Safety

Good to see this topic live for this long, thanks to everyone on both sides of the discussion for not becoming nasty or bent out of shape and getting it closed. I have had a CCW since 2003 and since that time have carried everywhere I can do so that is legal. During that time I have never felt the need to expose my handgun for any reason. However I also realize there is evil in this world and will protect myself and my family by any appropriate means. Even though I have the means to protect myself and family I stay aware of my surroundings and do my best to avoid places and people that could be a problems.
I also have no problem with my CCW status being known by LEO if stopped, haven't been stopped for years. Here in Illinois where I live you must do at least 16 hours training, have extensive background check done and pay a lot of money. Knowing that any thinking LEO should appreciate knowing this fact. Jim.

I followed this thread because of my interest in the subject.

A couple of folks or maybe more seem to think that since I have a permit and pack, I am a paranoid and "scared" person and may pull out the gun for a flash at random or start cranking off rounds in a premature manner. I don't understand and will never accept that logic. It seems to be very unfounded to me.

Now just maybe if my name was Mongo, I would have a different outlook. :W

Several have commented on group shootings where if someone had a gun it could have shortened or stopped the attack/s. For all anyone knows there were people in the crowd who had guns and simply panicked and didn't use them. Having a CCL doesn't mean you're trained, it simply means you can carry a gun legally, that's all. In the heat of the moment, no one can tell what they would do unless they've had actual experience.

23446 days without gun violence in my life or the life of anyone I know. Oh, that is a lie. My cousin committed suicide with a shotgun.

It is a sad time in US history that men can't go to a restaurant or have a campout with their family without being afraid for their lives.

YET - Millions of people go about their day to day living never giving it a thought.

It is a shame that so many people are so afraid.

I am all for someone protecting themselves and their family with a gun at their home. It is pretty easy to tell when someone is a threat to you or your family at your house. Also, I will never be in the situation where someone will mistake me for a threat or be hit by a stray bullet from another homeowner.

However, when folks bring their guns on the road or into a campground, I become more concerned. Some folks here seem to think they can easily tell who is a threat and who isn't, and they can just flash their gun to diffuse a situation. That's nothing short of dilusional. Highly trained police officers often have difficulty telling who is a threat and who isn't. They often have their hand near their weapon during questionable situations, ready to draw. Do we really want a bunch of "average Joes" walking around ready to draw? Good grief, no!

Highly trained officers more often than not cannot hit a target while under pressure. Often times in a shootout situation ere are stray bullets everywhere and innocent people getting hit. If a highly trained officer can't hit a target under pressure, how about the person who isn't trained to be in this situation?

Remembering that if under pressure, you're probably not going to hit your target, what about if you did draw and fire? What if you hit an innocent? What if you thought someone was a threat and they weren't but you injured or killed them?

Last night in Cincinnati there was a shooting. It was a crowded nightclub. At first there were reports of multiple shooters. Folks like JohnG3 would have you think that someone with a gun could have stopped the situation. Really? You're going to fire in a nightclub full of innocents knowing you're probably not going to hit your target, but there is a good chance you'll hit an innocent? I find that disturbing. Also, with reports of multiple shooters, you're probably going to be shot yourself by the police, that is if they could hit their target under pressure.

People keep talking about safety in a campground. As I replied earlier, never felt threatened or a need for a gun in a campground. I carry because I have to get from point A to point B and what's inbetween might not be the best of places. If I could guarantee that I wouldn't get a flat tire, some other breakdown or even an accident then maybe I would feel comfortable without a weapon. Since there are no guarantees, I'll carry.

westernrvparkowner wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
Let me put my position a different way. If you do not feel the need to have a firearm for protection at home you probably don't need one for the Rv. RVing is not an activity that raises the threat level. It is an activity that brings about encounters you are unlikely to experience at home, which greatly increases the odds you will accidentally injure someone.
While RVing you are likely to have more personal interactions. Strangers are likely to be much closer to your personal space than you are accustomed to. You will be in unfamiliar surroundings and sounds common to where you are camping may be very alarming to you. Remember the scene in the movie "My Cousin Vinny" where city slicker Joe Pesci starts blasting away into the night because an Owl was hooting? I am much more afraid of an armed person in a strange environment than I am of being attacked while RVing.

HMMM, you have never had a crazy in your park you had to deal with? "Threat level", there is ALWAYS that possibility!

I choose to be ready as needed.

Mod's, nice you are allowing this civil discussion!

Obviously, I have never had to shoot someone in any of my parks. If I did, my screen name would likely be changed to "Former westernrvparkowner, now sued into bankruptcy". I think people watch a few too many TV shows and movies. You are about as likely to see a Unicorn as you are to be involved in a shooting that isn't domestic or drug related. Fact is a friend or relative is much more likely to shoot you than a stranger. Violent criminals are not lurking around every corner waiting to assault you.
I have never had a violent event at any of my parks. That spans several hundred thousand camper nights. Probably had to call the police less than a dozen times and most of those calls were related to vehicle accidents. Granted I run a tight ship and as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But there are very few activities with less stranger danger than RVing.

Think of the issue from the standpoint that many on this thread are 100% correct in predicting places where an incident where firearms are not necessary. When you get to the point you can predict with that same accuracy where something will happen that a firearm is necessary to protect/stop the death of unarmed people at the hands of an armed attacker maybe someone will listen to you.

In the San Berdo incident three minutes is a long time to be hiding under furniture or the bodies of victims. The group that was attacked all had known each other for several years. One or two with a firearm would have at least a small chance of limiting the carnage.

In the Florida incident the shooter was not familiar with the firearm he used and stopped several times for various amounts of time to reload. No one in the nightclub did anything to stop him. Another incident where one person with a firearm would have at least a chance, no matter how slim to limit the deaths.

In today's environment, as other posters have said, it is a very different world today than it was 20 years ago. I was a Law Enforcement Officer for 30 years. The times they have changed. Carry or not, it's your decision. Just have the courage of your convictions to stand by the outcome of your decisions.

I have a family to protect. It is my job and I am always prepared in one fashion or another.

Personal safety and that of your loved ones (and neighbors) is a personal responsibility.

If you choose not to be prepared, who do you think should step into harm's way on your behalf?

Another point- It is a proven fact that people who carry a firearm concealed are LESS LIKELY to get into a physical or violent altercation. Mostly because it is unnecessary in most cases to strike early to get the upper hand, because you have it should you need it.

Wild, drunken, shoot-em-ups? That's like comparing RV campers with drug-crazed meth-brewing high-speed-racing gangs on the street. Only the "wheels" are in common. :(

Weapons are sort of like bear repellant. Every time we have been walking where we might see a bear, the anti bear device, a very loud compressed air boat horn, is forgotten in the trailer.

Never felt unsafe in a CG. Not because of people. Had bear warnings, seen moose in the CG, shared a CG with bison, had a bear stand up paws on the side of the truck but never felt the need for a gun handy.

cmcdar wrote:
I am sitting here in a campground right now reading this.

How many campers would it take to stop a stray bullet?

What could possibly be going on in said campground that would require deadly force?

I can see having one if you are camping in the wilderness. But a family campground, that is just disaster in the making.

The canpgound I am in has a sign stating no guns. I am not foolish enough to believe anyone pays attention to it.

Sad state indeed.

I have to agree with you completely. I've never, and I mean never, felt the need to have a gun. I have nothing against gun ownership, but the last thing I thought I'd have to worry about is some paranoid yahoo whipping out his pistol because he somehow felt threatened or didn't like the "wild animal" in his campground.