Guns on trails in others' hand.

[PaleoRob]

So, on the infamous militia thread, there was the following comment:

Small Genitals, Big Egos

It seems like some people don't have or don't see a need for weapons on the trail. That's fine. Some people carry all the time, even in their own home. That's fine too. I am just wondering about blanket statements like this, or similar ones from the pro-carry side that seem to imply that the unarmed are fools. Perhaps there is a motivation behind the reason to carry or not carry. I thought I'd post a poll because it seems like there are a lot of opinions on the matter.

I'm hoping for some explanations to the selections, but that is optional. When I say "hiking", I mean recreational hiking, not working as a backcountry FS LE, NPS LE, BP officer, sheriff, military, etc. I mean going out into the forest or the desert to enjoy a hike. This is also for personal experiences, not friend-of-a-friend type deals. You can chose as many as you want, since you may have been in several different situations. You can change your vote, because maybe tomorrow something will change.

[chumley]

I recall an incident...

I too, have read at least two--if not three--triplogs on HAZ where people felt they were in harms way with shooting nearby. (And I probably don't read half as many triplogs as you do).

I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I do sometimes wonder what one person thinks is a close shot versus what somebody else thinks is no big deal.

[FOTG]

we were camped in tree-line at Reavis and some horsemen apparently thought they had ranch to themselves, they were target practicing at south end, but we were in defilade behind a knoll, so no huge worries, but still a little unnerving, only because we knew they didn't know we were there...however, I was not about to step out in field and announce our presence either..at least they had the decency to quit around 8 PM...lol..might have been a bad night to be camped along fire line trail though...

[chumley]

@friendofThundergod
I've been known to fire a shot back just to announce my presence to somebody who doesn't know I'm there. It usually reminds them to make sure they have a solid backstop.

In other news, I kidnapped Flat Denny out in the wilderness recently. One of these days there will be a HAZ event in his honor...
;)

[FOTG]

@joe bartels
I am pretty much on the fence on this one, I see both sides, but even as someone who supports one's right to defend themselves and the second amendment, I still don't see how the killing classified as proportional force...for example, someone shoots at you, you return fire..that is a proportional response, someone threatens you..you shoot them, not so proportional..

This is an obvious statement, but with guns you are generally only afforded one mistake and it is usually final. I don't want anyone to take this wrong way, but the problem with most people who carry guns is they have only seen what that gun does to a paper target, and some even have perverted fantasies of killing some intruder or defending their family in some dire situation...me I have a good idea what guns do to people, and I have been taught to never point a firearm at something that I don't intend to destroy, I don't want to make assumptions, but I feel that hiker's best weapon in that situation may have been his wits, yet, he resorted to the ultimate escalation a firearm...and the results were final...this hiker to some extent probably represented so many gun owners, hey I went to a class, and I shoot twice a week, I am an expert I am in control, I fully understand the ramifications of this piece of metal I carry...when in reality he was not any of the aforementioned...

Its a little sad, but one of the main reasons I don't carry outside of solo hiking, is the fact that I don't even want that firearm at my disposal if I am in a situation that becomes escalated, once that weapon is pulled, it is nearly impossible for a situation to become deescalated and tragedy will almost always follow..I would rather have to resort to every last option before considering using a firearm, so I just keep it at home, where most guns belong

[FOTG]

@chumley
In the Army announcing your presence by shooting is called "recon by fire" highly against the rules, but effective at times

hey what was final verdict in Pine Canyon Tragedy? When I google the HAZ forum topic shows up, but it only goes to the point where they decided to charge him on murder 2 charges...

[chumley]

hey what was final verdict in Pine Canyon Tragedy? When I google the HAZ forum topic shows up, but it only goes to the point where they decided to charge him on murder 2 charges...

The retired teacher was convicted of second-degree murder and spent more than three years in prison and about $700,000 in legal fees before the Arizona Court of Appeals reversed his conviction.

He had his freedom, but could not pay the monstrous legal bills. He took out a second mortgage on his home, as did his relatives, including his retired father.

On Sept. 8, 2012, Harold Fish died, leaving his wife and children in deep debt.

[FOTG]

@chumley
wow a tragedy indeed...no winners in this one, was there?

[SuperstitionGuy]

wow a tragedy indeed...no winners in this one, was there?

Of course there were winners. The scavengers called LAWYERS! !

[azbackpackr]

Did he commit suicide?

[Alston_Neal]

I can't remember, but I think it was cancer.
I did this thread and it is apro to this thread.
viewtopic.php?t=7208&p=84801

[SuperstitionGuy]

Here is another handgun for those that carry in the backcountry:
Smith & Wesson unveils monster .460 caliber gun: The ‘Backpack Cannon’
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... gun-backp/

“There is still a place for weapons like this, especially if you like camping where the critters are big enough to eat you,” Smith & Wesson said.

[Tough_Boots]

if I was ever going to carry again while hiking or backpacking, I'd probably get on the waiting list for one of those little Springfield xdm .45's.