[pct-l] GUNS: KEEP THEM AT HOME

[Paul Robison]

The same could be said about leaving your 12 month old baby at home ; ). Most would consider that irresponsible to carry a 12 month old over fuller ridge in April... In fact i wonder what CPS would say about her living conditions... But that's your business,  no one tells you how to live; even with your diapers stinking up our water supply...  Why are you so against someone else responsible excersizing their rights?

If yu want to carry a gun, carry it... But it's hardly worth the weight.

As to why the Mexicans are considered Such a threat ... That's 2 fold,  the ones just trying to get into the country typically have no food and little water and they WILL try to get some of yours,  offer them a candy bar and hey will be grateful... But keep in mind these people are desperate... Their life may depend on getting your water depending how far they've made it;  and it's not like you can count on the cops to protect you at 2 AM in a tent.  

A see why a solo female would have reason to feel afraid.  Last year a guy an hour behind us got hustled for cash by three guys trying to get enough for a bus ticket and it would be intimidating.

Additionally there is the much more rare case of the drug dealers,  which are faaaaaar less common but are less afraid to be violent

I carry a gun daily at my job;  but it's not worth the 23 ounces to carry on the trail;  but I'm not hiking alone either.

Sent from my iPod

On 2011-03-19, at 11:59 AM, dnlcyclone at aol.com  wrote:

> Can't wait to get out on the trail and meet you all, but... PLEASE KEEP YOUR GUNS AT HOME.  Please.  HYOH does not apply here.  "Packing a gun" will undoubtedly make all of us LESS safe than if you carry one.  The only people who have ever asked me if I should bring a gun on the trail are people who have never ventured past their property boundaries, boundaries which are pasted over with thousands of DO NOT TRESPASS: PRIVATE PROPERTY signs.  People have the right to protect themselves, but bringing a gun is complete overkill; I don't mean to lecture, but I have a serious concern for public safety of all of the class of 2011 (my family included) if we have several people packing handguns.  The recent thread about "illegal" paranoia is also cause for concern; why is it that only people who come from Mexico would be a threat?  Why couldn't there be a down-and-out local who knows people will be on the trail that terrorizes all of us in our tents?  This fear/paranoia/craze is real
> ly ridiculous.  I just feel that this thread has gone a tad too far.  Federal statistics show that privately owned guns at home are 43 times more likely to kill a family member than they are to kill an intruder; I don't like those stats when converted to the trail.  I love the forum and its diversity of opinions, however, this gun issue affects all of us, not just the person carrying the gun.  It only takes one accident.  Bear spray and a good knife should be and have been good enough for most of us.  I hope everyone is having fun getting ready for the hike, but please...LEAVE THE GUNS AT HOME.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> 
> David Liechty
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/