The Horse Forum banner
Cancel

Who carries?

7995 Views 87 Replies 32 Participants Last post by  wvfarrier, 
wvfarrier
Im curious as to whether or not you (the collective) carry a firearm while trail riding? My wife and I both do, as we ride in some pretty wild areas. We have both had to dispatch wild dogs or coyotes. Our bear population are pretty skittish and want no part of horses so thats never been an issue. However, when we road in Montana we had an up close visit from a big grizzly sow. Fortunately she chose discretion and beat feet away from us.

Anyone else?
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
21 - 40 of 88 Posts
B
I’m like Txshecat…it’s just as well I don’t carry a gun. I’d get PO’d at somebody and shoot ‘em.
We have my hubby’s childhood shotgun and a new-ish revolver that’s never been discharged 😐
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: 3
Dreamcatcher Arabians
farmpony84 said:
Oh - and you make better TV... When Calls the Heart, When Hope Calls, Heartland, Hudson and Rex, Republic of Doyle, Cardinal....
Click to expand...
Molson Hockey Night....or is it LeBatt Blue? It's been years since I could get CBC on my old humugous sattelite dish.
Reply
Save
Like
PinkPrancer
Not for me. I didn't even want my husband's old BB gun in the house when he brought it over from his parents. So I've no interest in carrying one when on a horse.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
tinyliny
Dreamcatcher Arabians said:
You can shoot off any horse, once. LOL! I carry 24/7, not just when riding. I live in an open carry state, don't see a whole lot of people carrying open anymore, that fad seems to have passed. But, you also don't need a special concealed carry permit, though I wish we did, along with the permit came certain training requirements.

Back to riding, I wouldn't even think of shooting a bear with the pistol I carry, I'd just make them mad. I could stop a human, coyote, dog, maybe a hog, but nothing as big as a bear. Since they like noise, so they know where not to be, I also ride with bells.
Click to expand...

so, you carry "24/7" . Is that like on a holster, on your hip?
Reply
Save
Like
Dreamcatcher Arabians
BethR said:
I’m like Txshecat…it’s just as well I don’t carry a gun. I’d get PO’d at somebody and shoot ‘em.
We have my hubby’s childhood shotgun and a new-ish revolver that’s never been discharged 😐
Click to expand...
Read a book called "Armed and Female" by Paxton Quigley. I suspect some of the info is out of date, but it's an excellent book for getting you to really think about the responsibility of carrying a weapon and, God Forbid, needing to use it and what it would mean to you if you did. It's a very sobering read. Takes a lot of the hot out of hot headed.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
Dreamcatcher Arabians
tinyliny said:
so, you carry "24/7" . Is that like on a holster, on your hip?
Click to expand...
No Tiny, not on my hip. To look at me, you'd never know I was carrying a weapon and my whole goal in life is to never need to let anyone know that I am.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
tinyliny
this is eye opening to me. So many country folks talk about how dangerous it is in the 'city', but few , very few, people I know in the 'city' open or conceal carry a firearm , even though both are legal in my state ( after getting training and a permit). Is danger a real thing, demonstrated by real experience, . . . or something movies and media get us into believing?

So, which is it? either the city is this dangerous place, where you are likely to be robbed or raped at any moment, or, out in the country, miles from any law enforcement, it is very dangerous.?
And , yes, I am a gun owner, if that helps.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
tinyliny
Dreamcatcher Arabians said:
No Tiny, not on my hip. To look at me, you'd never know I was carrying a weapon and my whole goal in life is to never need to let anyone know that I am.
Click to expand...
so, it's concealed carry, not open carry,,, . . . right?
Reply
Save
Like
farmpony84
Our county has excellent law enforcement. Most people who conceal carry do not announce that they carry meaning - you actually don't know how many people in the city carry.

If you think about it, the places where people are most likely to be carrying are generally safer. Who's going to pick a fight or attack someone who is quite possibly armed? People who attack people are bullies and most bullies are cowards...
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 4
Dreamcatcher Arabians
tinyliny said:
so, it's concealed carry, not open carry,,, . . . right?
Click to expand...
In my case, yes. The laws sound kind of odd, if you're not used to them. Better description would be a "2A" state, which stands for 2nd Amendment state, which means the state recognizes our right under the 2nd Amendment to carry firearms. We can carry openly, if we like, or we can carry concealed, which I prefer. I kind of feel like I'd rather not advertise, just quiet insurance.

In answer to your holster question, I have several, depending on what I'm wearing or carrying (purse wise) will dictate the type of holster I use. And yes, I spend a lot of time at the range taking classes, practicing with all of my different weapons. I like my range time best, it's a lot of fun to practice my skills.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
gottatrot
I guess I carry for a different reason than the rest of you. The time I wear my 9 mm is when I am going miles out on trails and there will be no cell service.

In my mind the biggest threat is a terrible injury to my horse. I won't able to call a vet, or get a trailer in, and I can't imagine hiking out while leaving my horse thrashing on the ground with a bone sticking out. My gun is so I can end a horse's suffering.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
wvfarrier
All the reasons posted are valid. For the person who mentioned the police (I was a LEO for several years) remember that law enforcement are a reactionary force. The old saying is "When seconds count, the cops are minutes away".

A firearm is like an extra riding boot in your saddle bag. " Its better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. "

Granted, for some folks, pepper spray works fine but Ive seen the wind blow it into a horses face, its not a pretty result. Of course, shooting off a horse who isnt used to it would not be pretty either 😳....
though, it may get you out of trouble in a hurry 🤣
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: 4
Dreamcatcher Arabians
tinyliny said:
this is eye opening to me. So many country folks talk about how dangerous it is in the 'city', but few , very few, people I know in the 'city' open or conceal carry a firearm , even though both are legal in my state ( after getting training and a permit). Is danger a real thing, demonstrated by real experience, . . . or something movies and media get us into believing?

So, which is it? either the city is this dangerous place, where you are likely to be robbed or raped at any moment, or, out in the country, miles from any law enforcement, it is very dangerous.?
And , yes, I am a gun owner, if that helps.
Click to expand...
I would tell you that it's both. I've lived in cities and lived out in the desert and out in the country for the last 25 years. The high desert of So. Cal., where I worked, was known as the "Body Dump Capital" of So. Cal. We also had a lot of meth labs. You almost couldn't ride out in the desert without tripping over lab disposal, a working lab or a dead body. It also wasn't unusual to find someone who hadn't been killed but dumped in the middle of summer, so the desert could do the dirty work.

When I lived in Tucson there was a lot of illegal migration going on in the desert there. I wouldn't have even thought about going out unarmed. A lone woman on a horse? Easy pickin's.

Here in OK, I have never felt threatened in town, in OKC or Tulsa or out on trail in the country. At home I'm more likely to have a shotgun at hand, rather than a pistol, for coyotes. We have quite a few and they can be a problem for livestock.

One night we were in OKC at supper time and thinking about where we wanted to eat. Hubby suggested Louie's, but I requested somewhere else. Their food is mediocre but consistent, but the place is built with all hard edges and high ceilings, and it's super noisy. Really makes it impossible to get comfortable, for me. So we went somewhere else. While we were eating I got a news alert of a shooting at Louie's. Someone had gone in and just opened fire at the restaurant, no apparent reason. Three people were shot, none died, and one fell and broke an arm trying to get away. Two armed citizens, carrying concealed, stopped the gunman in Louie's parking lot. I was very glad not to be there that night. If those two armed citizens had not been at Louie's that night, it would have been much worse. The shooter came prepared, he was wearing shooting glasses, hearing protection and had had several magazines.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Wow
  • Like
Reactions: 5
ACinATX
I feel like a lot of the assumptions about how you will be safer with a gun are operating on the premise that "the other guy" does not have a gun. If I had a gun and someone without a gun is threatening me, and I pull the gun on them, they will most likely back off; thus the gun potentially increases my safety.

But if they have a gun, they will just as likely pull at THEIR gun and then we'll be in a standoff with serious injury or death as the likely outcome; thus the gun potentially decreases my safety. Whereas if neither of us had a gun, serious injury or death would be less likely to occur.

Is this incorrect?
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
H
Yes, AC, in my mind your thought is correct.
Today, in reality... to many have guns and not enough training nor a cool mind under terrible stress to react correctly... Hence we have terrible stories on the news and reality of in our neighborhoods to often.

So with that...

A firearm is like an extra riding boot in your saddle bag. " Its better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. "

In my mind the biggest threat is a terrible injury to my horse. I won't able to call a vet, or get a trailer in, and I can't imagine hiking out while leaving my horse thrashing on the ground with a bone sticking out. My gun is so I can end a horse's suffering.

If you think about it, the places where people are most likely to be carrying are generally safer. Who's going to pick a fight or attack someone who is quite possibly armed? People who attack people are bullies and most bullies are cowards...

Those 3 pieces of comments made by posters just from the second page of this thread are why so many do carry...
When I ride we are not always easily got to if a dire injury occurred...and a gunshot is kinder correctly placed than to suffer.
I ride with friends who are armed and well-versed in protecting them/us and euthanizing a horse if needed..
Wild animals and sometimes very aggressive we have encountered, I have run a few times when my friends have opened fire and shot to scare off not kill, but kill they will too if needed.
And indeed, you don't know who is armed and who is not...
Our area has a low crime rate for that reason...we also have laws to protect us that if you feel your are truly in mortal danger...
Children, elementary young here are very commonly taught to use and handle guns cause when livestock is concerned you need to know in case of terrible injury and dead is kinder than suffering.
When you are educated in safety first, respect what that machine can do and see the good of carrying, few abuse or mishandle their firearm no matter a smaller handgun, shotgun or rifle...
These kids are incredible shots too and many hunt to eat with their family. Many families here never buy meat in a butcher shop or store...They raise or hunt and do the deeds needing done to eat it too.
Guns are a way of life in livestock rich areas for many reasons...
Here, it is better to assume all are armed and know how to use it than to think most are not armed and take your chances if you :unsure: ...dare to do the wrong thing to someone, you will be shot, guarantee it.

I think in recent years more people everywhere for their various reasons have guns...most because humanity has changed with so many reported home invasions and crimes against innocent.
I can't fault people being afraid and protecting themselves...not everyone can move away from the violence and that violence is ever spreading in areas and intensity.
For me, if you threaten me or mine and do it with a gun seen... I got one chance to protect us...my shot is going to be no warning but you took your last breath in accuracy.
I hope never to need to do that, take a life of a human. It is not how I was raised. That to me is tough to swallow, please don't ever push me to that point. But, if you put me in mortal danger, true mortal danger...gone!

@Dreamcatcher Arabians, thankfully you listened to that little voice inside of you...
Glad you are able to relate the tale and not be the casualty of someone's rage and anger...sadly others innocent were.
🐴.... jmo...
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
gottatrot
ACinATX said:
I feel like a lot of the assumptions about how you will be safer with a gun are operating on the premise that "the other guy" does not have a gun. If I had a gun and someone without a gun is threatening me, and I pull the gun on them, they will most likely back off; thus the gun potentially increases my safety.

But if they have a gun, they will just as likely pull at THEIR gun and then we'll be in a standoff with serious injury or death as the likely outcome; thus the gun potentially decreases my safety. Whereas if neither of us had a gun, serious injury or death would be less likely to occur.

Is this incorrect?
Click to expand...
If someone is threatening you, I would suppose serious injury or death is already likely. But a cougar is not likely packing, or a rutting elk. Probably they are more likely to back off if you shoot the gun.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
farmpony84
@ACinATX The thing is - You don't pull your gun unless you feel your life is in danger and you don't pull your gun unless you plan to use it. For all other instances, consider it just an accessory that you wear.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
B
Boy Howdy, my thoughts are all over the map on this one.
Our township doesn’t have a police department, and the state police are pretty much useless. So it only makes sense that we have a couple of firearms in our home, I guess, although the township has little crime.
My brother, a gun enthusiast, always told me to use the shotgun if need be, because you just have to fire in their general direction, heh.
I’ve never shot a handgun and I suspect my aim would be waaay off the mark 😉
That being said, I believe that military-style firearms should not be available to the average individual. Those are the weapons that decimate schools and businesses.
Funny story: I was driving into town a few weeks ago and being seriously tailgated by the vehicle behind me. Nothing I hate worse, since I suffered several injuries by being rear-ended 20 years ago. At the stop sign, I put the Jeep in park, got out, and walked back to the offending vehicle, yelling at them to LEARN HOW TO DRIVE. There were two young guys in the vehicle; their jaws dropped to the floor and they immediately put it in reverse. Heh…I’m sure they thought I was carrying, otherwise why would a 67 year old woman get out of her car to confront them!
Hopefully they remember the incident and stay off other peoples’ bumpers.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Haha
Reactions: 2
H
Here that action Beth is called road rage...
Here you approach a vehicle with aggression you will be looking down the barrel of a gun...:oops:
Be very careful if you ever do that again for your safety.
People, regardless of age, many are armed and you initiated contact by existing your vehicle approaching theirs aggressively...

Road rages kill many people today across our nation...whether earned or implied violence felt or just being a innocent...dead is dead.
Please be careful.
It would of been far safer for you to just pull over and let the tail-gaiters pass-on by...
Less for your blood pressure to go sky-high too..;)
🐴...
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
gottatrot
It could be pointed out also, @ACinATX that in Dreamcatcher's real life scenario, the people who were more likely to get shot (and did) were the ones who did not have guns. I haven't actually heard of any cases where someone was threatening violence but hiding their gun, and then when the victim pulled a gun, they revealed that they also had one and it turned into a gunfight. Usually a person threatening violence who has a gun will be showing it, to decrease the risk to themselves.

In my small sphere there are a lot of people who have guns. In this setting, we don't see many injuries from guns that are from accidents. A guy got shot by his dog (in the leg) because his gun was in the boat, the dog jumped in and stepped on it. And sleeping with a gun under your pillow that is loaded and has no safety is just stupid (not seriously injured). The only deaths I know of are from people who went to murder others, or pointed guns at police, or at other people in front of the police. Or they committed suicide.

There doesn't seem to be much risk that you'll incite violence by having a gun, especially if other people don't even know you have one. In fact, I think there are more cases on the news where people are violent toward others despite the fact that they see the person has a gun and can defend themselves. Attacking someone with a gun when your own life or others' lives are not in danger is not terribly intelligent. What's the saying...don't poke the bear?
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
21 - 40 of 88 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
The Horse Forum
A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, grooming, reviews, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Horse Talk Training, Performance, discussion, problem queries Horse Health Horse Tack, blankets and Equipment Queries General Off Topic Questions & Discussion
Top