Gun Owners, do you carry on the bike?
- Thread starter MurphCO
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EricV
Riding, farkling, riding...
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Considering your location Twinrider, most appropriate. ::008:: Paintball guns have about the same effect too.
Last year I took at 30+ day trip up into Alaska and the Yukon. Went to Dawson for the equinox, (Dust to Dawson), rode the Top of The World "Hwy", spent a fair amount of time off pavement and far from cities, but did not camp. Saw a dozen or so bears, only 3 grizzlies, a couple were close to the road, big enough to not care about us on bikes and could have been a problem if the bear wanted to be. It wasn't. The strongest thing I carried was 100% deet, which was used! No personal encounter during the trip, in or out of the US, made me wish I was carrying a firearm. Note from previous post, I do have a CCW and am comfortable in carry role. The hassle of getting the permits to cross the borders with a firearm were not worth it to me. Wildlife was not an issue. When I have camped in the Western US, I've had a few close encounters, (great campfire stories), but never needed to discharge a firearm, with either people or animals.
Yes, traveling the urban cities of our fine nation, I'd prefer to carry. More scary people late at night in a highway rest stop than any State or National Park I've been in. ??? Size, access and punch all play a part. Years were spent with a Sig P226 for duty and off duty as well as various flavors of compact .45s. Current piece for travel when I feel the need is a XDS in .45. Small enough, but good performance and reasonably accurate with the features I prefer. Glove friendly, to a point.
Last year I took at 30+ day trip up into Alaska and the Yukon. Went to Dawson for the equinox, (Dust to Dawson), rode the Top of The World "Hwy", spent a fair amount of time off pavement and far from cities, but did not camp. Saw a dozen or so bears, only 3 grizzlies, a couple were close to the road, big enough to not care about us on bikes and could have been a problem if the bear wanted to be. It wasn't. The strongest thing I carried was 100% deet, which was used! No personal encounter during the trip, in or out of the US, made me wish I was carrying a firearm. Note from previous post, I do have a CCW and am comfortable in carry role. The hassle of getting the permits to cross the borders with a firearm were not worth it to me. Wildlife was not an issue. When I have camped in the Western US, I've had a few close encounters, (great campfire stories), but never needed to discharge a firearm, with either people or animals.
Yes, traveling the urban cities of our fine nation, I'd prefer to carry. More scary people late at night in a highway rest stop than any State or National Park I've been in. ??? Size, access and punch all play a part. Years were spent with a Sig P226 for duty and off duty as well as various flavors of compact .45s. Current piece for travel when I feel the need is a XDS in .45. Small enough, but good performance and reasonably accurate with the features I prefer. Glove friendly, to a point.
RCinNC
Well-Known Member
EricV, you touch on a point that I rarely see made; carrying a gun can be a real pain in the ass, especially on a bike. I have to qualify yearly in order to carry a firearm under LEOSA, and I do it because I want the option to be armed, but there are definitely times that I'd just as soon leave the thing at home.
EricV
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RCinNC - We all make the choice. I teach a lot of situational awareness, both for armed and un-armed daily life, (informally). Being aware of your surroundings will keep you out of trouble quite a bit. The USMC also taught me a lot about weapons of opportunity and the mindset that I'm never really un-armed, it's just a matter of what's around and can be used to deal with the situation.
As I told a security guard at a casino/gas station a couple of months back, "You see my helmet as a disguise, but the moment I take it off and have it in my hand, I now have a deadly weapon." I thought I would take the opportunity to open his eyes to the potential for someone to beat the heck out of him with a helmet and that maybe making people take off helmets to use the restroom has it's drawbacks. From the look on his face, it was clear he had never considered that possibility. He looked more closely at my helmet, and I showed him how we typically hold it by the chin bar, and how easy it is to swing that with the top of the helmet as a cudgel. His only comment was a slow, "That'd leave a mark." I think I made my point. ;D
As I told a security guard at a casino/gas station a couple of months back, "You see my helmet as a disguise, but the moment I take it off and have it in my hand, I now have a deadly weapon." I thought I would take the opportunity to open his eyes to the potential for someone to beat the heck out of him with a helmet and that maybe making people take off helmets to use the restroom has it's drawbacks. From the look on his face, it was clear he had never considered that possibility. He looked more closely at my helmet, and I showed him how we typically hold it by the chin bar, and how easy it is to swing that with the top of the helmet as a cudgel. His only comment was a slow, "That'd leave a mark." I think I made my point. ;D
tomatocity
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Last weekend I worked a gun shown in Sacramento. One of the vendors was a company offering a two hour class for the Utah carry. This certificate includes 35 States with a show special of Arizona. So for a discounted $149 and two hours of your time you could get 36 States of CCW. You are still responsible to learn/remember the gun carry/transportation laws of all these States. If you have a California CCW you can go to Oregon, show your CA CCW and get the OR CCW.
Note: NYC and Chicago have the two highest gun related crime rates in the USA. The average bear/you can not get a CCW in either City. Be proud of your right to have a CCW and follow the rules and regulations of each State.
Note: NYC and Chicago have the two highest gun related crime rates in the USA. The average bear/you can not get a CCW in either City. Be proud of your right to have a CCW and follow the rules and regulations of each State.
shredmeister
Active Member
"If you have a California CCW you can go to Oregon, show your CA CCW and get the OR CCW."
Just a little clarification on this as my wife and I just got our Oregon permits and live in CA. Along with showing your CA CCW permit, you do fill out the typical application along with a statement of why you are applying, go to a sheriff's office to get fingerprinted (for a background check?) and have your picture taken which is on the permit. It was relatively easy compared to CA and we had our permits in two weeks that are even laminated. Cost, $65 each for 4 years.
Just a little clarification on this as my wife and I just got our Oregon permits and live in CA. Along with showing your CA CCW permit, you do fill out the typical application along with a statement of why you are applying, go to a sheriff's office to get fingerprinted (for a background check?) and have your picture taken which is on the permit. It was relatively easy compared to CA and we had our permits in two weeks that are even laminated. Cost, $65 each for 4 years.
shrekonwheels
New Member
Yup, carrying is such a pain in the ass I quit doing it here for the most part. You cannot carry your firearm anywhere alcohol is consumed so in Montana that is about any resturaunt. Banks? Why should you be able to carry into a bank when a parking lot is a perfectly good place for a robber to mug your ass, after you obeyed the law and left it in your car, with your firearm possibly locked up with whatever stupid local law you are trying to obey. So that leaves movie Theaters and grocery shopping 
If I am not mountain biking I usually do carry in the boonies. While I really am not worried about four legged critters, hell I just freed a calf moose from a fence while momma looked on wednsday, there are plenty of two legged nut jobs in the woods to warrant it.
Meth labs and pot growers love the boonies, not to mention all the "survivalists" added to the equation, uhhhgg.
If you do carry I encourage you to take a class on dojng so as well as actual CQB or advanced training class as well.
You should be good at moving your shirt or jacket well into the clear while drawing in a smooth motion.
You should also be able to point shoot.
If I am not mountain biking I usually do carry in the boonies. While I really am not worried about four legged critters, hell I just freed a calf moose from a fence while momma looked on wednsday, there are plenty of two legged nut jobs in the woods to warrant it.
Meth labs and pot growers love the boonies, not to mention all the "survivalists" added to the equation, uhhhgg.
If you do carry I encourage you to take a class on dojng so as well as actual CQB or advanced training class as well.
You should be good at moving your shirt or jacket well into the clear while drawing in a smooth motion.
You should also be able to point shoot.
Topcop45
New Member
I carry a S&W Shield 9mm or the new Glock 43 in my tank bag...always. A firearm is no good sitting at home in the safe...just saying
Kevin Williams
New Member
Just like good fences make good neighbors, conceal and carry make for very polite conversations. In Texas we are mostly pretty polite. For me, I never even go to the mailbox with out one of my two carry guns: Ruger 380 LCP or the Ruger 9mm LC9; inside the waistband holster or when riding, in my reflective vest pocket.
My thoughts are the very second a hand gun naysayer is accosted and pinned down, they become an instant believer... and lose all those silly notions that caring a firearm to defend yourself is crazy. To all my US friends, I remind you all, the Second Amendment is about you having the right and duty to protect yourself and those around you. I choose freedom, always.
My thoughts are the very second a hand gun naysayer is accosted and pinned down, they become an instant believer... and lose all those silly notions that caring a firearm to defend yourself is crazy. To all my US friends, I remind you all, the Second Amendment is about you having the right and duty to protect yourself and those around you. I choose freedom, always.
Ummm - Ok,
And welcome aboard with your first post.
::004::
And welcome aboard with your first post.
::004::
Defekticon
Active Member
Welcome, and well said.Kevin Williams said:
I can't see why someone would not carry. Let's face it, if we are out in the back country without any cell service and hours to respond if help is needed...you have to be prepared. For the wild animals I'm not so concerned. I'm more concerned about the inbred hillbillies right off the set of Deliverance. I have no problem listening to foul words but when push comes to shove and I'm cornered, I'm putting holes in the carcass of a bad guy....then off to Starbucks.
Pterodactyl
New Member
Yes, of course, you are far safer in a city where everyone's genetic make-up is far superior and no one is ever the victim of senseless violence.
Fair warning -
Time to bring this back to the subject before the pruning shears come out.
Time to bring this back to the subject before the pruning shears come out.
rem
A man who don't lie, ain't got nothin' to say.
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"A Smith and Wesson beats four aces" ..... Canada Bill Jones
tomatocity
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Checkswrecks, not to prolong the side subject but... while riding in California and Oregon and surrounding areas, we ride in Marijuana Country. The legal growers are not a concern but the illegal growers can be aggressive. I do not get too far off the beaten path but many others do.
https://goo.gl/maps/JzyBaitUvQM2 Having a 4x4 pass you doing 75ish on a narrow dirt/gravel road was very concerning. I was on an open area and could see them in my mirrors. They never lifted and of course yelled as they passed. Saw them later meeting with the delivery of a load of new soil. Drill down on the "Miller Ranch Rd" and you will see a very small Pot Farm. Look further west and you will see covered growers and there are no homes. Million$ and Million$ of legal and illegal marijuana in Northern California.
If you are in the area stop by the New Harris General Store (no it is not where Gmaps shows it). A nice place to take a break and you will not need protection. Need to visit Bell Springs next Spring. This time will ride south to north.
https://goo.gl/maps/AtGAo5uCEF52 During a July trip I found a New York rider with a broken Tenere (39031 Mattole Road). His radiator was damaged and would not hold water. We finally found a car to transport him and his gear to a nearby campground. We exchanged information and I continued to Eureka. He was able to get a tow truck to come (1:00 am) to there and transport him to Eureka. Was finally able to contact him the next morning. When he broke down he was in the beautiful Lost Coast and the middle of Pot Land. Not a place to knock on doors. I would not want to be without protection while stranded in this area. Not all of these people are bad but there are bad people protecting their livelihood.
I try to ride this area a couple times a year. Enjoy stopping for photo ops and at the stores for a break.
Getting back to the point... carrying protection in these areas is recommended if you are not going to be on the beaten path.
https://goo.gl/maps/JzyBaitUvQM2 Having a 4x4 pass you doing 75ish on a narrow dirt/gravel road was very concerning. I was on an open area and could see them in my mirrors. They never lifted and of course yelled as they passed. Saw them later meeting with the delivery of a load of new soil. Drill down on the "Miller Ranch Rd" and you will see a very small Pot Farm. Look further west and you will see covered growers and there are no homes. Million$ and Million$ of legal and illegal marijuana in Northern California.
If you are in the area stop by the New Harris General Store (no it is not where Gmaps shows it). A nice place to take a break and you will not need protection. Need to visit Bell Springs next Spring. This time will ride south to north.
https://goo.gl/maps/AtGAo5uCEF52 During a July trip I found a New York rider with a broken Tenere (39031 Mattole Road). His radiator was damaged and would not hold water. We finally found a car to transport him and his gear to a nearby campground. We exchanged information and I continued to Eureka. He was able to get a tow truck to come (1:00 am) to there and transport him to Eureka. Was finally able to contact him the next morning. When he broke down he was in the beautiful Lost Coast and the middle of Pot Land. Not a place to knock on doors. I would not want to be without protection while stranded in this area. Not all of these people are bad but there are bad people protecting their livelihood.
I try to ride this area a couple times a year. Enjoy stopping for photo ops and at the stores for a break.
Getting back to the point... carrying protection in these areas is recommended if you are not going to be on the beaten path.
shrekonwheels
New Member
I take it this is why your name is called Tomato city?tomatocity said:
That is what we called Mary Jane farms when I was wildland firefighting, tomatos.
tomatocity said:
Getting off topic is no big deal and totally normal. What was attention getting were the borderline racial comments which have no place here.
Here's my off topic:
I grew up with weapons, remain proficient, and they are occasionally part of work. Wrecks in the woods are occasionally found first by dogs, bears, and other critters. Here on the east coast, it's pretty easy to come across pot farms and meth labs to get to wrecked airplanes. This is a favorite photo from a ridge in Alaska and I'm the guy on the left. By the time we'd climbed the mountain by following the game trails to get to the wreck our boots were covered in bear poo. Weapons of choice are visible on the packs.
Personally, I've never felt the need for a weapon on the bike.
Defekticon
Active Member
As a fellow Maryland resident, I'm more frustrated with the over-regulation of firearms in our state. To the point that I don't carry for the following reasons:Checkswrecks said:
1. It's not legal to carry in Maryland.
2. Maryland doesn't recognize CCW permits from other states.
3. Maryland is not a Shall issue state.
4. For the above reasons, I'm more afraid of overzealous anti-gun MD District Attorneys that are out to make an example of concealed carriers than criminals.
I fully recognize that I live in the wrong state to hold these sort of social/political opinions, and that's something I intend to correct eventually when my children are off to college in another five years. A concealed weapon is something I hold in the same regard as ATGATT, wearing a life jacket on a boat or owning a fire extinguisher. For those reasons, if it were legal to do so in our state, I would carry.