Gun Question, part 2

[johnmcntsh]

With the exception of law enforcement, I have never felt the need for a firearm for protection.

I take more prudent protection measures, similiar to not golfing during thunderstorms, not getting drunk and going bar hopping in unsafe areas etc, etc.

I think it is a personal decision. I just do not find it practical to take them into foreign ports.

[Astrid]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Don, say it again, but louder this time. I don't think they heard you.

Interesting that of all these posts, not a single one has answered your original question.

Actually I thought I had back on page two--never had to resort to a firearm to defend my boat against a human threat.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Astrid

Actually I thought I had back on page two--never had to resort to a firearm to defend my boat against a human threat.

Agreed for sure!

I also think atoll's first answer was appropriate to the question... before he got attacked....

[Parmenter]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Agreed for sure!

I also think atoll's first answer was appropriate to the question... before he got attacked....

Attacked, is that what americans consider an attack?
If it is, you are a very thin skinned bunch.
Gee, don't pull a gun and shoot me for it ...please don't.


It was hardly an attack, all I was doing was pointing out a fact that laws have been broken and to consider oneself to be above the law of particular countries is never a good look from my decades of experience in 3rd world countries (excluding America)

[Parmenter]

And to get the thread back on track.

Originally Posted by Don1500

Has anyone on this board actually used a gun to defend their boat?

[Andrew B.]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Don, say it again, but louder this time. I don't think they heard you.

Interesting that of all these posts, not a single one has answered your original question.

I believe I did in Post #66, but as I said maybe being accosted, and
threatened while paddling a canoe doesn't count...

Only took one shot from my little Henry 22 Survival rifle(it floats) into the
water at a 90 degree angle, then making sure the two thugs had had a
change of heart about demanding I give them my canoe, and gear then
take a swim. Swimming, maybe tied up in a quick rising, fast current, cold
river just wasn't that appealing.
One across the bow has caused more than one pirate to change plans.

I am sure my military training along with the experience of some firefights
in RVN let me stay clear of purpose.

Still kind of weird how that rope hanging there in the guys hand
made me feel much more threatened than the verbal threats.

And no I never canoed in that river again...

[Don1500]

Think I'll start a new thread. "Has anybody used a gun to protect their boat?"

[Capt Phil]

Originally Posted by Don1500

I didn't feel this was following the other thread so I decided to start my own.

Has anyone on this board actually used a gun to defend their boat?

The closest I came was to have the gun by my side at 3AM when approached by a skiff with 5 guy's aboard. I was anchored in a small bay about 5 miles from anywhere. They never saw the gun, but it made me feel better that it was there. They were just about to board when they saw me. I told them to keep going, they did.

Sure... as a cash buyer of troll caught salmon off the BC coast in the 50's. When you've got $20K+ on board, you shot first and asked questions second. Not something I'm proud of but in the middle of the night, miles from anywhere it seemed like a good idea at the time. Phil

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by Don1500

Think I'll start a new thread. "Has anybody used a gun to protect their boat?"

The thread has had 2000 views. My guess (making this up), and being generous, 800 individuals have read parts of it.

I would not expect many positive responses out of 800 hundred to your question based on how rare such an encounter would be.

What would be of more interest is how many cruisers have been:

1. boarded by persons having criminal intent while onboard,

2. been physically assaulted while onboard and/or ashore, and

3. murdered while yachting (onboard and/or ashore).

[johnmcntsh]

And my response would be the same, No never felt the need.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Parmenter

Attacked, is that what americans consider an attack?
If it is, you are a very thin skinned bunch.
Gee, don't pull a gun and shoot me for it ...please don't.


It was hardly an attack, all I was doing was pointing out a fact that laws have been broken and to consider oneself to be above the law of particular countries is never a good look from my decades of experience in 3rd world countries (excluding America)

every year about this time we get on cf the rightous who come out the wood work!

no sweat brother,i never said i was above the law!
i just never got caught

[ShaktisBoy]

The OPs original question was for info from those who have used a gun in self defense aboard a boat. My experience happened well over 20 years ago in Florida anchored off a popular beach. Technically I was on the beach but we came by boat. My date and I were enjoyed a romantic evening picnic. I was young and had just months before obtained my concealed weapon permit. My date was very negative about me carrying and openly ridiculed me saying your just being macho. To make a really long story short the beach had emptied hours earlier and we were alone or so we thought. We were approached from behind by six or more thugs and I was not so politely told to take a walk while they had their way with my date. I said no and a knife and several bats were pulled as they advanced. At this point I drew my gun told my date to get back to the boat and get it started up. Surprisingly my gun didn't seem to phase them much, they just sort of spread out but continued advancing slowly while I retreated into the water and back to the boat. I find it telling that less than a month later my date had her own concealed permit and to this day carries. I also know without a doubt that had I not been armed on that night I would have been injured or killed and she was going to get at the very least raped. Another thing I will say is I was never told about the aftermath of that kind of encounter. I was literally 1 or two pounds of pull on the trigger from shooting a bad guy or two. When I got back to the boat I took the helm and she pulled the anchor while i turned away from the beach. I made it maybe 100 yards before I vomited my entire dinner overboard. Afterward the adrenaline withdraw pretty much incapacitated me for the rest of the trip home. I have now grown older and hopefully a little wiser. I also think my dates original assessment of me wanting to be macho was quite accurate. Right up to that confrontation. I was not in anyway prepared for the fear and emotion the accompanies a violent encounter. Since then I have had many years to train and think through the what if's and have at least in my mind decided how I might handle a future bad encounter. My personal position on this subject will certainly not win a popularity contest here on CF. But I am a firm believer in my and your right to live free from violence, and that you should be allowed the tools to allow you to do that. I do carry weapons cruising here in the states but leave the guns at home on our Bahamas trips. I think I will rethink being unarmed from here on out and paperwork be damed.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by ShaktisBoy

The OPs original question was for info from those who have used a gun in self defense aboard a boat. My experience happened well over 20 years ago in Florida anchored off a popular beach. Technically I was on the beach but we came by boat. My date and I were enjoyed a romantic evening picnic. I was young and had just months before obtained my concealed weapon permit. My date was very negative about me carrying and openly ridiculed me saying your just being macho. To make a really long story short the beach had emptied hours earlier and we were alone or so we thought. We were approached from behind by six or more thugs and I was not so politely told to take a walk while they had their way with my date. I said no and a knife and several bats were pulled as they advanced. At this point I drew my gun told my date to get back to the boat and get it started up. Surprisingly my gun didn't seem to phase them much, they just sort of spread out but continued advancing slowly while I retreated into the water and back to the boat. I find it telling that less than a month later my date had her own concealed permit and to this day carries. I also know without a doubt that had I not been armed on that night I would have been injured or killed and she was going to get at the very least raped. Another thing I will say is I was never told about the aftermath of that kind of encounter. I was literally 1 or two pounds of pull on the trigger from shooting a bad guy or two. When I got back to the boat I took the helm and she pulled the anchor while i turned away from the beach. I made it maybe 100 yards before I vomited my entire dinner overboard. Afterward the adrenaline withdraw pretty much incapacitated me for the rest of the trip home. I have now grown older and hopefully a little wiser. I also think my dates original assessment of me wanting to be macho was quite accurate. Right up to that confrontation. I was not in anyway prepared for the fear and emotion the accompanies a violent encounter. Since then I have had many years to train and think through the what if's and have at least in my mind decided how I might handle a future bad encounter. My personal position on this subject will certainly not win a popularity contest here on CF. But I am a firm believer in my and your right to live free from violence, and that you should be allowed the tools to allow you to do that. I do carry weapons cruising here in the states but leave the guns at home on our Bahamas trips. I think I will rethink being unarmed from here on out and paperwork be damed.

Thanks for sharing your story. My wife and I have also been robbed twice, although not on our boat. It does change the way one looks at things forever... now, we never go anywhere without our good friends Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson. We received a notice last week, the last guy who robbed us.... gets out of prison tomorrow... on thanksgiving.

[Parmenter]

^^^ A terrible story but seems to be a case of you being in the wrong place at the wrong time more than a normal occurrence.

Dont get me wrong, I am not suggesting you shouldn't be able to enjoy a beach late at night, but if you live in a land where this sort of thing happens it probably best not to put you and yours at risk.
A bit like dont go swimming at dusk in areas where sharks are known to frequent.

[Parmenter]

Originally Posted by atoll

every year about this time we get on cf the rightous who come out the wood work!

no sweat brother,i never said i was above the law!

You never had to brother, your actions speak louder than words.
If pointing that out makes me "righteous" in your eyes please consider what the gun obsessive's views are like for others.

My earlier comment was based on this story of an Australian Yachtie who figured not declaring his guns was a good idea.
He did spend a few months in jail for his trouble.

Chris Packer is an Australian from Perth, Western Australia who in 2004 narrowly escaped the death penalty when arrested in Bali, Indonesia for suspected arms smuggling. Police arrested Packer after finding undeclared weapons aboard his 53m cargo ship, "Lissa" Registered in Avatiu.
7.30 Report - 22/11/2004: Aussie sailor held in Bali jail