[pct-l] FW: first night out

[dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com]

Gerry  - I have carried a gun in the backcountry since I was 16 years old,
going on 50.  It is just how I was raised, not a big deal. Hope for the best
and plan for the worst. I have never brandished it against a human or
threatened with it in any way (close on a few occasions). It is concealed so
that people are not uncomfortable.  I have a CCW etc. but will NOT take a
gun on the PCT due to the potential legal issues in CA. I think in most
cases for most people they are better off without one (absolutely if you are
not well trained and that is a tall order) and certainly better off not
showing open carry as that guy is usually the 1st one shot by the bad guy.
Proper/accessible concealed carry is the only way to go, if you are very
well trained. Unless you are a cop or in the military etc., most people are
not very well trained, even if they think they are. 

If anyone is remotely considering bringing a firearm then I would strongly
recommend you take a full CCW class, preferable taught by a law enforcement
professional.  You will really want to leave it home then.

I do feel that there is a legitimate concern about the southern section of
the trail and that is unfortunate. But we live in the real world.  I am
concerned as I have seen what goes on our southern border in AZ and it is
bad stuff.  If there are illegal groups as described south of Lake Moreno
then it seems like the Border patrol should just be camped at Hauser Creek,
and perhaps they are. It is absurd that to me that we should have to feel
uncomfortable camping there.

This will be my 1st trip without a gun and I hope to get comfortable with
that. Still taking the big knife though, baby steps. 

Dave






-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Jeff Judd
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:28 PM
To: Gerry Zamora
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] first night out

Gerry,

I'm sure this is an ongoing debate with people firmly rooted on either side,
so 
I will not attempt to change anyone's mind in earnest.

I would ask though: do you normally bring a firearm with you on day hikes, 
overnight car camping, or short backpacking trips?  If you do, then I can
see 
the logic behind bringing a gun on the PCT as well.  However, if you
normally 
day hike et al without a gun,  I guess I just don't understand what makes
the 
PCT different in that regard.  It's not like you're backpacking through gang

territory.  I day hike on the PCT quite a bit in SoCal.  It seems like any
other 
perfectly safe trail to me.  


I guess I'm just not sure what worries you about the PCT that having a gun 
resolves.  If it's mugging or something I would contend that you should keep
a 
gun on you at all times as you're more likely (which even still is not
likely at 
all) to be mugged in your daily life than on the trail.

To each their own, just thought I'd throw out my hypothetical two cents.

-Jeff