Date:         Wed, 31 Mar 1999 21:22:55 -0800
Reply-To:     Steven A Tew <satew@MNINTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steven A Tew <satew@MNINTER.NET>
Subject:      Personal Safety... was Mom's trip etc.
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;


The issue of carrying a firearm is very personal.  There are over 30 states
that have "shall - issue" concealed carry laws now.  The idea being that a
law - abiding citizen shall not be denied the right to "keep and bear arms".
That means that in those states a check is done on the applicant and the
request is approved if there is no criminal record.

The fact remains that many folks carry without a permit in those states as
well as others.  Many consider the "registration" that goes along with the
permit is an infringement on their liberty.

The criminal element is not so concerned with the laws governing weapons.
You, as a law - abiding citizen need to be.  So the best thing to do is look
at your route and get a brief on the laws of the states you will encounter.
You will find that most places allow transportation of firearms with certain
provisions, some with no restrictions.

The bottom line is that if you are going to carry a handgun as you travel
you need to know the laws of the states that you will cross (and in some
cases the counties and cities).  The laws are many and varied.  You can't
rely on a phone call to a police station or a lawyer, because they probably
don't know the laws themselves.  This may seem like a fruitless pursuit, but
the fact remains that if you choose to carry a gun as you travel you will
probably break some laws.  So, is the changing law issue or the self
protection issue the more important to you?

In a lethal encounter, as a woman, you will normally be "outgunned' by bad
guys.  The most effective way to neutralize a violent encounter is with a
firearm, properly presented.  The knowledge of the presence of the gun is
normally enough to repel a human predator.  Shots are fired fewer than 999
out of a thousand times that handguns are used to defend people.  It is your
decision.  Just fully prepare yourself.  If you have no training in combat
handgunning or proper carry you are more likely to make serious mistakes in
situations where you are nervous, or in a hurry.   You don't want your gun
to fall out of your purse as you hurry into the Wall Mart to beat closing
time, or forget where you hid it when you need it.  Training is good.

As far as a stun gun is concerned, it is a contact weapon.  You have to
touch the attacker to use it, and that is just too close for comfort.  It is
also ineffective when applied through heavy clothing, and the target should
be the torso for the best (safest) result.  A good pepper spray that you
have been trained on and that is fresh and tested is a better choice.  Also
have a cell phone with pre - programmed numbers for emergency services.

THE BEST POSSIBLE THING YOU CAN DO IS TRAIN TO NOT BE A VICTIM!   Read the
book "Safe, not Sorry" by Tanya K. Metaska and  visit the NRA at this web
address for VERY good resources on personal protection for women!
http://www.nrahq.org/safety/

God Bless,
Steve Tew   satew@mninter.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Kari Williams <Karibel@AOL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, March 31, 1999 4:38 PM
Subject: Mom's USA trip: forget the gun!
>so what do you all
>think of a stun gun? and do you have any idea how many times per day my
>coworkers tell me about the "yosemite 3"? i just refuse to spend my summer
>watching TV inside my locked house. boring!
>~kari

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