Camper attacked (Raton: 2009, lawyer, to live)

[rruff]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

confinement or incarceration is now viewed as the only appropriate punishment and its not working.

Yup... we have the highest % of our population in prison of any country in the world... 10 times as much as most civilized countries. And yet we have a lot more crime as well. I have a feeling that "excalating the war" isn't going to help a bit. What would you propose?

[highdesertmutz]

Originally Posted by Vinegaroon

Tia:

In NM, you can use deadly force to defend yourself if you are in immediate danger of death or great bodily harm, and the apparent danger would have caused a reasonable person in the same circumstances to act in the manner you did.

For example, if I am camping, and some rogues show up to my camp site brandishing weapons, and I have a reasonable belief that I am going to suffer great bodily harm or death, I am allowed to defend myself against them with deadly force. Personally I usually go back into the wilderness anyway, so this is mostly a non-issue for me. It is sad as you say though that people cannot feel safe in a campground anymore.

Good point.

Originally Posted by Vinegaroon

Our society has become very brutal, and if you want to avoid becoming a victim, you better remain alert and be ready to defend yourself.

when we camped at luna park, cibola n.f., we were warned of banditos roaming who will take advantage of campers. solution: bring either your gun, or your dog. if banditos see a dog, they're less likely to mess with you.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by rruff

Yup... we have the highest % of our population in prison of any country in the world... 10 times as much as most civilized countries. And yet we have a lot more crime as well. I have a feeling that "excalating the war" isn't going to help a bit. What would you propose?

immediate decriminalization of self defense. ban personal injury suits that occur while in the commission of a crime. the prisons will become empty. fyi after the getz subway shooting of 4 armed gangbangers during the commission of a robbery, crime on entire NYC subway system dropped 18% in 24 hrs. do it now, and the police & citizens will no longer run and hide when the bad guys come to town.

[rruff]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

immediate decriminalization of self defense. ban personal injury suits that occur while in the commission of a crime. the prisons will become empty.

Since the majority of people in prison are there for minor drug offences... I doubt it. It isn't the law that keeps me from killing people... and I think most will agree.

Another thing to consider is that the countries with the lowest crime rates and the lowest prison population have outlawed guns.

[Xavious Orgus]

Originally Posted by rruff

All that trouble when you could have just killed him...

What kind of fun would that be?

I just wanted to catch the person (trying to break into my house), hug them and let them know we all make mistakes. And also let them know.... DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!

[mortimer]

Huckleberry3911948 suggested:

> Originally Posted by rruff

> > What would you propose?

> immediate decriminalization of self defense.

Add to that immediate decriminalization of all narcotics, meth, etc.

[GROC]

Does anyone know how the area around El Vado lake is for safety or any information at all regarding whether this would be a good place to vacation or possibly retire? Thank you in advance!

[songinthewind7]

You can't trust most people.
It would be safer to have a run in with a wild animal.

Originally Posted by Vinegaroon

This is why when I go camping around here I am armed to the teeth. Not because of the animals, because of the roving thugs.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/SantaFeNorthernNM/Big-Tesuque-Campground-Armed-men-rob--assault-camper

[Poncho_NM]

In New Mexico state parks, here is the ordinance regarding firearms. There may additional laws which apply:

19.5.2.20 FIREARMS AND BOWS: Possession of firearms with a cartridge in any portion of the mechanism or the discharge of firearms, arrows and air or gas fired projectiles, weapons and any other device capable of causing injury to persons or animals or damage or destruction of property in any portion of the state parks system is prohibited, except during designated hunting seasons or in authorized areas. No such activity shall be allowed within 300 yards of any developed park area or occupied campsite. This Section does not apply to on duty law enforcement officials.

Rich

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by Vinegaroon

I don't camp at National Parking Lots anyway. They are always full of noise and people. I will visit them during the day, and head to BLM land or National Forest to camp everytime.

Hey man, you and me both! NPS campgrounds were ruined 20-25 years ago, and get worse every year. They have turned into parking lots for mobile hotel rooms. These days I head out for places that have no people, and that's where I camp. BLM seems to be the best for this because most people are not attracted to BLM.

And when I'm sitting alone in my deserted camp (or possibly with a few friends along) I always have a nice .38 surprise sitting on my tailgate underneath a towel, handy to bring out if there are unexpected visitors.