• BeardededSquidward@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      9 days ago

      Not just bears and really there’s better ways to deal with bears generally to avoid confrontation with them as well as other critters. Still, there’s definitely instances where people will want to be carrying regardless for self protection. Hiking in remote areas you should have a rifle, farmers in the more rural areas of the country are likely to have something to deal with coyotes, wolves, bears, etc. that may threaten them or their live stock. I remember seeing a youtube video about living far north in Alaska that when it’s time to take the dogs out to do their business they bring a high powered rifle for polar bears. But me going to my local game store, there’s no real reason to be packing. ESPECIALLY open carry.

      • E_coli42@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Sure. Take it as a privilege that you live in a safe area then. My grandma for example grew up in a monarchy where I find it completely justifiable that she and her family all carried weapons to fend off the government, invaders, etc. If you don’t have a functioning police and democracy in your State, guns are often your best way at protecting your family and the defensless against injustice. Maybe if her husband had a gun, he wouldn’t have been killed by the police. My grandma’s brother still carries a sword that’s hidden in his cane lol.

        I live in the US which is safe for 99+% of people so your average Joe owning a gun would almost always do more harm then good here, so I’ve never considered buying a gun. Well, at least assuming ICE doesn’t raid my city. Then I might buy a gun and open carry to defend my fellow Americans against ICE terrorists.

    • doingthestuff@lemy.lol
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      9 days ago

      Yeah I’ve had the tent I was sleeping in broken by a bear while solo backpacking. I didn’t end up needing to shoot it but I always carry bear spray and a gun when I’m solo camping in bear country.