Protection on the road from ruffians?

[panheaddale]

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

"Gun logic is out of place in the camping culture."

Trying to pigeonhole all gun owners as using one type of "logic" seems problematic.

I understand the concern about irresponsible gun ownership and/or use....but surely people can concede that not all gun owners will fit the same "mold" that some find problematic.

I am quite sure that MANY friendly campers here in Alabama carry a gun both in their vehicles and/or travel trailers and as long as you never try to bust in on them to rob/murder them....such folks will be in my opinion just as friendly as the next.

It may be worth pointing out that even given the likely fact that many alabama campers are "packin" - that still the camping experience in Alabama seems perfectly safe and pleasant (from the tent camping I have done here both in central alabama, and on the coast).

The idea that simply possessing a gun as a last resort de facto is a "magnet" for trouble is problematic as well...I presume that the root cause of that "trouble" would be the nature of the individual...

My 2 cents....I will not be packin in the trailer because kids will be directly in my crossfire....but if we were solo, just the wife and I, then I would not find carrying to be "looking for trouble" or a "trouble magnet"...it would be a last resort used ONLY in a terrifying scenario where there was almost zero doubt that my life could be in danger. This hypothetical may indeed by extremely extremely rare, but that would be my choice to carry "insurance" for such a hypothetical...

Otherwise, I am actually pretty much a big ol' librul - go figure

But to each his own, but that is my current calculus about that folks....

Finally a librul with a brain.“Show me a young Conservative and I'll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I'll show you someone with no brains.”- Winston Churchill. To stay on topic: Situational awareness is the best defense you can do. Be aware of your surroundings and plan accordingly.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by panheaddale

Finally a librul with a brain.“Show me a young Conservative and I'll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I'll show you someone with no brains.”- Winston Churchill. To stay on topic: Situational awareness is the best defense you can do. Be aware of your surroundings and plan accordingly.

[/URL]

This quote has been incorrectly attributed to Churchill for decades now. I think between Churchill and Einstein there's a race for wrongly attributed quotes.

It is anyway unlikely that Churchill would subscribe to this philosophy: He was a swashbuckling soldier at 20, and a Conservative member of Parliament at 25. A couple of years later he switched to the Liberal Party (which was not liberal in the modern sense), and later went back to the Conservatives.

The phrase originated with François Guizot (1787-1874): "Not to be a republican at twenty is proof of want of heart; to be one at thirty is proof of want of head." Interestingly enough, Guizot was a conservative Liberal.

It was revived by French Premier Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929): "Not to be a socialist at twenty is proof of want of heart; to be one at thirty is proof of want of head."

And now we return to your scheduled programming.

[dznf0g]

I agree with PharmGeek. With others on board, it does become a problem.....just like at home. When I had kids at home, I developed a plan for the worst case. MOST of the time, in the AS, there is just the two of us, which simplifies things somewhat. Regardless the plan goes like this.

When a threat arises, we retreat to the rear bedroom of the AS. First 911 gets called and will be kept on an open line, After repeated verbal announcements of "I am armed...leave now!", if the perp comes into the front door, the EPERB gets activated. Repeat verbal announcements of intent to use force.

If the perp continues in a life threatening manner, AND help has not arrived, he gets 3 to the center of mass. Any occupants of the trailer are behind me or no gun pointing.

Yes, I have been trained and am mentally prepared for the LAST RESORT. Please understand, 1) I am a compassionate man 2) a conservative Constitutionalist 3) and a Christian, who doesn't EVER want to take a human life, regardless of who or what they are. But sometimes doing what is necessary and right is difficult. I must be prepared for that.

[dkottum]

Sounds like campgrounds are becoming more dangerous. Not the ruffians, it's the well-intentioned fellow campers doing "what is necessary".

doug

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Sounds like campgrounds are becoming more dangerous. Not the ruffians, it's the well-intentioned fellow campers doing "what is necessary".

doug

Whatever....I expected this kind of response. You don't know what's in my head nor heart. Don't lump everybody together...I TRY not to.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Whatever....I expected this kind of response. You don't know what's in my head nor heart. Don't lump everybody together...I TRY not to.

Rich, it's not you or anyone in particular that concerns us.

doug

[dznf0g]

10-4

[Hittenstiehl]

I happened to be on the Forums when the original post appeared. I chuckled to myself and thought good question, I to had wondered what various safety measures different minded forum members used. That said I accurately predicted where this conversation would digress to and it has done exactly that. So back to the post, there has been lots of good info shared. We will be adding wasp spray next to our cannister of bear spray as part of our plan. One of the most common ideas is common sense, not for sale at VTS , intuition, gut feeling, and having a plan. Most of us have a myriad of contingencies for weather, fires, traffic etc. And our safety is one to plan for also. Even if it just means hooking up and leaving, that is a plan. Most people who are armed will never broadcast that information. Those with good plans will just put them into action. The sheep dog will always protect ALL the sheep from the wolves whether they all agree with him or not.

[Jim Clark]

After reading this thread I feel like such a wimp.

[DKB_SATX]

A note to the wasp spray crowd: Test your can from time to time, and/or replace it on a schedule like a fire extinguisher. That stuff doesn't last forever. Both red wasps and yellow jackets are fairly common in Texas, so it's something I keep on hand but since I try to keep up with them around the house and garage, I don't have to use the stuff regularly. I often find that the mostly-full can that's been around for a couple of years has plenty of chemical but insufficient propellant.

I don't know if bear spray/pepper spray cans have similar problems over time, they're not as useful for killing wasps.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

After reading this thread I feel like such a wimp.

That's why we have memorial day and veterans day......so we can be...and you should be proud that you can be.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

That's why we have memorial day and veterans day......so we can be...and you should be proud that you can be.

This may be one of the best quotes I've read in the forum to date. Thanks, dznf0g...

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by Bluto

I'm of the opinion, that a person who is attacked, whether in an RV or not, should drop to the ground and take the beating dealt them, and then play dead after they are shot and stabbed repeatedly.

Since its hard to tell in writing - am I to take this at face value or is it meant as ironic sarcasm? Either way, I was disturbed to read this...

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

That's why we have memorial day and veterans day......so we can be...and you should be proud that you can be.

What, proud that I can be wimp?

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

. . . Most people who are armed will never broadcast that information. . . .

I wish they would so we could move away to a safer spot.

doug

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by dkottum

I wish they would so we could move away to a safer spot.

doug

Thank You.

[SteveSueMac]

To the OP's question - you've received quite a range of advice here. I'm thankful that we've yet to experience anything threatening so far but acknowledge this is out first year and stuff does happen.

For me - a gun in my trailer is out of the question. Miss and the bullet is likely to exit the airstream and stop in some innocent person's property or body. However, dznf0g's description of his planned response sounds responsible as he seems well prepared - would hope for his sake and everyone else's we never have to learn how accurate he can be with those 3 shots in a stressful moment like that.

I think the wasp/bear spray ideas might have merit. I'm wondering too if having your keys nearby can help if you hear something threatening. For some percentage of the criminal population, I have to assume a blaring car alarm that goes off while they're in the act will at least slow them down and for some, send them elsewhere.

Grim topic but better to be prepared and never need it than the reverse.

Safe camping everyone!!

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Since its hard to tell in writing - am I to take this at face value or is it meant as ironic sarcasm? Either way, I was disturbed to read this...

I would go with sarcasm, since
Semper ubi sub ubi
in his signature means always where under where.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

What, proud that I can be wimp?

Absolutely...(and I think "wimp" may not be the right word) if we feel so safe and protected that we don't have to worry about, and take action, every day just to stay alive and survive...because we have a system and dedicated folk who watch out for our safety. I too am a "wimp". 99.999...% of the time I have been and will be in the LUXURY of peace and safety.....don't even have to think about it most of the time. Priceless....and I'm proud,humbled,and pleased about that.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by dkottum

I wish they would so we could move away to a safer spot.

doug

I AM NOT being flippant here....but where would that be? I'm serious with the question.