Besides a handgun, what form of RV protection do you have ready if needed?

[jsm180]

In our household, firearms are treated like fire extinguishers. They are never far away, we know how to use them, and hope we never need them.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I've been hunting and shooting since I was 7 years old. When boondocking we always have gun(s) with us. For wildlife is all though. I have never been camping where an interaction with a human being descended to the point of thinking I might need to shoot this person.
Having a gun handy and being capable of using it properly requires training and A LOT of practice. Like going to the range weekly. Nobody picks up a handgun and is a good shot right away. Heck, at my shooting club there are guys that have been shooting for years that are happy when they get all the shots on the paper! Not in the 'X' ring...just manage to hit the paper...at 10 yards!
From what you have posted I would think you probably shouldn't carry a handgun in the trailer until you decide to get trained and practice for a while in safe handling and effective shooting. Just my opinion. (and safe storage options)

And NB Canada is right. Nothing beats a shotgun for personal defense.

 

[New England Weekender]

I've been hunting and shooting since I was 7 years old. When boondocking we always have gun(s) with us. For wildlife is all though. I have never been camping where an interaction with a human being descended to the point of thinking I might need to shoot this person.
Having a gun handy and being capable of using it properly requires training and A LOT of practice. Like going to the range weekly. Nobody picks up a handgun and is a good shot right away. Heck, at my shooting club there are guys that have been shooting for years that are happy when they get all the shots on the paper! Not in the 'X' ring...just manage to hit the paper...at 10 yards!
From what you have posted I would think you probably shouldn't carry a handgun in the trailer until you decide to get trained and practice for a while in safe handling and effective shooting. Just my opinion. (and safe storage options)

And NB Canada is right. Nothing beats a shotgun for personal defense.

Absolutely. If we ever got to the point of purchase, proper training, safety courses, extensive practice, law studying, etc would all precede me ever bringing one on an RV trip.

It's not lost on me that we're all parked 50' from eachother and bullets travel a lot farther than that. Everything in a situation may be "correct" for me to defend myself, but if I miss that could be life changing for an innocent bystander.

 

[trailrydr]

While serving in the military and having to go thru weapons qualification each year, it was suprising to see who typically got the best scores at the range. Believe it or not, females usually scored much better than males. Their ability to concentrate, focus, and practice the steady hold factors was almost natural to them with the little provided training and practice we had each year.

However, just because one trains, practices, and can hit the bullseye 40 out of 40 times on a fixed target does NOT mean they will be effective at taking down a live adversarial threat. It only means they can fire a weapon under ideal conditions with a certain amount of concentration and control. All that goes out the window when faced with the decision to have to fire upon (occasion) at another living being. The stats on that...... can not be justly verified by who is the best marksman at the range - but only by the results of the shot fired at a live target at that time.

Do agree with [MENTION=34464]Scott'n'Wendy[/MENTION] that a pump action shotgun is probably the best home defense deterence due to the sound made while chambering a shell, and the larger shot pattern produced once fired. Most would be assailants would be very much aware of a possible bad decision just hearing that shell being chambered.

 

[huntindog]

Some years back, an elderly couple were killed in their RV near Ashurst lake in AZ. That struck close to home as we camped in that area a lot...We have now achieved elderly status. Society has not gotten safer in the years since that event.
One never knows when self defense methods/skills will be needed...Bad actors do not give any warning of when/where they will strike.

Be safe out there.

 

[DougW9876]

If your wife is uncomfortable about having guns around and you are inexperienced with them I would say don’t get one. You would be more likely to get hurt or killed if your adversary were armed and that adversary would probably leave with your gun in his hand. There are other ways to defend yourself and you need to find the ones that you and your family will be comfortable with. It might be a self defense training class, pepper spray, taser, stun gun, or having an escape plan. I would recommend some type of spray, it could be pepper spray, or bear spray. I worked as a telephone man and we had a product that was a dog spray that put out a fairly narrow stream. When sprayed in the face of an aggressive dog it would definitely stop them. I am sure it would work on people as well. If a spray is accidentally discharged it won’t cause the serious injury or death a firearm would so it is a lot safer around the family.

 

[Cpb9294]

20 plus years of regular RV'ing, staying in resort type places and pure dumps.
Never had a need, never will consider a weapon. I honestly feel that what goes around comes around.

Just don't feel the need.

 

[triplethreat]

While serving in the military and having to go thru weapons qualification each year, it was suprising to see who typically got the best scores at the range. Believe it or not, females usually scored much better than males. Their ability to concentrate, focus, and practice the steady hold factors was almost natural to them with the little provided training and practice we had each year.

However, just because one trains, practices, and can hit the bullseye 40 out of 40 times on a fixed target does NOT mean they will be effective at taking down a live adversarial threat. It only means they can fire a weapon under ideal conditions with a certain amount of concentration and control. All that goes out the window when faced with the decision to have to fire upon (occasion) at another living being. The stats on that...... can not be justly verified by who is the best marksman at the range - but only by the results of the shot fired at a live target at that time.

Do agree with [MENTION=34464]Scott'n'Wendy[/MENTION] that a pump action shotgun is probably the best home defense deterence due to the sound made while chambering a shell, and the larger shot pattern produced once fired. Most would be assailants would be very much aware of a possible bad decision just hearing that shell being chambered.

That "sound" should never be heard. A round should already be in the chamber and the gun ready to go at the first sign of needing it. Maybe the "click" of the safety being taken off is what you really mean. Having to chamber a round is akin to having a pistol with an empty chamber and having to rack the slide to put one in. It could make a huge difference, and maybe not in your favor.

 

[trailrydr]

That "sound" should never be heard. A round should already be in the chamber and the gun ready to go at the first sign of needing it. Maybe the "click" of the safety being taken off is what you really mean. Having to chamber a round is akin to having a pistol with an empty chamber and having to rack the slide to put one in. It could make a huge difference, and maybe not in your favor.

Agree. But the sound of chambering that live round in a pump action shotgun "may" be enough deterence to disaude a would be advisary. One should never threaten with a firearm not loaded, no round chambered, and safety on IMO as well. If you aim it at someone - be absolute ready to use.

Note: In all my formal training, we were always instructed to only chamber a round and remove the safety when ready to fire our firearm. This same practice was also taught by our KCMO LEO CCW instructor as well. He also recommended a pump action shotgun for home defense for the same reasons I stated earlier. Which BTW, I would recommend a CCW class to anyone (unfamiliar with firearms) considering purchasing and owning any weapon for home or personal protection.

 

[reubenray]

That "sound" should never be heard. A round should already be in the chamber and the gun ready to go at the first sign of needing it. Maybe the "click" of the safety being taken off is what you really mean. Having to chamber a round is akin to having a pistol with an empty chamber and having to rack the slide to put one in. It could make a huge difference, and maybe not in your favor.

Which is way my handgun of choice at the bedside is a revolver. It is always ready where a semi-auto may not be.

 

[Mechanic Bob]

When we rode bicycles for long distances, we found filling the water bottle with ammonia worked very well in deterring aggressive animals.
But bottom line is, I value my life and my family's life, much more than I value other lives.

 

[triplethreat]

Agree. But the sound of chambering that live round in a pump action shotgun "may" be enough deterence to disaude a would be advisary. One should never threaten with a firearm not loaded, no round chambered, and safety on IMO as well. If you aim it at someone - be absolute ready to use.

Note: In all my formal training, we were always instructed to only chamber a round and remove the safety when ready to fire our firearm. This same practice was also taught by our KCMO LEO CCW instructor as well. He also recommended a pump action shotgun for home defense for the same reasons I stated earlier. Which BTW, I would recommend a CCW class to anyone (unfamiliar with firearms) considering purchasing and owning any weapon for home or personal protection.

While I agree with most of what you posted, I'm a firm believer in the "Cocked and Locked" method. That especially, and obviously holds true with any single action firearm, like a 1911 style pistol. I would absolutely never concealed carry without one in the chamber. Time is of the essence in an emergency situation, and it's just one less thing to remember to do in an already panic driven situation, AND just as importantly reduce/eliminate the chance of a "soft" rack and the round NOT chambering when actually needed, and producing a jam that would have to be cleared........seconds of wasted time and much higher risk of things not going your way.

And the statement about "chambering a round, then remove the safety"......that simply does NOT work with 1911 pistols, and others. If the thumb safety is engaged, you CANNOT operate the slide in order to chamber a round. So in that case, you would likely be carrying an unloaded (nothing in the chamber) gun, hammer already down, safety engaged and then have to disengage the safety, rack the slide to chamber one, then re-engage the safety, and do all of that while under stress/panic and thought....then make a conscious decision whether or not to proceed. All of that just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Cocked and Locked, ready to go, and only two things to do.....safety off and finger covering the trigger.

 

[SGT ROC]

Keep in mind a hand gun is almost useless for defense
So you boondock? I can maybe see a need if in remote places but definitely not if only in campgrounds
Even Walmart camping I wouldn’t think k there would be a need
But imo a shotgun is better to keep nearby
Keep in mind if you plan any travel into Canada leave it home

I'm curious as to why you think a "hand gun" is almost useless for defense. I do agree that a shotgun is a great choice for home defense, but is also cumbersome and still requires training to use properly. AS for staying at a Walmart overnight can be a bit sketchy sometimes. We stayed at one coming back from North Carolina several years ago. There were also two trucks overnighting there. There were people (probably teenagers) harassing us off and on for about an hour. I was very happy to have a gun in the camper and not need it.

 

[triplethreat]

I'm curious as to why you think a "hand gun" is almost useless for defense. I do agree that a shotgun is a great choice for home defense, but is also cumbersome and still requires training to use properly. AS for staying at a Walmart overnight can be a bit sketchy sometimes. We stayed at one coming back from North Carolina several years ago. There were also two trucks overnighting there. There were people (probably teenagers) harassing us off and on for about an hour. I was very happy to have a gun in the camper and not need it.

I'm not the only one here that totally disagrees with his comment either. If that were actually the case, wouldn't law enforcement folks be carrying something other than pistols all the time. To me, it really comes down to a couple of things. 1. Availability of certain weapons (pistols are almost unheard of in Canada for everyday folks). 2. What you train with and are comfortable and accurate with. 3. Whether it is a CQ environment or something a lot more open of an area. Inside a house or RV could kind of go either way.....CQ or somewhat open.

 

[RustyOTool]

0 boondocking plans. Probably 95% campgrounds and 5% beaches, racetracks, etc. Maybe some sort of long-distance 15-20' range pepper spray would be the wiser choice for me?

I am not a personal safety expert but i lived in New Jersey so there's that. We keep a couple cans of bear spray around. Wifey says she wants a gun around but then that would just give someone something to take from her. Bear spray will solve most problems and if you've seen it deployed it can be startling. if you can find some with fluorescent or neon dye all the better. Combine with an airhorn and you will buy yourself enough time and distance to bug out if needed. Keep a phone charged but tool number 1 is your brain, err on the side of caution, trust your instincts, eyes open and aware of how you would get out of dodge if you needed. Don't compromise safety to save a few bucks. Probably safe to say there's some safety in numbers (other tidy dry campers in the wally world lot, for example). Let them steal your stuff if they must, gun should be very last, life-threatened resort. All that said, carrying say a .38 DA revolver (1 hand operation) loaded with a couple rounds of bird shot before you get to the heavy stuff should provide nonlethal encouragement to evil doers to look elsewhere. and the birdshot won't penetrate a hundred yards across the campground and hurt someone.

 

[Dana H]

I found this an informative read https://www.gunlawguide.com/?v=2320522a6676 that helped us make decisions to carry or not and when and where. Not a very expensive book it is available either electronically or paper. I purchased ours from Amazon.

 

[robmcqueen]

I have a firearm with me most all of the time. The best advise i have read on here has come from xrated. He knows what he is talking about. One thing i will add is If you ever have to use your weapon, when the police show up you are going to want to try and explain why you discharged your weapon but don't. The only thing you should say is i feared for my life and i want my attorney. You are in great distress at that moment and anything you say can and will be used against you. Using your weapon to take another life is going to change yours forever but with that said I would rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6.

 

[triplethreat]

I have a firearm with me most all of the time. The best advise i have read on here has come from xrated. He knows what he is talking about. One thing i will add is If you ever have to use your weapon, when the police show up you are going to want to try and explain why you discharged your weapon but don't. The only thing you should say is i feared for my life and i want my attorney. You are in great distress at that moment and anything you say can and will be used against you. Using your weapon to take another life is going to change yours forever but with that said I would rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6.

Thank you....and your advice on staying mum is exactly 100% spot on. Never offer anything that is not REQUIRED by law to provide to them. Yes, they are trying to do their job and gather information, but you also need to keep in mind that you also need to protect yourself and your loved ones. Do Not speak without your attorney present......even if you believe that you are 110% legally justified.

 

[Dutchman2]

Thank you....and your advice on staying mum is exactly 100% spot on. Never offer anything that is not REQUIRED by law to provide to them. Yes, they are trying to do their job and gather information, but you also need to keep in mind that you also need to protect yourself and your loved ones. Do Not speak without your attorney present......even if you believe that you are 110% legally justified.

What are your thoughts on a non-lethal hand gun option I see being offered now. For example the Byrna-SD CO2 powered - Pepper impregnated rounds. The video demo's on YouTube look like it might be a viable option for a non-lethal approach.

Dutchman2

 

[SGT ROC]

The only thing you should say is i feared for my life and i want my attorney. You are in great distress at that moment and anything you say can and will be used against you. Using your weapon to take another life is going to change yours forever but with that said I would rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6.

The last firearms course I took stressed this a lot. Say the minimum and only exactly as you state above. I have CC permits for 3 states to help with traversing the country without fear of illegally carrying. Even at that, going west I would have to dip down around Illinois. There is one option. Federal law allows you to transport a weapon even in states you don't have reciprocity in as long as you have the UNLOADED weapon in a locked area of the vehicle, and the ammo in a different part of the vehicle and also locked (a tow vehicle and a RV are made to order for this). Also, as long as you don't break any laws you should be OK. During the firearms course it was suggested that you drive straight through without stopping. We live about 1 hour from the NY Border. I try to do my best to NOT have my gun on me when going north. I also try to do my best to never have to travel that direction. Unfortunately some of our camping trips take us there, as does some shopping not otherwise available to us. One last tidbit of advise. A friend of mine told his kids this when they were much younger and it's sage advise. "If your going to break the law, don't break the law. "