Travelling with "Protection"
 

Hey Everyone,
Im looking for some advice. Im planning a trip through South America alone, and maybe its only because Im an American, but Im wondering if I should bring my gun. Ive heard plenty of stories about robbings and even worse kidnappings so Im just wondering if anyone has any information or advice on this subject.

The only protection you should bring are condoms. Leave the gun at home.

No!
 

Don't even think about it!

Depending on several factors, the unlawful possession of a concealable firearm is either a misdemeanor or felony in the US. The unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon is a felony - state prison bro!

In Mexico and other countries it might as well be a life sentence, with no parole, no appeal, throw away the key, etc.

Don't even think about. Go on your trip, enjoy yourself and the people you meet.

please please please don't do that man!

The question has been asked many times and I promise you that the response has always been: NO!

Bringing a gun not only endangers yourself, it also endangers all the travellers coming after you since robbers might start shooting first and asking qustions later.
If you get robbed and pull your gun and start shooting you will be in trouble to up over your head.
Guns are illigal down here in CA and SA and the police will not look kindly on you.

I think that most of South America is safer than many parts of the states and personally I have had no problems whatsoever.

People who get robbed down here are either incredibly unlucky og really dumb. Walking alone at night in big cities is a classic and that is dangerous all over the world. Actually I think that many places in London or Paris are far more dangerous at night than places down here...

It is a fair question, but you will probably be scolded for it because most travellers here are very much against the idea. With good reason I would add.

You can get a neat little 32 caliber derringer that is smaller than a pack of smokes for about $60. Hide it really well, and leave the scene as soon as you pop a cap in somebody's ass. Don't listen to these Europeans and pacifists.

Nobody messes with the USA!!!

I hope you are joking Max, otherwise I am quite lost for words...

I think Ted Simon covered this off best - he says that carrying a weapon of any kind is just an invitation to have to use it.

To my mind pulling a weapon is a sure way to escalate the situation rather than calm it and get out of it alive, or without having had to injure or kill someone else - in very few situations will you pulling your weapon cause the people on the other side to run away.

More often than not the best way to deal with the most dangerous of situations is to smile, take off your sun glasses and engage.

I know us Europeans are so much more soft and squiggy than our American cousins.... but I think it's a point of view that exports itself around the world rather better than a gun-ho approach.

Max,
WhTF have you been travelling that you feel you've needed a gun?!?!

Your rhethoric sounds dandy within the forum, but in reality...you'll get this guy in some deep shiiite with your ignorant rhetoric.

Sorry but I'm not gonna mince words on this one...

IF you carry a gun outside the friendly confines of the USA, you better be prepared to kill someone and deal with the consequences-if you pull it out.
If you're not, that doesn't make you a pacifist...it makes you courageous enough to deal with situations without the crutch of weapon.

The Weapon of Choice
 

Cobra Enterprises

Small, easy to conceal, and very accurate up close. Got out of an interesting predicament in Guatemala because I had it in my pocket. Won't say more.

That is insane!

Next time those guatemalan robbers decide to rob a turist they might just shoot him first out of fear that he has a gun!

You are a disgrace to this forum and all other motorcycle travellers Max :(

And you were trying to arrange motorcycle tours at some point right? I will make sure to warn anyone I meet....

Peter, it's time to Cowboy Up! The guy I ran into in Guatemala won't "decide to rob a turist" ever again.

Just saying.

An armed society is a polite society.

Dude, if you are PUI (posting under influence) then you should write it at least, cause I personally don't find it funny at all.

"Cowboy up." What bullshit. People with guns are people who are afraid and have low self-esteem.

"An armed society is a polite society" What bullshit. An armed society is a society in fear of itself.

If you say that those guatemalans wont rob a tourist again that must mean that you killed them. That would make you a murderer. I hope this is not the case, but if it is I hope that you will someday see the uglyness of what you have done.

If you gave them "a scare" then what makes you think they wont try to rob someone else? The fact is that most criminals are habitual and they will just step up the violence next time to make sure no one pulls a gun on them.
Incredibly shortsightet man!

Peter, If I was under the influence, I'd be out riding my bike to another bar, not reading appeasement drivel on the internet.

self defense is not murder.

You're a liberal, aren't you?

Ahhh and now it all makes sense - a self styled 1%'r

shit Max, I am dissapointed. I thought all the gun-crazy americans stayed away from this board.

You americans take your liberty very seriously? Yeah I guess some of you do, especially on account of everyone elses safety.

Being armed makes you more free? What a joke.