Whoodie

I saw a car approach from the sideway and although I had the right of way I slowed down not sure that the guy had seen me. Then came this guy behind me who was in more of a hurry than a fire truck on a mission. He hooted and as I gave way he swaved with an intention of hitting my handbar with his side mirror (he didn't because I saw his intent and acted). Well, that did not impress anyone. Well I shifted up and after him I went I caught up with him in the next light.

I asked the guy whether he knew the meaning of attempted murder/assult. Some lady in the passenger seat were arrogant as to I should not be riding in the road. I gave them a good lecture. I also took their details incase I considered pursuing the matter with the law. And this is why I ask to be given a gun. If someone threatens my life I would have something to retaliate with.

slvoid

You live in Kenya?

Whoodie

yap

slvoid

Coming from a country where audi's come standard with window and door armor and flame throwers, I'd say, go for it.

erraticrider

Try a palestinian suicide bomber pack -- mutually assured destruction. They hit you - boom, their goners.

Ebbtide

You can retaliate in-kind, with threats. Once the threat has passed (literally) you would not be justified in shooting. Once you pull a gun you better have the intent to use it.

be careful,

ehenz

skydive69

The guy may have not meant any harm - it may have been in your mind, but with that mindset, you would have become judge and jury, and perhaps effed up your life for good - not to mention your victim. BTW, I am not some liberal, tree hugger. I own numerous guns, and I have no issues with slapping the crap out of someone who legitimately attempted to do me harm. The situation you mention is quite dubious. From some of the stuff I have read here lately, some of the cyclists are more scary then the aholes we deal with on the road daily.

slvoid

I wouldn't hesitate in bringing someone down either if they meant serious harm to me. And guns are a great responsibility. But from what I've seen, and I'm only assuming, if Kenya's anything like those places in south africa where the car dealer offers you the option of having side flame throwers installed under the car to thwart kidnappings, then maybe it's not such a bad idea to have a gun.

operator

I don't think 9mm or .45 will penetrate bulletproof windows. Better carry an rpg or something.

skydive69

I just noted that his venue was Kenya. That is like riding alone at night on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in any town that has said street.

roadfix

Leave your guns at home. I do.

slvoid

Putting a hole in something and having stopping power are two different stories.
A full metal jacket might rip right through you depending on how it its. Something really soft like a hollow or soft point will expand out and transfer nearly all of it's energy into you. Depending on if the head's indented or hollow or whatnot, a normal round would probably get deformed and stopped by bullet proof glass or even regular glass with a transparent plastic film on it. If the round's got a hard dense core, then it'll puncture through.

How about a really sticky grenade that you can throw at the car.

LittleBigMan

You must be kidding.

WorldWind

Sounds like you need a lawyer more than you need a gun.

Chris L

Agreed. Just what do you think a driver of a big car is going to do when you pull out a (relatively) puny gun and start waving it at them? Personally I'd rather not find out.

Whoodie

The driver behind him was also suprised by his behaviour (he was ready as a witness) and so it was obvious he had an intent. By the way, he never denied all this.

Whoodie

Ha ha ha ha. Funny. Travel man, travel. You might be suprised what you imagine to be true.

slvoid

Considering you can quite nicely disable his tires along with the driver, passenger, and anyone else in the vehicle, I'd say it's a slightly larger threat than you imagine it to be. Especially out there 100 miles from civilization and some driver decides to run you over.
As long as you're properly trained in the operation of a firearm. It's a big responsibility but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be avaliable as an option. Just because you personally haven't had a need for one doesn't mean no one should have one.

Seeker

Personally I like some of the large frame Tarus .357 magnums. Not only powerful but they hold 7 rounds. However, I wouldn't shoot the driver or passenger unles they to pulled a gun. I would shoot all 4 tires and put a round in the trunk where the spare is though and still leave me a couple of rounds. Not only would it scare the fewmets out of them but cost for the tow and new tires.

LittleBigMan

I don't know about Kenya, where the original poster is from, but here in the US, you'd have a tough time proving your case if you opened up your firearm at a driver who "threatened you with his car," even if you had witnesses. You'd probably end up "shooting yourself in the foot" using that strategy. In fact, there are a whole slew of charges that could be filed against you for discharging your firearm in that fashion.

slvoid

How about the gas tanks? Or the passenger window. Research shows that if you kill the passenger, this conveys a clear message to the driver that he or she may be next.

Ira in Chi

I remember a story not too long ago about a cyclist who was accidentally hit by a car. The driver got out to help the injured cyclist, but the cyclist had a gun and shot him. That's pretty bad press, no matter how you slice it. Sure to make a lot of people into a hit and run drivers.

PanPanX

get a paintball gun and just shoot their car. thats what i do, though i never had anyone cut me off or clip me and yell at me for it... yet..


or just carry a bunch of eggs around and you can chuck the eggs at them. they will thank you for it because tehy will be needing a new paintjob. no one gets hurt sept for the car and everyone wins. YAYAY!!

Merriwether

You've got to put your PC-deflector shields on full if you're going to start with the guns-on-bikes thing here. Then again, a new thread on the subject seems to pop up every two weeks.

I'm not harshing on you though. I understand your frustration.

Anyway, what I'm writing for is this: what's it like riding a bike in Kenya? Why don't you start a thread and let us know?

Whoodie

I will not assume it is any different from other places, say, US. What might be different perhaps is the terrain, weather or road architect. We ride on the left side of the road. Starting Monday I will start a thread on Kenya, armed with a digital camera I can give you some shots. Please don't ask for my pic.