Originally Posted by
Cyclaholic
The second time we crossed paths I had a nice, brightly polished piece of heavy gauge aluminum tubing, about 3 1/2 feet long, 2" diameter, with a little bit of weight at one end and handlebar tape grip at the other, slipped into my mess bag for an easy draw like a samurai sword. Unfortunately (fortunately for them) I didn't get my hands on them the second time they saw me - I drew "excalibur" and they changed posture from blocking the MUP and challenging me, to runing away from the mad guy on the bike cavalry-charging and yelling like Mel Gibson in braveheart'
Originally Posted by
Steel02001
I will speak up as one the minority here. I don't think carrying a small gun would be all that crazy for someone familiar and experienced with guns, as long as they did it legally. There are a lot of people out there with them in their cars as it is, these are probably some of the same people that yell at bikers.
With that being said I agree with what was said earlier, avoid being a target first, and if in a situation, be the bigger "man" and leave/ride off, get out of the situation.
The problem I have with weapons, is when do you use it? Suppose in the first quote the kids did not run off but held their position. If they have not actually attacked, are you going to attack first? If you wind up hurting or killing someone who did nothing more than stand in your way, I don't see you having much of a legal defense. On the other hand, if you wait for them to attack first, it may be too late to use the weapon.
Same thing with a gun. Are you going to pull a gun on someone just because they are standing close too you and you feel threatened? If you don't have your gun out and ready it may not do you much good (especially if you are wearing gloves).
Paul