[at-l] weight/use efficiency & Guns

[icw39@ncfreedom.net (Clark Wright)]

Maybe, for some perspective, folks could chew on this interesting fact: 
When you first speak with a member of that alien species known as
"non-long-distance-hikers," [i.e., most of the world's population],
isn't it amazing how often one of their first 2-3 questions is whether
or not you carried a gun or some other form of "self-protection?"  I
think that perhaps by dodging the details and just thinking a bit about
that, maybe we could all learn something - about how we come to fear
certain things, about how getting comfortable in the out-of-doors
[including geting comfortable with meeting others who do that thing
too], we might learn some deeper things.  I was born and raised mostly
in a pretty good sized city [at least by southern standards] - Raleigh,
NC - but thank goodness I had the opportunity to spend a good deal of
time in the woods, surrounded by people who were comfortable there,
while I was an impressionable teenager.  I learned to feel comfortable
there, too; I liked the feeling of coming at least a bit closer to the
concept of self-reliance; I liked the feeling of overcoming, or at least
reducing my "fear" of wild animals, of climbing rocks, of hiking lond
distances, of riding whitewater, etc.  Seems to me those things can be
just an adrenaline rush, but when you experience them under the guidance
of those who are just plain comfortable with that part of nature, it
cannot help but affect you to become more comfortable, self-reliant -
and less fearful.  But now, let's stand in the shoes of many [most?]
others, or of those only a shorter distance down that path [pardon the
cheap pun].  Seems to me that when we do a little standing in different
sets of shoes here, we might come to two possibly opposing conclusions
of merit:

1)  for some, carrying a gun helps create a sense of greater comfort,
and thus less fear, and allows them to enjoy their outdoor experience
more deeply and comfortably;
2)  for others, who for whatever reason are very comfortable in the
woods without a firearm, the thought that a gun-toting human might be
nearby actually helps create fear . . . 

no simple answer, but a gun often is a very poignant lighting rod for
easing and causing fear, depending on one's perspective and life
experiences - I personally was both an avid outdoor lover and, at one
point, a junior NRA participant, so I got fairly comfortable with both
the out-of-doors and guns . . . however, I would add to that my personal
greatest fear in the woods is, indeed, another human with a firearm who
does not share the values that most of us hold dear . . . but, then
again, my chances of meeting such a person are a hell of a lot greater
in my hometown than they are in the woods, or on the AT . . . in fact,
most of the [very small number of cases of] violence on the AT is really
caused by non-hikers who access a very short section of the AT via
roads, and frequent shelters that are very near roads . . . 

just some "thru-thinking" thoughts!

thru-thinker

Shane Steinkamp wrote:
> 
> > If you think you've gotten negative mail about
> > this you really haven't been
> > on a lot of email lists ---- or even on at-l for
> > very long.  This is
> > absolutely mild.
> 
> Nope.  I'm a newbie.  Lots of people have written to tell me
> that this is mild.  Your responses have been calm and
> pleasant, but I can't say that for some.  From some of the
> private mail I've received, I've almost started to believe
> that I must be evil...
> 
> > One thing to think about is that some
> > of us don't carry on the
> > Trail.  But you really don't want to equate that
> > with being "anti-gun".
> > They're two different things.
> 
> I agree, and didn't intend to wave the second amendment or
> anything - and so far I haven't.  (I'm so proud of myself,
> too.)
> 
> > again - it's a matter of attitude.  I've been
> > where you're at - I lived for
> > a lot of years with a level of anger and paranoia
> > that dictated the
> > necessity to be "armed" at all times.  And I had
> > good reason.  But I lost
> > the reason, the anger and the paranoia -- and I
> > like where I'm at now a lot
> > better.  But that's something you have to work
> > out for yourself. It took me
> > years - and a lot of miles.
> 
> You have assumed something about my nature without ever
> meeting me, which is unfair.  Anybody who knows me will tell
> you that I'm the calmest person they know.  I have never
> suffered paranoia, although I do think that the rain follows
> me sometimes...
> 
> > >NO.  It isn't worth the weight.
> >
> > Hmmm - so what's all the fuss about then?  That's
> > exactly what most of the
> > others have been saying  :-))
> 
> Concession of the point does not mean concession of the
> discussion.  I never carried rain gear in the desert until
> it rained on me there.  Desert nights are cold, and even
> colder when you're wet.
> 
> I think that the 'fuss' is about the reaction I got, which
> causes me to respond.  I have traveled and trekked far and
> wide, and I know lots of things, but even in the short time
> I have been on this list, I have learned several valuable
> things here.  (Black bean lasagna, not least of which.) I
> have had questions answered and good points raised.  Until
> this discussion, however, I had not been accused of being
> naive, insecure, fearful, paranoid, stupid, or of having a
> small penis.  I am, quite simply, astonished.  It seems to
> be legitimate to discuss trail gear, and although I consider
> firearms to be trail gear, I find that there has been very
> little real discussion on the subject...
> 
> I suppose I should put it simply and succinctly:  In my
> experience, across tens of thousands of hiked miles, I have
> seen firearms save lives in the wilderness - mine included.
> I am afraid to share specific stories for the response I
> would get, but this experience leads me to the conclusion
> that a firearm is a viable piece of survival equipment, and
> in most cases a viable piece of hiking equipment.
> 
> >From the response I got from saying that however, you'd
> think I said I liked to club baby seals for fun...
> 
> > Second
> > difference is that you seem to
> > be involved with law enforcement - and to have
> > translated that attitude to
> > the trail. What you missed is that many of those
> > on at-l don't have a clue
> > about where you're coming from.  It's as alien to
> > them as green Martians
> 
> Evidently.  I suppose we could start a new thread.  Any
> aliens or flying saucers on the AT?
> 
> > Yep - but it only works for those who are willing
> > to both carry the weight -
> > AND use the weapon when it's necessary. Did you
> > know that in Korea over 25%...
> 
> On Killing by Col. Grossman. (www.killology.com)
> 
> > Anyway - last comment - you WILL find coyotes on
> > the AT - if you look in the
> > right places.  We have.
> 
> I didn't know that.  You learn something new every day.
> 
> > Welcome to the campfire, Shane - I'm glad you're here.
> 
> Thanks.  I hope this isn't a no burn zone...  (Hey!  Anybody
> carry matches in a no burn zone?)
> 
> >
> > Walk softly,
> > Jim
> 
> Thanks Jim.  We will have to meet in person one day.
> 
> Shane
> 
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