1955

Well said. Some people are lambs and some people are lions.

urbanknight

And some lambs need to work their upper body and/or carry a gun, like Ovo

Seriously, I hate guns as well, and I prefer other deterrents, but sometimes it just comes down to you wanting to have more of an arsenal for protection than they will have for attacking.

alicestrong

Most of the complaints that I have heard about the Ballona Creek Path in the last few years suggest that there is still a criminal/punk/gang element spilling over from Mar Vista Gardens...


I'm not sure if that's speculation, but I would definately notify the cops and I will post this here...

tinrobot

So if the bad guy has a gun and comes after you, do you really think you're going to reach for your gun and outdraw him like they did in the old west? Will your gun even be in place where you can grab it instantly? Even if you did get your gun, do you really think you'll have that absolute clarity of mind to do the right thing in such a heated situation? Even if you did, is something as trivial as your iPod and wallet really worth the risk?

And yes, the other poster is right, some people are lions and some people are lambs... or better put, some people are brave and some are scared. In my experience, I've found people who carry guns "for protection" are usually the ones who are most scared.

Besides, they don't make guns out of carbon fiber, so why I would I want one on my bike?

urbanknight

None of those questions respond to the claim that your math was fuzzy at best. I don't carry a gun, but I can tell you that there have been times when I reached into my back pocket for pepper spray (if I was carrying it) just because the person approaching looks like a potential threat. Whather you carry a weapon or not, just being aware of your surroundings can be instrumental in avoiding conflicts altogether.

Do they make carbon fiber police batons?

roadfix

My handguns never leave my home or place of work. They're kept in safe, but strategic locations. I hope I never come across a time where I have to use one.

But when I'm out riding I just wear my Hai-Karate cologne and hope I'm never assaulted.

merider1

alicestrong

Oh man, I just knew you had a "secret weapon" when we met on the Police Memorial Ride...

I'm generally SO much more restrained...

tinrobot

If you make a mistake with pepper spray, however, nobody gets killed... and yes, it's always best to be aware and avoid the conflict in the first place.

You can never make a mistake with Hai Karate.

urbanknight

Precisely why I prefer that over a gun.

My 75 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback also seems to stop conflicts before they happen, but I think he'd knock me over if I tried to attach his leash to my bike.

1955

You keep harping on the stolen iPod...when in fact the iPod was stolen after the victim was attacked, I'll bet that he was not thinking "oh my, they're going to steel my iPod, I'd better kill them", but was instead thinking these brats might be armed and my life is in danger (which WAS the case).

I used to carry a gun in my work truck, I was often in very sketchy areas all alone and I know that if your life depends on our police force you might as well kiss you *** goodbye, because they're just not everywhere (unless you're speeding). One late night about a mile from my home in Santa Ana I witnessed an almost shooting and it made me realize that I never wanted to be in a position that I would need to use deadly force (sorry Ove, but I'm not a big guy and my choice will be to run instead) and made a personal decision to leave my Walther PPK at home from then on.

But, if I wanted to carry a weapon to protect myself I don't want anyone to tell me I can't. Here's a fact; try breaking into my house when my daughter is with me and I won't think twice about taking your life before you can say "sorry, I was just leaving".

These are my choices.

By the way, I never said I was either a lamb or a lion...I guess it depends.

tinrobot

...and precisely why I argue against people carrying guns.

My dog is so freaking nice that people steal him rather than the iPod. He always comes home eventually.

urbanknight

Ya hear that, Ovo? Leave his daughter alone.

1955

She's 11, and I'm sure it doesn't matter to him, but even that moron won't get a rise out of me on this one.

urbanknight

I know Ovoleg personally, and I can tell you that his ONLY reason for most of his comments here are just to get a ride out of someone.

edit: If only some of you knew what he says about you on group rides!

1955

+1

tinrobot

Carry all the guns you want. It's your right. I just question how effective they are in a real life situations. They seem to cause more problems than they solve.

I have an 11 year old as well. Here's a question -- When people have guns around children, they're required to keep the guns locked up so the kids don't get them. If that's the case, how can people get the guns unlocked fast enough to protect the kids?

Placid Casual

Yes, of course they think that. It's an instrumental part of the fantasy. That, and the pretty girl who happens to be watching the whole thing go down, and instantly falls head over heels in love with the newly-minted urban hero.

1955

You're funny.

1955

You can go ahead and give up, it really doesn't matter to me.

dirtbikedude

They make small safes that open with a fingerprint. You keep one bolted to the wall or floor next to where you sleep. Hear something/someone in the house, put your fingers on the sensors, the door opens and you are armed.

Then there are the small wall safes you can put in around the house so there is always a weapon with in a step or two.

Better have damn good training and sight recognition though. You do not want to come around the corner, see a shadow/silhouette only to find out you just blasted your kid/wife/dog/etc while they were getting a drink of water.

DBD

merider1

How did this turn into a gun control argument?

Let's keep this thread on topic...


...bashing on Ovo.

dirtbikedude

I could bash on Ovo but that is too easy.

DBD

merider1

I suggest you challenge yourself - figure out how Ovo could best be used in case of this type of emergency. Better to body slam him against assailants, throw him on the ground for them to trip on, fold him in half and use him like a club, etc.?

roadfix

Have you visited the lounge at Roadbikereview today? Weird, it's gun day over there.....