Posted by Abby Normal I'm a bit tired of being preached at by people who don't own guns and don't want anyone else to have them either. My weapon is no more of a danger to someone who isn't trying to kill me than my fire extinguisher. Abby Normal

What about by people who carry them for a living or who have carried them for years while exploring?

Posted by Rinzler What about by people who carry them for a living or who have carried them for years while exploring?

I don't understand your question. Maybe my post isn't clear on my position on firearms. I have NO issue with people carrying guns for a living (I work for a law enforcement agency) or carry them exploring. I really enjoy shooting sports and carry one regularly for self defense.

Abby

In the desert I bring my walking stick and a knife. The walking stick is more than enough for any wildlife found here. It serves to protect against the biggest hazards; falls and fatigue; using one correctly increases endurance. Handy for injured legs. Good for checking for and handling snakes.
It weighs almost nothing; none productive weight is a huge liability in the desert.

Far too many don't realize it's themselves who are their worst enemy when it comes to survival. In many situations and for various reasons some legal, guns are a liability, not an asset especially when trespassing.

I'm just here to do my obligatory "Here's some other good threads on the topic" post. This is a popular one!

Self-Defense / Weapons
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=79557
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=117390 (scouting)
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=116252 (finding weapons while exploring)
http://www.uer.ca/...id=1&catid=1000483 (firearms private board)
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=55013 (poll)
http://www.uer.ca/...id=1&threadid=2728 (non-lethal defense)
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=62518
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=76469
http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=79557 (Have you ever actually had to defend yourself?)

The general consensus on this in the past has always been that it's really a bad idea. It gets you in a whole lot more trouble if you get caught.

Posted by Abby Normal I don't understand your question. Maybe my post isn't clear on my position on firearms. I have NO issue with people carrying guns for a living (I work for a law enforcement agency) or carry them exploring. I really enjoy shooting sports and carry one regularly for self defense. Abby

No I understand your position on firearms quite clearly. I wasn't sure if you were assuming people on here have no experience with firearms or you were just talking about the general public. Mostly cause a lot of people on here don't agree with carrying and exploring, for the most part.

If you guys are going to argue over this, I urge you to spare us and just meet up in real life to shoot it out.

Posted by Steed If you guys are going to argue over this, I urge you to spare us and just meet up in real life to shoot it out.

....who is arguing? And yea sure, why don't you join us for it?!

Posted by Rinzler ....who is arguing? And yea sure, why don't you join us for it?!

No argument at all. I just wanted to make certain I understood where Rinzler was coming from. It's too easy in written communication to misunderstand the other person's point.

I enjoy a good spirited discussion but won't participate in an argument.

Abby Normal

Posted by Rinzler <snip> Mostly cause a lot of people on here don't agree with carrying and exploring, for the most part.

I think common sense plays a big part in the decision. My exploring is different than the majority of those here on the forum. I tend to be well away from civilization when I explore. There is a huge difference between carrying a weapon in downtown Las Vegas and in rural Elko Nevada where folks still have gun racks in the back window of their trucks.

I'm not suggesting that anyone should carry. I'm just saying that I do when I'm out in remote areas, and especially when I'm solo.

Nuff said,
Abby Normal

Guns? I don't leave home without them!


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Posted by Abby Normal I think common sense plays a big part in the decision. My exploring is different than the majority of those here on the forum. I tend to be well away from civilization when I explore. There is a huge difference between carrying a weapon in downtown Las Vegas and in rural Elko Nevada where folks still have gun racks in the back window of their trucks. I'm not suggesting that anyone should carry. I'm just saying that I do when I'm out in remote areas, and especially when I'm solo. Nuff said, Abby Normal

I agree with that completely. I've only carried in 2 or 3 actual cities while exploring. The rest were rural or somewhere in the middle of no where. I also agree about the types of people who comment on it.

I live in Texas but I definitely wouldn't carry. As others mentioned you are basically trespassing and you're doing it while carry a pistol which would be even harder to get yourself out of.

I own and collect guns. I have five (3 of WW2) vintage so I wouldn't want to risk giving up my collection.

I do carry an extremely bright streamlight flashlight, which is blinding, and could be used as a club. I also carry a stout folding knife.

Depending on where you're going, you may encounter security, or even worse police. You wouldn't want to be caught with spray paint, and much less with a weapon. With that being said, I have explored an abandoned building and stumbled upon a weapon before. Thankfully, I found out it was a fake upon closer inspection.

Posted by Rinzler ....who is arguing? And yea sure, why don't you join us for it?!

Going up against two Americans in a shootout? I wouldn't stand a chance!

Posted by Steed Going up against two Americans in a shootout? I wouldn't stand a chance!

I beg to differ. You have only to look at the shootouts our police engage in to see that Americans aren't born to be Bill Hickock. Further, doesn't a Canadian currently have the world long distance sniping record?

I live in a state where both open and concealed carry are legal. I have a concealed permit, but I generally explore rural locations, so I tend to carry exposed, just for ease of carry. You do have to be careful in certain situations, because a firearm can cause simple trespass to get a bit prickly. Again, I do mostly mines and ghost towns, and generally alone, so a firearm seems like a smart choice from a purely survival perspective. If I explored primarily in Baltimore or some other urban setting, I might rethink my position.

Yep.
Not worth arguing anymore.

Posted by Abby Normal I'm a bit tired of being preached at by people who don't own guns and don't want anyone else to have them either.

So last weekend I went out exploring, I had my gun on me (as I do if I travel into the city), I had some free time so I stopped at a local easily accessible (not in a great part of town though) abandoned brewery I have been too many times. I made the decision to keep the gun locked up in the car, I think if I were in a more remote area and had to worry about wild animals, rednecks etc. I would have carried it.

Ultimately, the decision to carry a firearm while exploring should be a well-considered one that takes into account your comfort level, the specific risks of your environment, legal requirements, and your commitment to responsible firearm handling. It's also advisable to seek guidance from local authorities and experts on the specific area you plan to explore, as they can provide valuable insights and recommendations. Additionally, proper training in firearm safety and wilderness survival skills is crucial if you choose to carry a firearm for self-defense while exploring.

Posted by yisox Ultimately, the decision to carry a firearm while exploring should be a well-considered one that takes into account your comfort level, the specific risks of your environment, legal requirements, and your commitment to responsible firearm handling. It's also advisable to seek guidance from local authorities and experts on the specific area you plan to explore, as they can provide valuable insights and recommendations. Additionally, proper training in firearm safety and wilderness survival skills is crucial if you choose to carry a firearm for self-defense while exploring.

Thank you, AI. Why don't you just insert your spam hotlink so we can cyberattack it and ban you?

I used to carry a knife, but this bloke told me "that's not a knife". I then thought about using a boomerang, but much like carrying guns, I was worried about it coming back to bite me in the arse. Translation: Ass