xxsoultonesxx

Have any of you brought guns with you on tour? I was discussing touring plans with a friend and he immediatly chimed in "Are you bringing a gun?" I thought it was kind of funny that was his initial response. Personally I don't feel a need for one, but was curious to hear forum input on the subject.

Rowan

This has been done to death before on these forums.

But to answer your question, never.

Creamcrackered

Coming from Europe, I find it bizarre that only in the richest most developed country in the world do people even think of taking a gun on tour. I've toured in some pretty remote and under developed places and only felt threatened by violence twice. Having a gun would definitely not have improved either situation. In the developing world a packet of Marlboros is lighter and much more likely to get you out of a bad situation.

Machka 

No, NO, NO!! A thousand times NO!

Among other things, they are ILLEGAL in many places. They are also (thankfully) very difficult to take on flights to other countries.


(I hate that this topic keeps coming up. It truly frightens me to think that there may actually be cyclists out there with guns.)

Robert_in_ca

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php...&highlight=gun

I think there are a few other threads on the subject.

The majority of people on this forum feel it isn't necessary at all.

jcm

I like guns. They have provided me with a great hobby for many years. I load my own ammunition and shoot alot of rounds at recycleable targets in safe and controlled ranges where the ground is sifted from time to time in order to recover spent lead bullets. AL Gore, relax.

Having said that, I don't advocate the carrying of a gun on tour, or for that matter, anywhere an honest person would likely find one's self. There are always exceptions to the personal carry thing, but on a bike tour? No.

There are too many different carry laws in the United States. Each state has it's own laws and sometimes a law can vary from county to city and back to county. It's also a liability in and of itself, to wit: If you are carrying and a person sees the gun poking out of your clothing, that person can file a complaint against you for violating their civil right to the pursuit of happiness.

Yes, that's right. They can call a police officer and tell the officer that they feel threatened, and your problems begin from there.

Also, even though it is indisputably true that the mere presentation of a gun usually prevents a potentil crime, there is the liability that comes with the unfortunate use thereof, should a shooting actually occur. The problems that stem from adjudication cannot be calculated in a newspaper article. Lives get ruined, even among law officers that shoot with cause.

Leave it at home.

Sianelle 

People, - I really do think this topic has been discussed before at length and it's very unlikely that anything new will arise from this thread to enlighten us all.