Fulltimers: Weapons on board for self defense

[Rick]

We will officially become full timers this September. As we venture out into the cold crew world I am wondering how many of you possess any firearms on-board just in case. If you have guns on-board have you also received concealed carry permits. I would like to hear some thoughts on this before embarking upon this new lifestyle.

Thanks

Rick

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by Rick

We will officially become full timers this September. As we venture out into the cold crew world I am wondering how many of you possess any firearms on-board just in case. If you have guns on-board have you also received concealed carry permits. I would like to hear some thoughts on this before embarking upon this new lifestyle.

Thanks

Rick

Rick,

I've been involved in RV's for the last 35 years of my adult life and with my parents before that. My dad is a retired cop so we ALWAYS had a gun with us and as an adult I always carried a shot gun in the RV. I now carry a small pistol called the "Judge" which is a pistol that shoots 410 shotgun shells.

You must remember that once you pull a trigger you're responsible for that bullet until it comes to a stop and unfortunately the walls of an RV are very thin and that's why I stick to a small caliber.

Some will argue that self defense isn't necessary but when we camp we usually aren't around any cops and in many cases the cell phones don't work in rural areas. About 3 years ago a woman, her daughter and friend were all raped and 2 of them murdered in Yellow Stone. I hope and pray I never have to use a gun to protect my wife and I, but if the need arises I won't hesitate to introduce the bad guy to Jesus.

Shot guns are legal in every state of the union for home defense and these trailers are our homes. I have had a ranger a few years back that asked if I had a weapon. After I showed him the gun and my FOID card he was happy and commented that he thought it was a good idea. I was also broke down along the highway in Georgia one day with a bad fuel pump. Knowing that I was vulnerable, I had a loaded 12 gauge sitting in a open case within reach while I was working on the truck. The sate trooper who stopped to help me saw the gun and inquired about it. He asked me to put it away while he was there but said he wished everybody did that because people that have their hoods up are often victimized.

In my opinion a good guy has to protect himself from the bad guys. My guns are always loaded and my fire extinguishers are always charged. I've carried both for all these years and never used either one ....I hope it stays that way.

happy trails

Edited by: Dave&Ginny

[Oriana]

Rick,

You raise an interesting question. In his response Dave mentioned he has always had firearms, but in my case having been brought up in UK and then the last 30+ years in Canada, I have never owned or used a firearm. We have travelled extensivelyacross the Western States and Hawaii, and have never been concerned with not being armed.I alsoworked in the marine industry andhave also been in numerous unsavoury ports and rarely been concerned withmy safety. However, we never went alone and alwaysmaintained situational awareness.

While we won't be fulltimers,starting next year we will winter in the southern states and plan to spend 6 - 8 months a year in the RW. Wewon't have any firearms, but we will be travelling with dogs, which currently are on older Labrador and a Shepherd puppy. Wehave no guns, but have an exceptional early warning system.

I suggest going with your comfort level.In our case we wont carry firearms, but we will not be using back roads or camping in the bush, and we will always have a dog.

[piper guy]

I'm like Dave



In my house and also my rolling house are a short barreled (legal) 12 ga Shotgun (nothing else in this world sounds like a 12ga pump chambering a round) and also at least 1 handgun. Having said that ~ I am former combat Marine, weapons trained and also a CC permit holder. There is almost always a Ruger LCP in my back pocket. The coach has a 12ga in the bedroom closet in a rack and a 9mm in a elctronic safe in the living area - hidden but very accessable and only accessable to the two of us.



Like Dave, I hope I never have to use it, but if needed it because of a real threat to family, it will be.

[jrgkfg]

Our first line of defense is our German Sheppard, Max. He was trained in german and only obeys commands in that language. He is otherwise very friendly and loves kids, will let anyone pet him, but don't raise your hand to the wife or me! Very protective. We also have hand gun and a "Snake Charmer"well hidden but easily accessible and both legal. Its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!

[jlandon13399]

Rick,

All of the above advice is good. You have to be comfortable with your personal situation. If you decide to carry a weapon you must be trained to use it. Again no one wants to have to use their weapon, but it is there if needed. I do carry a 9mm and have been trained on gun safety and shooting both in the military world and civilian world. I also have a concealed weapons permit. As the saying goes "don't leave home without it...." but be aware of various state's laws concerning guns.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by piperguy

I'm like Dave



In my house and also my rolling house are a short barreled (legal) 12 ga Shotgun (nothing else in this world sounds like a 12ga pump chambering a round) and also at least 1 handgun. Having said that ~ I am former combat Marine, weapons trained and also a CC permit holder. There is almost always a Ruger LCP in my back pocket. The coach has a 12ga in the bedroom closet in a rack and a 9mm in a elctronic safe in the living area - hidden but very accessable and only accessable to the two of us.



Like Dave, I hope I never have to use it, but if needed it because of a real threat to family, it will be.

Years ago there was a survey done asking convicted felons in prison what they feared most while breaking into a home. They all said that if a dog was in the house they knew it before they entered and therefore would either avoid the house altogether or take the dog out first. But there was one sound that would make their blood go cold...the sound of a 12 gauge because there was good chance the shooter would NOT miss. If they encountered a homeowner with a pistol (untrained) the homeowner had a probable chance of missing.

Most thieves, only want to steel and will leave as soon as they know your home. If they continue into your home, after they're aware that you're there ...they want to do more than just steel. That's what 00buck is for.

[TravelinAnderson]

As you can see carrying a lethal weapon with you is a matter of choice. I guess it would be wise to consider your comfort level with guns now. If you have a gun now that you use for home protection then you might wants it in your travel home. If you don't, then you may not be trained how to use a gun for self defense. If you do decide to carry a gun with you please make sure to get any training needed to handle it responsibly and know the laws in every state you carry it in.Like Dave said, once you pull that trigger, you are responsible for it's trajectory and stopping point.</span>

Have you considered non-lethal means of protection? I keep a can of bear repellent handy. It will shoot a mist up to 30 feet and I'm sure that will stop all but the most determined person from whatever mischief they have in mind. If that doesn't do the trick then I have other means to adjust their attitude that won't kill them.

[BradPAjax]

All,
Just remember if you come to visit the Great White North, check first on our gun laws. You will be asked at the border and again when you enter any National Parks if you have any weapons. I was trained to handle a weapon from age 12 when I took a Hunter Training Course with my dad in Alberta and I spent 10 years in the reserve using 9mm and 7.62mm weapons so I know how to handle a gun, however, our govt made it really hard to keep a weapon up here... forget carrying one. Bear Spray or Bee and Wasp Spray will recalibrate just about anything up to 20 feet without a permit. I don't play softball but I have an aluminum bat handy in the closet too.

[piper guy]

As an aside, I also have in the basement and one other in a cabinet in the living area, an aluminum "fish bat". For those of you that aren't familiar with it, it is a short (about 18" long) aluminum baseball style bat with a lanyard at the end to put around your wrist and is weighted at the "swinging" end. It is used mostly for offshore fishing where when you bring the fish next to the boat you want to knock him senseless before bringing all those teeth aboard. Works wonderfully for checking tires, especially the inside duals. Walk around on a quick stopand wack each one and if one doesn't make the same sound as the others, investigate further. I'm reasonably certain you could also make a considerable attitude adjustment with it.



Most any Marine Supply store should have them or get them. Not expensive.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by BradPAjax

All,
Just remember if you come to visit the Great White North, check first on our gun laws. You will be asked at the border and again when you enter any National Parks if you have any weapons. I was trained to handle a weapon from age 12 when I took a Hunter Training Course with my dad in Alberta and I spent 10 years in the reserve using 9mm and 7.62mm weapons so I know how to handle a gun, however, our govt made it really hard to keep a weapon up here... forget carrying one. Bear Spray or Bee and Wasp Spray will recalibrate just about anything up to 20 feet without a permit. I don't play softball but I have an aluminum bat handy in the closet too.

Unfortunately, some are trying to make our countries alike in medical and gun laws.

[jlandon13399]

Google Switzerland or click on the link below, and read what they do with their citizens. Seems they have a peaceful country as a result. Just wondering.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_pol...in_Switzerland

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by jlandon13399

Google Switzerland or click on the link below, and read what they do with their citizens. Seems they have a peaceful country as a result. Just wondering.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_pol...in_Switzerland

Perfect...I LOVE IT! I just went out today at lunch time to buy some more ammo and ended up buying another pistol. It was like walking past a puppy in a pet store....I had to take it home because it looked lonely.

[jlandon13399]

Dave,

You can bring your gun to Arizona anytime you want. I am not saying we don't have some "nuts" here, but use of guns has been a staple in Arizona since it was first settled. Let me know when you will be in Phoenix.

[piper guy]

Dave, if you can get any .22LR, 12ga of most any variety, and heaven forbid 9mm, please get some and ship east. I will reimburse you. There is absolutely nothing on the shelves around here anywhere. I wanted to go to the range the other evening and take a couple of the .22's just for some fun. tracy looked at me and asked if i thought I'd be able to replace the ammo ...........................



Curiosity ~ what did you buy ? I just bought another .45 1911 for the same reason - too good of a deal to pass up and it looked lonely.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by jlandon13399

Dave,

You can bring your gun to Arizona anytime you want. I am not saying we don't have some "nuts" here, but use of guns has been a staple in Arizona since it was first settled. Let me know when you will be in Phoenix.

I'll be down there 2 times. The first will be the second week of February and then again the first week of April. I'll share a drink with you. Where do you recommend to park my rig while I'm there?

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by piperguy

Dave, if you can get any .22LR, 12ga of most any variety, and heaven forbid 9mm, please get some and ship east. I will reimburse you. There is absolutely nothing on the shelves around here anywhere. I wanted to go to the range the other evening and take a couple of the .22's just for some fun. tracy looked at me and asked if i thought I'd be able to replace the ammo ...........................



Curiosity ~ what did you buy ? I just bought another .45 1911 for the same reason - too good of a deal to pass up and it looked lonely.

I can get ammo without a problem I just bought a "little" Taurus 22. It's small and cheep to shoot. I went to the gun store to buy some more 45 long colt and decided 90 cents a shot was getting kind of high for playing. I'll keep those for emergencies.

[Beechguyjim]

Dave
I'm in Tucson now and moving up to Mesa in about ten days looking for a good place close to Falcon field got about fifthteen
Days work and play there and am bringing all my 45s two Kimbers and a Glock with a soon to be banded clip hell I may never go home all I miss is my Vete and Clk

[jlandon13399]

Dave,

I am not familiar with the Phoenix area as I live in Tucson. Look at the Good Sam website and review the RV parks listed. Since you will be doing some business you might want to look at parks close to your work location. We will try to meet based on your schedule. We will keep in touch.

[Dave&Ginny]

I'll be working in the area that they call the East Valley this time which include the Mesa area. One night we might run down to Tucson just to explore a little. Like I said before I'll be down there either the first or second week of February.