Brian, you are so afar afield it's not even funny.

Constitutional rights are NOT rights declared in the Declaration. What you fail to acknowledge is that between the Declaration and the Constitution the country was ruled by the Articles of Confederation, which did not contain the Bill of Rights. The Constitution was not ratified until 1791. The Declaration was written in 1776. There was a lot political wrangling (and a huge failed start...the Articles were a failure) that in the end crafted the Bill of Rights.

In anycase, none of the rights enumerated in the Constitution are unrestricted. Not one of them.

That said, the Constitution unequivocally gives citizens the right to bear arms....and of course, it's been a controversial issue how far that right extends.

In heated political discussions, it's often important to remind ourselves that despite our differences we (american political discoursees) inhabit a very, very narrow political spectrum, historically speaking. No need to get really worked up over very minor differences on regulations..most everyone in the states is a "liberal democrat", historically speaking, and the huge gulf that separates the conservatives and liberals in this country is really a very small difference in governance preferences.

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

Words of Mahatma Ghandi, a man in a lioncloth who brought down 250 years of the British Empire in India, through non violent means, reason and common sense. He didn't even belong to a political party- just an ideas man who made things happen. It's up to you.

Guns are violence.

"Fear is the darkroom where negativity is developed"
seen in a chinese fortune cookie.

Everyone has an opinion, that's what makes life so interesting.

I'd rather chat to someone in the mountains than think about all this, and I'm glad, where I hike, I don't have to think if they are 'carrying'.

I'll admit to contributing to this but we're now officially off track. Everyone knows that expressing their political views on the internet does nothing but make one's self feel superior. It certainly does nothing to change opinions.

We also don't need to start attacking each other here. This forum is for gear discussion. That's just nonsense. Let's do some self-policing, call it a day, and let this thread die a well deserved death.

John you may be the only rational person on this site but then again since most on this site may have never been outside the borders of this country all they know is how to be scared sheep. The average american listens to the news and repeats it like a parrot to thier children family and freinds never questioning the truth or reality. The average american is fat greedy and selfish. They continually search for something from nothing. They feel they are owed everything and nothing has to be earned. If this upsets anyone reading it its because they know its true. Ali

My favorite Ghandi quote - "Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest."

"The average american is fat greedy and selfish."
And as a guess, we are far from average as a group! Of the visitors to National parks, under 3% get permits to camp. How many fewer go into the back-country?

I for one, and not average, have traveled abroad and try not to parrot.

Edited by malndman on 03/18/2009 14:05:34 MDT.

Why does traveling abroad, or being from abroad, suddenly make a person morally and intellectully superior? Just wondering.........

Back to the OP...

I tend to carry when I am near places where I would not want to walk around late at night. When I am in the remote wilderness, not so much.

I carry my S&W M&P Compact 9mm in a DeSanti cloth IWB holster that nicely clips into my left hip belt pocket (that is the only good use for that pocket on an early Atmos pack...too small to get my hand into). I prefer not to have to cross draw since you tend to paint your forearm.
I practice 10,000 - 12,000 rounds per year. Ask your local LEO how much their department has them practice.

Edited by malndman on 03/18/2009 14:21:04 MDT.

Does that come in extra large? It would make a great UL stocking cap. Ali

trying to lighten up here...

... and me a photographer, and an ex photojournalist, and a professor in both in two study abroad programs for American students in Barcelona...

"I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers."

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

I don't think he meant that in a nice way.

Guess I'd better leave the camera home next hike in case I see Ghandi.

"Why does traveling abroad, or being from abroad, suddenly make a person morally and intellectully superior? Just wondering........."
Ummmmm, they're not Americans and therefore not stupid and boorish like us?

Beats me!

So I guess the 1981 couple on the Appalachian trail that were murdered, by the same psychopath who attempted to murder two more hikers on the Appalachian trail last year are not p*ssies because they didn't carry guns...but who cares because unfortunately they were murdered. Oh yeah two other women were murdered in Shenandoah National Park in 1996. You can call me a p*ssy if you would like, however as a Police Officer by vocation I don't simply blather news from the TV like a parrot, I experience it first hand as a first responder. I'll take being called a p*ssy, but at least i'll be alive unlike these unfortunate unarmed victims. If you choose to not take a firearm thats one thing, however I dont' understand why you need to degrade those who do

Edited by mackgren on 03/18/2009 14:15:44 MDT.

Mark your statement prooves that the trails are the safest place to be. How many people were mudered off the trail in So Cal last year? Ali

How does that prove anything? I only named 4 murders and two attempted murders off the top of my head. I don't personally know the statistics for trails in SoCal...however, my point is that crap happens. The fact that those people were murdered, coupled with the ugliness of our society that I witness every day at work, means that stuff happens and i'll be prepared for it depending where i'm backpacking. I'm not worried about rabid cannucks when i'm up in Washington St, but when i'm near the Chihuaha state of Mexico you bet your bippy i'm carrying.

"but when i'm near the Chihuaha state of Mexico you bet your bippy i'm carrying." Thats seems a bit racist? I have lived and traveled extensivly in Mexico and never needed a gun to defend myself, Again Parrot. Turn your TV of its freakin you out. I have been a photojournalist since 1986 and if you want to know who if often the first to the sceen of a crime I can tell you its not the police. Ali

First of all I live right by Mexico, and working in a close relationship with both CBP and ICE, I know that there has been an influx of violence from La Eme and Cartels into my state and adjacent ones due to increased pressure on known narcotics trafficing routes. That has nothing to do with regurgitating liberal media, and it has nothing to do with racism. Secondly, I have never been beat to the scene of a crime or disaster by the media. Seeing as how this is getting off topic and ruining this thread for others, thats all i'm going to say to address your ridiculous comments. Feel free to have the last word.

"Hmmm, which party is it that's supposed to be watching out so closely for our freedoms?"

I am a Libertarian not a republican.
I cannot defend a party I dont agree with and am not a member of.

Roger, where are you? This should go to Chaff.

Ryan and/or Roger (Moderator),

Please move this to Chaff. This has no place in the Gear forum.

Also, please review individual posts for deletion as per the BPL Forum Ethics: "Off-topic, inflammatory, or inappropriate posts will be removed at our discretion."

Edited by DaveT on 03/18/2009 15:08:15 MDT.

I second that motion. No longer "Gear" related.