you're getting shot at all the time in Thurston County huh?

Check the crime stats in State and National parks. The crooks go there too.

Fear an paranoia is a bit over the top. Much like my description of those that think it won't happen to them, the Ostrich syndrome. “America passes the critical gate test. Open the gate and see where people go – in or out. This is still the country people flock to.” George Will

Here 

and here

“America passes the critical gate test. Open the gate and see where people go – in or out. This is still the country people flock to.” George Will

the right to carry firearms when in the wilderness areas. In fact, I would really prefer a mandatory open carry for all firearms in these areas.

Safety, to me, is a relative term.  The stupid people in the wilderness are probably as dangerous with a beer bottle and a car as they are with a gun.

I think back to an earlier thread - recipe for disaster:  Take one stupid person, add gun and ammo, shake mildly and you have a stupid gun owner that is dangerous

If any of you have ever been to Olympic Game Farm in Sequim, you know that it is a drive through exhibit.  Many years ago, the former Mrs. Larry, sons Erik and Jason, my good friend Gary (whom you all knew by now) and myself are driving through and enjoy the scenery. 

We came up to the grizzly bear exhibit and sure as heck, there were three right next to the electric fence.  We owned a GMC camper van so we opened the rolling side door for Gary and the boys to get a good look and take pictures.  The woman formerly known as Mrs Larry was nervous saying that she was....uh....in season... and knew that grizzlies would attack women during their menstrual cycle.  Thus we began to drive away.

All of a sudden, this huge grizzly stood up on its back paws.......and WAVED BYE-BYE

A little further down the road, I stopped and asked Gary to hand me the camera to get a picture of the loose buffalo.  By the time I turned back, he had his head in my window.

I now know the meaning of "buffalo breath".

Certain men here have expressed interest in the feminine perspective on guns, so here's mine.

Some have called me a liberal feminist chick, but I would not feel safe camping or hiking in any of the forests on this side of the Cascades w/o a gun.  We're just too close to large population centers over here, and the possibility of encountering human "wildlife" is a real concern for me as a woman who's never been able to scare anybody. 

I grew up in eastern wash., and I remember camping many times w/ my family mostly in northeastern OR where there were no developed campgrounds and no other folks around to encounter.  My parents and their friends brought guns along, and they would attach paper plates to pine trees to use as targets, and we all took turns shooting w/ whatever guns they brought.  So, having guns along was for recreation more than protection.  But, I've never been anyplace in western wash. that you didn't have to share the woods w/ other people, and sometimes they've been kinda different, shall we say?

I've never shot an animal, and I hope I never have to.  Feel the same way about people.  I know cats pretty well, and I think A Larry's idea about the air horn would work well w/ them  and bears, and it would be a lot less messy. 

The idea I was raised with regarding guns is that nobody needs to know what you've got unless and until you're ready to use it.  And if it comes to that, you'd better be damn sure of what you're doing.

you must admit that violating a law that you are aware of is not much different that civil disodedience.

Wouldn't the prudent answer to be "get the law changed"?  Isn't that what we told the protestors?

For consistancy sake, I'd suggest that no one consciously violate a law.

Yes, I do not speed.  I own cruise control on both of my cars and I know that speeding doesn't really get you from point A to point B much faster than just driving the speed limit or the flow of traffic.

if I get caught, it's the cost of doing business. Just like when I rode my sportbike at speeds deep into triple digits for long periods of time, if I got caught, chaulk it up to the hobby.

“America passes the critical gate test. Open the gate and see where people go – in or out. This is still the country people flock to.” George Will

I'm guessing you mean my now defunct hobby, sportbikes? Only if I'm reckless, and contrary to what some cops will tell you speed alone is not reckless.

“America passes the critical gate test. Open the gate and see where people go – in or out. This is still the country people flock to.” George Will

I guess I'm assuming that triple digit speed is not being done on logging roads (which are traveled by others, also) or trails (which are used by foot traffic), thus you are using the same piece of road that others are driving at normal rates of speed, which in turn IS wreckless.

Check into the number of serious accidents in the dunes area of Oregon on ATVs and such, due strictly to unreasonable rates of speed, thus lack of control.

I have a friend that lives in constant pain, has lost his ability to work, much less function, due to an accident there.

Norm's post here, so if we are going to debate this we should start a new thread. But I don't see much point in debating. You won't change my mind, nor me yours. I will say that as long as you take traffic and conditions into account you can drive at elevated speeds safely.

I was never one to weave in and out of heavy traffic, etc. Also if I was deep in triple digits and approached another vehicle, I didn't fly by them I slowed down, went completely by them at a reasonable speed and then slowly dialed it on.

My father is 72 years old and still rides a Hayabusa like it was designed to be ridden. So I guess I come by it naturally. Also, no collisions for either of us.

Can things go wrong, yes. But most if not all the risk was mine to bear.

That is history now though. I'm guessing I won't be able to break 65 mph on the Hardknock Kikker 5150, so don't worry I won't suck your headlights out when I pass you!!

“America passes the critical gate test. Open the gate and see where people go – in or out. This is still the country people flock to.” George Will