Camper attacked

[desert sun]

Originally Posted by catman

Many of those who are incarcerated were using illegal substances. You can't blame that on guns.

but I bet they carried guns while using or distributing illegal substances, and Im not against guns, I love to shoot things.

[mike b 1]

The logic escapes me; "if guns wern't available, these individuals would be law abiding, good citizens" ?

[ABQConvict]

The guys who busted out my windows at the Aspen Vista road gate (over ten years ago) did so with guns? judging by the splinters, they must have been using wooden bullets. All they stole were my chains (for driving in snow) and a tire iron. At least they didn't slash my tires.

When I am in the area now, I always stalk the parking area on my return to make sure there are no thugs loitering around.

All parking areas along that road are potential points for vandalism and possibly violence. I think that single area is worse than Albuquerque's so-called 'Warzone' neighborhood, and is one of the few places in New Mexico that I actually fear. In fact, I would venture that the most likely spots in New Mexico for being a crime victim are not in the cities and towns, but the remoter parking areas / picnic grounds in the Pecos and San Pedro parks area. The Hyde Park road, while not remote by any stretch of the imagination, falls into the same category, however; and most of the thugs are likely coming from Santa Fe, Espanola and Cuba. A great shame, really.

I am probably known on these boards for downplaying the danger of becoming a crime victim in New Mexico, Albuquerque in particular, but these areas are the exception. I spend a lot of time in the New Mexico backcountry and I now leave my car unlocked and empty of valuables because the cost of replacing windows. Luckily, I think that the truly violent crimes are comparatively rare, but vandalism in these canyons of northern New Mexico is not.

If there is any reason to carry a gun in New Mexico, it is in these areas.

ABQConvict

[bongo]

Trailheads have always been a concern & caution in NM; however, that's true in other states also. Trailheads become easy marks since we are announcing that we have left an unattended vehicle for a time period. Plus, they are notorious drinking spots for gatherings of rowdies. A bad mix.