themselves while RVing. No one on these forums have drawn their handgun and dropped a bear charging them, because it less likely to occur than you winning the lottery.
The sidewalk lawyers here will tell you all about your rights to defend yourself, but if you shoot someone, be prepared to spend a long time in court, a long time in jail and be prepared to lose everything you own when the relatives of your victim sue you and win. Those "castle" laws that protect homeowners blur when you are talking about public places. If you are boondocking, you have absolutely no more right to the spot you are on than anyone else. And do you really want to risk prison time based on the advice from someone on these forums who tell you "no problem, your RV is legally considered your home" when their only experience with the legal system is paying a parking ticket?
The fact is gun laws vary from state to state, and from city to city. Get caught with a handgun in NYC and you are going to JAIL, not court, not a fine, JAIL. That is the law, and all your preaching about your 2nd amendment rights won't get you a better bunk at Riker's Island.
Getting a handgun solely out of fear is a prescription for something bad to happen. Don't do it.