How many of you carry a gun as part of your cycling equipment?



He He, SB. Still the same ol MO. Slander all who oppose yer blinkered views and ya spout forth as if yer'n orthorrity. Herewith a free spellin mistake for you to grab onto cos there's very little substance otherwise.
 
Originally Posted by Akadat .

He He, SB. Still the same ol MO. Slander all who oppose yer blinkered views and ya spout forth as if yer'n orthorrity. Herewith a free spellin mistake for you to grab onto cos there's very little substance otherwise.

+1 Those shell not wear blinkers /img/vbsmilies/smilies/eek.gif
 
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No. I don't carry a gun while biking. It almost seems surreal to type that.
Guns? Biking? Do those two concepts exist in the same plane in any universe?
 
This is probably rather late and the topic is no longer on your mind; however I do appreciate that you replied with the intention of understanding. So many people out there only argue and when someone responds to their comment they just get angrier. If more people looked past what the media presents and thought well I didn't think about wild animals that makes more since maybe I reacted too quickly people would get along better.
 
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So - I'm late to the discussion, and not trying to rekindle anything, just giving my $.02 for whatever they're worth.

I am in favor of CCW, and am all for people carrying who are legally able to. I understand that the data is tricky to read in this particular debate, as correlation doesn't equal causation. Everyone has "data" to support their hypothesis, but none of it conclusively puts the issue to rest, hence the debate. For that reason, I'm not here to persuade anyone, or try to argue stats/rationale.

I happen to live in a place where personal protection isn't from bike thieves, but from various other creatures that may be on the trail, including bears, rattle snakes, mountain lions, coyotes, and yes - people. I've personally never been threatened in a way that I would draw a weapon (most states define that point as your life being in "imminent danger"). I have however seen a mountain lion in my neighborhood (thankfully I was in a car), and I've seen bears. I know two people who have been part of, or have witnessed mtn. lion attacks at trail heads (not even back country). I've also run into dogs running crazy with no owners while fishing, hiking, and biking. A friend of mine in fact, was attacked by two domestic dogs in the wild just two weeks ago, while up to his waste in a snow bank, fishing a small section of river. He actually works with the ranger service, but wasn't carrying, and ended up having to stab one of the dogs with his walking stick - they finally relented and left.
I'm not in the wilds of Alaska mind you, this is just the Front Range of Colorado. It's not incredibly dangerous but stuff happens here, and the "victims" are typically the unprepared.
I wouldn't want to go back-country without a weapon (camping, climbing, fishing - whatever), and while I haven't biked with a weapon, I wouldn't frown upon it - it would just seem another reasonable, and responsible level of protection to me, for those comfortable undertaking that level of responsibility.
 
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I think this is a very interesting question. I only read some of the answers but here's what I think:

- In California, we can't legally even carry a fixed knife or a blade longer than 4 inches! So carrying one or not, you're not off the hook!
- Try riding your bike in areas that don't have many minorities; yeah, you still gotta go through the bad areas at some point. Go ahead and judge me for this but I have experience!
- Metal guns add weight! Plus where do you put it comfortably? You could ride with a neck knife which has quick access or carry pepper spray which is more legal and also works on pesky dogs.

Fighting probably isn't much of a choice since you might not have a proper stance due to your stiff shoes that have weird cleats.
I would honestly just say, remember you have a road bike and should be able to get away on it if things get bad.
 
Just wondering how many of you carry a gun as part of your cycling equipment? Here in Arizona we can legally carry open and concealed (concealed with permit).

For long distance touring and bicycle camping... I think I'd feel safer carrying my .45 semi-auto pistol (concealed so it doesn't freak people out).

Anyone else carry while biking?
 
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wow, first time on this forum, I was going on to learn more about spoke count ratios and couldn't resist reading this thread. I thought I would give a different American perspective, as the only person that has spoken up that it might seem a bit odd to bring a gun on a ride was from Belgium. I live in Chicago, and I have previously lived in NYC and LA, Ive got friends in Detroit and I have done a bit of cycling in that town in the last couple years (great cycling town btw, extra wide roads and 0 cars!). I also did a 2 month long tour of southern Mexico/Guatemala a few years back, and I have NEVER thought "dang, if only I had a gun!". Don't get me wrong, I have had friends that owned guns, and I don't think gun ownership is inherently irresponsible or violent. Guns ARE tools, but they are tools I have absolutely no use for, certainly not while cycling. It seems to me that taking a gun on a tour would be like taking your dewalt cordless drill, albeit one that is potentially lethal. I have to say if I was riding with someone and I found out they were "packing" I would have to seriously question who I was riding with and whether I would want to ride with them again. By the way, if you are so paranoid that you feel the need to bring a gun with you on a date, you have some issues you need to work out with the world. As an American, I feel it needs to be said that this is NOT a ubiquitous cultural value, so those of you who are reading this in Europe or elsewhere don't get the wrong impression, not all Americans feel the need to carry firearms with them at all times.
 
And clearly, not even all Americans understand why those who carry do.
Certainly there are CCW carriers who are paranoid of the world around them. There are also those who carry out of utility - as I stated earlier, living in Colorado it is wise to be prepared back country - and for those touring in Alaska, it would be downright foolish to be unprepared (whether that includes a gun is up to the individual). There are also those who carry because they simply don't have the cultural idea that guns are associated with "bad." My wife has lived in predominantly large cities (L.A., D.C., various East Coast areas) and associated guns with crime, and "bad." It's been a huge adjustment for her to live in a place where many of us grew up with firearms being something without this inherent evil associated with it.
If I were touring the Continental Divide for example, I'd definitely be carrying, and I wouldn't even need a CCW to do it, as I'd be in National Forest.

Would I carry on a ride around the neighborhood, or even around my city? Probably not.
But whether a CCW carrier carries to Church, or on a date, or out grocery shopping has nothing to do with a level of paranoia or fear. For many, it has to do with a desire to be available to help the helpless should the need arise, and not live in fear of those around them. It may seem crazy to many, especially since you don't get to read most of the stories where guns prevent crime in the local paper. This happens thousands of times a year, and is widely unreported.
Also - in 240 pages, there have been plenty of people who thought carrying was odd (who weren't from Belgium). In fact, many (if not the majority of) Americans would agree.


Again, I'm not advocating for carrying while cycling - but it always surprises me to see someone who so misunderstands the issue (and the tool itself), that they decide to tack apologetic to avoid the rest of the world thinking *all* Americans love guns. I don't think everyone should have, love, or support firearms. But I'd hope that even those in disagreement would have an accurate frame of reference from which to voice their disapproval.
 
7 years and 294,000+ views... Wow.

Although there have been some emotional discussions in this thread, it is difficult to walk away from reading it and not think that culture is a huge part of the disparity between those who are gun tolerant and those who are not. There certainly is no right answer... or should I say... there are an infinite number of right answers on whether or not to carry a gun cycling. Each cyclist decides for her/himself what they are comfortable with. Some cyclists don't have the option because of national laws in their country... others have the choice but choose not to carry and still others have the choice and do carry.

As for me... 7 years later and I still carry when I ride.

The gun laws here in Arizona have become even more friendly since I created this post. Arizona citizens can now carry concealed with no permit required and in a few months, we will most likely be able to carry concealed on the campuses of our state universities. As a doctoral student, I'll be happy to be able to carry and ride my bike to school soon.

Keep up the good work dear posters! Agree or disagree it doesn't matter. At least we are learning about each other.

Joe West
Administrator
Arizona Virtual Jeep Club
http://www.virtualjeepclub.com
 
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I live in Canada so um, no I'm not carrying a gun with me, and certainly not when I go cycling. Why would I want to bring a gun with me on a bike ride? I'm glad I live in Canada because some of you people are crazy.
 
Originally Posted by slothluvchunk .

And clearly, not even all Americans understand why those who carry do.
Certainly there are CCW carriers who are paranoid of the world around them. There are also those who carry out of utility - as I stated earlier, living in Colorado it is wise to be prepared back country - and for those touring in Alaska, it would be downright foolish to be unprepared (whether that includes a gun is up to the individual). There are also those who carry because they simply don't have the cultural idea that guns are associated with "bad." My wife has lived in predominantly large cities (L.A., D.C., various East Coast areas) and associated guns with crime, and "bad." It's been a huge adjustment for her to live in a place where many of us grew up with firearms being something without this inherent evil associated with it.
If I were touring the Continental Divide for example, I'd definitely be carrying, and I wouldn't even need a CCW to do it, as I'd be in National Forest.

Would I carry on a ride around the neighborhood, or even around my city? Probably not.
But whether a CCW carrier carries to Church, or on a date, or out grocery shopping has nothing to do with a level of paranoia or fear. For many, it has to do with a desire to be available to help the helpless should the need arise, and not live in fear of those around them. It may seem crazy to many, especially since you don't get to read most of the stories where guns prevent crime in the local paper. This happens thousands of times a year, and is widely unreported.
Also - in 240 pages, there have been plenty of people who thought carrying was odd (who weren't from Belgium). In fact, many (if not the majority of) Americans would agree.


Again, I'm not advocating for carrying while cycling - but it always surprises me to see someone who so misunderstands the issue (and the tool itself), that they decide to tack apologetic to avoid the rest of the world thinking *all* Americans love guns. I don't think everyone should have, love, or support firearms. But I'd hope that even those in disagreement would have an accurate frame of reference from which to voice their disapproval.
quick explanation: as a newbie on this forum I was unfamiliar with its format, and therefore only saw the FIRST PAGE of this thread, leading me to think it was a new thread and also to the comment about the only dissenter being from Belgium. However, although I may have misunderstood the way the forum works, I don't believe I misunderstand the issue. As I've said, I have friends that own guns, who use them responsibly (Ive never known my pal Rich, who has a large gunsafe at home full of shotguns, to show up to work with a gun in his truck or to carry a gun when he goes boating). Ive lived in both rural and urban areas, all over this country, but as a cyclist and someone who has toured in this country in others, I see no logical reason to bring a gun, nor do I understand the need to carry a firearm to a movie theater or a college campus (are you serious Joe? you are excited to have the opportunity to legally carry a gun to class? WHY? what are you going to do with it? Are you afraid of your classmates? A lot of coyote attacks on your campus?). I don't bring my saws-all to a dinner party or my chefs knife to work, why would I? There is such a small likelihood of needing these tools under these circumstances. If I was confronted by a bear in the wilderness, the last thing that I would want to do would be pump a couple rounds from a .45 into it, which would mostly just **** the thing off. Best protection from wildlife? make a lot of noise. Very few wild animals are seeking confrontations with humans, if you leave them alone and make your presence known there should be no reason to defend yourself. Worst experience I've had with animals on the trail was mangy street dogs in rural Mexico nipping at my panniers, I just rode away...
 
Originally Posted by n8opot8o .

quick explanation: as a newbie on this forum I was unfamiliar with its format, and therefore only saw the FIRST PAGE of this thread, leading me to think it was a new thread and also to the comment about the only dissenter being from Belgium.

Today I felt like shooting some sucker who cut me off and flicked me the bird for no reason, attitudes on the road these days are pathetic.
 
Yes, it's a different culture. I'm American and have been living in Denmark (15years) and a little in Germany (ca. 5years) and I'd never dream of carrying a gun here. But in California, for example I'd do it if I was riding in remote mountain areas in case I ran into a Mountain lion (puma), or a bear. Not to shoot them (because they're supposed to be there) but I've found that a few shots in the ground will scare most animal away. I'm ex-military but by no means the "Rambo-type". Humans know what a gun means, animals don't.
 
If animals don't understand what a gun can do why would you fire a few shots at them ? Careful you don't shoot yrself in the foot.
 

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