Hand Guns

[Wolf3gang]

Does anyone carry a hand gun for security/protection while fulltiming, wife and I are contemplating, we really are not gun people, but living near Chicago, anymore it is like the old wild wild west, starting Fulltiming on May 27 TH 2013, we currently do not own a firearm, and would take safety classes and training, just would like to here your pros and cons, it would always be a desperate last resort to use the weapon, please respond thanks to all who respond.

[msmith1199]

Every time one of these threads comes up you always see the argument made by some that they've never needed to have a gun in X number of years camping. While that is a valid statement to make, it is a 100% invalid argument to make about whether you need a gun or not. The fact is the vast majority of us who carry guns with us in our RV will never have the occasion to use them. But what happens if after 20 years you've never needed one, then that one night at 2am you do need it and don't have it? It only takes getting killed one time to learn your lesson.

If you don't like guns and don't want to carry one then I'm fine with that. If you don't know for sure you can use it and if you don't practice with it then you are probably more dangerous having it than not having it. But if you want one and you're going to take the time to get trained with it, then by all means get one.

I spent 28 years as a cop and there is one thing I can tell you, in the vast majority of all violent crimes the cops are going to get there in time to put up crime scene tape and conduct an investigation. Very rarely do the police show up in time to prevent a violent crime unless they just happen to be in the right place at the right time. And when you're camping in remote locations, the police may not even be able to show up for an hour or longer.

[dfb]

I am still wayne_tw wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
You aren't gun people......

You didn't need it when living in your S&B Home.

Why now that you are going full time?

Taking a safety class and training is a great idea BEFORE purchasing.

BUT are you going to go to gun ranges and maintain/improve your gun skills?
IF not.....why get the gun?

I grew up with guns, competed in shooting competitions, go to a range routinely and I would still caution folks on getting a gun.
Having one is a big responsibility.

Should you get one????????

This is the most responsible post regarding guns I have ever read on this forum. THANK YOU!

To have a gun is a PERSONAL DECISION.. No one can tell you to have or not too. Not on here, and not by the government. You yourself have to decide if you want the peace of mind of having something to fall back on in the rare case you may need it. You alone are responsible for your family as well as you for protection. If someone is hell bent on doing harm, it is reassuring that you have the means to protect what is yours. On the otherhand, if you don't think you want to use deadly force and be at the mercy of whomever, that is up to you...

[Carolina_Cruise]

I have to agree with others. If you just want protection in the RV get a shotgun with the shortest barrel or barrels you can find. Shoot it (somewhere safe of course)so you will know what happens when you pull the trigger and to get experience in putting the shot where you want it to go. It is great for point and shoot but repetition will help to allow skills to take over under stress. Take a hunter safety course. This will help protect you from yourself. I never felt the need to have a weapon until a couple of years ago. It took a lot for me to change my mind. I went to the range and rented several guns before finding what I was comfortable with. Bought weapon, ammo and practiced a lot. Took training for safety. I continue to train regularly which is very important with a handgun. Even drawing the gun practice is important. The responsibility is huge. I hope I never need it but I also know that if my or my families life is truly in danger; I am prepared. Shotguns are much cheaper all around, easier to hit what your shooting at, and performs the same job. If you do guy a firearm, always and I do mean always treat it as loaded. More people are shot by unloaded guns than you can imagine. You really need to think what is best for you before you do anything. GO to a range, rent some guns of different types and both you and your wife, with the help of staff, should fire the weapons. You will know, what to do from there. Your decision may be nothing.

[jacquesmm]

Long thread.
I used a gun several times and it saved my life. This was not in an RV but on a boat, over a 7 year period. Two times, I had to shoot (north Africa) and about 5 or 6 other times, the bad guys ran away when they saw the gun (Bahamas, central America and even US).
I was often in very remote or unusual places.

We now travel in an RV and we like remote places, the nature, forest etc. We have a shotgun in the RV and each carry a handgun.

Back to the OP:
If you mostly travel during the day, stay in nice campgrounds, there will be no more danger than during a normal sedentary life but if like me, you boondock often, stay in remote places and like to explore, I would recommend to become familiar with guns and get one.

I know people who were attacked, wife and daughter raped, others robbed and beaten and feel it is my moral duty to prevent that.
You should see the father who had his daughter raped, the saddest thing in the world.
We refuse to be victims, my wife and I carry responsibly.

[rockportrocket]

HMMMMMM Here I thought everyone in Texas had a hand gun, long rifle and darned good skinning knife.

[royl]

Staying in New Mexico and it being an open carry state it is a little nerve racking seeing the average Joe carrying his side arm everywhere so yes I carry my concealed just in case some wacko decides he is an old west outlaw. But yes I was trained to use mine and trained to kill if necessary while in the military so I could and would if forced to. Last resort of course. But if you decide to purchase a gun do what has been advised here and get the proper training.

[wanderingbob]

The State Attorney in Florida when asked if an RV was a vehicle or a residence responded that a RV hooked up to utilities is a residence if not it is a vehicle !

Many states have different laws concerning a gun in a vehicle , so I guess that you had better git a CCW. I Have carried for 40 years but still do not believe that I need one . Last year we drove the southern route to California and were legal ever where except California .

[devildog1971]

You can not pull a firearm to scare someone away that is against the law almost everywhere. Yes I saw a need to have a weapon when two female rangers one was severely injured by a large man that was shooting at signs as he drove through the park, luckily he dropped the weapon. If I had not helped the rangers they may have been more than hurt. At Lake Mead campground a husband was killed the wife raped and then shot and later a ranger was killed. I went a couple of years without shooting a while back and my skill had not diminished. I spent many years in law enforcement and as assistant director of a state law enforcement academy and trained park rangers. in my opinion if you carry something very concealable like a ruger LCP is best and a r.v. wall will not stop buckshot or slugs what then. pulling a firearm is a absolute last resort and if no one can tell that you carry a weapon you are safer, the last thing I ever want to do is have to hurt someone but worse than that I do not want to lose my life. so the best advise I can give is be safe out there

[CincyGus]

Some good advise here and I'm not going to point out which I agree with but just let you decide what is right for you. What I will add to the conversation is that you need to evaluate what your personal skills are. If having a weapon that you will only pull if you truly feel your life is in danger is something you can handle. Are you a good decision maker under pressure? Do you have a clear head in emergencies?

Being overly Fearful or emotional, unable to remain calm and make solid decisions based on the situation should be a thought in your decision process on buying a gun. If you can't keep your cool and control your fear and emotion to a level you can make good decisions, don't do it.

I'm going to illustrate my point for you.

One night I'm laying in bed asleep and wake to hear someone in my house. I'm the only one home, my wife who was an RN had called earlier and said she was working a double shift and wouldn't be home until 8am. I reach over in the nightstand (Just the two of us at that time, no children) and pull out my 38 revolver and lay there in bed with it under the covers, pointed at the bedroom door. I hear another sound in the living room and then my bedroom door opens and I see a shape of person, clearly not my wife. The person stands there for about 4 seconds and then says "Gus?".

I reach over and turn on the light on my nightstand to find my father in law, who lived next door on the next 5 acres, standing at the end of my bed. I asked him "What in the &^%$ are you doing?" and he said he was worried about his daughter/my wife because he noticed she wasn't home yet. I told him she had called and was working a double shift and then told him never to come in my house again during the night without singing out the minute he stepped inside or calling us first on the phone. He looked shocked I would say such a thing until I pulled back the covers and showed him I had the pistol.

My point is, If your someone that lets fear, anger, emotions get in the way of making good decisions, do not buy a gun. Get a can of wasp spray and a ball bat to lay by the bed. Carry pepper spray or a taser when in public. None lethal defense is better for some people because they may make a mistake they can never recover from.

My father in law thanked me about 2 weeks after our night time event for being a level headed guy. I've never been more thankful for anything more that having that trait, that night and it not failing me in that circumstance. Could have changed dozens of lifes and none of them for the good.

[Penguelephants]

My wife and I both carry and are NRA Life members. If you want to carry, get some quality training and practice when you're able. Don't jump in with both feet until you know what you need and are trained to use it if the situation arises.

Safety first!

[mike_mck]

MooneyDRVR wrote:
Try this before you make your decision-
Go to the website of "Front Sight Firearms Training"
Subscribe to their daily email newsletter about firearms training . They provide lots of information on how when and why to have a defensive weapon but most importantly they provide the information on the grave decision to actually use one. I am licensed in many states, I have taken several courses and the Front Sight course in Nevada and I'll tell you that it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Get the info first, make your own decision to carry or not and if you do get a professional training course and not just one of the 8 hr, 25 shots at a target CCW courses. You will also learn WHERE you are allowed to have a weapon in your possession as you travel. All states and cities are not created equal.

I have read this entire thread and in a nut shell MooneyDRVR makes a reasonable post.
Get educated on the issues and responsibilities, legal liabilities and learn the basics of your guns use.
I think the advise to get educated then make your own decision is the best advise out there.
I always struggle with posts that push the posters predetermined agenda either for or against owning a hand gun.
As for full disclosure
I live in AZ we can carry open or concealed. I do own a hand gun. I do not carry around the city but when out dry camping it is on my hip. It is there to deal with predators. 2 or 4 legged. I have dogs (large). I also carry in my truck if traveling on the interstate and may be catching a few hours at a rest area. This is my personal choice and is not meant for everybody.
The best thing I ever did was take a CCW class the included classroom and range time prior to applying for my CCW. Far more responsibilities then I knew. The instructor had an interesting take on open carry in town. He felt it made you the first target. Suggested concealed was the best way to carry in town.

[MooneyDRVR]

Try this before you make your decision-
Go to the website of "Front Sight Firearms Training"
Subscribe to their daily email newsletter about firearms training . They provide lots of information on how when and why to have a defensive weapon but most importantly they provide the information on the grave decision to actually use one. I am licensed in many states, I have taken several courses and the Front Sight course in Nevada and I'll tell you that it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Get the info first, make your own decision to carry or not and if you do get a professional training course and not just one of the 8 hr, 25 shots at a target CCW courses. You will also learn WHERE you are allowed to have a weapon in your possession as you travel. All states and cities are not created equal.

[flasam]

Shotguns, well, with any gun, the penetration depends on the type of ammunition you are using. This is all part of the education that you should get. Even bird shot will penetrate through a trailer wall. Some buck shot (00) will penetrate further than most pistol bullets.

[Bonefish]

ken burke wrote:

Wolf3gang wrote:
Does anyone carry a hand gun for security/protection while fulltiming, wife and I are contemplating, we really are not gun people, but living near Chicago, anymore it is like the old wild wild west, starting Fulltiming on May 27 TH 2013, we currently do not own a firearm, and would take safety classes and training, just would like to here your pros and cons, it would always be a desperate last resort to use the weapon, please respond thanks to all who respond.

Good question. There are two issues here . . . . carrying a concealed handgun for protection , and haveing a hand gun (or shotgun) in the trailer for night-time protection.

I have several permits to carry a concealed handgun. However, I don't carry one, and don't think I really need one. Others are correct . . . if you want to carry a conceled weapon, you MUST learn how to use it in self protection. You should have a gun safety course, and practice shooting the gun.

As to protection in your trailer at night, I think that EVERYONE should have a handgun, or better yet, a short shotgun in their trailer or motorhome. You can buy a shotgun everywhere, don't need a permit. Sometimes just the shotgun action of putting a shell in the barrel is enough to scare the bad guns away.

If you shoot someone, the bad guy should be breaking into the trailer or in your trailer. You can't shoot someone to protect your car.

I have a handgun in my trailer for protection, but no shotgun. I won't shoot anyhone unless really necessary.

Get a handgun or shotgun and be ready to use it for your protection.

ken

I agree with Ken but I prefer a shotgun. Reason is if you miss with a handgun many are powerful enough to go through the walls and could penetrate another camper nearby. With a shotgun the energy in the shot is dissipated quickly.