Carry?

[MOAK]

A few days ago I was gassing up in some small town in New Mexico. A fellow walked up and complimented our cruiser, trailer and set up. We talked a bit about off grid camping, where we’d been, etc. out of the blue he asked me if I carried? I took off my sunglasses looking him straight in the eye and said, dude, I quit smoking weed back in the late 70s. LOL, but he didn’t think it funny and walked off in a huff.

 

[old_man]

Where I live, that meant carrying a gun.

 

[Todd S.]

A few days ago I was gassing up in some small town in New Mexico. A fellow walked up and complimented our cruiser, trailer and set up. We talked a bit about off grid camping, where we’d been, etc. out of the blue he asked me if I carried? I took off my sunglasses looking him straight in the eye and said, dude, I quit smoking weed back in the late 70s. LOL, but he didn’t think it funny and walked off in a huff.

That is a great response. You never ask a person that question unless your a cop.

 

[FishinCrzy]

At first, I thought you were referencing a weapon. That would have really got me suspicious. I think the other stuff is legal in N.M. now. He was probably going to give you a discount card to his dispensary!

 

[MOAK]

Welkn

At first, I thought you were referencing a weapon. That would have really got me suspicious. I think the other stuff is legal in N.M. now. He was probably going to give you a discount card to his dispensary!

well Ya, he was referencing a weapon, as my wife would say noneyabusness

 

[FishinCrzy]

O.K. I'm a little slow. Yeah, I just assume everyone carries a weapon. Like duct tape. Don't leave home without it!

 

[Kent R]

@Magic Mike, I am sure you have a comment about this.

 

[MidOH]

He was suggesting that you carry there. Concerned for your well being. Or at least, was.

Don't mess with the locals, or they build a Halloween La La road block ahead:

 

[Magic Mike]

@Magic Mike, I am sure you have a comment about this.

Yeah he probably meant are you armed, but as most people here have said, “none your business buddy.”

I would never discuss this subject with a total stranger! It could have been a totally innocent question, or he could have been probing you!

Either way better to keep them guessing. People are afraid of the unknown

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I just assume everyone carries a weapon.

Yep.

I assume everyone is packing, and they're all out to rob me.

Stay sharp.

 

[grubworm]

he could have been probing you!

well, it did happen in new mexico...

 

[Tundracamper]

NM is one of the few states that is NOT reciprocal with my state. I’m going to UT in a few weeks and will probably buzz right thru NM. One of those states with mixed up politics.

 

[MOAK]

NM is one of the few states that is NOT reciprocal with my state. I’m going to UT in a few weeks and will probably buzz right thru NM. One of those states with mixed up politics.

You’ll be missing out then, too bad. But then again, that’s good. We’ve experienced 5 different primitive campsites in the past week and have encountered only a couple of people. The less people in the back country the better. Oddly enough we have cell service at our current sight, along with several bighorns, jack rabbits and other such critters. So far no aliens, but I am hopeful.

 

[shansonpac]

A few days ago I was gassing up in some small town in New Mexico. A fellow walked up and complimented our cruiser, trailer and set up. We talked a bit about off grid camping, where we’d been, etc. out of the blue he asked me if I carried? I took off my sunglasses looking him straight in the eye and said, dude, I quit smoking weed back in the late 70s. LOL, but he didn’t think it funny and walked off in a huff.

Great response.

 

[MOAK]

Great response.

Thank you- I thought it to be hilarious. Then again, Spending so much time alone in various camps with only my wife to bounce off of, I’ve developed a different sense of humor concerning the rat race and all of its participants! LOL

 

[Luke VC]

strange question ... good response

 

[tjZ06]

-TJ

 

[Tundracamper]

You’ll be missing out then, too bad. But then again, that’s good. We’ve experienced 5 different primitive campsites in the past week and have encountered only a couple of people. The less people in the back country the better. Oddly enough we have cell service at our current sight, along with several bighorns, jack rabbits and other such critters. So far no aliens, but I am hopeful.

See, if you think I passed thru without stopping, my scheme worked:)

Or, I just need to stay inside the vehicle:)

 

[Lothar]

I'm a backpacker as well and it seems like the firearm question routinely comes up. I think some folks have a heightened fear of being attacked by bears/mountain lions that's been spurred on by Hollywood. There have been attacks and fatalities for sure, but the risk is exceptionally low.

In Germany, negative wildlife encounters were with wild boar (they are legitimately scary) and foxes. In the US, it has overwhelmingly been mice. I know the chances aren't zero but I've never felt threatened in any of my bear encounters, and with the singular mountain lion, it was pure luck that we saw it at all as it was beating feet.

I find the further I get away from civilization, the prevalence of two legged predators drops dramatically and the folks I run into are overwhelmingly courteous and friendly. At a gas station, it's a crapshoot.
As to whether or not I would disclose if I was packing would depend on the vibe I was getting from that person and the context of how I encountered them. I'm not blanketly opposed to having the conversation with someone who's interested in discussing the safety aspects of the backcountry but I'm not going to show my hand to someone who appears to be probing me as a potential target.

 

[MOAK]

I find the further I get away from civilization, the prevalence of two legged predators drops dramatically and the folks I run into are overwhelmingly courteous and friendly.

Yes , yes & yes! It’s odd actually, we just finished a 2 week tour of the 4 corners region’s states, minus Colorado. We encountered maybe, as I recall, 10 or 12 people. I’m always asking myself, where o where are any of the OB members? I never run into any of em?