Do you pack heat on your rides?

[James Jordan]

Cyclingforums, I have not heard that one for a while. Pity, was a good area till the modarators droped the ball and gave up. Filled up with spam, trolls and other rubbish. Have not looked at it in ages, is it still going?

 

[wpsracing78]

I always have thought if i had a gun, one day a bad situation would arise, and because I had one, I would use it. Nothing would be worse than a mad attacker running at you - you pull out the gun, he pulls one out - and all of a sudden ur in a 50/50 death or 20yrs! Lucky I live in Australia.

 

[8 Seconds]

In todays St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1024247.ece

 

[ProTour]

No, nothing would be worse than having a mad attacker running at you, attack you, and chew most of your flesh down to the bone.

I carry a bic ball point pen on all rides. It's taped under my stem with electrical tape, very discretely. It also allows me the option to write down the license plate numbers of any vehicles I wish to report to law enforcement officials on my arm.

 

[RightWingNutJob]

This along with my new Rudy Project hydration pack should do the trick nicely!

 

[Wallace]

It seems utterly preposterous how some people can judge others when it comes to this topic, especially if they have never been a victim, or near victim of violence. If you've ever had a weapon pulled on you, I guarantee you'd have a different perspective. And it doesn't matter where you're from, the gritty city, the veritable paradise of the suburbs, or the boondocks. Anyone, anytime, anywhere, can easily become a victim. Some people take this more seriously that others, which speaks volumes in the why they express themselves here. Despite some really scary situations I've had the displeasure of being in, which I posted about earlier, I still don't feel the need to carry a lethal weapon on the bike.

What always strikes me as particularly smug about gun owners is how they always assume that every victim of violent crime has the exact same reaction, that it shifts them over to the "correct" perspective--pro gun, pro self-defense, and pro-lifelong paranoia about the inevitable violent attack awaiting us all. It's kind of insane.

When I lived in Houston I was robbed at gunpoint one night. A week later the kid (teenager) who robbed me killed an off-duty police officer who was coming home from a party with his his wife. I had to testify, because the murderer was from a solid middle class home (his father was a fire man) and part of his defense was that the incident with the off-duty officer was a one-time thing, that he was a good kid who acted bad one night. The kid was executed a few years ago.

So I've been robbed at gun point by a cop-killer. And I still believe that the only people who have a right to own handguns are police officers and the military. And I'm against the death penalty. And I know people who have survived much, much worse crimes, who feel exactly the same as I do. What on earth makes you think you know how all victims feel, or that the all feel the same thing? That is such a crock of rightwing bull****.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

What always strikes me as particularly smug about gun owners is how they always assume that every victim of violent crime has the exact same reaction, that it shifts them over to the "correct" perspective--pro gun, pro self-defense, and pro-lifelong paranoia about the inevitable violent attack awaiting us all. It's kind of insane.

When I lived in Houston I was robbed at gunpoint one night. A week later the kid (teenager) who robbed me killed an off-duty police officer who was coming home from a party with his his wife. I had to testify, because the murderer was from a solid middle class home (his father was a fire man) and part of his defense was that the incident with the off-duty officer was a one-time thing, that he was a good kid who acted bad one night. The kid was executed a few years ago.

So I've been robbed at gun point by a cop-killer. And I still believe that the only people who have a right to own handguns are police officers and the military. And I'm against the death penalty. And I know people who have survived much, much worse crimes, who feel exactly the same as I do. What on earth makes you think you know how all victims feel, or that the all feel the same thing? That is such a crock of rightwing bull****.

Sorry, didn't mean to insult your belief system, but no where did I say I was speaking for anyone, I merely said it would change your perspective when discussing a topic like this with people who have been victims, not turn you into a rabid gun toting right winger. I've had guns and knives pulled on me and I still don't carry, I'm just more aware of my surroundings. The most gun toting I do is this time of year for pheasants, YUM!, already ate 2 of the 6 I have so far, season isn't over yet.

I'll have to tell my Right leaning friends that I was accused of spewing "a crock of rightwing bull****", they'll get a kick out of that since I'm by far the most left from that group

No hard feelings though, not the first time somebody misunderstood someone here, and it won't be the last

 

[Oldman]

Sorry, didn't mean to insult your belief system, but no where did I say I was speaking for anyone, I merely said it would change your perspective when discussing a topic like this with people who have been victims, not turn you into a rabid gun toting right winger. I've had guns and knives pulled on me and I still don't carry, I'm just more aware of my surroundings. The most gun toting I do is this time of year for pheasants, YUM!, already ate 2 of the 6 I have so far, season isn't over yet.

I'll have to tell my Right leaning friends that I was accused of spewing "a crock of rightwing bull****", they'll get a kick out of that since I'm by far the most left from that group

No hard feelings though, not the first time somebody misunderstood someone here, and it won't be the last

You don't need to be a right wing nutjob to want to protect yourself. A former teammate has been shot in a drive by (teenager) and nearly stabbed by a rabid adult. Neither had been provoked. The rabid adult was seen by others and arrested, charges dismissed because no one would testify. The teenager got some misdemeanor assault. My friend goes heeled to this day and his only political inclination is to a libertarian sense of self defense.

I've had scary moments but was able to elude or bluff my way out of them. One incident involved a truckload of drunk guys on a back road while riding with my wife to whom much comment was made. She caught my eye and kept quiet while I kept the antagonism focused on me, until a car finally drove by. My wife rode to the car and got them to call the cops. The guys lost their steam after threatening to "kick my ****** *** and give the woman what she needs." I didn't have a gun but if I did, should I use it if there were no options to my wife being assaulted?

 

[pedaling squares]

You don't need to be a right wing nutjob to want to protect yourself. A former teammate has been shot in a drive by (teenager) and nearly stabbed by a rabid adult. Neither had been provoked. The rabid adult was seen by others and arrested, charges dismissed because no one would testify. The teenager got some misdemeanor assault. My friend goes heeled to this day and his only political inclination is to a libertarian sense of self defense.

I've had scary moments but was able to elude or bluff my way out of them. One incident involved a truckload of drunk guys on a back road while riding with my wife to whom much comment was made. She caught my eye and kept quiet while I kept the antagonism focused on me, until a car finally drove by. My wife rode to the car and got them to call the cops. The guys lost their steam after threatening to "kick my ****** *** and give the woman what she needs." I didn't have a gun but if I did, should I use it if there were no options to my wife being assaulted?

I think you proved yourselves capable of handling the situation without resorting to lethal force. Good on you both.

 

[FastMatt]

About a year ago, I heard a story about a guy who was riding a Pinarello down in Miami. He was approached at a redlight by 3 thugs while riding alone. Next thing he knew he had a gun pointed at him as they demanded his bike.

After hearing this story I packed my Sig while riding solo for a while. Now I just do group rides and dont pack.

The thugs probably did not know the value of the bike and probably sold it on Craigslist for $2K. A lot of stolen bikes in South Florida somehow end up on Craigslist.

 

[mitchman]

Car I get an Aero Carbon 9mm with a holder...

 

[Black-Balled]

...I love cycling but love dogs equally so they're not a problem to me.

Yes...your love for animals will offer the best protection from them

Here is proof:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Treadwell

 

[Oldman]

I think you proved yourselves capable of handling the situation without resorting to lethal force. Good on you both.

Got really lucky, don't you think? Didn't get a response as to what most people would consider an appropriate threat. That's good, I guess as too many people think they're personal security is defensible at any cost.

 

[TheDude]

No, but it is a frequent fantasy. I would have probably shot the driver that attempted to kill me this morning by making a left turn across my lane 50 feet in front of me. Had her lane not been free behind her, I would have smashed into the passenger door rather than crossing over the center-line while slamming on the brakes.

 

[elapid]

Someone posted this on FB (ProBikeFit fan page) and this thread came to mind:

Just so strange!

 

[Maxiton]

Someone posted this on FB (ProBikeFit fan page) and this thread came to mind:

Just so strange!

Not if he's cycling in Iraq or certain other parts of the world! Anyway, maybe it's a new sport: urban cycathlon.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

For all you guys in the US, how many of you guys carry a weapon with you while you ride? Do you feel the need to? Why or Why not?

What part of the country do you live in? Damn!

I don't think he/shes from the US. Maybe Syria.

I'll admit there's been times I wished I had something for a few mad viscous dogs (the 4-legged furry kind).

 

[Maxiton]

Perfect for those icy winter rides.

 

[Pandora]

Just so strange!

Not so strange if you are the guy mentioned in the post nr. 133 of this thread after having seized back his Pinarello

 

[laziali]

Ha! and I thought the OP was talking about Viagra

 

[Steve H.]

Here in Pennsylvania I believe, all police officers are required to carry guns on or off duty, even if they are riding a bicycle.