A question or two for those who carry firearms on them when riding

[UtahPete]

Always carry on car/truck road trips with my spouse, or solo, as we travel in in some isolated places in the SW (isn't any unplanned stop on a road isolated"?) My concern is a flat tire or other problems when the wrong people may stop to "help". Felons often need cash, a car or worse. I would surrender car or cash but nothing else. I understand many folks don't carry but I couldn't leave ourselves w/o protection, a plan B, in such situations. Former military and many firearm classes. Don't carry w/o meaningful training.

My wife and I have traveled and camped extensively in remote areas of the southwest and northwest and continue to do so. Both my Scamp travel trailer and and Lees-ure Lite camping trailer are set up with solar so we can camp off-grid, which is our preference to using busy noisy campgrounds. We feel the greatest threats to personal safety are the weather and predatory animals (e.g. bears), so we use common sense (I hope) and situational awareness to manage those risks.

We've been in some gnarly situations, equipment wise but so far never stranded (breakdown). We have run out of fuel on occasion, including on our Spyder in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming. Always been bailed out by a trucker or fellow traveler and sometimes made a friend or two. In all the time (20+ years) we've lived and traveled out here, I've never heard of travelers being assaulted on the road by bad guys with guns. There have been 2 occasions where campers have been assaulted by lunatics with guns or knives, but there have been far more instances of campers being killed by wildlife, falls, drownings, hypothermia, heat-stroke, thirst and lightning strikes.

We have never thought our risks traveling in the remote parts of our beautiful country could be mitigated by carrying a firearm. I'm former military with combat experience; I hope we never get to the point in America where I feel the need to be heavily armed for protection while traveling.

 

[UtahPete]

I do have some irrational fears of some places, probably based on nothing more than youthful impressions that have stuck with me. Those include the jungles of Africa and South America, which came from stories about the Mau Mau uprising and missionaries being killed by cannibals. Also, Chicago and New York City where gangs staked their turf claims (West Side Story).

But when it comes to travel on America's roads, the furthest thing from my mind is the risk of personal assault requiring the use of lethal self-defense.

I'm aware that I'm not typical, but I'm just wondering where this fear of bad guys with guns on America's highways and byways comes from. America has long been known as one of the safest places on earth, I believe.

 

[pbokie59]

Quick question, do you wear a helmet because you enjoy wearing it or is it just in case it is required if you have an accident? Carrying a gun is the same, never plan on using it, but would rather be safe than sorry. Most people that have a gun will not hesitate helping someone in need.
If you are taking about driving down the road and shooting that is crazy, but we all stop to admire views, get gas...and unfortunately on a motorcycle you are more vulnerable than in a enclosed vehicle.

 

[2dogs]

I'm aware that I'm not typical, but I'm just wondering where this fear of bad guys with guns on America's highways and byways comes from. America has long been known as one of the safest places on earth, I believe.

I’ll try to keep this short as possible. Back in the early 80’s on a m/c touring vacation my wife & I stopped at a campground just off the interstate south of the grand canyon. We were tent camping & it was just after daylight the next morning when I was awakened by two sirens moving at mach3 heading for the south rim area. I got up & was walking back to our tent after taking a short shower when I heard the whap whap sound of a chopper. I could see a helicopter on the deck flying right over the top of a car both coming my way. The car started to turn into our campground & the chopper pilot landed on the dirt driveway blocking the car’s path. The vehicle turned away & headed for the interstate with the chopper right over the top of him & away they went. The FBI had located one of their 10 most wanted who’d commandeered a motorhome along with hostages the day before & they’d cornered him at the south rim. A shootout followed & the bad won guy & got away in a car & was trying to get other hostages. A copper pilot jumped in the game & likely saved my ass from becoming a hostage. So you never never know………..

 

[UtahPete]

Quick question, do you wear a helmet because you enjoy wearing it or is it just in case it is required if you have an accident? Carrying a gun is the same, never plan on using it, but would rather be safe than sorry. Most people that have a gun will not hesitate helping someone in need.
If you are taking about driving down the road and shooting that is crazy, but we all stop to admire views, get gas...and unfortunately on a motorcycle you are more vulnerable than in a enclosed vehicle.

Statistically speaking, the chances of injuring an unprotected head while riding a motorcycle are probably thousands of times greater than encountering an unknown gunman out to get you. Even in America.

Head injury can result from any type of impact, not just hitting the pavement. I wear a helmet because every respectable authority on the subject recommends it. Also, personal experience; when still a novice, riding a Honda 450, I skid on an oil patch when exiting the freeway and high-sided off the bike. Broke my elbow but skull was protected by my helmet.

 

[Cobwebs]

Is anyone carrying low on the hip with an open holster and a leg tie? If so, how many notches on the pistol grip?
Just for future reference only! hyea: :nopic: :roflblack: :thumbup: Bill

Thats me.:doorag:I'm on wanted posters all over the country.:b2b:I ride around bad neighbourhoods:riding: looking for stray pitbulls.

 

[jchadwi]

All this discussion about carrying a firearm got me thinking about my analogy with fire extinguishers. If folks knew that I had eight fire extinguishers, they might think I have an irrational fear of fire. However, it is quite the opposite. Also, I am not too concerned about being injured while riding my Spyder, but I wear ATGATT... and conceal carry.

 

[mandytuning]

I suppose so, but only if you have reason to believe you run a very real risk of encountering strangers on your trip who want to harm you.

But, why do you believe that? That's where the 'rationale' aspect comes in.

Have you ever been in a church? Walmart? Gas stations? They all have cases of mass shootings. Is not about where you go, is about where criminals target innocent people.

 

[linguine]

April fooled a few in here...

 

[Joe T.]

OK, let's cut to the chase. The OP had a semi serios question, in my opinion. But, like most of his posts he is just trolling.

However, this is a serious subject. But the OP wants to limit the conversation to just when you have ridden you ride and stopped for gas, food, etc. The truth is you drive/ride/walk to get somewhere. At the destination ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. Most areas with people are soft targets. So, maybe you should carry all the time. Me, like 99% of the folks on this board AIN'T TELLIN'!! It isn't anyone's business.

So, I'll end this with a video from a Church which is about 10 miles from where I grew up. A soft target. Innocent people got killed.

THANKFULLY, AT LEAST ONE DECENT HUMAN BEING WAS CARRYING - and knew how to handle his weapon.

Watch the video:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/parishioner-gunned-texas-church-shooter-hero/story?id=67982047

Peace Brother and Sisters,
Joe T.

 

[UtahPete]

Yes, let's cut to the chase. I'm not 'trolling', I'm asking why people carry guns with them when ryding.

So far, nobody has stated what I think is the real reason; they like guns and feel better carrying, as is their right. And I'm perfectly okay with that.

I just don't think it's for 'protection', as many claim. Because that seems irrational or fearful and I don't think most ryders who carry are either.

I sure hope I'm right!

 

[UtahPete]

Have you ever been in a church? Walmart? Gas stations? They all have cases of mass shootings. Is not about where you go, is about where criminals target innocent people.

I don't believe that point of view is based on any rational analysis of the statistics.

Why not just say you like guns and the comfort you get from carrying one? I get it - I'm fascinated by them also.

But, I don't have any expectation of ever being in a situation where I will have need of a firearm for protection. That's the discussion I think we're having here.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yes, let's cut to the chase. I'm not 'trolling', I'm asking why people carry guns with them when ryding.

So far, nobody has stated what I think is the real reason; they like guns and feel better carrying, as is their right. And I'm perfectly okay with that.

I just don't think it's for 'protection', as many claim. Because that would be irrational or insecure and I don't think those who carry are either.

I sure hope I'm right!

Dear Pete .... I was in active Law Enforcement for 35 years ..... I still have my two NYPD pistols ( a service and an off-duty model ) and a .22 cal. target pistol. The only medals or service awards that ever mattered was the ones I got for Marksmanship. I haven't fired any of them for at least a decade. I do carry when I think it's appropriate for me ..... un-fortunately this is becoming more frequent, the world in general is becoming more & more hostile. My motto is and has been " I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 " ( carried refers to the coffin ) ..... JMHO ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[UtahPete]

Dear Pete .... I was in active Law Enforcement for 35 years ..... I still have my two NYPD pistols ( a service and an off-duty model ) and a .22 cal. target pistol. The only medals or service awards that ever mattered was the ones I got for Marksmanship. I haven't fired any of them for at least a decade. I do carry when I think it's appropriate for me ..... un-fortunately this is becoming more frequent, the world in general is becoming more & more hostile. My motto is and has been " I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 " ( carried refers to the coffin ) ..... JMHO ..... Mike :thumbup:

Thank you for your service, Mike.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thank you for your service, Mike.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:.............Mikehyea:

 

[Saluda]

So far, the responses seem to indicate that those who do carry while riding have no rational reason for doing so. No personal threatening experiences where a carried weapon was a factor in ensuring a favorable outcome for the rider, it seems.

I see no reason to justify what we do to you. That said we do at times.

 

[UtahPete]

I see no reason to justify what we do to you. That said we do at times.

I agree. I don't understand why people think that's what I've been saying, because it's not. I'm not judging AT ALL. I'm just asking why people carry.

It's a lot like a discussion we've had in the past about wearing ATGATT on a Spyder when, except for the helmet, ATGATT is designed to minimize injury from events that are extremely common with 2-wheelers, but extremely unlikely and rare on Spyders.

It's just another anomaly in riders' behavior I'd like to understand better.

 

[RULINGCHAOS]

Sadly, people will shoot you for your shoes in some places. So yes.

 

[SLICE]

Yes, let's cut to the chase. I'm not 'trolling', I'm asking why people carry guns with them when ryding.
!

Post #9, I answered your question as to why I carry. If I had not been armed my Harley would have been gone.

To top it off I was at Americade in Lake George New York. Lesson learned never go to a Honda event.

Yes I was carrying in a 2 A hating state.

 

[ES44AC]

I'd rather have my gun and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I choose not to be a willing victim.

Don't put yourself in a bad situation and leave the situation if possible, but at least be able to defend yourself when the other options aren't available.