sv3noKin51E

Whether one is over 65, 85 or 25, it's a personal choice to protect yourself, enjoy your life and your art. Retaining your confidence, self-respect and skills and alway be self-ware, whether shooting with your camera or firearm. One shouldn't have to go out alone, so take a friend or assistant on your trek. Hikers, climbers, and nature-loving photographers sometimes believe park rangers will come to their aid, but the park authorities are few and far between; and most aren't armed. Criminals know this and prey on the unprotected, no matter the setting. The police always arrive after a crime, usually after lives are taken and news vans are on site. After a crime scene is secured. a show is made by the news media of police marching victims away with hands held over their heads. As the police have always admitted, they can't protect your life. Cell phone coverage isn't universal and a sat phone or a satellite locator beacon has saved many lives when people go it alone.

A life is sacred, but criminals don't care about your life after relieving you of your expensive property; they generally don't like leaving witnesses who might testify against them if they're ever caught. If you have any identifying information in your camera bag, criminals will make a second visit. The choices are, to protect yourself or barricade the doors. We continue to make photographs in beautiful places but if it comes to it, we'll protect ourselves. In God We Trust, and though He may have made men free, Sam Colt helped to even the playing field between armed criminals and citizens. Some people aren't willing to protect themselves or are anti-gun. It sounds nice when politicians preach gun control, but they tend to have several armed guards. For the rest of us, situational awareness, firearm training and quick reaction time, can save one's life. Deadly force is a final resort, never to be taken lightly. Accepting that we still have some individual freedoms to choose, we can still make the ultimate difference, to live and enjoy our golden-years. Carefully consider all of your freedom, your right of self-protection and all other options, then follow your conscience and convictions; live long, prosper and good luck, sv.

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

Definitely understand your concern. Alaska offers tons of wildlife and beautiful landscapes to photograph. In a word it all comes down to situational awareness. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and carry a cell phone.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

jwest Loc: South Dakota

At 70 I guess I am luckier than some. I am a Vietnam Vet, an NRA Instructor, and have stayed in relatively good health and physical condition. Even with PTSD and associated anxieties I have always pushed myself to go and do those things I don’t really want to do. I’m not going to miss out on any of life’s experiences if I can help it.

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

I think Country Boy makes a good point about carrying. I almost always carry when I hike. But I have mine with me more for wildlife than anything else. Bears are my worst nightmare, and I have my weapon and spray when I hike. Mainly in WI, where black bear populations are growing.

Two other things: invest in a good pair of hiking boots. In the fall with leaves and moisture, trails can get very slippery. I bought a good pair a couple years ago, and they are great on wet trails. Finally, I use an App on my iPhone called AllTrails. It’s great for research and keeping you on track once you start your hike. Not all trails are well marked, and I have found this app to be especially helpful.

DennisC. Loc: Antelope, CA

If you live in Sacramento county it is reasonably easy to get a CCW permit.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I'm not usually packing heat, but do carry a large knife (remember Crocodile Dundee in the 1st movie) - robber pulls knife -(CD) that's not a knife - smiles, pulls his out, "Now, that's a knife" !!! If I'm somewhere that I feel uncomfortable, I usually have a little 5 shot .22 mag locked in the glove box, probably should go ahead and get a CC permit. I generally see and hear that the greater danger these days is in normal public places, store parking lots, bank lots, anywhere there are cash machines (especially after dark).

Indeed, my wife was victim to a purse snatcher some years ago in the walking path/nature park of a famous restaurant nearby - family reunion, after the meal everyone went for a walk in the "Butterfly Garden" area, the group was quite spread out (I was behind as I was paying and purchasing a memento for my wife), no one paid attention to two thugs in hoodies sitting on a park bench (I always found that odd), everyone had passed by them until my wife and sister-n-law walked by....one swooped out and grabbed her purse and to his surprise, momma wouldn't let go. So he dragged her down screaming and hollering, soon the entire family group was closing on him so he made a run, my wife injured her knee, my brother nearly tackled him, but missed and slammed into a concrete wall (cuts and bruises), and nephew got some scratches.
I got there in time to miss the whole deal!! He didn't get her purse. She has a 10% disability with that knee, still has pain on occasion.

This place had a paid deputy on site, but he spent his time hanging around inside and the building perimeter - no help. Point is, it can happen anywhere, just stay aware and try not to look like a target!

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

By the way, there have been comments here suggesting that we are old farts. I resent that. A little respect please. I prefer to identify as an elderly flatulent.

Thank you.

Bob Locher

PeterBergh

That statement can land you in deep legal doo-doo. You must always shoot to stop, not to kill. The reason is that your statement can and will be interpreted that you intended to commit murder after deliberation -- at a minimum life in prison.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Seniors in general are easy prey for thugs. However we must not live in fear either. Whatever weapon or deterrent you plan to use, you have to be ready to use it. I think the best suggestion is to be among people, whether friends you know, a photography club or in a busy park. I would say a gun is extreme and takes practice to use it. But a concealed pepper spray can in your left or right pocket (depending on whether you are left or right handed) might be the best bet (against unarmed thugs only). Get two, one to practice on a dummy target in a safe area away from people or animals. So when and if you need to use it you can be confident.

Also make sure you record your photo gear (pictures with serial numbers) so if and when it is stolen you have something to give to the police - and don't fight any armed thugs - just give them the gear.

DonB Loc: Port Royal , Tn

So, in other words, let the bad guys win!!!! All it takes is ONE generation accepting the bad guys and that freedom is LOST> I hate to think what the past generations who GAVE ALL would think of your concept, at least as I read it.

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

Sometimes you have to le the bad guys win - win the battle - but not the war. Being heroically dead is not terribly rewarding.

juanbalv Loc: Los Angeles / Hawthorne

I think the 1911 takes great pictures.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Some old folks can be pretty feisty - I remember a friend I worked with who had a minor fender bender initiated by a much older "gentleman". As he got out of his car he yelled at the old fella while approaching, he "scared" the older man, so the old fella pulled out a pistol and shot him point blank, he turned away and luckily only had his elbow shattered. Even though this was before Florida's "stand your ground" law, my friends lawyer told him that the old man's fear would probably win in court. He didn't pursue, considered it an important life lesson.