Self defense while traveling

toedtoes wrote:
et2 - you have misinterpreted my posts to justify your belief that everyone who thinks there should be gun regulations believes that no one should be allowed to have a gun. You are creating arguments where none exist to justify your hatred of people who don't agree with you 100%. Rather than discussing based on the actual points I've made, you have simply attacked me in a non-rational manner accusing me of believing things that I do not believe and have never suggested I believe.

This will be my last response to you for the above reason.

In regards to the Constitution, it is a wonderful thing. It has changed so much in the past 200 years for the entire world. But that doesn't mean it is perfect for eternity. People SHOULD question it, just like they question every other law. People SHOULD look to change it or interpret it differently, just like they do every other law. If it is to be worshipped as it is forever, then it makes no difference what it says - it will cease to be relevant to society and will be abandoned. And I for one do not want to go back to the days where the Constitution meant women and blacks had no rights (yep, those were changes/interpretations/amendments to the Constitution that you seem to think are so terribly wrong).

You said it was your last post before. But it sound like you want to hammer your opinion across. Mine are based on actual constitutional provisions written to govern society.

You started on your very first post in response to the OP about how it's because because gun owners want to get you before you get me attitude. No matter how how far fetched that situation presented itself. Then you proceed to try mock everyone who told you differently.

Let me post your response here for you to see



No, it isn't that dangerous to travel in the US. Many Americans have the "I'm going to get them before they get me" mentality which results in wanting a gun for the rare chance that something could possibly happen at some point in their lives and they need to be prepared for that chance no matter how unlikely it is.

(I'm not being political or mean, but this IS the basic underlying reason why most Americans indicate they want a gun.)


You obviously don't have a clue why people choose to arm themselves "legally", yet felt the need to make the post you did, like it was coming from some superior authority or judgement. You're the judgemental one. I'm just giving facts. You obviously don't have a clue why we have a constitution other than it needs to be changed to serve certain agendas. You come from a family of gun ownership? Then we wouldn't be having this conversation.

For the record, you have every right to speak, so do I. I have a 100% right to own a gun and carry, where am I wrong?

NYCgrrl wrote:

Walaby wrote:
and it guaranteed that Women and Blacks can carry weapons too!

Mike

HUH!?! I'm guessing you mean now as opposed to originally........last I heard in the beginning women couldn't vote and one Black was considered 3/5s of a voter. That codification was interpreted in many nefarious ways throughout the legal history of this country.

I was referring to the comment from toadtoes about the constitution changing giving women and blacks rights.

monkey44 wrote:
QUOTE:: "For example, Kennesaw Georgia (suburb of Atlanta) has a mandatory gun posession law. In 1982, Kennesaw City Council unanimously passed an ordinance requiring households to own at least one firearm with ammunition. The law states that its purpose is to “protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants”.

That's a pretty interesting law -- what does the Kennesaw do about households where a felon resides?? Felons cannot possess firearms. And, that is not only state law, but federal law as well. A little puzzled here that a town could actually pass a law like that and enforce it.

Maybe felons choose not to live there.

In addition: Ex-military here, and well trained with firearms. In over fifty years of camping, a lot boon-docking, rest stops, and a lot of back-country hiking I've never found it necessary to use a firearm to protect myself. Lucky maybe. Yes, I'm careful, plan well, and know the "nature rules" ...

Just because I haven't needed it, doesn't mean I wouldn't use it.

Walaby wrote:
and it guaranteed that Women and Blacks can carry weapons too!

Mike

HUH!?! I'm guessing you mean now as opposed to originally........last I heard in the beginning women couldn't vote and one Black was considered 3/5s of a voter. That codification was interpreted in many nefarious ways throughout the legal history of this country.

QUOTE:: "For example, Kennesaw Georgia (suburb of Atlanta) has a mandatory gun posession law. In 1982, Kennesaw City Council unanimously passed an ordinance requiring households to own at least one firearm with ammunition. The law states that its purpose is to “protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants”.

That's a pretty interesting law -- what does the Kennesaw do about households where a felon resides?? Felons cannot possess firearms. And, that is not only state law, but federal law as well. A little puzzled here that a town could actually pass a law like that and enforce it.

No one's debating that the constitution can't change. But, remember one thing.. There is this thing, called the BILL OF RIGHTS, which is Amendments 1 through 10. The constitution changing so all men are created equal is a great change.. and it guaranteed that Women and Blacks can carry weapons too!

Mike

et2 - you have misinterpreted my posts to justify your belief that everyone who thinks there should be gun regulations believes that no one should be allowed to have a gun. You are creating arguments where none exist to justify your hatred of people who don't agree with you 100%. Rather than discussing based on the actual points I've made, you have simply attacked me in a non-rational manner accusing me of believing things that I do not believe and have never suggested I believe.

This will be my last response to you for the above reason.

In regards to the Constitution, it is a wonderful thing. It has changed so much in the past 200 years for the entire world. But that doesn't mean it is perfect for eternity. People SHOULD question it, just like they question every other law. People SHOULD look to change it or interpret it differently, just like they do every other law. If it is to be worshipped as it is forever, then it makes no difference what it says - it will cease to be relevant to society and will be abandoned. And I for one do not want to go back to the days where the Constitution meant women and blacks had no rights (yep, those were changes/interpretations/amendments to the Constitution that you seem to think are so terribly wrong).

I still urge everyone to read this story
Tennessee couple
Christopher Newsome and Channon Christian did not go into a "bad part of town". They were not "where they weren't supposed to be".

I, for one, will not allow this to happen to me or my family, if at all possible. To those who may say "just because you might have had a gun, doesn't mean it would turn out differently", I say, if I did NOT have a gun in such a situation, it DEFINITELY would turn out the same.

Folks, whether you carry or not, is a personal decision, and no one here will fault you for that decision. BUT, equally important, if I choose to carry, that is MY decision, and you owe me the same respect I have for your personal decision. You can decide that the risk is low, and make your decision accordingly. Odds are, nothing will happen. I decide I will carry, and the odds are I will NEVER have to use it. But, if I am caught in a situation where I need it, I will have it.

For the rest of the folks that want to trample the rights of others, or can't or won't acknowledge that the constitution GUARANTEES these rights, well, I feel sorry for you. You are exactly what our government wants.. people who will be subserviant to the government and will do what they are told, when they are told. By the time you get tired of it, and realize what happened, it will be too late.

I spent 22 years in the military defending everyone's rights and our way of life. And I would do it again in a minute.

Mike

Houston Remodeler wrote:
As a long time camper, non gun owner and a newer-to-us RV, I've been reading every thread possible on the topic looking for some guidance on the prudence of carrying a firearm. To say at least it's been very interesting reading.

To start off;

1- We are all for open carry.
2- We have never owned a firearm
3- We are rarely around people under the age of 30
4- We put thought into not being in dangerous situations.
5- We have yet to camp in bear or moose or coyote country.
6- We know statistically we are far more likely to be injured by a pencil or a vending machine.
7- We know the crime rate has been dropping for decades

Back to reading and reading and reading ....

The common arguments on both sides quickly arise but my question doesn't seem to get answered. Do I really need one? Or should the question be, should we have one? We've taken the other precautions of insurance, TPMS, cameras, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers but we don't take the same level of precaution with scissors or a toaster.

After giving it some thought, the decision for me has come down to one of familiarity. Some folks are just more familiar with guns than others. Some folks are more familiar with gun situations than others.

We've seen car crashes. We've had near misses when driving (it could be argued that I'm disproportionately responsible for some of those close calls) We use vending machines without fear because we are familiar with them and have a long history of buying soda without a near death experience.

In all our years of camping we have yet to have the need for a gun or a fire extinguisher. We DO take precautions not to put ourselves in situations where either would come in handy. Thus I can see the points of both sides.

If the gun laws between states made it easier to possess, transport and store a handgun this decision would be much simpler. Trip planning is hard enough without the added work of avoiding accidental jail time. For now, we'll pass on the CHL and depend on the Texas license plates to ward off evil doers.

The purpose of writing this post wasn't to sway the mind of one side or the other. The aim is to help other honest, good folk in making their own decision.

Did not read every post, read the thread when it had 13 post and thought it would get heated. Just came back now and saw all the post, went to the end and post of the year right here if you ask me. I am sure no one will ask me but that's my no problem with but non gun carrying self opinion.