Is it worth it to illegally carry a gun on a hike?

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Wildewinds

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I have a three year old daughter that I'm starting to take hiking with me in the local foothills. I imagine that soon she'll be able to accompany me on hikes longer than a mile or two. While most of the trails around are popular affairs with enough people to make it relatively safe, I also enjoy more secluded hikes where it's rare to see more than a couple people. Eventually she'll be able to go backpacking with me, even further away from civilization.

Thus, the question: should I carry a gun? Hiking alone, I wouldn't consider it. With a little girl, I'm not so sure.

My main concern is of the two legged variety.

I live in California. It's illegal to carry a concealed handgun in public, especially a loaded one, even if you're "in the hills" (assuming I don't have a hunting license and it's not a hunting pistol). Carrying unconcealed is out of the question. If I get caught, I'll get in trouble. How much? Dunno, but I doubt it'll be fun. However... realistically, the only way I'll get caught is if I had to use it. If I had to use it, it would have been in a life or death situation and I would be glad I had it.

I'm on the fence, really. Leaning towards not carrying. But I'd like to hear some opinions.
 
What about investigating the hunting angle? I don't think that it would be worth it to illegally carry, especially in Kali. Would you hesitate to draw and fire knowing that you WILL be facing major legal consequences? I have a feeling that it would be a lot of trouble. Get a small game license and carry a pistol or better yet a 12 gauge. If that's out of the question, why not carry some bear spray, I'm pretty sure that would ruin a 2 legged predators day.
 
+1 on the bear spray. If you up end needing to use a gun, a DA might argue that the entire situation was your fault because you weren't supposed to be there with a gun. I hate to sound paranoid but weirder things have happened. Hell, you could get a manslaughter conviction and sit for years even if they agree it was self-defense. That wouldn't do your kid much good :(

I suspect cops, DA's, judges and juries would be a lot more sympathetic to bear spray. Yeah, yeah, someone will chime in and say how bear spray is hogwash, some people seem unaffected by it, blah blah blah. Buy the BIG can so you can wallop him with it if he laughs at the spray :D
 
It is absurd that this even has to be debated. Can they arrest you if you are dead?

Do everything possible to protect yourself and your family. Carry the gun. Be discreet.

If you survive an encounter where you were forced to use the gun to save your life (or your daughters) who cares if you get into legal troubles. You are alive.

It's a shame that politicians have stripped you of your rights in Cali. You should move to a free state.
 
Two points.

1) Admitting illegal activity on the internet is STUPID. I say this as a former prosecutor. Don't do it. No good can come of it for you or this forum

2) Once you ask the mods to delete this thread, head over to calguns and learn about open carry. In most places in california, unloaded open carry is 100% legal. Its obviously not the preferred method of carrying, but if you are out in the foothills having a gun on your belt and loaded mags in your pocket are far better than A. not having a gun or B. getting prosecuted if you have to defend your life.
 
Can't bear spray blind someone? I know in Canada you can get a pretty big fine for using bear spray on someone... check into that one.
On another note, do you American get into these sticky situations quite often? is it a trend to mug hikers? I'm a bit confused as to why this question keeps coming up... Do the hills Really have eyes in the states? Can one person on this forum testify that they had to draw there gun on a hike to defend himself against a Mugger or what have you...
 
your paranoid. Your more likely to kill yourself or your child with the firearm than a "bad guy".
 
STAGE 2 said:
Two points.

1) Admitting illegal activity on the internet is STUPID. I say this as a former prosecutor. Don't do it. No good can come of it for you or this forum

2) Once you ask the mods to delete this thread, head over to calguns and learn about open carry. In most places in california, unloaded open carry is 100% legal. Its obviously not the preferred method of carrying, but if you are out in the foothills having a gun on your belt and loaded mags in your pocket are far better than A. not having a gun or B. getting prosecuted if you have to defend your life.
Click to expand...

murder is illegal
 
Sharp_newbie said:
On another note, do you American get into these sticky situations quite often? is it a trend to mug hikers? I'm a bit confused as to why this question keeps coming up... Do the hills Really have eyes in the states? Can one person on this forum testify that they had to draw there gun on a hike to defend himself against a Mugger or what have you...
Click to expand...

Personally no, I do know people who have had to draw a firearm to deter individuals out in the wilds. Deep in the woods, this is not a common occurrence but in the outskirts of populated areas such as foothills and the local deserts out here coming across a few less than gracious individuals is not uncommon at all. (I'm obviously speaking for the area I live in) One of my best friends flipped his truck out in what most people would consider nowhere in the desert, not too far from a populated area, but not close either. In less than 30 minutes a group of armed individuals came by in truck and stripped everything of value from my buddies truck, cd player, tools, ham radio, antennas, and the like. Luckily my buddy had walked away from the truck and up to a road pretty much out of sight of them. I understand the concern of carrying a firearm. I have come across a group of 7 or 8 gang members out tagging in a canyon a good mile or more from any road and there would have been nothing I could have done to defend my self against that many individuals had I happened upon them doing something worse, or if they just felt like harassing me. I don't mean to make it sound like you had better beware on your next hike, I'm just saying those individuals are out there, something to keep in the back of your mind. Don't let it stop you from enjoying the outdoors. Your concern is not unjustified and certainly is not being paranoid as others seem to think, it is about being prepared. Unfortunately for us here in California, especially Southern California, it can be difficult to do so.
 
SubaruSTi said:
your paranoid. Your more likely to kill yourself or your child with the firearm than a "bad guy".
Click to expand...

Show me some stats to back this up.

Luckily I live in a CC/OC state, so I always have something with me.
When I'm hiking at least one pistol is in plain view.
I'm not paranoid.....I'm prepared!
 
tinman44 said:
better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6
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Words to live by.

It's a shame our countries over aggresive prosecutors punish those who clearly had nothing on their minds other than defending themselves if/when they need to do so.
We still hear stories in the legal system of home invasions where the resident ends up shooting and they end up having to defend their actions in court and then are sued by the dirtbags that started the situation.
 
I live in california as well, the problem with it is the moment you are on public lands the those rangers have a lot more leeway than regular law enforcement. Unless you look like a bible salesman and you don't plan to do anything that even resembles breaking any public land rules, I wouldn't even bother. Remember carrying a gun is a felony and that can royally screw up your life for good.
 
Living in California, if you have to ask...

If you're a conservative, move to Idaho or Wyoming and leave California to the trash heap that it's become.
 
SubaruSTi said:
your paranoid. Your more likely to kill yourself or your child with the firearm than a "bad guy".
Click to expand...

Excellent point, nothing can really go wrong out in the woods since its a place inhabited by animals like Bambi and people like Ranger Rick :rolleyes:

Illegal carry seems foolish, but being able to defend yourself and your children seems like common sense.
 
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Sharp_newbie said:
Can't bear spray blind someone? I know in Canada you can get a pretty big fine for using bear spray on someone... check into that one.
On another note, do you American get into these sticky situations quite often? is it a trend to mug hikers? I'm a bit confused as to why this question keeps coming up... Do the hills Really have eyes in the states? Can one person on this forum testify that they had to draw there gun on a hike to defend himself against a Mugger or what have you...
Click to expand...

It's not uncommon in California to run into a pot farm or meth lab out in the woods. They are usually attended to by armed guys who intend to protect their operation. Ask anyone in the National Parks Service. Here's a piece on NPR about Mexican drug cartels growing tons of marijuana in the Sequoia National Forest here in our fine state: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4652462
 
SubaruSTi-what is th epoint of your posts? THe OP is not paranoid, he is attempting to take measures to protect his family, and you other post is so flawed...


WildeWinds- Please, PLEASE! Do not carry concealed illegally! Check the local laws and see if you can carry openly, or go with a small game permit and carry .22 or .410 shotgun. If neither of those are an option I'd look into the Taser:http://www.taser.com/products/consumers/Pages/C2.aspx
and a Stout walking stick:http://kingfisherwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=kf&Product_Code=041&Category_Code=HS
and a tertiary measure could be the bear spray.

Again, PLEASE DO NOT illegally carry
 
I agree that the OP should examine the ways in which he can carry a gun legally.

And not carry one illegally.
 
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