America is exciting. And crazy.

[denno75uk]

I know alot of people here also have a scan over on POTN. Just spotted this thread and found it fascinating.
And to think, all we care about is whether or not a bag can fit our gear and sandwiches.......

See here

Wonder how many of you already know what this is going to be about.

Mods- not sure if it's ok linking to another forum. Sorry. If it's any help, I recommend people have a quicklook and then come straight back.

[bodoman]

I think we are the lucky ones, gives a whole new meaning to having a point & shoot though

[senu]

Originally Posted by bodoman

I think we are the lucky ones, gives a whole new meaning to having a point & shoot though

True.. and also to stop and search , if you have a camera bag in Public!!

[johnaalex]

I think the title should be "America is exciting. Americans are crazy"

[chrisw]

I find the idea that people are walking the streets of the US with guns to be quite scary when you stop and think about it. And why anyone would want a gun is beyond me.

[davepuma]

That's scary stuff!! A violin case would be more apt surely?

[chrisw]

A quote from that thread...

"If i know im going in a high risk zone i use one of the Newserat chestvest (www.newswear.com) that leave BOTH my sides and arms/hands free to move (I am a supporter of the double hand grip and of the double tap) and that makes me faster if the need arise and makes the camera stuff really hard to take away from me since its strapped on my chest."

Who speaks and thinks like this??!!!

[Farno]

They certainly take there shooting seriously. I'm glad there are a few thousand miles between us and them

[Beachball]

Crazy, but I did like the comment below that 'dannn' posted:

oh yeah and make sure you take out the right thing out of your bag when you want to "shoot" something..

[Peakoverload]

Suddenly being separated by 3000 miles of the Atlantic Ocean just doesnt seem far enough!

[Fozzybear]

While we are on the subject can someone recommend a backpack to hold an SLR, 3-4 lenses, a laptop and an M16 with grenade launcher (useful for duck hunting)? It really needs to sit high on the hip so it doesn't foul the quick-draw of my speed-holstered desert eagles though...

[jomike]

These attitudes to firearms must seem strange to people living in (relatively) gun free societies in Britain and Europe, but in many parts of the world these attitudes are considered normal. I was born in and lived a large part of my life in South Africa where these attitudes toward guns are considered normal. I myself refused to own a gun, but many of my family and friends owned guns. Most give the reason for owning a gun as self protection, but statistics show that you, or someone you know, are more likely to be killed by your own gun than you are saving yourself with it. The violence spawned by the gun culture is one of the main reasons I left the otherwise beautiful South Africa.

A photo my daughter's (British) boyfriend took a few years ago when we went back to South Africa for a holiday. It is the reception at Carnivores restuarant near Johannesburg. (Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area)



Mike

[chrisw]

Originally Posted by Fozzybear

While we are on the subject can someone recommend a backpack to hold an SLR, 3-4 lenses, a laptop and an M16 with grenade launcher (useful for duck hunting)? It really needs to sit high on the hip so it doesn't foul the quick-draw of my speed-holstered desert eagles though...

[denno75uk]

Originally Posted by Fozzybear

While we are on the subject can someone recommend a backpack to hold an SLR, 3-4 lenses, a laptop and an M16 with grenade launcher (useful for duck hunting)? It really needs to sit high on the hip so it doesn't foul the quick-draw of my speed-holstered desert eagles though...

Originally Posted by jomike

These attitudes to firearms must seem strange to people living in (relatively) gun free societies in Britain and Europe, but in many parts of the world these attitudes are considered normal.

Damn straight it seems strange. It's a massive cultural difference. And considering the pervasiveness of American culture, when you read things like that thread you realise how different they actually are.

Originally Posted by jomike

A photo my daughter's (British) boyfriend took a few years ago when we went back to South Africa for a holiday. It is the reception at Carnivores restuarant near Johannesburg. (Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area)



Mike

In this case I don't know what's scarier. Sitting in a room full of armed diners, or having a weapons cache behind the bar.

[senu]

Putting things in context though, the freedom to own and use Guns is not universally welcome even in the USA and folk in some areas tend to want to exercise this right .. far more than others.
The debates on the interpretation of the US Constitutions' second amendment ( which supposedly guarantees the right to bear firearms) are never ending
I have a lot of relatives ( brother sister , In laws ect) who are Americans, none of whom has the slightest interest in firearms

I lived in Michigan during my high school years and Junior college for ( 7 years) and truly did not see that many guns apart from with Law enforcement officers

And even there it is illegal to have and conceal a firearm in several places

What is very true and is striking to those not in the "culture" is what Mike (Jomike) has said: it is illusory to feel that having one is protective, the culture of allowing folk own them fairly freely means deaths from gunshot wounds will simply be far more common (whether one owns one or not)

I have also lived in Nigeria where guns are deemed illegal but are nonetheless far less uncommon than here. The result is petty scores being settled by firearms and gun related crime is less uncommon

In the United States there is a fascination with guns not unlike one with other gadgets ect: cars, motorbikes ( Cameras.) .
They say Guns dont kill people do: crazy Logic but dont dare argue thier "right" to bear firearms and uphold their rights to defend themselves when nessesary

I for one totally welcome any moves to keep the gun culture off these shores