How worried should we be?

[loulou57]

First I don't want this to get into a political issue!!

We don't camp south of the border. The last time we considered it was quite a few years ago. We were lost and got into an area in Syracuse NY where we got scared enough we turned around and headed home. We only stopped for gas and the border. We didn't make it to our campground in Pennsylvania.

We do travel into the US a lot, Michigan and Indiana. We have been told on various trips to assume everyone is carrying a gun and to be careful not to look at someone the wrong way.

Our friends daughter works for border security and said that a lot of people try to cross into Canada with loaded weapons either on them or in the vehicle. One family went into the wrong lane. They were not wanting to come across the border but had no where to turn around. They sent them back to the US. This family with small children had 6 loaded weapons. Each parent with 2 on their person and one on the floor of the vehicle and one in the stroller basket. This family were just out for the day to take their kids for a picnic.

Now, I ask because I am ignorant to all of this, just how worried should we be. I know there was a topic about protecting yourself while boondocking but I am petrified to even think of camping. I am anxious as soon as I cross the border.

I hate this feeling. I know that everyone is not out to shoot you but I can't shake it. On our last trip we saw people actually having a gun on them.

I understand we have more guns up here but unless you are hunting it is unlikely you own a gun. I know we have had issues with people here that have caused death and injury but I am not concerned that we may get shot on the street or camping.

Just how concerned should I be. What are the do's and don'ts to stay safe. I am sure I am asking a question that many would like to.

I want to be able to enjoy all of North America. There are so many great places and people to visit.

[fla-gypsy]

romore wrote:
We have visited the U.S. many times and have always enjoyed ourselves. We have on a couple of occasions come across neighbors in the cg who over imbibed and started getting belligerent, we know enough to stay clear of them. Don't want to risk them waving a 44 magnum.
As one poster mentioned, we also try to stay out of the seedy areas. I remember being in KC and wanted to see 12th and Vine after hearing Kansas City Here I Come. Best to stay out of that area after dark.:B
Seriously, I do have reservations after reading numerous posts on this and other forums about carrying firearms in the rv for' personal protection'. Are people really that insecure or is it just bravado? I don't want to find I am parked next to a wingnut with an AK-47 and a hair trigger.

Your comments are offensive to those who legally possess firearms for protection and the use of the term "wingnut" implies you think everyone who owns a gun is some sort of crazy. We are certainly not the ones who are insecure, we just want the criminals to understand they may be taking their life in their hands if they choose us. I for one have never held a .44 magnum and drunks are just that, drunks! I suspect you didn't post what you did to be offensive unless you state otherwise but are merely parroting what you have "heard". As a visitor to any area we are not familiar with we should always be careful not to offend our hosts as I am sure I am when visiting other areas than my own.

[Islandman]

You will have no problem visiting the USA, just like we have no problems when we visit your great country. Our gun problems are basically limited to the gangs and larger cities, gun control laws don't seem to help reduce the killing among gang members or use of firearms in some of the more "seedy" areas of our cities. We have a great country and I doubt if you will ever see anyone with a firearm, except law enforcement people, in your travels. Check out the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the California and Oregon coasts, and other places we treasure, you will like them too. We marvel at the places we've visited in Canada also, especially Nova Scotia, PEI, BC, Yukon, and even Yellowknife in NT. Have a good trip and get to know us, we're a friendly bunch!

[romore]

We have visited the U.S. many times and have always enjoyed ourselves. We have on a couple of occasions come across neighbors in the cg who over imbibed and started getting belligerent, we know enough to stay clear of them. Don't want to risk them waving a 44 magnum.
As one poster mentioned, we also try to stay out of the seedy areas. I remember being in KC and wanted to see 12th and Vine after hearing Kansas City Here I Come. Best to stay out of that area after dark.:B
Seriously, I do have reservations after reading numerous posts on this and other forums about carrying firearms in the rv for' personal protection'. Are people really that insecure or is it just bravado? I don't want to find I am parked next to a wingnut with an AK-47 and a hair trigger.

[wny_pat1]

Terryallan wrote:

In other words. You are right to be scared of New York. The criminals (who do have guns) know you are a EASY unarmed target.

The only place I've ever been shot at was in Vietnam, and I'm from NYS. In NYS, you get caught with a handgun and no permit, you go to jail - doesn't matter if your a criminal or not. The only time you see people with guns in NYS is during small game and big game season! But I will admit we have lots of people like Rob Ford.

[Escargot]

loulou57 wrote:
I hope you don't feel I think all Canadians have my insecurities. It is obvious by the people that cross the border that they don't. I am sorry if I left that impression.

You didn't create that impression and, please, do not apologize for your post nor your very valid concerns about visiting the U.S., most especially since your negative experience in Syracuse, NY.

I will personally apologize for some of the insensitive RVers who are criticizing you for valid fears; the ones who are doing anything but supporting you by fabricating horror stories; for the ones who don't have a clue abut how the US is viewed as a gun crazy culture; and for the defensive ones who are all about comparing crime stats of the US compared to Canada. I think too many have just dulled themselves into denial due to the frequency of gun violence in this country (the U.S.).

Half of the RVers on this site carry guns when RVing, so there must be something to what you're saying, otherwise, why would they?

Take the best advice and just ignore the rest.

[loulou57]

Thankyou to all of you posting. This has really helped to be able to tell you my fears. To be able to say to the people I fear, I am scared. It has also helped by the fact that it could have been any one of you that I might have been afraid of and you did not judge me or take it personally. It is an awful feeling to see such wonderful families enjoying themselves in a beautiful country, looking relaxed and at peace when I am watching everywhere else, questioning. I thankyou again for the words that are comforting and thankyou for inviting me to your country.

[camperforlife]

You have to put things into perspective. Indianapolis has something like 40 murders this year. They had 8 within 12 hours last week. Am I afraid to go to Indianapolis? Absolutely not, I am there nearly every week. I have never been approached by someone with a gun nor have I ever seen someone with a gun assaulting anyone. Most murders are drug related and if you are not in the business of buying or selling drugs your chances of being murdered here is no worse than in Canada.

Come to the U.S., be aware of where you travel. It is pretty easy to research any major city to see where it is safe to visit. The vast majority of this great country is very safe to visit.

[Johno02]

Come down and visit Washington DC for about a week or so. Safest place in the Entire U.S. That is why the President and Congress all hide out there. They might get lynched back in their home area. Just don't get out on the streets after dark and you will be OK.

[kaydeejay]

loulou57 wrote:
I hope you don't feel I think all Canadians have my insecurities. It is obvious by the people that cross the border that they don't. I am sorry if I left that impression.

Loulou - I'm originally British, lived in Canada (Oshawa) for 16 years before moving to Michigan. I live almost 30 miles North of Detroit and have no safety concerns whatsoever.
Yes, there are areas of the city I avoid, but then again MOST big cities have such areas.
My only involvement with the bad guys was when I was visiting friends in Toronto several years ago - my car was broken into at 3am.
I visit the UK a couple of times a year. My home town (Luton) is a war zone and I will not go there after 6pm.
I got a warning from the car rental company last time I visited...
"Do you have a sat-nav?"
"Yes"
"Do you use a suction cup to hold it on the windscreen?"
"Yes"
"Do not leave even the circular mark on the glass or your car will be broken into. Leave NOTHING visible inside the vehicle!"

Err, my sat-nav is in my car permanently here, the car is often in my drive-way unlocked. My garage door is left open for hours at a time. If the car is in the garage, the keys are probably in the ignition.

In 22 years since I moved to Michigan I have never had a problem.
The UK scares me more!

Relax a little, I really do think you are being too serious, even to the point of being paranoid.

[Pool]

It's not the gun but the people you surround yourself with. Good people do carry but never whip it out for fun, it's not a conversation piece. If I have a chance I will run first only draw if no choice.

[wbrown62]

Your fears are completely unfounded. I am afraid the mainstream liberal media has painted a picture of gun toting, wild west style antics in the US and especially Texas that most people, even many in the US have bought hook, line and sinker. I have lived all of my 50 years in the great state of Texas that the media would leave you to believe every citizen has enough weaponry to arm a personal militia. Most people that own guns use them for sport shooting and hunting. I can tell you without a doubt, if you were to come to Texas, you would likely never see a gun except on a policeman. You would also be welcomed with open arms and find some of the friendliest people in the nation. You will also be safe. You have to use caution just as you would in any major city. I sincerely hope you don't let unfounded fears ruin a trip to the US. Happy trails!

[pompomgirl]

There is no need to worry about the people legally carrying guns, and the people you need to worry about will not necessarily be carrying guns. If you see someone openly carrying a gun, it's not considered polite to point and stare. If you just forget about the guns, you will find the U.S. to be very much just like Canada, only with different accents, and with an automatic assumption that you want a cup of coffee with breakfast.

When the OP said "below the border," my first thought they would be nuts to go camping in Mexico! Back in the 70s when I had a company running birding tours to Mexico, we always put in our pre-tour information that if you had to have tea with breakfast, bring your own. There was nothing quite as fearsome as a Canadian at breakfast who had just found out the hard way that tea was not a common offering in restaurants in Mexico.

A few months back, we were camping at a model airplane meet, and it was all over the local news that two armed fugitives were at large in the area. One of our Canadian friends (female) was going around saying, "If they come here, they'll see our license plates and know we don't have a gun! I want a gun!" We considered offering her one but decided discretion was the better part of valor. They finally found one of the feared fugitives hiding up in a tree and used a fire hose to get him down.

Please, forget about guns and just come on down.

[Beverley_Ken]

Traveled by car/RV, camped in all types of campgrounds plus over night sleeping stops in Walmarts/rest areas/truck stops and NEVER felt uncomfortable. Presently watching the 11pm news from Orlando and the news items could be Canadian or American, very little difference. Last year north of the border, an innocent citizen was struck by a stray bullet, 'bad guys' shooting at 'bad guys', same thing on news in FL tonight. Very, very, very unlikely that you will ever be affected while travelling, just use COMMON SENSE.

Beverley and Ken

[loulou57]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
The Florida state park we're in right now has nearly 50% Canadian guests. It's obvious not all Canadians are paranoid about the US. I've camped and RV'ed for 71 years in both countries, and have never needed a firearm except when I was in the military. Are there areas in Syracuse that I avoid? Absolutely. Are there parts of Ottawa I avoid? Absolutely there too. Which side of the border the city is on isn't the determining factor.

I hope you don't feel I think all Canadians have my insecurities. It is obvious by the people that cross the border that they don't. I am sorry if I left that impression.

[loulou57]

michigansandzilla wrote:

loulou57 wrote:
We do come to Michigan quite a bit now.

Where do you visit in Michigan? Have you ever gone to Detroit? If you've been to Detroit and felt ok, you'll be fine no matter where you go in the states especially provided you avoid inner city areas.

The only time in Detroit was across the border to go to Cabellas. I didn't pay much attention, I was reading. We booked at the Hampton Inn by mistake near or in Pontiac. I could not sleep. It was worse after the girl at the desk said she would not drive through Pontiac at night. We go to a mall in Troy quite often on our way through. It is a nice place, mall on both sides of the road with a bridge across. We usually stay at the same Hampton Inns and the same room #.