[at-l] weight/use efficiency & Guns

[m_factor@hotmail.com (Mara Factor)]

OK, so I normally keep out of these discussions (and actually delete without 
reading them at this point), but something occurred to me that I don't 
believe I've seen discussed with regards to guns on the trail.

What do you do with your gun when you're showering in towns?

I actually only thought of this because I helped a woman this past summer 
who had to deal with a nine year old dog that bit someone for the first time 
in its life.  She wondered how she could deal with the dog when they had to 
be apart (showers, stores, etc.) and yet guarantee that the dog wouldn't 
bite anyone else.  She considered a muzzle but passed on that idea and ended 
up getting off the trail.

If you keep your gun in a locked box, then that means you have to carry a 
box that not only locks, but is strong enough to resist being opened by 
someone with malicious intentions.  This sounds like it could be heavier 
than the gun itself.

Anyway...

Accidents happen around guns.  If there are no guns around, then nobody can 
be accidentally shot - or nobody can maliciously take the gun away from you.

The AT is just one of those places where the wildlife is just not that 
threatening - unless you intend to blow away the mice that are trying to 
steal your food.  Bear and bobcat sightings are usually few and far between 
and most of us consider ourselves lucky to see such wildlife.  Human 
interaction would be the most threatening part of the trail but the 
potential for abuse of your weapon against you or someone else seems to be 
higher than the potential for you to use your weapon for some valid reason.  
(Don't ask - I have no stats to back this up - the key word was "seems".)

As for your question, let me ask you this...  If I told you that next year, 
you were definitely going to get in a car accident, would you stop driving 
and avoid all places where you could get hit by a car?  What if you had your 
kids with you?

I'm just guessing, but I think there are still many more car accidents than 
gun incidents in this country.

Just food for thought...

Mara
Stitches, GAME99

>From: "Shane Steinkamp" <shane@theplacewithnoname.com>
>Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2002 22:49:15 -0600
>
...
>
>On the opposite end of the spectrum, I would like to ask
>this question:  If I told you that next year you will
>definitely be attacked by an angry bear (moose, alligator,
>insert other angry, or even not so angry wildlife here)
>while hiking, would you take a weapon or not?  What if you
>had your kids with you?
>
>Shane

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