Advice on Road trip Self-Defense

[JPShinn]

All:

Pardon the interruption with these great topics but I'd like a little advice on what to bring on a family (3 little ones, 8, 5 and 3, plus the wife and me) road trip (3 states, including CA, over two weeks) for self-defense purposes.

My sense is that for most purposes a good knife and my son's LL bat would be adequate but would I be venturing into overkill with the 9mm?

Thank you for any kind thoughts.
John

[porky]

Hell no

[olhunter]

As long as you NEVER let it out of your sight and are aware of the laws where you're traveling and you know how to use it and....and....and.

Are you gonna shoot it out with a bad guy with 3 kids sitting next to you?

You gotta a lot to think about. Especially with the kids.

You do what you feel comfortable with. That is not a decision for us.

[Big Jake]

You have not said which states you are going to. Do you have non-resident ccws? If not and you are going to Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico you can LOC without a permit!

[JPShinn]

I was already leaning toward not bringing it but this confirms my original hunch.

Thx.
John

[porky]

My brother travels a lot with his two young sons and wife- After two years and thousands of miles, he approached me about a handgun-There are lot of instances over the past two years when he would have felt much more comfortable with one locked in the 5th wheel, including a Walmart parking lot in Fresno! They are now planning to do some serious travel all the way to Alaska-They camp in the National forest etc.-so now he wants a shotgun for Grizzly protection- He is not a gun nut nor has he ever been a victim while on the road; I guess he just wants to make sure it stays that way!

P.S. If your family is not safe with guns, you should definitely avoid having one around them until they are trained/aware-

[Big Jake]

My brother travels a lot with his two young sons and wife- After two years and thousands of miles, he approached me about a handgun-There are lot of instances over the past two years when he would have felt much more comfortable with one locked in the 5th wheel, including a Walmart parking lot in Fresno! They are now planning to do some serious travel all the way to Alaska-They camp in the National forest etc.-so now he wants a shotgun for Grizzly protection- He is not a gun nut nor has he ever been a victim while on the road; I guess he just wants to make sure it stays that way!

P.S. If your family is not safe with guns, you should definitely avoid having one around them until they are trained/aware-

FYI, if they are traveling to Alaska by road then they will have to pass through Canada. Handguns in Canada will get the person caught carrying them five years in a Canadian prison! Long Guns are okay, but must be declared ahead of time!

[porky]

I'll let him know, thanks!

On that trip, the shotty is one of the best options anyway-

[JPShinn]

So, my trip is California to Oregon to Washington and back, staying at friends' homes most of the time but also spending time at Lassen Natl, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier parks. I think that, if we were spending more time in odd/remote locations, I'd give more thought to putting Mr. 9mm in a reachable location. However, if we assume 3/4 days in odd places in an overall 2 week trip, I think my odds of needing it are not so high.

In any event, wifey hates guns so it might be moot anyway (unless of course, it saves our rear side). The boys are gun nuts (the older is a Scout and at least knows basic firearm safety) so I'd trust them, just not ready to have the wife freak out.

Oddly enough, there was a armed home invasion robbery in the neighborhood yesterday so I'm curious to see how attitudes have changed since that happened...

Thanks for all your advice.

[WokMaster1]

My brother travels a lot with his two young sons and wife- After two years and thousands of miles, he approached me about a handgun-There are lot of instances over the past two years when he would have felt much more comfortable with one locked in the 5th wheel, including a Walmart parking lot in Fresno! They are now planning to do some serious travel all the way to Alaska-They camp in the National forest etc.-so now he wants a shotgun for Grizzly protection- He is not a gun nut nor has he ever been a victim while on the road; I guess he just wants to make sure it stays that way!

P.S. If your family is not safe with guns, you should definitely avoid having one around them until they are trained/aware-

Have him ship the shotgun directly to himself in AK & then ship it back home when done.

[Big Jake]

Be safe!

[Hoolpe]

All:

Pardon the interruption with these great topics but I'd like a little advice on what to bring on a family (3 little ones, 8, 5 and 3, plus the wife and me) road trip (3 states, including CA, over two weeks) for self-defense purposes.

My sense is that for most purposes a good knife and my son's LL bat would be adequate but would I be venturing into overkill with the 9mm?

Thank you for any kind thoughts.
John

If you decide to bring the bat, then make sure his glove, ball and cleats are in there too.

[JPShinn]

If you decide to bring the bat, then make sure his glove, ball and cleats are in there too.

Goes without saying...

[XYZ]

I'm not sure when you're going or if you have time to order this but I carry this with me when I travel. You can purchase this on Amazon and of course get the 2010 version.

[olhunter]

...staying at friends' homes most of the time...

Are they ok with you bringing a gun in their house? Where would you put it if they said ok? Holstered with your jammies? Would you feel ok leaving it in the car?

If you do decide to bring it, you might think about a small lock-box.