Community Forums

sewander · 11-12-2010, 05:21 PM

I have read through many responses of how people arm themselves with all sorts of creative protection devices, be it guns, sprays, bats or whatever. However I wonder how many people have actually had to put to use their weaponry. To defend oneself against a bear is one thing but to have to use it against people is a whole other situation. I would be most interested in hearing about how many people have had to enlist the use of their weaponry against aggressive intruders.

Ray,IN · 11-12-2010, 05:57 PM

I've used my primary weapon many times. When I get an uneasy feeling I get away from the situation. That weapon_ common sense and awareness of surroundings.

GMDavidson · 11-12-2010, 06:01 PM

Never had an incident!

ralper · 11-12-2010, 06:32 PM

After 4.8 years of full timing and having stayed in some very questionable areas, I have not had to utilize my arsenal at all or even think of needing it. I do have it if needed and would not hesitate to use it. Even the Alaska bears were well behaved and no threat. But I did not bother them either.

RVhauler · 11-12-2010, 07:52 PM

Never had an occasion that was necessary to even infer that had weapon however as an ex combat veteran I am well able to effectively use mine in defense should it ever occur

DAN L · 11-12-2010, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewander

I have read through many responses of how people arm themselves with all sorts of creative protection devices, be it guns, sprays, bats or whatever. However I wonder how many people have actually had to put to use their weaponry. To defend oneself against a bear is one thing but to have to use it against people is a whole other situation. I would be most interested in hearing about how many people have had to enlist the use of their weaponry against aggressive intruders.

i haven't had to use my weapon yet for self defense and i hope i never have to.

check front sight for training info and reports from those who have used their firearms for self defense. and, reports about those who wish they had used a firearm for self defense.

the nra is another source of info about those who have used weapons for self defense.
i took the front sight 2 day defensive handgun course in sept. 2010. it was a very good experience.

i plan on taking the course again with my dw.

Gun training | Firearms Training

NRA-ILA ::

RovinOn · 11-13-2010, 07:36 AM

Have never had to and I'm always aware of my surroundings!

patmsp · 11-13-2010, 08:31 AM

My wife and I both have our carry permits. We always have a gun with us and we also carry pepper and bear spray. We have a cabin near the Canadian border. Our biggest fear are hungry bears and ornery moose. Neither of these critters would be deterred by a handgun. Bear spray is the best weapon (basically a 12-16 oz pepper spray).

Now, that being said, my wife did draw on a person one time. She is in her late 60's and had just parked in a handicapped parking spot with her temporary handicapped sticker. Guy driving a pickup truck with tandem wheels comes up behind her and grabs her shoulder and spins her around. He's yelling at her because he doesn't believe that she needs this spot. She doesn't know what is happening and pulls her gun out of her purse when he grabbed her. He is visiably shaken and says he's going to call the police. She says "please do".

She still regrets pulling her gun.

This happened in a very upscale neighborhood. We feel our german shepard is the best deterrant, but we would still rather be safe than sorry.

If you do decide to get a weapon, please take some good instruction. Most good gun stores have classes going all the time and many are taught by law enforcement prefessionals.

missourijan · 11-13-2010, 08:48 AM

Never had to in 4 1/2 years of fulltiming and 5 years of rv'ing on vacations before that. We have one "just in case".

RickO · 11-13-2010, 09:49 AM

Like others, we have never even been in a situation which made us feel remotely like pulling a weapon on another human being.

If you read enough on this topic, you'll find a substantial number of forum members who have had very different experiences though. I believe I've read posts from a number of those who have pulled their weapons... some while driving

... to ward off trouble. In these discussions some have even indicated that they have pulled their weapons "many times to keep situations from getting out of hand". To my way of thinking, a situation gets out of hand as soon as someone draws a handgun.

We carry Bear Spray too.

Rick

WOODYDEL · 11-13-2010, 11:10 AM

You cannot protect yourself against a human in Canada with a gun. No, not even in self defense.

If you want to find out what to expect from a weapon go here:

The Box O' Truth - Ammo Penetration Testing

Look up Thunder Ranch to learn how to use guns in self defense. Not target practice either. You can even find info about Thunder Ranch in the Box O' Truth website. Keep this in. your head if thinking to use a gun in your MH. Unintended consequences.

Thunder Ranch link:
Untitled Document

Lindsay Richards · 11-13-2010, 06:13 PM

We bought a small flashing light from Radio Shack and turn it on every night by the door to the coach. Looks like an alarm system. It runs on two AA batteries and they are still going strong after about 45 nights. It doesn't do anything but fool the burglar into going to the next coach. Cost was about $3.00. I also carry a Mossburg 12 gauge and a 380 auto.

johnsonjm209 · 11-13-2010, 06:27 PM

One of the questions are, "Are you carrying legally?"
I am and I do.

Joe from Ct

Lindsay Richards · 11-13-2010, 06:34 PM

My Florida CCP is valid in 30 states. I have been in most of the others illegally. We keep the shotgun in the coach and generally keep the 380 auto in the truck console compartment in a zippered pouch. This is legal in Florida, but no universally I am sure. When we ventured into Canada, we went in the truck and left the guns in the coach.