I can understand why vincent danna is amazed. Even though some cultures consider it "normal" to carry a weapon, it doesn't mean that if you come from a culture where it isn't normal, then you shouldn't voice your opposition to it.

I notice that this thread, started by an American, is asking about any difficulties in carrying a gun (the guy obviously intended to) whereas the thread on "Guns, knives and hand grenades", started by a Brit, was just asking for a view on carrying weapons - a bit different I think.

My opinion is, if you carry a gun for protection then you are prepared to use it. Anybody in that frame of mind should not be travelling the world!

No argument a different frame of mind in the two posts, - but all relevant to the thought/question of weapons. And no argument at someone being amazed!

Remember we are all here to LEARN! And kidcalavera is LEARNING how to travel safely - and without a gun.

Carrying it and actually using it are two very different things, as any self-defense instructor will tell you - but agreed, the "intention" is there.

The education people get who visit this site will make a big difference for all who feel they need a gun for protection - or SAS training - to survive "out there". Hopefully they will learn that the world isn't the big bad scary place they thought it was, and their (and I mean most, not one specific) government told them it was. A big smile, a handshake and a good attitude go a long way to solve all problems. Weapons only make a bad situation worse.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Please if you need a gun, stay at home. I’ m helping travelers since a lot of time. I heard a lot of stories. And I make a lot of friends between travelers.
I’m proud to help them, but it would be too sad hear that a traveler kill someone. Or someone was killed because take a gun.
And carrying a gun you always have that possibility.
Sandra

__________________
Javier...
Dakar Motos “ ”

I'd like to contribute to the weapons carrying debate as a few years ago I did, in a way. Whilst driving through Morrocco in my beat up old citroen I was feeling a bit insecure due to being on my own and having had a few aggresive confrontations due to the Bush/Blair combo having just invaded Iraq.
I had a penknife with me like most people but did not keep it on me as I knew I'd never be able stab anyone with it. Instead I kept a 10" adjustable spanner under the carpet of the passenger seat. I thought at the very least I would be able to wave it menacingly and even convinced myself I'd be able to cuff someone with it if they got really nasty. I now look back at my largely trouble free trip (apart from some verbal from a few eejits) and am deeply embarrased by the precaution (so please dont slag me off!)
You have to ask yourself very carefully: Are you prepared to kill someone, because thats what a gun means, are you prepared to shoot someone in the face because they want the $100 in wallet? If not why bother carrying a gun? Take a 'minimum damage' weapon like a spanner if you must (which can also be explained at customs) but be aware when you get back from your trip having met lots of great people and having had a fantastic time you'll feel a right twat for being so paranoid.
matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

It strikes me the debate has veered slightly from the original question (and quite rightly: this is an interesting and informed thread.)

The original question being:
"would there be any difficulties..."
[Answer: Yes. Get caught carrying a pistol that isn't registered, legal and declared and you will be in a LOT of trouble. Not slap-on-the-wrist trouble. *Probably* not taken-outside-and-worked-over trouble. But lock-you-up-for-your-troubles trouble.]

"...if they take away at a border crossing it won't be missed..."
[Answer: You need to look at this another way. The question is not whether the pistol will be missed. Will YOU be missed?]

Being a citizen of the US who is ashamed of Bush is a great start, by the way. Mentioning that will get you out of a few tricky situations without recourse to a weapon!

And if you can develop an appreciation of the finer points of World Cup qualifying, and name the best players in each country's national team, you're home and dry.

Long live cultural differences - or rather, long live different cultures.

__________________
www.BesideTheSeaside.eu
---I'm back. Now what?---

Mike thats rugby world cup is it

__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality

Travelling means sharing friendship with strangers.There is a risk of doing this.There are sad stories of travellers being killed...
and thats the part of not taking "caribean sea-cruiser ready to eat" vacacions.
The best weapon you can take is a smile!
my two cents
KH

__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

Hi
My girlfreind and i have ridden all over Mexico, central and south america and have been stopped by the police and the military many time´s. we have had to show all our paperwork and posessions at customs on most borders, i think carrying a gun would probably cause a lot of problems,in 20 years of travel i have yet to get into a situation were i would need one.Its up to you in the end if you want to carry a gun or not.
All the best Skip

__________________
Do the best you can with what you have,
A stranger in a strange land now heading North South East West to.....

don t forget your little prayer every day before having breakfast lunch dinner and then take the road with your gun !
have a safe full of love trip
jesus loves you !
big brother is watching you proudly spreading gun culture : you can even swap your gun against drugs and take them back home in your hidden place on the bike, big brother has been entertaining gun and drugs business for years, manipulating people.


[This message has been edited by jedi knight (edited 10 June 2005).]

[This message has been edited by jedi knight (edited 10 June 2005).]

__________________
I had survival training but couldn't use a petrol bowser, let alone ride a bike. Claudio! Claudio!

even thinking of taking a gun.........you're off your head !!

if the U.N issued you a gun way back then, that's all well and good.

your not in the U.N now, just the real world, enjoy

Don t forget to think about carrying little presents also with you :-), for help, see :
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000457.html

__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.

Have you looked in the Touratech brochure recently? On pg 13 next to the gps mounts you can now also buy mounts for your machine guns and flame-thrower. With the weight of the armaments, you're likely to need a steering damper though.
Chris



------------------
TheBrightStuffDotCom

__________________

Brighty's website: TheBrightStuffDotCom

CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Ever see 'Never Say Never Again', Connery's last outing as Bond? I reckon that Norton with the rockets could be the ultimate adventure tourer!
Matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

What would I get if I tried to take a gun into the US..a trip to Guantanamo Bay most likely!

__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality

What I find strange is that Kidcalavera says that he is studying law, so I assume he has access to legal books showing the requirements for, and repercussions of carrying a firearm in other countries.