CCW

Considering the nature of the forum, I do not think this topic is too over the top.

I live in CO - and have a CCW. This is a matter of public record.

May I be so bold as to ask how this is perceived? if I were in AK, I sure as heck would have something that goes "boom" as part of my kit.

Remember, I am asking about CCW, not anthing illegal.

Uh..glad you have a CCW. So do I. It's sort of relevant if your state requires one to have a gun in your car or something like that. Not sure what your question is, though.
If you're asking if guns are a necessary part of a survival kit, I'd say "Sometimes" - if you are in deep woods, polarbear country, or if you need to hunt for food, sure. However, in an outdoor survival situation, I think my Glock would be most useful as a hammer to crack open nuts. A nice Scout M6 can get you a bunny or a duck, if that's your preference for dinner, just be sure the first time you gut a bird isn't when you are in a "situation" <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> you know?

Firearms probably evoke as much or more debate than any other issue in our society. I've owned or handled just about every category imaginable; from Broomhandle Mausers to FN FAL battle rifles, black powder Hawkens and even a Greener harpoon rifle (as featured in JAWS.) These days I have a single pistol that evokes horror among combat pistol aficianandos. I am personally weary of the stale debates and cliches thrown out by both sides. Charlton Heston snarling "from my cold dead hands" is no less distastefull than the ignorant Green Party member asking why I owned an Elephant gun: and, when I displayed a 1903 6.5x54 Mannlicher calling me several names. Owning a firearm carries a heavy moral and social responsibility. It is just an object. It's the individual behind it that determines it's impact on society.

Actually a .22 pistol (ruger, browning, etc.) is easier to carry, and with practice, would probably do just as well as the scout for acquiring small game. All huntable game in North America have been taken with a .22.

As for 9mm/.40/.45 CCW, not all survival is protection from the elements, some is protection from other (two legged) predators. Community spirit seems to generally flourish in the aftermath of a disaster (natural or otherwise), but not always. If you have what other people want or need, they will do whatever depending on their level of need. Case in point, many generators were stolen in the wake of Hurricane Isabelle. More than one death (fire or CO2) was attributed to running generators in enclosed places to counter theft.

Exactly. This site has many references in the "urban survival" vein. It would be in this context that a concealed firearm would be useful.

I have no expectations of stopping a large bear with a 9mm. If we could always count on "community spirit", some of this site would be redundant.

I would suggest another strategy for CCW. In the words of that steely eyed nimrod, Elmer Fudd, "Be vewy vewy quiet." <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I have an aquaintance who displayed his guns, playboy magazines and cars with a bravado reminiscent of of Celtic warriors displaying enemy heads. One night he was cleaned out by burglars. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Chris:

I am willing to bet your friend that got cleaned out also had plenty of insurance to cover his losses?

I have said it before and I will say it again, a .22 semi-auto rifle is preferred for "backwoods", and a slingshot as a general pack item. The preference for a .22 semi-auto rifle over a more versitale item like the M6 is that it can satisfy urban needs in an emergency situation as well as "backwoods" use.

A .22 may not be able to stop a grizzly or polar bear (neither of which is a concern in Wisconsin.), but those little 40 grain "bees" hitting the nose, eyes, and face of a large animal as a defensive move on your part, will probably work a hell of a lot better than punching him with your fist and yelling "no, stop".

If I was in a line being given the choice of having another weapon in addition to my .22 semi-auto rifle, I would chose an M6 <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />RIFLE <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> first, an M6 pistol second, and my Ruger Govt. Mdl. 6 inch bull barrel last. If I am going out my front door in a hurry, I would grab the .22 semi-auto rifle always, and my Ruger if I thought it might help me.

Bountyhunter

The first letter in CCW stands for concealed. This is where it should remain, whether on your person or in your pack. Advertising that you are carrying is akin to asking for hassle from LE and other persons (especially those who would rather use their cell phone to call for help than defend themselves, but that is another story)

The scout does have the advantage of the .410 barrel, but is more difficult to keep concealed (even in a pack bag). If space is limited, start with the pistol varient and add on from there. It would be nice to end up with a 9/40/45, .308, 12 ga, 12 ga slug, .22 selection to chose from depending on your quarry. Ammo might be a little heavy though........

I have to agree with Bountyhunter here, the .22 semi-auto in one of its many guises can be just a fantastic all-around weapon. And as a matter of fact, at close range, you can take a deer with a .22, those Velocitors from CCI are pretty darm amazing - I shot an old 4x4 post yesterday just to see how the exit looked (I know, a deer is not a 4x4) and it was a fist-sized chunk of wood out the back from a .22 at 30 yards. That's a hard hit, and if you have a few rounds of that hard hitting stuff, well, that's a darn fine thing to have.


Anyway...back to urban CCW. Well, yeah, things can get hairy, and in the urban environment, you have all the extremes of society packed in close to one another, so even if it's a "one in a thousand" type of crazy person you're facing, in a city like New York, that's well over a thousand crazies! But again, stealing generators is one thing, and that's not TEOTWAWKI, that's just ordinary criminals acting as they always do. And as the korean green grocers learned in the Watts & Rodeney King riots in CA, concelement of the weapon was quite the opposite of what they needed to - partoling the roof of their store with shotguns plainly visible was far more effective.
Anyway, this thread might do better over on www.frugalsquirrels.com which is far more amenible to urban survival scenarios during widespread civil unrest.

I truly hope I never grow "weary" of defending my rights and liberties.

I like chocolate icecream and old Laurel and Hardy movies. Listening to the debate is having chocolate icecream for breakfast, lunch and dinner 24/7 and watching the pianno go up the steps every night. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Strawberry ice cream flavored with and chock full of real strawberries.

The piano vs the steps will forever remain a classic as will "Who's on first" with Abbot and Costello.

Bountyhunter

I'm from Illinois, and if our state allowed them, I'd have a CCW as well, but you have to be a peace officer or a politician's body-guard to get one here (sarcasm intended). Legal arms and law abiding citizens aren't the problem, but a certain big city mayor with as much (or more) political clout as the governor doesn't see it that way, so for now, Illinois residents go with-out. More power to you, and keep and cherish your second amendment rights.

Troy

Amen to that Bro'...