Carrying a firearm while detecting

[DiggerGal]

Being an avid and pro 2nd A. Believer, there are many places I want to explore, however, I feel a bit safer with a side arm if you will. Researching many a clues, I am looking at remote wilderness areas out and away from the general public.
Licensed to "Own" a firearm is much different than the elusive, next to impossible to obtain CCW in California, to which I do not have.
Just curious on everyone's thoughts as to carrying a firearm while detecting, and, it seems as though while wearing earphones it is a little behind the eight ball so to speak (as I would be challenged to hear anything but the sounds of the detector), but, that said, I would "feel" more secure.
So, do you carry while detecting in remote areas?

 

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[Gravitytester]

I always carry a gun. this is what happened the last time I used a metal detector in a sketchy part of town.

 

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[freddy williams]

if you cannot carry a firearm get you a gun Taser you shoot them with has excellent knock down and decent range. Some even look like 9 mm pistols. Then get you a 1 ear piece headset so at least you can hear your surrounding and your detector. Just food for thought working with the DOT I get away with having a pistol on me

 

[freddy williams]

damn bro rough side of town, stay safe

 

[sweetinsanty]

my wife and I really only carry when we are up in the mountains. when we are near the ccc camps or Michaux state park. you meet some interesting people on the Appalachian Trail. some walk on by.... some stop and talk and ask questions.... while others sit a watch without saying a word! yea, they are the ones I never turn my back on. its against the law to brandish a gun, but I have already taken my sweat shirt off over my head so the grip of my Glock can be seen sticking out of my concealed holster. the guy gathered his things and moved on. when in our mountains we always stay with in eye sight of each other.

 

[356rmb]

ANY TIME I LEAVE MY HOME I'AM ALWAYS ARMED.I HAVE MY 380 AT MY FINGER TIPS AT ALL TIMES. YOU CAN OPEN CARRY IN PA BUT IT BRINGS SO MUCH ATTENTION TO YOU. IF YOU CAN GET YOUR LICENSE TO CC IT BETTER JUST TO DO IT THAT WAY $20.00, A BACK ROUND CHECK, YOUR DRIVER LICENSE AND THAT IT. TAKES ABOUT 15 MIN AT THE SHERIFFS OFFICE. MY LICENSE IS GOOD FOR 5 YEARS. IT SUCKS IT HAS TO BE LIKE THIS BUT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY I WOULD RATHER BE A SURVIVOR THEN A VICTIM.

 

[victhedog]

ALWAYS CARRY

 

[SteveM70]

I carry concealed. I may be wrong but I don't want to cause good people to feel uneasy around me (and some will) and I always thought that if I have to face down some bad hombres I don't want to show my hand. It may deter some but cause others to make better plans.

 

[Sengoku]

I carry bear spray because we have bears. The boars run away first, hardly ever see them, they're smart. The deer, well sometimes they scare the heck out of you because you get right on top of them and they whistle , like a yelp , really loud.
This time of year I worry about the hunters more than anything and make a lot of noise in the bush. Only hunters can carry shotguns and rifles. The ticks are the biggest danger.

 

[Traildust69]

Thinking about just carrying the belt holster with pepper spray in it to cut down on weight. Holster still visible through shirt.


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[kansashunter]

I always carry, detecting or not.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Advice on Bear Spray:

The National Park Rangers are advising hikers in Glacier National Park and other Rocky Mountain parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter.

They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking.

The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them.

This might cause a bear to charge.

Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered.

Spraying the pepper into the bear's face will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away.

It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area.

People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat.

Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur.

Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper.

 

[Louis14505]

Being an avid and pro 2nd A. Believer, there are many places I want to explore, however, I feel a bit safer with a side arm if you will. Researching many a clues, I am looking at remote wilderness areas out and away from the general public.
Licensed to "Own" a firearm is much different than the elusive, next to impossible to obtain CCW in California, to which I do not have.
Just curious on everyone's thoughts as to carrying a firearm while detecting, and, it seems as though while wearing earphones it is a little behind the eight ball so to speak (as I would be challenged to hear anything but the sounds of the detector), but, that said, I would "feel" more secure.
So, do you carry while detecting in remote areas?

I always have my shotgun with me in NY detectoring I'm the woods not the beach tho but will also have out unloaded sitting in my truck just about everywhere I go these days! Your comment was from 2016 but it's 2025 and with everything going on in the world, I don't only have to worry about bears but also millions of illegal aliens out in the woods for all I know! Be safe, look up what you're allowed to have in the chamber before you go!

 

[Athens]

Being an avid and pro 2nd A. Believer, there are many places I want to explore, however, I feel a bit safer with a side arm if you will. Researching many a clues, I am looking at remote wilderness areas out and away from the general public.
Licensed to "Own" a firearm is much different than the elusive, next to impossible to obtain CCW in California, to which I do not have.
Just curious on everyone's thoughts as to carrying a firearm while detecting, and, it seems as though while wearing earphones it is a little behind the eight ball so to speak (as I would be challenged to hear anything but the sounds of the detector), but, that said, I would "feel" more secure.
So, do you carry while detecting in remote areas?

Good morning, I do carry while Detecting,but I also normally carry anyways,My go to sidekick is my Smith 357 j frame,I don't wear my headphones on my head just draped around my neck.If you are legally allowed to own a firearm and are comfortable with them then go for it .Things to consider are the extra weight and proper caliber for possible threats types.

 

[jose159]

I usually carry (legally) and carry a 40 or 45 cal and never wear headphones but sometimes use a neckband speaker which still allows me to hear if anything or anybody is approaching. I wear hearing aids and mine have an outdoor mode that I use and crank the power up the whole way.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Good morning, I do carry while Detecting,but I also normally carry anyways,My go to sidekick is my Smith 357 j frame,I don't wear my headphones on my head just draped around my neck.If you are legally allowed to own a firearm and are comfortable with them then go for it .Things to consider are the extra weight and proper caliber for possible threats types.

Wow! I didn’t know Smith made a J frame .357. I had to look it up. That’s a whole lot of bang in a small package. I have a .38 J frame I just started engraving.

 

[daddyflea]

When detecting I am forced to downgrade. I go from a Sig 9mm to a Browning 1911-22

 

[djackson7348]

I do carry while detecting every time and every place.

 

[Athens]

Wow! I didn’t know Smith made a J frame .357. I had to look it up. That’s a whole lot of bang in a small package. I have a .38 J frame I just started engraving. View attachment 2194746

Wow beautiful engraving, really makes the cylinder pop.Very talented.

 

[bc5391]

Wow! I didn’t know Smith made a J frame .357. I had to look it up. That’s a whole lot of bang in a small package. I have a .38 J frame I just started engraving. View attachment 2194746

Nice engraving, did you do it by hand or laser?Fiber lasers can do it in no time.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Nice engraving, did you do it by hand or laser?Fiber lasers can do it in no time.

All hand engraving. Hammer and chisel for most, a hand graver for the shading. Single point punch for the background.