Packing Heat.

[PaulC]

hey Paul...all us Merikans are cowboys at heart...just look at our President...he thinks he is the star of an old black and white Tom Mix movie (and we just thought we were scared of Reagan)...
madjack

MJ, Now that I relate to
Cheers
Paul

[Steve_Cox]

1911 or 1991 take your pick

I'll pick the 1911, thanks. Do you need a mailing address?

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Paul

I used to think it was mad to allow virtually anyone to have a gun, would a general citizen have enough nerve to do it right? having served in the Army I know that even trained people either freeze or fire wildly when under attack, during the second world war it was found that under 15% of the US forces were actually shooting to at the enemy!! (they have worked on that since) I cant find the links but it was US goverment report, Human beings are basically decent creatures who did not like killing each other.

Constitution

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/u ... ution.html

Other interesting articles on guns

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/duffy62.html
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/silveira58.html
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/duffy59.html
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/duffy63.html

There are probably a few more here, but anyway I always find it interesting reading

http://www.backwoodshome.com/article_index.html

[Joseph]

How many teardroppers keep a firearm in their tear when camping?

It depends. When camping in the Adirondacks, I don't, simply because the state of New York is one of the most handgun intolerant in the Nation, and while ordinarily I consider it "better to be judged by twelve than carried by six," I consider the personal risk up there from the "crazy stuff" to be minimal.

Otherwise, yes. My favorite is a Taurus PT-145 (.45 ACP - I'm a sucker for the classics) but even as compact as it is, I find it too bulky & heavy for concealed carry so that's my "under the pillow" pistol. My recently acquired (at the Nation's Gun Show in Dulles, VA last March) constant companion is a Kel-Tec P-3AT (.38 ACP). It's so small and light I can slip it in my pants or jacket pocket and forget it's there.

Joseph

[Joseph]

I used to think it was mad to allow virtually anyone to have a gun...

And I've never understood the idea that only the military and police should have them. They may be better trained, but otherwise, they come from the same gene pool as the rest of us: morally & ethically, neither better nor worse than the rest of the law abiding citizens that they serve. And since it's been determined (at least in this country) that police can only act after a crime has been committed, I'll look out for me and mine myself, thank you.

Joseph

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Joseph

I used to think it was mad to allow virtually anyone to have a gun...

Read the line again, its past tense, what I previously thought before I changed my opinion, I then show the info that changed my mind.

[gailkaitschuck]

Most Americans live with a fair amount of fear nowadays. Most folks outside the US find this need to arm themselves to the teeth a bit bizarre.

Our current political administration has many convinced that there are terrorists living in our underwear drawers. Evidence of this fear can be seen in the vast numbers of Americans who actually went out and cleared shelves of duct tape and plastic, assuming that sealing themselves into giant baggies would save them in the event of a terrorist attack.

I once would never have considered having a gun in my house. However, being attacked while leaving ones office tends to change ones mindset on these things.

In hindsight, I would have actually needed a gun very close at hand to have stopped this fellow (although he broke into my car, a gun in the trunk would have been useless). However, since he hurt a number of women with his attacks, I can't help but believe the world would be a better place with him having had a bullet through his head (or some other less useful body part).

One of the best things the police officer who taught me to shoot told me was "don't carry a gun unless you really do believe you could kill another human being". That's often a very difficult choice, John Wayne mentality aside.

Gail

[Joseph]

Hi Joseph

I used to think it was mad to allow virtually anyone to have a gun...

Read the line again, its past tense, what I previously thought before I changed my opinion, I then show the info that changed my mind.

Sorry I didn't make it clear, but I understand that. I was only responding to your former opinion, one that, unfortunately, is still held by many.

Good series of articles, BTW - lot's of "ammo" there.

Joseph

[SteveH]

ARE YOU A DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, OR SOUTHENER?

Here is a little test that will help you decide.

The answer can be found by posing the following question:

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children.

Suddenly, an Islamic Terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges at you. You are carrying a Glock cal 40, and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do?
.....................................................................

Democrat's Answer:

Well, that's not enough information to answer the question!
Does the man look poor! Or oppressed?
Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?
Could we run away?
What does my wife think?
What about the kids?
Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand?
What does the law say about this situation?
Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it?
Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children?
Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me?
Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me?
If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me?
Should I call 9-1-1?
Why is this street so deserted?
We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day and make this happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior.
This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends for few days and try to come to a consensus.

....................................................................


Republican's Answer:

BANG!


.....................................................................

Southerner's Answer:

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! click.....

(sounds of reloading).

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! click

Daughter: "Nice grouping, Daddy! Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?

Son: Can I shoot the next one!

Wife: You ain't taking that to the Taxidermist!

[Miriam C.]

Southern!!! Maybe I should make a hidey hole.

Miriam

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Gails

One of the best things the police officer who taught me to shoot told me was "don't carry a gun unless you really do believe you could kill another human being". That's often a very difficult choice, John Wayne mentality aside.

An interesting point, but one you will never know the answer to until after you have squeezed the trigger.

I was often surprised by how different people reacted in combat situations, some that were Gung ho in the Barracks were poor under attack and the average guys excelled. You really never know unless you have been there.

[Joseph]

Our current political administration has many convinced that there are terrorists living in our underwear drawers.

Actually, I think they were in my sock drawer...

Evidence of this fear can be seen in the vast numbers of Americans who actually went out and cleared shelves of duct tape and plastic, assuming that sealing themselves into giant baggies would save them in the event of a terrorist attack.

I did think that was rather silly. In the event of an attack I'd be sure to be away from my home where my "safe room" would be if I made one. So I just took to carrying around a 50 gal. heavy-duty trash bag and a twistie tie. Instant shelter!

One of the best things the police officer who taught me to shoot told me was "don't carry a gun unless you really do believe you could kill another human being".

OK, joking aside - IMHO that is absolutely the best advice anyone can give on the matter.

Joseph

[Q]

No gun for me. Where I camp there is nothing to be afraid of. No dangerous people and no dangerous animals.

Q

[Joseph]

An interesting point, but one you will never know the answer to until after you have squeezed the trigger.

Thanks George - I wanted to say something to that effect but couldn't get the right words so I let it be. Well said.

Joseph

[Arne]

I don't feel a need. I do carry mace, and I don't camp in areas with bears.

Years back, we were building a house in Vermont. We went up one weekend, camped in the driveway. Just before going to bed, a young teenager (about 14 y/o) came over and asked what we were doing there. I said we owned the property, etc...

The father came over, laughing about it the next day. He told us there was another teenager in the woods pointing a rifle at us while his friend was questioning us....... all I needed to do was twitch the wrong way, and I could be dead......... very scary.

Perhaps a better question would be, how many have actually had to use one of these many guns to protect themselves or their family. I'm not talking about law enforcement.

I do hear of rare occasions when a shop owner uses a gun to protect themselves against robbers. I've never heard of a local story about an individual using a gun in any fashion to protect themselves... I do hear quite a few used in drive-by shootings in nearby cities.

I have never needed a gun, and have only used them to kill harmless animals for no reason..... a practice I stopped years ago when I realized how stupid it was.

I'm not looking for an argument, here. Just a reality check.