Do you feel the need to have a weapon when camping?

[jgorm]

Damn, you guys are hardcore. Where do you go where you need that kind of firepower to feel safe? Maybe i need to bring my gun out more!

[Chazz Layne]

I feel the need to have one on me at home, so yes absolutely when camping. When camping (or even day trips to the back country), 99% of the time I will also have my shotgun with me.

Despite their best attempts to disarm the world, there are a few holes in CA law that still leave room for self-defense. You are allowed to carry concealed on your own property (owned or rented), in your residence (temporary or otherwise), or on private property if you have the owner's permission (example: at work with a pro-gun boss). A campsite, according to California, is a temporary residence... thus if the tent is up you can carry concealed. (disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, so do this at your own risk)

I've never thought of a knife as a weapon, but as a tool, so I usually don't mention it in a thread like this. If I am out of bed I have a knife (and a flashlight) on me...

In my opinion most important weapon is situational awareness.

I absolutely, whole-heartedly, agree. If you don't have this, having a "real" weapon is perhaps even more dangerous than not having one.

[Chazz Layne]

Maybe i need to bring my gun out more!

It's just an opinion (and we know all about those ) so take from it what you will, but I wouldn't say there is any maybe about it. It isn't so much where we go as it is all the bad things that happen "in broad daylight" or "in front of 20 witnesses" (who did nothing) that forms the habit for me. It is really no different than being ready for an earthquake except that you *might* see it coming... better to be as prepared as you can be.

[Dennis David]

I carry the wimpy little Fox Mean Green.

[jgorm]

Maybe i need to bring my gun out more!

It's just an opinion (and we know all about those ) so take from it what you will, but I wouldn't say there is any maybe about it. It isn't so much where we go as it is all the bad things that happen "in broad daylight" or "in front of 20 witnesses" (who did nothing) that forms the habit for me. It is really no different than being ready for an earthquake except that you *might* see it coming... better to be as prepared as you can be.

Eh, for me its too much hassle to bring a gun. I've been camping 100s of times and not once did i ever have even the slightest need for a gun. Sure i've brought guns camping, but mostly for "target" shooting. (i won't lie, i like the bang and will even have fun shooting at dirt!). Figuring out the carry laws for stuff like national parks is a bigger pain than any need i have for a weapon. I'd be more worried that someone would steal my gun while i was out hiking than needing it for protection. The only place i might ever feel the need to bring a gun would be camping in remote areas near the border, and if i'm doing that i will usually bring the guns anyway because you can shoot down there (jacumba). (but i heard you can't anymore) Maybe i'm not paranoid enough.


No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

[OLLIE]

95% of the time I have my 4 (soon to be 5) year old son with me. As a lot of parents will attest to there is nothing I won't do to protect my family. I don't only worry about the two legged animals out there but the four legged kind as well. I go to sleep at night having nightmares of what might happen if something happened to me and my soon is with me. At his age, how long could he last on his own? (NOTE: I always have another truck with me just because of these nightmares when my son's with me.) How long would I last if something happened to him? Some people look at my rig and ask why the hell I've put so much into it. Everything in or on my truck is another tool to potentially get me, mine, my friends, or anyone out of any situation we might get ourselves into. A weapon of some sort, whatever your weapon of choice, is just another tool in that list of tools. If I ever get a chance to hit the dirt with you or share a campfire with you, be sure to ask me to tell about my friend who accidentally took the wrong trail on an Indian reservation in San Diego county three years ago. To arm yourself or not is anyone's own choice/right. I prefer to have my tools and not need them than to need them and not have them.

[BorregoWrangler]

Out of curiosity John - which .35 Remington rifle? I have a T/C Contender in that caliber, always meant to pick up a brush gun to match.

It's a 35 Remington lever-action Marlin. Great brush gun.

As for traveling with firearms goes-

As long as you transport them legally, there are no issues

http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/travel.php

HANDGUNS

California Penal Code section 12025 does not prevent a citizen of the United States over 18 years of age who is not lawfully prohibited from firearm possession, and who resides or is temporarily in California, from transporting by motor vehicle any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person provided the firearm is unloaded and stored in a locked container.

The term "locked container" means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment. For more information, refer to California Penal Code Section 12026.1.

SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES

Nonconcealable firearms (rifles and shotguns) are not generally covered within the provisions of California Penal Code section 12025 and therefore are not required to be transported in a locked container. However, as with any firearm, nonconcealable firearms must be unloaded while they are being transported. A rifle or shotgun that is defined as an assault weapon pursuant to Penal Code 12276 or 12276.1 must be transported in accordance with Penal Code section 12026.1.

A common misconception is the belief that ammunition cannot be stored in the same case as a firearm, or that it must be locked up separately somehow. This is not true. Shotguns and rifles can be transported unlocked, openly or concealed, however they must still be unloaded.

[ssc]

Not to get too far off topic, as I think I have responded to Johns question--unless he wants to expand the thread, but I agree with Ollie. I wheel solo more than most, just me and the wife. I feel it is my duty to protect her, as well as the rest of my family. As Ollie has said, if anyone wants to sit around a fire or the pool and tell stories, I am there. (Can't make it to BigBear) Like the time I took the wrong trail and ended up at a meth Compound, or at a skin head meeting place, or when someone tried to robb me, or shot at us or... well you get the picture.

Moral of the story--when you are out and about, you need to be self sufficient and one of the tools to accomplish this goal--for me--is a firearm. YMMV.


Regards, Steve

[BorregoWrangler]

The only place i might ever feel the need to bring a gun would be camping in remote areas near the border, and if i'm doing that i will usually bring the guns anyway because you can shoot down there (jacumba). (but i heard you can't anymore)

Yeah they did close off the main airport meas/carrizo range there from shooting because of the new road up the hill for Border Patrol, but there are still areas there you can shoot.

http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/ ... rtmesa.pdf

Go to the very bottom to see the map. The shooting closure is outlined in red.

[OLLIE]

The only place i might ever feel the need to bring a gun would be camping in remote areas near the border, and if i'm doing that i will usually bring the guns anyway because you can shoot down there (jacumba). (but i heard you can't anymore)

Yeah they did close off the main airport meas/carrizo range there from shooting because of the new road up the hill for Border Patrol, but there are still areas there you can shoot.

http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/ ... rtmesa.pdf

Go to the very bottom to see the map. The shooting closure is outlined in red.

I'm having a hell of a time matching that map to google earth. Is that the area with the ranges at the base of the more difficult trail to Elliot Mine?