Safety

I have never in my life used a fire extinguisher. Never even close to needing one......ever. I still have one in my house, workshop and trailer. And I hope I never have to use one. :)

I have never used a spare tire on my trucks. I still carry one. I hope I never need it. :)

wnjj wrote:
I have to chuckle at the "leave" if you feel in jeopardy. Jeopardy could happen in seconds. I don't know about you but breaking camp takes just a bit longer than that for me.

If I feel that uncomfortable, I'm driving off in the pickup. I'm not breaking camp. Stuff can all be replaced.

I, too, have never felt threatened in a campground to the extent I felt a gun was needed. YMMV.

But I second those above who have said don't just get a gun (and permit). Get some training with it, practice often, and know the law.

For while I've never felt threatened, one of my fears is the untrained idiot waving his/her piece around unnecessarily. Or shooting out the tires of a fleeing shoplifter in the middle of a crowded parking lot. (So where, exactly, are your ricochets going, eh?)

Jim2007 wrote:
Hi All.. Maybe it is just me but I am getting concerned about our personal safety at camp grounds. Should a camper carry a weapon(gun)in the camper? Currently I do not. Jim2007

You should do whatever makes you comfy and is legal in the area you are camping in. Doubt you'll ever need a gun but you have to deal with your own thoughts on that level.

I have to chuckle at the "leave" if you feel in jeopardy. Jeopardy could happen in seconds. I don't know about you but breaking camp takes just a bit longer than that for me.

I've never felt any kind of threat at any campground we've ever been to, anywhere. Several suggestions (above) are good. If you feel uneasy, move! The few dollars you spent on the camp site are not worth it, if you REALLY do feel in jeopardy.

Next, if you do decide to "carry", then one thing you should NEVER do, is advertise it! My sister's boyfriend (Vietnam Vet) is a nut case, if you ask me. He's collected all sorts of hand guns and riffles. He brags about them, shows them off, and then tells everyone he has locked and loaded hand guns in the house if anyone dare approach! I think he's a loose cannon waiting to go off... really! First, he's drawing attention to his armory, which makes him a target for theft. But then, he's setting himself up to get into an altercation too. I once looked at one of his riffles he had in a bed room, picked up up, looked down the barrel sites, moved it around, and THEN he said ... "It's loaded!" I put it down immediately! No thank-you! (and I'm and Army Veteran too!)

What I'm saying is, IF you do decide to "carry" keep it to yourself! Nothing is worse than someone showing off their wares, setting themselves up for theft or altercation! You don't want either!

My strongest suggestion if you feel you are in jeopardy at any campground .... leave ... immediately! And don't turn back! If you have the same experience at another campground, then maybe you should ask yourself "Why?" Maybe there is really no issue with anyone else, but it's an inner conflict within yourself!

Don't leave home without one

If you are going to take a handgun, get some kind of a lock box that can be bolted to the floor. You need someplace to store it when you go swimming !

Jim2007 wrote:
Hi All.. Maybe it is just me but I am getting concerned about our personal safety at camp grounds. Should a camper carry a weapon(gun)in the camper? Currently I do not. Jim2007

where are you camping that makes you feel unsafe? I'd second the notion of the first reply..if it makes you feel safe then by all means but learn how to use it.

I have a Colorado CC permit and mostly carry when in unfamiliar urban settings or out in the bush. You are safe in most campgrounds especially in snowbird or long term parks. However, I will carry in overnight and urban parks when walking the dogs early or late in the day.

Take a training class, get your CC permit and practice using your weapon. Don't get whacky with distances. Chances are if you have to use your weapon the distance will probably be 15-20' maximum and most likely half that. I practice part of the time shooting from the waist without aiming. In a really bad situation, you may not have time to take your stance and aim. If you are not familiar with weapons, go to a good gun shop and pick their brain.

I personally carry a Ruger LCR 357 hammerless five shot revolver with a 1 3/4" barrel loaded with 38 Special +P personal defense rounds. It is simple stupid and small enough to hide in the palm of you hand. Decided against semi auto for those reasons. Guess in a real gun fight I'm in trouble, but most of the time you will only have one or two targets.

Most of all remember never draw your weapon unless you are prepared to use it, and once you use your weapon your life is changed forever.