BajaNomad - Safer in California?

Safer in California?

SteveD - 4-17-2009 at 01:13 PM

We live in Long Beach, California. A couple of months ago there was a gang shooting at a flower store by a cemetary about 4 blocks from our house. Yesterday there was a shooting (3 dead) at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where my wife works. Im glad we will be driving to Baja for a week this Sunday so I can feel safe.

Relative Safety

MrBillM - 4-17-2009 at 01:28 PM

One of the reasons I left the Big City (Los Angeles in my case) back in 1970 and never looked back was the crime factor.

Bad guys are everywhere, of course, and it pays to be prepared to deal with them.

Two nights ago up here in the High Desert, we had Gale force winds all night, knocking out the power for 2.5 hours and bringing down Light Standards in Shopping Center parking lots.

During the worst of it, I heard some banging outside in MY yard. Assuming, but not knowing, that it was the wind, I picked up my Browning Hi-Power, checked the round in the chamber and went out to look around. Nothing there.

Can't do that in Baja.

Bajahowodd - 4-17-2009 at 04:45 PM

That's just a wonderful reason for not going to Baja. I assume that the rest of the folks in your trailer park are similarly armed. I can just envision a Marx brothers-like scene where you all shoot each other.

fishbuck - 4-17-2009 at 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveD
We live in Long Beach, California. A couple of months ago there was a gang shooting at a flower store by a cemetary about 4 blocks from our house. Yesterday there was a shooting (3 dead) at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where my wife works. Im glad we will be driving to Baja for a week this Sunday so I can feel safe.

You live in Long Beach (Wrong Beach) . That's different than California. :lol:

CaboRon - 4-17-2009 at 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
That's just a wonderful reason for not going to Baja. I assume that the rest of the folks in your trailer park are similarly armed. I can just envision a Marx brothers-like scene where you all shoot each other.

Dyslexia ?

MrBillM - 4-17-2009 at 05:41 PM

HowOdd ?:

"That's just a wonderful reason for not going to Baja. I assume that the rest of the folks in your trailer park are similarly armed. I can just envision a Marx brothers-like scene where you all shoot each other".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Help me out here. Although I've been around a number of Special-Ed types and can "usually" figure out their Jabber, How does packing heat at home in El Norte relate to reason for going, or not going, to Baja ?

As far as the "Semper Paratus" yard patrol, I've followed that practice for 40 years + with no dead neighbors to show for it yet. Never know, though. I can't think of any reason why a neighbor would be in my yard late at night. No good reason, anyway.

So far, I've only had two neighbors take a shot in the immediate neighborhood. One directly across the street who decided it was checkout time and sucked a .44 Magnum in his driveway one early a.m. He didn't want to leave a mess in the house. I regret my decision not to walk over and check it out only because a friend and neighbor who did (and later hosed down the driveway) told me I'd missed an interesting sight. He said the the skull looked like it had been vacuumed out. He was told by the cops that it was common, especially with a Large-Caliber. The expanding gases blow everything straight out. Not like in the movies.

The other shooting in years past was a "No Harm-No Foul". My next-door neighbor at the time objected to another neighbor across the street putting up a Mercury Vapor Yard Light, claiming it kept him awake at night. After being ignored by the guy with the light numerous times, he got a load on one night and went over with his .357 and started blasting away. Standing almost directly under it, he missed with three shots. He did admit the next day to being VERY drunk. Worked out OK, though. Scared the crap out of the other guy so he refused to press charges and DID turn off the light.

All's well that ends well.

Back when we started going to Baja for longer periods, my wife's retard son came over one night to check out the house. That same "Lights Out" neighbor saw him and didn't know who he was so he grabbed his .357 and went over to check it out. When we came back the following week, he came over to apologize for pulling a gun on the kid. I told him he had nothing to apologize for and I was glad he was looking out for things. Told him I'd do the same for him. Afterwards, as a standing joke whenever he left town he'd say "Ain't nobody else belongs over there. If you see somebody, shoot them".

It was funny at the time.

Fred - 4-17-2009 at 05:44 PM

SteveD...........I grew up in Long Beach (Boy did I grow) and back in the 50's with the car clubs it was not very safe. Only Belmont Shores.

Bajahowodd - 4-17-2009 at 05:46 PM

"retard son". I really don't have to say anything else.

Calling a Spade a Spade

MrBillM - 4-17-2009 at 06:13 PM

AND I Always Do.

Unfortunately, he IS a Dullard.

Fortunately, he isn't MINE. His father was a Marine. No further explanation necessary.

Unfortunately, he IS a financial drag at times. At 45, he's maxed out as a career Janitor or unemployed.

Fortunately, my wife is an easy-going person and doesn't (usually) bridle at my referring to him as such. It's difficult to get too angry over the truth.

Unfortunately, Our Fed, State and County Welfare system doesn't have any room for Single White Males and I've given up hope that he'll find some gal dumb enough to marry, make kids and go on Welfare.

Cypress - 4-17-2009 at 06:18 PM

Used to pack a 9mm auto down in the deep south USA.

Sort of a personal insurance policy. :rolleyes:

Bajahowodd - 4-17-2009 at 11:40 PM

Bounty hunting, or tourism?

BajaDove - 4-18-2009 at 06:28 AM

Could you give me specific locations. Next time I meet a bandito that wants a gun I can tell him where a couple of "" will be running around with big guns in the middle of the night.
Seems like when there's a robbery in the neighborhood It's the house that owns a gun gets it.

woody with a view - 4-18-2009 at 06:40 AM

Quote:

Unfortunately, Our Fed, State and County Welfare system doesn't have any room for Single White Males and I've given up hope that he'll find some gal dumb enough to marry, make kids and go on Welfare.

i'd say fortunately. as it is the gene pool will dry up.... with a pocket full of cash Jr might catch the eye of some misguided philly and create an entire litter of "dullards" :lol:

.....

David K - 4-18-2009 at 07:24 AM

Bill, I guess howodd doesn't realize that law abiding citizens with guns makes a place safe from thugs.

The highest crime rate in the US is in cities with the toughest gun laws! Washington DC for example... When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.

How likely is some thug going to try and rob you if he knows you have a gun vs. if he knows you don't have a gun? :wow:

What is a better scenario: You hear criminals breaking into your house, and you are armed OR dialing 911 and hoping the police get there before you are dead??? :rolleyes:

BajaDove - 4-18-2009 at 08:24 AM

Guns should be registered with a ballistics report and every owner should be held responsible for its use. You loose it you better report it. Why should guns be more privileged than cars?

bajalou - 4-18-2009 at 09:02 AM

Australia is a good example of disarming the citizens. Crime rate has risen dramatically since they spent a ton of money getting the guns from law abiding citizens. And some politicians are wondering why.

Doves

MrBillM - 4-18-2009 at 09:31 AM

Although I don't hunt (for the most part), I've heard that Dove Hunting is a Popular sport. I can understand why.

I'd like to see some statistical evidence to support BabyDove's statement that: "Seems like when there's a robbery in the neighborhood It's the house that owns a gun gets it".

Reading my local paper, I've never noticed that to be the case. In fact, my reading indicates that the opposite is usually true regarding Burglaries and Home Invasion robberies, usually with BAD results for the Victims. BUT, I'm sure that the BD one has read it in some Loopy Lefty Rag or Blog and accepts it as true.

Or, just as likely, it's something he/she made up. Liberals aren't known for Truth-Telling.

BTW, If Little BD wants to direct any Bad Guys in search of guns my way, that's OK. As I said, when strangers come on to my property, I "assume" they're BAD until I know different. UPS, Fed Ex and the Postal Guy excepted. Of course, I see them so much every week that I know most of them.

Someone could write a hefty volume on the number of people I've greeted at the front door with a weapon in my hand, although I usually hide that hand behind the door, except when the Jehovah's show up.

Nothing discourages them, though. The same ones come back again and again. Even after I've told them to "get the F off my property".

That one DID upset my wife. She'll stand there and talk as long as they want to and end up with an armful of propaganda.

I may have scared off the Mormons, though. I haven't seen one of those in a long time.

[Edited on 4-18-2009 by MrBillM]

David K - 4-18-2009 at 09:35 AM

You crack me up Bill... :lol:

Bajahowodd - 4-18-2009 at 10:53 AM

A-Hah! Just figured out why congress didn't renew the assualt weapons ban. So more people can go dove hunting.
:lol:

BajaDove - 4-18-2009 at 11:50 AM

I don't want to take your gun away. I just want it to be responsible. If you're going to hunt hthis dove please use a registered gun.
I took that statistic from a neighborhood I used to live in. Two homes were burgled both had guns, that were bragged about, in the nightstand.

Bajahowodd - 4-18-2009 at 12:10 PM

I find it interesting that at the meeting in Mexico City, Calderone's two biggest requests of Obama were to reinstitute the assault weapons ban and to re-visit the cross-border trucking issue. We are seemingly willing to provide huge amounts of money and are ramping up our own border security, and all he wants are those two small things.

TWO ?

MrBillM - 4-18-2009 at 12:18 PM

WOW. That's an impressive statistical data base.

Close enough for Government and Liberal work, I suppose.

Using a polling pool of that size, I think we can probably prove any point desired.

Why wouldn't you?

Dave - 4-18-2009 at 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaDove
You loose it you better report it.

I personally know of several guns in Baja that were reported stolen...

By their current owners.

BajaDove - 4-18-2009 at 01:49 PM

If you're conservative I'm sure you know all about rigging polls, MrBillM. Love your dog.
I only know of one stolen gun in Baja but I'm sure there are many.

Bajahowodd - 4-18-2009 at 03:50 PM

If? Reactionary comes to mind.

[Edited on 4-18-2009 by Bajahowodd]

Paladin - 4-18-2009 at 04:19 PM

""Guns should be registered with a ballistics report and every owner should be held responsible for its use. You loose it you better report it. Why should guns be more privileged than cars? """

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Darn good question buddy.

Read the 2nd Amendment and the Heller decision.

The answer is very clear.

bajalou - 4-18-2009 at 05:57 PM

When I grew up, it was not uncommon to bring guns to school, in the car to go hunting or just plinking before or after school. Half of the kids (boys and girls) belonged to the gun club and learned to shoot and care for guns. This town-school was not out of the ordinary. Never heard of a incident of someone using a gun for something like Columbine. The punishment for crimes was believed to be sure and quick.

I don't think Switzerland is a third rate contry, but it has required all citizens to be armed.

The knowledge that the victim might be armed is a great deterrent to crime.

"Owning guns does not ensure freedom. Especially if those guns are anonymous."

The framers of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence felt protection from the government was as important as from any foreign nation. (Jefferson and Webster)

It's pretty obvious when we forget history, we repeat it. (Look at the banking de-regulation for proof of this)

It is very simplistic to think that removing guns (or registering guns) of private citizens will reduce crime. Australia is proving the fallacy of this thinking right now.

805gregg - 4-18-2009 at 06:01 PM

Quote:

Your delusional, Baja safer, your going to travel through TJ where eight headless bodies were dumped next to an elementary school, past Rosarito Beach where a cop was beheaded this week, past El Sauzal where 19 people men women and children were exicuted, past Cuarto Cases where a surfer was robbed and his girl friend was raped while he watched, past El Rosario where 2 gringos were bludgeoned to death in their sleeping bags, and recently a shootout at a restruant killed incocent bystanders, then through Mulege where a family was plane jacked at gun point, then past San Nicolas wher an old gringo was stabbed to death so hard it broke 2 ribs, on to Loreto where last week 2 gringos were car jacked at gun point . Maybe you continue on to Cabo where I saw Mexicanos smoking crack right on the malecon in Sept. Are you feeling safer yet? I always feel different when I cross the border into Baja, but safer, no not really, no police support means criminals don't get caught, so whats to stop them. I love going to Baja but after 43 years I watch my a$$ when south, and I am safer in my own little town. Have a good trip, and Long Beach is not a safe town, hasn't been for years.

[Edited on 4-19-2009 by 805gregg]

[Edited on 4-19-2009 by 805gregg]

Dove Logic

MrBillM - 4-18-2009 at 08:54 PM

"I only know of one stolen gun in Baja but I'm sure there are many".

OK, I only know of a few dumb things you've said, but (applying Dove reason), I'm SURE there are many.

But, then I'm supposed (today) to be a "Reactionary". So far, Odd has used that twice.

I'm shaking at the gravity of such an Insult. It may keep me awake tonight.

Remember.

Just because you're Paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get you.

Anyone who thinks that we're being Paranoid should listen to what UpChuck Shumer wants to do with Firearms legislation.

Bajahowodd - 4-18-2009 at 11:16 PM

Gregg wants to take incidents that occurred over many months, perhaps even years and seamlessly put them together like they all happened yesterday. And I still want to know who needs an assault weapon in their garage or car.

Devices and Desires

MrBillM - 4-19-2009 at 10:01 AM

Need is NOT the point and should not be determined by others absent proof of some danger to others by THAT Individual.

There are NO statistics that indicate the LEGAL ownership of an Assault Rifle contributes significantly to ANY incidence of crime.

Of Course, there are very FEW Assault Rifles Legally-Owned in the U.S. and the cost of owning one is substantial due to the price and paperwork of a Federal Class III license. In many states, it isn't even possible. California is one.

That's BECAUSE one defined attribute of an Assault Weapon is the capability for Full-Auto Fire. There are a lot of Rifles around that "Resemble" an Assault Rifle, but are not. The Assault weapons BAN basically outlawed so-called "UGLY" weapons that had characteristics resembling Assault Rifles such as a Handgrip, Folding Stock, Flash-Hider, Muzzle-Break, etc. and the whole debate was filled with ignorance and misinformation. A Flash-Hider, for instance, was decried by the Shumer-Feinstein cabal as allowing a shooter to fire from a hidden position without detection. In reality, the purpose of a Flash-Hider is to hide it from the SHOOTER.

Although MOST people won't even discuss it on the "We'll be Next" theory, there are many rifles that will do everything the so-called Assault Rifles will do that DON'T have that resemblence. My favorite, the Ruger Mini-14, is probably the best example. It "Looks" like a "Normal" rifle, But fires the same round as the M-16 (or the AK-47 in one version) and hanles better, at least for a Left-Hander like me.

BTW, all of this talk about the "HIGH-POWER" Assault Rifles is nonsense. One attribute of said, is that it is chambered in a "Moderate" round so that it is easily fired off-the-shoulder. A good old .30-06 round will go places no .556 or 7.62x39 will .

Paladin - 4-19-2009 at 10:31 AM

The Heller decision was the result of 5 Judges that could read English.
4 Judges apparently have a hard time with simple English

BajaGringo - 4-19-2009 at 11:06 AM

My son-in-law is in law enforcement in central California and has had his personal vehicle in Bakersfield broken into twice in the last year. Many cops carry guns in their personal vehicles and he is quite sure that is what they were after as the stereo and everything else was left intact. It happens.

I have had the experience of living on many parts of this planet, some going through civil war, crumbling governments / economies and witnessed up close a military coup and another just miles away. I narrowly missed a bullet that broke out the back passenger window of my car driving by a demonstration once and vividly remember running for my life to seek shelter from a charging pro-marxist crowd throwing rocks and bottles. I have had vehicles stolen, my home broken into and my business robbed so many times I lost count. Those events happened in Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia and California, not Mexico.

Perhaps that life experience is what taught me to prepare for and survive the reality of life here today in Mexico. I am always aware of my surroundings and look for the warning signs of trouble. They are there but most just don't pay attention or know the signs to look for. Although we have never met, Woooosh strikes me as one who has come to learn those signs as well. I have gone to a lot of effort to create friendships and alliances with those who have political, military and economic power in this country so that in the event something does happen, I / my family have more options. Speaking fluent Spanish certainly doesn't hurt either.

I have come to the conclusion that nowhere is "safe" on this planet. We are living through great social-economic changes on a global level and increased violence is a product of those changes. I honestly feel just as safe north of the border as south of the border, but not because of what is going on around me. Random violence can get anyone, anywhere, anytime. I am just much more in control of my own situation wherever I go and I firmly believe that is what keeps me safe, north and south of the border.

If you do decide to keep a gun with you (north or south of the border) just make sure that you know how to use it and train yourself on the many, many scenarios that could happen to prepare for when and how you would use it. There is a reason that law enforcement spends so much time training their officers for such events to be sure they will know when to hesitate pulling the trigger and when not to. Just keeping a gun hidden away in the closet may not provide you any greater protection if you don't know what to do with it. I have witnessed many people who own guns but are terrified themselves of handling them. Those folks are a danger to themselves IMHO.

YMMV

David K - 4-19-2009 at 11:33 AM

Ditto to what Ron said!!! :bounce:

Si Si !

MrBillM - 4-19-2009 at 12:49 PM

GUN CONTROL is hitting the target.

I've always told people who do ALL of their shooting at Cans or Paper targets that they should do as I do and create scenarios where you practice real-life sorts of defense situations.

I will admit that it's a lot easier living out in the desert where there are still locations where you can do that within a 30 minute drive. Up in the big city, you're pretty much limited to ranges most of the time.

On the other hand, it is true that the defensive situation MOST people will find themselves in will be the one where somebody is on their property or in their house threatening them within 30 feet or less.

That's why, in addition to having a handgun next to the bed, I've got a short-barrel pump shotgun behind the bedroom door.

The SECOND most important thing is to be familiar and fairly accurate with the weapon. The MOST important thing is Mental Attitude. You have to be prepared to NOT Talk, NOT attempt to use the weapon as a magic wand to discourage the Bad Guy, but shoot and aim Center-Mass for the best chance of ending the threat. Too many people try to "discourage" or "wing" and end up missing. It's a tool like any other with a specific purpose.

BajaGringo - 4-19-2009 at 02:14 PM

We agree there - if you make a decision to pull the trigger it had better be to kill. My son-in-law will tell you that on the range he has changed his target firing style. Instead of sending multiple-rapid shots all center mass, he makes a line going up from center mass. His job has included a lot of field time in areas with high concentrations of narco-gangs and has come across many wearing body armor. He figures that going up in direction will get a neck/head shot just in case a body shot is stopped. I have shot with him on the range and he is deadly accurate at 30 yards with his 9mm.

My problem is with folks having guns who are not trained to use them and have to think about how to get the safety off or how to release a clip. When somebody tells me they own a gun I always ask to see it. You would be surprised at how many of them have hesitated for a moment when I ask them to perform those two simple maneuvers. Those are the folks that shouldn't own guns IMHO.

I firmly believe that if you are going to allow gun ownership, training and periodic refresher courses should be required. Just like driving a car. I strongly believe that it would greatly increase the chances of a gun being fired at the right time and with greater accuracy as well as reduce unfortunate incidents / accidents.

But what do I know...

Bajahowodd - 4-19-2009 at 03:03 PM

But what about all the crazies? Matters not if they are just angry, or paranoid. As far as I know, such people are able to obtain guns. Why shouldn't there be a more rigorous test for gun ownership? I know there are plenty of people who abide in the false reality that it's OK because I'm a better marksman. Good luck.

BajaGringo - 4-19-2009 at 03:23 PM

Hopefully they would be picked up in the process of background checks, training and certification. That is why I support that idea although I know it isn't popular with many...