Packing Heat.

[Spadinator]

Wow,
I did not intend to start a debate with my original post. I just wanted a simple yes or no. If yes what type of firearm.

The choice to carry a gun has to be your own. I prefer to carry a hand gun as they are easier to handle and conceal. As for the caliber it is a matter of preference. I prefer a .45 for it's knock down power but it can be a bit much for one who does not shoot much.

[Sonetpro]

Wow,
I did not intend to start a debate with my original post. I just wanted a simple yes or no. If yes what type of firearm.

Yes. A concealed one. And a license to carry.

[Chris C]

I believe the best up-close personal protection is a sawed off shotgun. Of course, it's illegal to own one. Next best is a shotgun. But they are pretty hard to carry in something as small as a car or teardrop. So in serious answer to your question, I believe I agree with Spadinator in that a handgun, of your choice, is best for you. Go to a local indoor gun range and they'll usually have different handguns you can rent and shoot. It'll give you an opportunity to make a decision as to what is best for you. That's what I did many years ago and had to admit a .45 was NOT for me. I flinched too much to be any where near accurate with it. On the other hand, a .40 suited me just fine and I can hold a nice tight group in rapid fire at 21 feet, the average of a one-on-one confrontation. But it might be different for you. Just go and try out some firearms to find out what is best for you. And then, if you aren't trained, get some professional training to use what you chose, properly. No sense owning a firearm if you can't use it correctly.

[Finntec]

We cant take one camping legally. Being from NY, especially from Onondaga county it is tough to get a conceal carry. I am only able to have my pistol on the range, at home, or hunting. Thats it. I find at the range that many law enforcement officers are not good shots. I know knocking down a hostile person is different than percision shooting, but 2" groups compared to 12" groups was surprising. It is kind of discoraging to think I would have to rely on them to protect me. We have to justify the need with something like working in a dangerous environment where the only defence against severe bodily harm or death would be a weapon. Well that could be any time, anywhere, but they dont see it that way. Just another reason to move south.

[Nytewyng]

Walther PPK ............Bond........... James Bond.......never had to use it .....yet

[PresTx82]

Damn. This thread has gotten a lot of attention.

My personal opinion on guns of any kind is that the American public have the right and DUTY to have them. I won't debate the political aspects of it or the NRA stance; but, if you are over 21 and have not been convicted of a felony, I feel you have that right. Saying that, if you do make that decison to carry, you better be proficient in that weapon.

I'd like to respond to a few qoutes:

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.

Numerous citizens have. An associate (non-law enforcement) had a man hyped up on drugs come to his residence and demanded entry. After numerous attempts to come in the man's house, the home owner pulled a shotgun out of the closet and informed the wanna-be bad guy to leave. The wanna-be bad guy didn't and attempted to push his way in the home. In the home at that time were this home owner's kids. The home owner gave him a blast of the shotgun and killed him in the entry way. The homeowner was in shock, but later after the police arrived they found a .45 caliber handgun fully loaded tucked in the rear of the dead man's belt, which was covered by his shirt. That home owner saved the lives of himself and his family. Bt the way, in Texas we have the "Twilight Law". Simply stated, if you are caught conducted mischief on someone's personal property after dark, you can be shot LEGALLY.

I mean, assault rifles? Where is this going to stop? Are rocket-propelled grenade launchers next?

Does it really matter? It depends on where you live. I lived in New York city and near Washington DC. Those places were harder to carry, but down on the southern border of Mexico its the wild west down here. Especially now. It's easier and required (my opinion) to be armed. I would have never considered owning an AK up North, but down here its a different story.

I'll have my little 22 revolver in the tear.

I would suggest upgrading the .22 to something a little more effective. If you're going to shoot someone, then you better mean it!

I believe the best up-close personal protection is a sawed off shotgun. Of course, it's illegal to own one.

A sawed off shot gun is not illegal as long as its at least 18 inches long. If you are going to saw one down, then cut it to 18 1/2 inches to be safe. Mine is 18 inches with an after market extention tube for extra shells.

Ok, I said my piece.

[cherokeegeorge]

when out in the middle of nowhere I've had a few close calls (young kids, alcohol and threats) I now protect me and mine.

[Woody]

Geez this thread isn't about the right to bear arms debate. If you ever have camped in an area with bears and mountain lion etc., it is wise to have a weapon to protect your family just in case. I really don't think a bear really cares what the polictical view is of the camper has pertaining to gun regulation or not. I happen to carry a DESERT EAGLE among others in the teardrop. I don't care what the polictical view of an aggressive bear or any other varmit (four leeged or two) you will get more than you bargin for on the business end of DESERT EAGLE

[dacrazyrn]

I have a four year old, so I won't have a gun in the tear when he is with me...on ME yeah, in the truck (where he can't get it, yeah). I am already teaching him to respect guns. I started shooting at 5 yrs old, got my Hunter's Safety card at 7 or 8, and have shot ever since. And will instill the same in him.
This reminds me of a news report I heard about once...not sure if true or not, but..
Supposedly (in OK) a group of men were hosting young men and women over 8 to come learn about guns, safety, and all that. A female new reporter is talking to the organizer and being a very liberal person herself, was showing disgust at it all. She asked him why they would want to give children the knowledge and tools to kill people or do "illegal" things.
He looked her straight in the eye and asked her if she was a prostitute. Her jaw dropped open..when she recovered, she answered "NO! Why would you ask such a thing?" He answered, "Because you have the knowledge and the tools for it." She then answered, "that doesn't mean she would do anything illegal". Of course, he answered, "That is exactly my point."[/b]

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi

There is no debate (lawmaking) to get rid of pointed kitchen knives in UK. There were a few docters last year that have pointed out that they are the weapon of choice in domestics.

Police are Armed over here (some pemanantly, some for special events only) The ones that are armed are volunteers, who are then selected for suitability and then highly trained.

Stockwell tube incident worries a few people though.

[Joseph]

Walther PPK ............Bond........... James Bond.......

IIRC Bond actually preferred the Baretta .25 ACP, but M insisted he switch to the Walther because the Baretta jammed, nearly costing him his life. I don't know about the Baretta, but my lady friend has a Dickson Detective, also in .25 ACP, and it jams a LOT! And as a buddy of mine told me, "If you empty the magazine of a .25 ACP in someone's eye, you might kill him. A .22 LR is more powerful." Fortunately, she also has a 12-shot 22 LR revolver which she keeps by her bedside.

never had to use it .....yet

Amen! Just like insurance - you get it, but hope you never need it.

Joseph

[Joseph]

Stockwell tube incident worries a few people though.

I suppose it might, though if there were a textbook on "Suicide by Cop," that guy might have written it.

Joseph

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Joseph

Sounds like you are going on the initial police reports (which they later admitted were inaccurate) that he is supposed to have run when challenged, vaulting the turnstiles, when wearing a Big bulky jacket the day after other suicide bombers had failed?

The truth is that he walked into the station, wearing light summer thin jacket, he was never challenged, and was shot 7 Times in the head (8 times in total, because they mistook him for somebody else.

Actually he did nothing to cause the police to shoot, the policy is to head shot suicide bombers without warning, he died through a police error which identified him wrongly.

This as all been admittted by the police ahead of the Inquiry.

[Joseph]

Joseph, Here is an Aussie's thoughts on this. I may get confused with your constitution and your declaration

No problem Paul - apparently some of us do too!

As much as I find your system to be a little scarey, I do believe that it works better than ours.

I'm inclined to agree. But life itself is scary. Fortunately for us, we both live in relatively civilized nations, the vast majority of whose citizens do not prey upon their neighbors. We're also protected from the kind of violence the citizens of many South American and African countries endure on a daily basis. But the predators are still out there and no society can guarantee the safety of each and every one of its citizens. When it comes down to it, we're on our own. I don't know how it is down there, but our police cannot take any action to prevent crime - they can only act after one has been committed.

I think that the old deterrent idea(maybe he's got a gun too) to be more acceptable than the knowledge that the odds are he does not.

The evidence certainly seems to indicate that.

I had an interesting experience a couple of years ago. I was staying with friends and left my truck parked on the street. The rear had a cap on it and it was full of all sorts of pilferable stuff, including a bottle of rum. On the rear window of the cap I had a "Life Member NRA" sticker and on the driver's side window another that read "NRA - Armed with Pride."

That night, every car and truck on that street was broken into and various things taken - except mine.

Joseph

[Joseph]

Good morning, George,

Sounds like you are going on the initial police reports (which they later admitted were inaccurate) that he is supposed to have run when challenged, vaulting the turnstiles, when wearing a Big bulky jacket the day after other suicide bombers had failed?

Yes, that's what I remember being reported at the time.

Actually he did nothing to cause the police to shoot, the policy is to head shot suicide bombers without warning, he died through a police error which identified him wrongly.

Really?!! I never heard that over here. Yeah, I guess that would have me a bit worried too!

Joseph