[pct-l] FW: first night out

[Gerry Zamora]

Thanks Dan, speak softley but carry a big stick.
On Mar 17, 2011 3:05 PM, <dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com> wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
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