You Pack a Firearm?

[Snowlover]

For us in WA, a sledder was beaten to death a couple of years ago when he was going back to his truck to get something. Some punks were wheeling on the trail and beat him to death.

This was in Granite Falls area i think. Could have been alive today if he was packing.

 

[Dirtydude]

Maybe I don't carry one cause they won't let me pack it into Canada

 

[Gimpster]

I plea the 5th on weather or not I am packing

 

[coptzeer]

last march we where riding in a little diffrent area than normal, just slowly boondocking in the trees, then we started seeing alot of cat tracks, alot of them. never seen the cat or cat and cubs,. so we left that area but had to ride back thru on the way to the snopark, thats when i realized i was not looking in the right spot to see the cat,. the thing was in the friggin tree, about 15 feet up. we had no idea.(did u?) when was the last time u looked up while boondockin?, also a few years ago we where in mcall just out of warn wagon road parking area when we climed up the trail and around a corner, not sure what exactly it was, but it was a pack of wolves or wild dogs, coyoties. (not sure what they got there) but how agressive would that pack be?, thank god we where commin behind them as thay crossed the trail and not head on. the scariest part is people say there are no animals out there, i see tracks of all kinds when we ride so i know there are animals, last i checked where theirs food theirs pray! and yes i have a permit to pack. president clinten scared me so bad i had to go get it, before i wouldent be able to get one!
now i am not saying i needed to have a gun on those trips, but i can see the possability of needing one someday, heres some food for thought, two guys out riding together, one guy gets hurt bad, real bad to bad to ride out, he has to stay, alone and injured, see the need or the potential yet. its cold, its getting late and you seen cat tracks or a pack of dogs earlier so you know there in your area, now what if you are the guy left there waiting for help, just my thoughts.

 

[snojunkee]

wow,really opens ur mind to hear these opinions,in the world we live in u better have a weapon to defend urself!yes,I do & will,hoping I don't have to!and this is one reason I don't go to the mall,too dangerous,it's like a shooting gallery for the loonies,it's bad enough sending ur kid to school.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

I carry either my 9mm or my XD-45 when I ride.
My 9 fits nicely in my handlebar bag and is loaded, not chambered, safety off.

Just peice of mind. No one I ride with has ever known Ive had it to avoid the ones who would want to "Pop off a few" while out riding.

I've never had to use it but have come close once with a wolf incident late at night.
All the 9 would do is hopefully scare them off. The XD will stop them in their tracks.

As far as for safety concerns. A pistol is a great way to signal for help and would feed a couple of lost people if needed

If it was so dangerous out there that I was feeling I had to carry one for the two legged dangers I think I would have to re-think my interest in the sport.

 

[vmaxfrank]

To be completely honest, the main reason I carry on a sled is if I plan target practice. Usually I carry in my truck or when I stay overnight in my cabin, more for 2 legged dangers than 4 legged. My cabin is 30 minutes from my truck in the winter. I've never had a reason to pull it, and hopefully never will.

In the summer, I carry because of my daughter. She is under 50 lbs and a mountain lion would find her easy pickings. It may be a mute point as a lion would probably snap her neck right away, but I'd still like to have a pistol just in case.

I also want to set an example for my daughter that guns are a tool and not something to be scared of if you are properly trained. I grew up with them, and she will too.

If you don't think guns have a place in today's society, google the recent shootings at the Church in Colorado Springs or at the Appalachian School of Law shootings to see if responsible handgun owners made a difference.

 

[alrevedup]

I keep reading this thread wanting to understand the points of view expressed. This one struck a chord with me.

"Knowledge is power"

I also want to set an example for my daughter that guns are a tool and not something to be scared of if you are properly trained. I grew up with them, and she will too.

 

[Jaynelson]

I've had my own guns (started with a .22LR) since I was 8 years old. 17 years later I have STILL not shot myself or anyone else. My guns must be defective.

btw, there has been ONE TIME in my life that I actually went to pull my pistol and it wasn't there. Scariest 30 seconds of my life, bar none! I NEVER want to have to relive that. Meth-head rushed my pickup in a WalMart parking lot as I backed out of my parking spot...he hit my drivers side window as his buddy hit my pax side window...I reached and groped for a pistol that had been next to me for 4 years straight, only to remember selling it a few weeks prior. They both tried my doors to find them locked, yelled, then turned and ran away....I pulled back into my parking spot and sat there a while to settle down. Had I found my pistol....well, my ears would have been ringing...

I'm not saying that it's at all commonplace to have an accidental shooting...just that, if you have a gun, there IS a chance compared to 0 chance. Just like if I don't have a gun, there IS a chance I might need one. In my opinion, sledding seems like the chance of needing it is so small, the 2 balance out. May vary as to where you sled.

You example situation is fair enough....although a running truck would have been a sufficient weapon for me in such a situation. But that's me....and we're not allowed to carry up here anyways, so it's not like I'd be missing something that's usually there.

 

[MtnCrazy]

Canada = NO HAND GUNS PERIOD!!! You must have a permit to transport a handgun from your house to the shooting range. They won't let us carry them around, and for good reason!!! IMO...

 

[DEYS]

I cannot think of one reason to carry a gun on a recreational sled ride. Makes me wonder what kind of person needs to take a handgun with them. I have spent my life outside, haven't needed a gun yet. Like what are you gonna shoot? A beer can or a small criter for sport? Or maybe a cracked-out-sled-jacker.

Do you drive a car with your gun?.....Maybe wave it when running a red light, or telling the squeegee-kid to get lost?

 

[cowkiller]

2nd amenment

Canada = NO HAND GUNS PERIOD!!! You must have a permit to transport a handgun from your house to the shooting range. They won't let us carry them around, and for good reason!!! IMO...

Thanks for sharing. It's interesting to see that some folks actually belive that crap.
I cannot get my mind around how that bit of Law is improving lives in Canada. So Just follow like sheep?
Do you really belive there is a good reason to deny a productive citizen the right to protect him/herself?
touchy subject for us here in the states. We have the Right to arm ourselves.
You can bet that the criminal element knows your not packin and will act accordingly. All the facts are pretty clear that citizens being forced to remain unarmed does'nt slow down crime. And a Mtn. Lion could really give a rip about "policy"
I have carried concealed for years and have never had the occasion to pull a gun on anyone. And for good reason!!!
I had it out of the holster on a black bear once but did not fire. the situation did not warrant deadly force. It would have been illegal to kill that bear!
Just because I'm carrying a gun does'nt make me a criminal.
I think it is criminal what your government has done to you as law abiding citizens. They are telling you that you are not smart enough to make decision on your own, And that you don't have the right to protect your family from those who choose not to follow the letter of the law.
Those same people still wear wigs at mtgs right.
Stop the criminals not the citizens. They can't catch the bad guys so they go after the good guys.
And they keep trying it here. They are going to make a criminal out me yet.


I rarely carry a gun while snowmobiling.

 

[ruffryder]

Right to arm ourselves.

You do know that the original intent of the law was not so that everyone can have a bunch of guns and walk around armed right?

The point of the law was to allow for people to legally form militia, the point being that there was not supposed to be a standing army.

 

[afipunkrocks]

I always use the frame of mind that I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I needed one and didn't have it so the ultimate outcome is mine never leaves my side. Now as for snowmobiling in the back country where one could become lost, injured or stranded a rifle would be the best tool to have in case of animal attack or if needed to obtain food, but a rifle wouldn't be very suitable if one is out to ride recreationally so a pistol is a better choice for me. Also if one were to be riding with a rifle scabbard mounted to their sled it could be disturbing and intimidating to others because of its visability where as a hand gun is not as obvious and "out there".


IMO if you have been trained to handle a gun safely and have the proper permits then the more appropriate question should be who DOES"NT carry one while snowmobiling.

 

[afipunkrocks]

I don't leave home without it unless I'm going to church and i haven't been to church in 30 years besides i would rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Fosgate that's pretty slick I got its little brother

Your first statement might of changed since what happened in Denver and Colorado Springs?? I dunno?

I agree with your second statement 100%!!

 

[cowkiller]

You do know that the original intent of the law was not so that everyone can have a bunch of guns and walk around armed right?

The point of the law was to allow for people to legally form militia, the point being that there was not supposed to be a standing army.

I understand your point but does that change the Fact that U.S. citizens
DO have the Right to arm themselves. Or maybe better said "To Keep and Bear Arms"
It isn't about "having a bunch of guns,walking around armed"
It is about law abiding citizens having the right to protect themselves from threats foreign and domestic.
Sounds like bad guys to me.

 

[kosstro]

guns

Wow.

The thought of carrying a gun while sledding had never even crossed my mind.
This thread is just cracking me up. If a wild animal wants to attack you, even if you had the gun in your hand, chances are it would be too late. if it doesn't attack you and you see one, ride away! I grew up in the boonies, we've had many, many bears, cougars, and coyotes in our yard, in the trees in our yard, sitting in front of the front door, etc, and i have never felt the need to be armed. walk away!

Also, please don't rag on us Canadians about the gun thing. I own guns, and am also a former Infantry soldier, so i've been around guns a lot and know how to handle them, and I like them! but i don't see the need to have everyone packing heat to stay safe. I think if you google'd violent crime and crime statistics in general, comparing the differences between Canada and the States, you'd have a hard time saying that guns make the states safer.

As for the survival thing, instead of the weight and cost of a gun, you could probably get a gps and spot satellite phone, or some damn candy bars instead of hunting for food!

This being said, if i ever go sledding in the states i will be very polite!

 

[puckered]

Yup, understand why Canadians don't carry, they can't.

I pack in the vehicle almost 100% of the time. Had two incidents that I needed one. One time I didn't have one and one I did. The didn't happened late at night coming home from the watering hole. I flashed to pass a slower vehicle when the rowdies ran me off the road. I rummaged thru the glove box for my piece but could only find a pocketknife. I opened it, put it behind my back and got out of my truck. Five guys surrounded me saying they were gonna kick my a$$. Two grabbed my arms, the other three started to taunt me with a whippin when I told them I would cut one of them and how were they gonna explain that to their momma. They continued with the taunt saying what're ya gonna do against 5. I said it didn't matter cuz I'd get one real bad and which one is it gonna be. I counted to 3 and said if they didn't leave I'd go berserk. They let go and left. I shook for a week and said I'd never be without a piece in the vehicle.

The other one was when a pickup drove along side of me and threw a beer bottle at the side of my outfit. I stuck my shotgun out the window and it was adios - end of confrontation.

I always carry when I'm w/ my family, regardless of the vehicle - don't need chit happening w/ them. My wife's got a .380, both girls shoot well. All educated pretty well.

The mere presence of a firearm is water on the fire of stupidity. I would take a bullet for my family, but I'd also give one.

 

[Snowlover]

Ruffy, your name is going to be changed to Ruffy Feathers. Between your comments about voting and now being against carrying heat, your HSCC membership may be in question. The DC pistol ban will be a test of our right to bear vs form a mililtia. There are more opinions on that than which sled is the greatest. Bottom line, I believe the right to bear arms is a personal right and if needed, could be asked to be part of a militia group to protect citizens.

I have never packed when sledding, but have the right to and have a carry permit and may do so once I own something worth packing. It give me a piece of mind when out in the summer time motorcycling on back forest roads.

 

[RMK7SledHead]

I'm not saying that it's at all commonplace to have an accidental shooting...just that, if you have a gun, there IS a chance compared to 0 chance. Just like if I don't have a gun, there IS a chance I might need one. In my opinion, sledding seems like the chance of needing it is so small, the 2 balance out. May vary as to where you sled.

I'm not disagreeing about packing while sledding. I'm not saying I do, not saying I don't. But, I'm not saying I do and not saying I don't pack at the mall either. Done properly, one shouldn't ever worry about an accidental discharge.

You example situation is fair enough....although a running truck would have been a sufficient weapon for me in such a situation. But that's me....and we're not allowed to carry up here anyways, so it's not like I'd be missing something that's usually there.

A running truck, at idle after coming out of reverse and just before going into drive, in a parking lot with cars everywhere, with two guys suddenly at both doors (not in front, not behind) is not a weapon. There is physically no way to use it as such at that point. A .45 in the seat next to you is.