Robbed on BLM?

[barrage]

I won't be leaving the BLM lands with empty magazines anymore!

I don't leave indoor shooting ranges in the middle of the city without a loaded magazine, let alone BLM land. Don't let local gun laws keep you from being safe either. If you feel like you need to keep a loaded gun under your seat on the way out, then do it.

[TrailerparkTrash]

Just another opinion on the matter, so don't hate......

I've never really heard about this being a real serious issue. People get robbed everywhere, all the time. One's own home is a more frequent occurrence of a true "robbery" (home invasion) than one occurring on BLM land.

Sure the Quinn Amaro incident in San Diego was mentioned here, but technically, that incident didn't occur on "BLM" land. IIRC, that specific robbery/murder incident took place on an old abandoned and vacant Navy facility piece of property.

The Michael Platt & Bill Matix (aka "Miami FBI case") incidents in Florida also did not take place on "BLM" land when they murderd and stole guns from their victims. Platt & Matix committed two known and separate incidents of robbing and murdering (one victim survived) "target shooters." Both incidents however, occurred at an abandoned rock quarry pit that was right out of town. Again, it wasn't "BLM" land like we're all thinking here. (Think "open desert").

Also, the Amaro incident occurred 33 years ago, while the Platt & Matix incident occurred nearly 30 years ago. So, my point here is that statistically and if one did the math, the chances of someone actually getting robbed while out in the desert (ie. open BLM land) enjoying some fine target shooting, are slim to none.

Yes, I know the point from those particular posts (Amaro & Matix/Platt incidents) was to try to show that victims were out "target shooting" and as a result, got robbed and murdered. But, the OP specifically mentioned "BLM" land, so I'm staying on topic with "BLM land." . The Amaro/Matix-Platt examples previously cited, took place in areas that were adjacent and way more heavily populated than true open spaced "BLM land." Especially the Platt/Matix robberies at the rock pit, which were near next to a busy open highway and just outside city limits.

I think one would have a greater chance of getting robbed in Iceland or Norway, should one decide to even vacation there in the first place, than on opened spaced BLM land.

I do agree that it's an excellent idea to keep a gun(s) loaded out there when finished target shooting however and of course at one's own campsite, regardless of the location. That's just a "given." There's nothing wrong with being "prepared" all the time, no matter the locale.

I also would discourage ANYONE from willfully allowing some strangers to come up next to you and start shuck'n 'an jive'n, then wanting to "target shoot" right next to you in the middle of the wide open desert! There's a red flag alert with me in that one! I'd politely say "no" and ask them to shoot somewhere else in the "wide open" area. If they turned hostile, I wouldn't turn my back on them, but I'd simply pack up and leave. Someone in my party (probably me) would keep my eye on that other party constantly, while the rest of my party quickly packs up and moves.

I must say however, in my 40+ years of being an active desert shooter, I've never ever experienced a robbery or any hostile encounter like that. Sure, it has occurred to a very few "some," but like I said earlier, we're all at greater risk to getting robbed at an ATM machine or Circle-K, than out on BLM land.

Anyway, just stay ready wherever you go and don't worry about being "robbed" on "BLM land." The chances are truly slim to none. ....That is unless you continue to read internet lore, posted up on forums like this. There seems to always be a few "some" that insist on posting up a story about something that happened to a "friend of a friend's buddy's cousin's next door neighbor."

[geoint]

The second I get 2 feet past the BLM posted sign. I park off to the side. Unlock my pistol box and holster and strap up. Passenger gets the AR ready. Not trying to be billy bad *** military convo. I just don't trust anybody no matter what you look like.

amen

[IVC]

I don't frequent BLM, but once I went to Hodge road with a several friends I made sure I had S&W 627 on my side and very visible. We also made sure not to go all at the same time to adjust distant targets.

Even though initially it appeared as an overkill, there was a truck that kept driving in a strange pattern, stopping at the hills to the side and appearing to case us. I cannot claim that it was anything more than an innocent coincidence, but the point is that if it wasn't and if we were not armed while walking down range, we'd be an easy target.

BTW, this is an example of where open carry beats concealed carry hands down. Unlike urban areas, where the debate about OC vs. CC rages on, in a desolate place where people don't just approach each other or get close without a reason, the visual deterrent of OC is real and effective.

[Bigedski]

When we go shooting on BLM land we always have loaded side arms an 2 shot guns close at hand, if they come for our toys they had better brought there own body bags.

[MrElectric03]

I've heard stories and keep a pistol ready at all times but never had an issue. I sometimes only go with my 7 yr old so I'm always cautious.

[Flintlock Tom]

Once, at my favorite BLM spot, my Land Rover got stuck in a mudhole. I walked back to the paved road to meet a tow-truck. When I got back to my car there was a note under the windshield: "Your car was unlocked. We locked it for you."
I had a half-dozen gun-cases on the back seat. Nothing was missing.

[musick]

Just another opinion on the matter, so don't hate......

I've never really heard about this being a real serious issue. People get robbed everywhere, all the time. One's own home is a more frequent occurrence of a true "robbery" (home invasion) than one occurring on BLM land.

Sure the Quinn Amaro incident in San Diego was mentioned here, but technically, that incident didn't occur on "BLM" land. IIRC, that specific robbery/murder incident took place on an old abandoned and vacant Navy facility piece of property.

The Michael Platt & Bill Matix (aka "Miami FBI case") incidents in Florida also did not take place on "BLM" land when they murderd and stole guns from their victims. Platt & Matix committed two known and separate incidents of robbing and murdering (one victim survived) "target shooters." Both incidents however, occurred at an abandoned rock quarry pit that was right out of town. Again, it wasn't "BLM" land like we're all thinking here. (Think "open desert").

Also, the Amaro incident occurred 33 years ago, while the Platt & Matix incident occurred nearly 30 years ago. So, my point here is that statistically and if one did the math, the chances of someone actually getting robbed while out in the desert (ie. open BLM land) enjoying some fine target shooting, are slim to none.

Yes, I know the point from those particular posts (Amaro & Matix/Platt incidents) was to try to show that victims were out "target shooting" and as a result, got robbed and murdered. But, the OP specifically mentioned "BLM" land, so I'm staying on topic with "BLM land." . The Amaro/Matix-Platt examples previously cited, took place in areas that were adjacent and way more heavily populated than true open spaced "BLM land." Especially the Platt/Matix robberies at the rock pit, which were near next to a busy open highway and just outside city limits.

I think one would have a greater chance of getting robbed in Iceland or Norway, should one decide to even vacation there in the first place, than on opened spaced BLM land.

I do agree that it's an excellent idea to keep a gun(s) loaded out there when finished target shooting however and of course at one's own campsite, regardless of the location. That's just a "given." There's nothing wrong with being "prepared" all the time, no matter the locale.

I also would discourage ANYONE from willfully allowing some strangers to come up next to you and start shuck'n 'an jive'n, then wanting to "target shoot" right next to you in the middle of the wide open desert! There's a red flag alert with me in that one! I'd politely say "no" and ask them to shoot somewhere else in the "wide open" area. If they turned hostile, I wouldn't turn my back on them, but I'd simply pack up and leave. Someone in my party (probably me) would keep my eye on that other party constantly, while the rest of my party quickly packs up and moves.

I must say however, in my 40+ years of being an active desert shooter, I've never ever experienced a robbery or any hostile encounter like that. Sure, it has occurred to a very few "some," but like I said earlier, we're all at greater risk to getting robbed at an ATM machine or Circle-K, than out on BLM land.

Anyway, just stay ready wherever you go and don't worry about being "robbed" on "BLM land." The chances are truly slim to none. ....That is unless you continue to read internet lore, posted up on forums like this. There seems to always be a few "some" that insist on posting up a story about something that happened to a "friend of a friend's buddy's cousin's next door neighbor."

Well put TrailerparkTrash.

I cant comment on BLM areas statewide but the ones in San Diego that I frequent cause me very little concern. It should be common sense (as lacking as it is in todays society) but being safe, aware, having a holstered firearm and not leaving valuables capable of killing you 100 yrds. away are prudent to ensure your return trip home.

The second I get 2 feet past the BLM posted sign. I park off to the side. Unlock my pistol box and holster and strap up. Passenger gets the AR ready.

In order to avoid any undue hassle please keep in mind that vehicle travel with a loaded firearm on your person is NOT legal in my BLM area.

[I Swan]

I was also going to mention that for many areas and many people I believe travellingin the vehicle with loaded guns is illegal. Last time I was on BLM land I chose a spot that was not too far away from where some others were shooting.

Not right next to them but for various reasons I needed to shoot closer to them. I warned them I would be shooting and where I would be shooting and they said ok. One of them which looker like he was on the set of Deliverance came up later to talk to me about what guns I had.

I wasn't too concerned my dad was observing while having a Glock close at hand and he didn't seem like he was going to rob me since he had some kids with him.

Be careful, stay aware and you should be fine. As for Platt and Mattix the victim that survived and was able to sketch them and get the license plate had to crawl like a mile or so with bullet wounds to get back to find help.

[DubTap21]

Good info......stay safe guys.

[Citadelgrad87]

robbed by who? if I have a firearm nobody is robbing me.

Platt and Maddox, the Miami shoot out bad guys, regularly equipped themselves by ribbing people shooting in remote areas of the glades.

[BroncoBob]

XD is always loaded on the ride out of Panoche

[Jimi Jah]

I keep the AR pistol on the seat next to me until I hit the paved highway. If I see ANYONE near me, I move away. The BLM land is too vast to have anyone else within eyesite. Too many nuts in California to take any chances.

[stagar15dj]

Did give this some thought before, but now that I think about how it could happen, will be even more on alert. The BLM spot I go to is pretty secluded and hard to see anyone coming up the dirt road. Definitely keep sidearm holstered at all times and AR with loaded mag slung while checking targets. You never know.

[Bravodigger]

I never have problems because I go to BLM with my full tacticool operator Delta Ranger SEAL loadout.