I wasn't aware of this other post, unlike the Land Rover/Toyota or 'which tyre' threads!

Still, the responses detail differs (and once a year is not too much!).

Sam.

No offence intended, Sam. It's just that NO-ONE with any experience of travelling in Africa would seriously contemplate carrying a gun, as a tourist. You have experience, and you started the thread with an emphatic "No" to carrying a gun. And I don't think you were expecting anyone to come up with any convincing counter arguments, were you? http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

My apologies for the shorthand which I guess was pretty silly itself.

Regards,

Michael...


[This message has been edited by SandyM (edited 13 March 2003).]

Ah!

I did wonder, but I understand where you are coming from now.

You are absolutely right, but I was interested to see if there would be anyone replying "oh yeah, I take my Glock 9 mil everywhere...".

There will have been someone, somewhere...

Sam.

I frequently talk to people who insist that they carry handguns everywhere, including through latin america (where, as a general rule, an illegal handgun will get you a rather long prison sentence).

Aside from the "what if the police catch you?" problem, there is the "can you hit the broad side of a barn?" question. I was a the range the other day, plinking away happily. A couple of guys showed up with their handguns (a 9mm and a .45, for those who care). They set up human-shaped targets about 25 feet away, and commenced firing away. In broad daylight, with no distractions, and standing absolutely still, they could barely hit the target. One came close to shooting his friend after a hot shell went down his neck, too. In a scary situation with lots of stress, I am sure that the assailant would have been absolutely safe.

So if you are going to carry the thing, learn how to use it first.

IMHO , handguns are useless as defensive weapons.They just "escalate up" the level. Most attackers are just behind our vehicles , money ... and most people would rather losing a vehicle than killing one man .

Also ... - a defensive veapon- should be ready to reach ,in a hurry .. That means that there's little point on hiding a gun on a hideout in the vehicles' frame... as -a defensive veapon- should be alwways ready withing reach ,-otherwise is useless- . A gun "at hand" enought to be usefull would be
really easy to be seen by police , etc.. with dramatic consecuences !!

My idea of self defense is just much more basic -yet equally "mindblowing" http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif - . a good solid steel steering wheel lock "in the right hands" is as lethal as a gun . , most people can use it without training, it is of "adaptative lethality" -we can ajust the severity of impacts as required- ,its even more effective than a gun to keep a furious crowd at a distance , and -as a side effect- it also helps to protect our car!!
It's only 20 quid and no officer in the world would object you having one of these within hand reach .

Shop around.. there are some models apparently designed really with this use in mind .!!!