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Re: [RC] re: angry - Joe LongOn Wed, 28 Jan 2004 15:50:32 -0700, "Cindy Collins" <ccollins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: I think you've been watching too many movies... --CMNewell This is so arrogant that I probably shouldn't respond, but like a fool, I will. It would be my assumption that if someone were to carry a gun, they would take classes and learn all proper safety and be totally comfortable. My best answer is not to ride here as it sounds entirely too foolish to me, but since we were talking about what to do, for many of us "rural" folks, we often are extremely skilled and very safe and comfortable with guns. We are not crazies and not any of the other ridiculous stereotypes that many city folk have. Trying to "out run" a bullet is the ultimate stupidity. So, yes, if I had made the decision to continue to provoke these unbalanced people, and they shot at me, I would defend myself, not turn my backside and give them a really big target! Cindy Cindy, I agree 100%. The police can't be everywhere, we are ultimately responsible for our own safety. I was one of the first to suggest "carrying a weapon." I chose my words carefully, I said "weapon" not "gun." For someone who is properly trained in its use, and who has properly trained their horse, a gun worn openly (where legal) is IMO the best choice. It lets the folks know you have it without you making any agressive moves, and it's there if you need it to defend yourself if you are attacked. (BTW, Kahlil was trained to the sound of firearms being fired from the saddle.) For those not so trained, or whose horses are not reliably trained to not spook at gunfire, there are other weapons that can save one's life in a crisis, such as pepper spray. Sure, she could just give in to the crazies and not ride there again, from a pure personal safety view that is the safest ... but personally, I don't like rolling over to such folks. Another word about openly carrying a gun: you do NOT use it to threaten, and you don't brandish it. A bedrock principle of responsible gun use is that you do not draw it from its holster (in a hostile situation) unless you are fully prepared to kill your attacker. I'm no "gun nut." I own several firearms, but I have not carried one outside my house for years except when tranporting them when I moved. But if I found myself riding in such a hostile and potentially dangerous situation as described in this thread, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. On another part of this topic, mounted police are about the best crowd control there is. A mob that won't yield even to police in full riot gear will give ground to horses. Of course, both the horses and riders must be properly trained, and it's a good idea to use some special tack (such as reins with wire centers that can't be cut with a knife). All that said, I am quite happy that during my time as a volunteer deputy sheriff I never once had to draw my pistol in public, let alone fire it. The closest I came was a couple of times when I unsnapped the safety strap so that I COULD draw it quickly if the situation deteriorated. -- Joe Long jlong@xxxxxxxx http://www.rnbw.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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