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Carrying a gun when canoe traveling just because

Mason, the closest I've been to a brown (which is what we call grizzlies) was less than 50'. 2 bear bangers sent it running. all bears are intelligent and quickly figure out that all that noise came from me, which it then recognizes as a threat to IT.
 
You should never assume just cause it is a black bear it is not a problem. They don't always act like we think they should.. This list is interesting. two fatal attacks within 45 minutes of Manhattan NYC
soo, by the same token, should we be carrying just in case of a bad tempered driver?, how about a hold up artist or shoplifter, maybe that postie is going to go postal- VERY slippery slope because every one of the above have killed more people than bears...
 
Back in the stone age, I did a lot of shooting and was apt to have a gun on me to shoot as apposed to ward off any real or imagined threat. That meant a .22 pistol or a short Savage 24c Camper with .22 over .20 gauge. I had a peep set for the .22 and a flip up express sight for the .20 with slugs. It was particularly unpleasant with slugs, and definitely presented diminishing returns with rabbits.
 
Mason, the closest I've been to a brown (which is what we call grizzlies) was less than 50'. 2 bear bangers sent it running. all bears are intelligent and quickly figure out that all that noise came from me, which it then recognizes as a threat to IT.
That's one advantage of bangers to rifles (you can get bangers for shotguns). As a sow grizzly and two cubs were slowly descending a slope towards us from about 150m away, all the while watching us (this summer in Alaska), I fired off a rifle round hoping they'd get the idea. They didn't--no response whatsoever (except to my hearing). For some reason unbeknownst to me, they decided to contour around and not come into camp. I've used "screamers" and bangers on bison and elk, and bean bag rounds on black bear. They can be effective.
 
soo, by the same token, should we be carrying just in case of a bad tempered driver?, how about a hold up artist or shoplifter, maybe that postie is going to go postal- VERY slippery slope because every one of the above have killed more people than bears...
I never said that ever. Please do not attribute things to me that I never said. I will say your logic needs improvement.
 
I have a CCW in Florida and enjoy reciprocity with a number of states. I got into hand loading heavily for a while, I was shooting .45acp twice a week and competing in Highpower rifle at my local club. But then children happened, and all that time and spare cash flow was redirected. Add in now the cost and availability of ammo, and the only caliber I’ve been shooting is .22lr with the kids, with some very occasional 9mm and .38spl. I do carry daily, except at work because I’d lose my job if discovered.

While paddling, I typically carry a Ruger LCR either in a pelican case or in the clamshell pouch of my PFD. The only prevalent apex predator I’m concerned with here besides the two-legged varmints are alligators, and at least so far they either slink away as soon as they see me, or if I surprise them they turn inside out fleeing. It’s happened twice, and it’s rather spectacular. None have come towards me. I surmise there is enough hunting pressure to keep them shy. We do have black bear, but I’ve never seen them on foot or in a canoe, only while driving. I should probably buy some bear spray to add to my camping kit, though we usually use improved camp sites in state parks, etc.

The nationwide patchwork of laws represents egregious infringement of our rights as outlined in (but not granted by) the Second Amendment. It is smart to know the laws in the states you travel to or through, because it is convenient to avoid delays, fines, and prison. Before a travel trip it is wise to freshly review the various states’ laws, as they change from time to time, and not always for the better. Reciprocity changes with state attorneys and administration flips. Don’t get caught off-guard by an administration change. While traveling, two important things to know are do you have a duty to inform, and are you allowed to carry while using a rest area. These things vary and don’t make sense; you can’t work it out with logic. If you DO have a duty to inform, that better be the first thing out of your mouth at the beginning of a law enforcement contact. Don’t exchange pleasantries first or expect handing your license to the officer to satisfy the requirement. “Officer I am lawfully carrying a concealed weapon here is my license” or some such. There have been arrests and etc. for a delay in informing. It’ll cut into your day. Some states’ LEOs are openly hostile to your reciprocity rights don’t give them anything to use against you. Think about when and where you fuel up. For example, you can get through Illinois on one tank of fuel if you plan it right. No need to stop and open yourself to problems.

These laws do in fact color where I will travel. Some states don’t respect the federal law protecting traveling through states. You are in theory allowed to travel through a prohibitive state (secure unloaded firearm and ammo in separate locked containers in an area of the vehicle you can’t access while driving) to one where you are legally allowed to possess. In practice, some states will abuse you for doing it, and NJ in particular will jail you for possession of hollow point ammunition regardless of this law. Simply put, if you possess any arm or ammo, stay out of the prohibitive states in New England. Residents may have it easier, but not by much. On the occasion I find myself vacationing in upstate NYS, I go through Pennsylvania, and absolutely avoid the east coast including DC, Maryland, and NJ. It is also advisable to have an outwardly sterile vehicle to avoid political persecution. Make sure you don’t even have spent casings in your bags or vehicle, the prohibitive locales treat these the same as loaded ammo or firearms (lookin at you DC).

I type all this not to inflame, but in the hopes that it helps folks understand the severity of not following the law in some places. In this country we have laws ranging from “Constitutional carry” to no carry, no transportation (NYC in legal dispute), permit to purchase and registration. What is simple second nature in one state will get you buried under the jail in another. Constitutional, no. Arbitrary and capricious, yes. Just don’t get sideways with the law unless you can afford it and are willing to be the test case for a SCOTUS case.
 
I think it is a personal decision that we all make for ourselves. I hiked and car camped all through the 70s and 80s and it was never a thought. I continue to truck camp at 71 but things have changed. I see people are different, the times are different. My safety is contingent on my preparedness and I carry. I carry as discreetly as I can and in many states I am legally permitted to conceal carry but reciprocity is not universal. Bear spray first but my safety relies on all my decisions, not just one. I travel in my comfort zone. I will say with age has come reluctance and some fear of adventures that weren’t there before. if this is what makes me more at ease then so be it, I have never pulled out a weapon on anyone or anything. With luck this will continue. Happy trails
 
We can argue the Second Amendment for eons. The well run militia part is what I go mostly by.
We certainly can! And that preamble has caused no shortage of disagreement. Things the Founders considered obvious aren’t so today. Things they couldn’t have imagined have come to pass. All in all, I think they did an awfully good job.
 
The Second Amendment is both a legal and highly political issue. Given that this site has an "absolutely no politics" rule, debate or opinions about the Second Amendment will likely get too close to that rule and, additionally, are unnecessary to continue interesting discussion of this topic.

Stating facts about the differing gun laws in different states and countries is okay. So is a factual news item if, for example, the Supreme Court of the United States changes its interpretation of the Second Amendment.

Keeping those cautions and guidelines in mind, please carry on . . . open or concealed . . . or not.
 
In Ontario, there have been 7 fatalities from 4 bear attacks in the last 100 years. All have occurred in the bush. There are, on average, between 200 to 250 murders per year in Ontario, very few occurring in the bush.

I have come to the conclusion that the wilderness is the safest place to be for a human, while urban centers are the most dangerous. I can carry a long gun in the bush all year long in Canada (yes, it's actually legal if carried for "wilderness protection"), but I would be arrested on the spot if I were to carry one in a city.

Thunder Bay has one of the highest homicide rates in Canada, but hardly anyone is murdered using a gun. They are usually beaten to death. Almost all victims belong to a subset of the criminal population....most people have nothing to worry about.

So do I carry a gun.....just because? Nope, although I have in the past. However, yesterday I took a new to me gun out in the bush while snowshoeing and had the best time. A mossberg 151k, one of the first semi auto .22's made, 1950. That 71 year old gun is now the most accurate .22 gun I own, with open sites I was making amazing shots that I couldn't even make with one of my scoped rugers. Functioned flawlessly. The only downside is that no partridge or bunnies were killed in the process.
 
When I first saw this post, I figured it would be shut down in just a few days because of political argument but the members of this forum continue to impress...

As for my personal take... I often carry (very discretely concealed) and I don't worry much about reciprocity when I'm out of state. About the only way anyone will ever know I've got a weapon is if I need it and, in that case, it probably just saved my life or someone else's and I will endure whatever punishment(s) the law feels are justified given the circumstances.

The one place I do not carry is on backpacking / canoe trips. I don't want the extra weight and I am not terribly worried about woodland creatures... It's the beasts who roam "civilized" society who warrant the extra precautions and additional weight (both the physical weight of the firearm and weight of the responsibility that goes with carrying it).
 
I fear that Gamma just put himself on the FBI watch list by posting his personal take on a public forum. I personally do not care one way or the other, just be cautious.
 
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