Packing a Gun, Mister~ - Page 3

davidz71 · 01-31-2003, 10:05 PM

Gordon,
One of my fellow instructors was born and raised in Canada and she told me that if you moved from one province to another, you had to register your weapons in that province also. I realize that Canada has tightened up on their gun laws but hope you never take the step that Australia has. Their rate for home invasions has increased dramatically since the confiscation. Some Canadians I have talked to have said that they do not intend to register or turn in any weapons and I sure wouldn't either. Washington D.C. has the highest rate of crime but the toughest gun laws in the US. Sorta says it all.

davidz71 · 01-31-2003, 10:08 PM

Bruce,
Mexico is extremely harsh on individuals found in posession of .45 caliber pistols since they are the Mexican Army's caliber. For whatever reason they are forbidden in Mexico.

Forrest · 02-01-2003, 12:43 AM

There are alternatives to guns that the average Airstreamer might want to consider. A canister of bear repellant has more cayenne pepper in it than the regular type used to repeal humans. I can tell you first hand that the new pepper spray (oil based - not water) are very effective. The only drawback is that they are so effective they sometimes incapacitate the user as well as the attacker. Still, it is non-lethal (in the vast majority of instances) and will not likely land you in jail. The bear repellant really does stop a grizzly bear charge, and I can only imagine the effect on a human.

There are many potential problems other than legal ones for carrying firearms in your vehicle or trailer. Theft from campers in National Parks is rampant in some places. If you leave your firearm in a lock box make sure the box itself is bolted down. Accidental discharge is another danger, and if you or a loved one shoots themselves or another accidentally remember how far away medical help can be. Someone mentioned they have a Glock. They're excellent weapons, but they are very prone to accidental discharge due to the fact the safety is in the trigger (which is no safety in my mind). Do yourself a favor and have a gunsmith install the NYC trigger on the Glock (the process increases the weight needed to pull the trigger).

Just some food for thought.

**john hd** · 02-01-2003, 05:30 AM

forrest,

good points, your comments about the glock are why i prefer the 1911 .45

simple design, two true safetys one in the grip and one for the hammer.

if it is carried with the clip loaded and no rounds in the pipe, the chance accidental discharge is just about zero.

firearms carry a huge responsibility, keeping them simple as possible reduces the chance for error.

even for experts.

pepper spray is a very good idea for those of us who would not consider a firearm.

the fire extingusher by the door in everyones trailer could be used in a pinch also. one shot of dry chemical in the eyes of a attacker would most likely result in temporary blindness too. and make breathing difficult. (any one who has used one down wind can attest to this)

john

Forrest · 02-02-2003, 12:10 AM

NYPD experienced a number of accidental shootings with its officers armed with the 9mm Glock. They determined that it was because the trigger pull was so light. In Denver an officer's two year old son got her Glock from her purse just after she arrived home and he shot himself in his torso and was killed. Had she been carrying a revolver that might not have happened as a two year old would have a more difficult time pulling the trigger. These type of incidents led NYPD armorers to increase the weight of trigger pull from about 4 lbs to 8 lbs. The 8 lb trigger pull is not so much that it causes any accuracy problems. Most quality revolvers have about an 8 lb pull. But NYPD was the first PD to address the problem and so the adjustment came to be known as the New York trigger.

Road Ruler · 02-02-2003, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Forrest
[b]There are alternatives to guns that the average Airstreamer might want to consider. A canister of bear repellant has more cayenne pepper in it than the regular type used to repeal humans. B]

Forrest... Some good points.
As a Canadian, legally, it is to much of a hassle to carry a gun in the RV. I personally don't want the responsibility anyway. After saying that I am aware of the potential problems that may arise when on the road. When hiking we use old ski polls as a walking stick. They could be used as a sprearing device. When using our pop up in campgrounds I always slept with a hammer within my grasp. Other items handy in our trailer is a baseball bat, axe, fire extingisher and ski poles. Personal self defence training is also part of my history.
Having any or all of these items do not pose a legal problem but can be used in a pinch to defend ones self. Of course none of these will protect one in every situating but being prepared to a reasonable degree is better than being not prepared at all.

Pepper spray is banned in Ontario. We bought some in the States and carry it with us when hiking in the woods and store it in the trailer all other times. It is unlikely that we would be caught with the pepper spray. If we were caught and charged the fine would be minimal.

Forrest · 02-02-2003, 09:44 PM

Obviously my typing "repeal humans" in my earlier post was a mis-type, but now I wonder if it wasn't a Freudian slip! What else is prohibited in Canada? Sling shots? Just joking, but a can of beans makes a fine missile too.

Seriously, many items are usable weapons for self defense, including kitchen knives, and in close quarters can be more effective than a hand gun.

53flyingcloud · 02-03-2003, 05:52 PM

I've enjoyed all the thoughts and, the many excellent tips shared.
Just a reminder that, the poll will be closed several days from now.
But, hopefully, the sharing of information will continue..
Thanks again~
ciao

02-03-2003, 08:46 PM

I was informed today, my brother a full timer, camping in Rosarito Mexico, was murdered last week This happen on 1/29/2003. I was told by the mexican authorities, that his head was bashed in, behond reconition and all his ID's and california registered yellow suzzuki jeep was stolen (Ca Lic plate 2ERZ051). So carefull traveling into mexico. Mexican authorities seem to think that this was not a big issue,when I called. They also said that the 3 suspect might be heading north. In my opinion thats why they properly took all his ID and the car. AN i WAS GOING TO GO THERE IN THE SPRING,not now.

John · 02-03-2003, 09:12 PM

Krazy,

Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Blessings-John

Forrest · 02-03-2003, 10:16 PM

Very sorry to hear of your loss. Hopefully, those responsible will be brought to justice.

Forrest

53flyingcloud · 02-04-2003, 04:55 AM

Our deepest condolences to you and, to your family.

The Townsends

canny_banjo_man · 02-07-2003, 01:48 PM

Our hearts go out to U too, 4the sad loss of Yr Brother...

When I totaled the hire vehicle back in 2002, in Orlando, the police officer was VERY NICE about it all, no-one got hurt, except the brand new 7seater van, however I had to fill in a few details, and were advised to remove all of our posessions from the vehicle, the officer took me to one side, and asked me if I was carrying....
Drink, Drugs...or Firearms...naturally I was honest and replied NO.
I was a little shocked by him asking me this, but I was in AMERICA...now over here in England...we DO NOT carry guns, we are NOT supposed to have any...yet 186 people were injured by firearms !!!!.....I must admit, sometimes I wish I had one...it sure would stop the *%"_=&=* parking his truck, blocking my driveway....

.
Good topic, I found this one quite interesting....jus for the record, I used to shoot small bore 2.2, pistol/rifle at a local shooting club, for abt 3 years, I shot 4 matchcards, for the club competitions, although we did'nt ever win a great deal, it was the taking part that counted, and I realy enjoyed it, but I don't think I would carry a gun, if I had a choice...Chris.....

davidz71 · 02-09-2003, 12:25 AM

Bruce,
Forrest and JohnHD have made good points concerning the Glock. You have to have excellent trigger finger control with that weapon and that is something you do not achieve unless you shoot often and run yourself through scenarios. I know one FFL dealer/gunsmith who shipped 12 Glocks to a PD for a 2 week period. Four of the officers had accidental discharges and were struck by the bullets. Obviously there was a lack of training issue as I see it. That gunsmith has designed a manual safety for the Glock which he is marketing and is installing for a number of PDs. I believe that you can go up to 11 lb. on the trigger pull of the Glock with the right combination of parts. By the way, one officer from a small town outside Nashville, TN. had someone change his 5 lb. trigger to a 3.5 competition trigger. It makes for a sweet combination on a target range but is trouble on the street. The officer was retrieving his loaded weapon from a lockbox outside a vehicle trapgate and it slipped out of his hand. It hit on the back of the slide, discharged and the bullet entered just under the knee. The officer took over 100 pts. of blood and lost his leg. I always recommend a good 4" revolver, really like the 2 1/2" mdl. 19 or 66 Smith & Wesson 357 revolvers, and when someone has become proficient with it then try out an automatic if they want to move up. This takes additional training of clearing stoppages (failure to fire or a stovepiped round) so that you do not end up with an auto paperweight.