Not a gun guy...but...

[msb]

I am not a gun guy. I have nothing against guns, gun owners, or the belief of those who feel it necessary to carry guns wherever they go. I've just never felt the desire or need to own one, either for hobby or for my and my family's protection. Even during my extensive business and motorcycle travel through many parts of the US over the decades, I've never come close to a situation where I felt unprotected.
I thought that some of this board's regular participants though might be interested to see a photo from my eldest daughter's recent wedding (youngest daughter is to her right)....ya the girls are cute...but how about them accessories, eh??? Yes carrying handguns is illegal in his country, but owning legal guns and hunting is certainly a significant part of our culture.


 My new son in law is a fine young man, a Canadian army vet with two tours in Afganistan under his belt, and an avid hunter and gun enthusiast. He and my daughter now live up in Northern BC and hunt and target shoot together. Visiting them this Summer and hiking off through the back country as I like to do on my own fly fishing endeavours, I must admit that I felt a lot more confident (and believe me...so did my better half) with daughter and son in law along with their short barrel shotguns along for protection as we hiked through the habitats of bears & cougars. Maybe being a gun owner is in the future for me after all... if it means my bride and fishing partner will not be so hard to convince to venture further up the river next time 

[Jess from VA]

Great picture. 

I guess the groom getting cold feet and running off was out of the question.   

[Wetrudgeon]

Left to right:
Daisey lever action BB gun; bolt action .22 (can't discern brand); pump action shotgun (unable to discern brand or bore); Ruger 10/22 semi auto rifle; Springfield M1A rifle in 7.62 NATO.  The girls are cute too.

msb:  Certainly respect your decision not to own a firearm.  Here's hoping you never need one.

We trudge on.

[MP]

What a shame.  Canada trusts this young man with full auto weapons, grenades, and possibly trained on much more potent weapons.

Yet, they make him carry a short barrel shotgun for bear defense, instead of a .44 mag or a .500 handgun.

 Just can't trust a man like that with a handgun! Might just decide to murder someone. (sarcasm font)

[msb]

What a shame.  Canada trusts this young man with full auto weapons, grenades, and possibly trained on much more potent weapons.

Yet, they make him carry a short barrel shotgun for bear defense, instead of a .44 mag or a .500 handgun.

 Just can't trust a man like that with a handgun! Might just decide to murder someone. (sarcasm font)

Sarcasm font acknowledged    To clarify, he owns handguns as well, and is authorized to use them in his duty as a by-law officer in the north - they are not illegal in Canada, just more restrictions. The shotguns are specifically designed for back country bush-wacking (easy to carry on the backpack and use in tight spaces (brush, etc.), and are his weapons of choice for that purpose- both he and my daughter are trained wildlife technologists and avid hunters and back-country adventurers.

[Mr Whiskey]

Yet, they make him carry a short barrel shotgun for bear defense, instead of a .44 mag or a .500 handgun.

Why would you want any hand gun in bear country as opposed to a good slug gun?
Jus' curious.

[MarkT]

Yet, they make him carry a short barrel shotgun for bear defense, instead of a .44 mag or a .500 handgun.

Why would you want any hand gun in bear country as opposed to a good slug gun?
Jus' curious.

I like carrying a Super Blackhawk (.44mag hogleg) on a Galco hunting chest rig in bear country.  Leaves hands free and it has plenty of knockdown power. I used to hunt with it - it's accurized and I developed some powerful and accurate handloads for it.  Can hit a paper plate at 100 yds consistently.  AND - It's Pee Loosely and Shotgun Joe APPROVED.

[Master Blaster]

For a chest rig where size is not a factor, I believe I would rather carry my BFR in 45/70.  Did carry the Ruger on the hip when doing the Alaskan thing many years ago, and loved it

[Mr Whiskey]

Yet, they make him carry a short barrel shotgun for bear defense, instead of a .44 mag or a .500 handgun.

Why would you want any hand gun in bear country as opposed to a good slug gun?
Jus' curious.

I like carrying a Super Blackhawk (.44mag hogleg) on a Galco hunting chest rig in bear country.  Leaves hands free and it has plenty of knockdown power. I used to hunt with it - it's accurized and I developed some powerful and accurate handloads for it.  Can hit a paper plate at 100 yds consistently.  AND - It's Pee Loosely and Shotgun Joe APPROVED.

Single action, yes? Old school 
Of course you mean "used to", before it sank right 
Nice rig!