How many pack a handgun when detecting?

[MickeyMaguire]

I am thinking about carrying my SW 9MM (just in case). Does anyone do this?

Clarify: Had a run-in with a pack of dogs. Scary situation.

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[jeff of pa]

over 45 years, and I'm still waiting to dig one.

I'm 56 & never had a use for a gun, other then as Gifts to my Nephew

If I run into a snake, Zombie or rabid Mole, I'm hoping my detector coil, will keep them busy till they
tire, and go the other way,
If aliens attack, I'll reason with them.
I don't Dump on them,
no need for them to Dump on me.

so I guess you can say, I'm
still living in a river in Egypt. Nice & warm & Fuzzy here

Worst case scenario you run into a street gang that sings to you.

Hmm, maybe a Gun would be a bright idea,
ever see west side story ? now their singing is Criminal !

[Jay of MS]

I have always believed in the saying that "it is better to have something and not need it, than need it and not have it". Personal protection is never a bad idea.

[ridger12]

I always carry when I'm detecting. I have never needed to use it but it is nice to know firepower is there for rabid animals or crazy people. Just be safe and know your state's laws about concealed carry.

[oldtimer82]

when i go out in unknown area's i always carry. no need to get eaten by a stray bear or worst abducted by aliens/lol. as ridger say its better to have then not when you need it.

[spartacus53]

I usually pack a lunch when I go detecting.. If a gang, or wild animal happens by, they are more than welcome to it. I make extra sandwiches just in the event something crazy does happen.

Besides, it's much easier to give anyone/thing, crazy eyes

[Terry Soloman]

I carry a sidearm in the wilderness, and on the gold claims. Fortunately, I have never had to take it out of the holster. That is my story and I'm sticking with it! But, in the city or just out in the woods, I don't carry at all, just a knife. Can you just imagine the evening news here in New York? "Man shoots dogs to death while metal detecting- Film at 11:00 !" I just show the feral animals a photo of my second wife. If they are still around and growling after that, wife number four comes out of the wallet..

[calisdad]

There's an article in this months 'Field & Stream' that says pepper spray stopped 90% of bear attacks while bullets only stopped 66%. If it works on bears it will work on whatever else.

[MickeyMaguire]

There's an article in this months 'Field & Stream' that says pepper spray stopped 90% of bear attacks while bullets only stopped 66%. If it works on bears it will work on whatever else.

I hope the wind is in your favor.

Thanks for the insights and opinions.

[smcdmc]

I hope the wind is in your favor.

Thanks for the insights and opinions.

I'm a gun owner, and hunter, and occasionally pack one, but for "most" people the effective range of the right kind of pepper spray is better than a handgun. Yes, a bullet will go farther, but how many people will be able to draw, aim, and hit a moving target in the right spot so as to stop it and not just make it mad? At least with the spray you have larger coverage, no recoil, and can blind them long enough to thwart the attack.

[Graddick]

Geez, you'd think people on this thread live in either Nome, Alaska or East St. Louis.
I wouldn't ever carry a weapon on me since that might complicate things or give a bad impression when asking for permission. I certainly would never let a stranger on to my property with a gun.

[LM]

I used to carry all the time when I was in my 20's, but stopped. My outlook on people (and life in general) changed as I grew up.

I do fully support concealed carry rights, though, and I'm no fan of those who would seek to deny people that choice based on their own personal ideologies about life.

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Shoot your eye out; shoot your self in the foot; losing your gun in the field;
all sorts of things happen.

have a good un.......
SHERMANVILLE

[rex]

i exercise my constitutional right to bear arms at every opportunity. need i say more?

[ryaan21]

I live in an area where you don't really need to lock your doors, let alone carry a gun, but I would carry if I needed to. No questions asked. My state is an open carry state as well.

[Dave44]

Guess I am surprised that anyone thinks it is a bad idea!! Shoot your eye out;- everyone carrying is evil not to be allowed. I do not get why anyone would think that you should be lunch for animals (human or not). And why is it that the evil gun is making decisions based on the situation? I thought we became emancipated to the point that the gun no longer dictated our motives?

I carry if I feel I should. I sometimes feel it is unnecessary, but it is not a decision that should be made by the government,, they are always on the wrong side nowadays, and they will never be there when you hope they will be.

If I had to guess, when you need the protection, you can count on it being there within 3 hours of the belated call to the leo. If you are close enough!

[Terry Soloman]

Know what I'm saying?

[Bum Luck]

I've packed in the woods; hogs are nasty, but there are other critters that can be too. Shooting should be a basic skill; like in Switzerland.

I've had to spray a dog once while surveying (dogs usually like me, but this one liked being nasty), and it folded him right up. End of confrontation, but I'm not afraid of one dog either. A pack is different; very dangerous. I read an article years ago about a power line crew in Georgia that had to fight off a pack of dogs with axes and chain saws. Intense.

Hint: Take out the Alpha dog first. Then the Beta.

[jeff of pa]

I agree if someone wants to carry , that is their prerogative.
to me this includes the 17, 18 year olds going to school,
or sitting on the bench at the park rolling a fat one.
freedom should not be conditional.

However there are many out there who need a diaper after seeing a gun,
and it will prevent you from getting some sites

[CSA2K]

I've never metal detected in an area infested with wild hogs (although I have hunted them in Texas) or wild dogs (really??) so I can't speak to that directly. But I can say that a few of these posts make this lifetime NRA member a little.. uneasy..