Feeling Helpless In NY

I honestly don't know if it would help in the future, but you no longer need to be an NY resident to carry a handgun here.

https://www.nysrpa.org/files/Osterweil_v_Bartlett.pdf

NOMI WASP said:

There's a reason NYC was voted the most unhappy city in America recently. My wife understands we only go on vacation to places that honor my CCW from Indiana. Thats why we're headed back to the Smokie Mountains again this year.

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I beg you to reconsider. In doing so, I believe you will find traveling abroad or to NYC liberating compared to confining yourself to just a handful of states, albeit beautiful states. Sometimes it's worth leaving your guns behind. I question the validity of the poll to which you refer; could it be that the individuals polled are from out of town? Most people who live here seem quite happy, at least as happy as anywhere else.

When I think of "vacation", city doesn't even enter my mind. Not just NYC-ANY city! I guess there are those who want to go someplace to rub elbows with a bazillion other folks for enjoyment.
To each their own.......

@ sleazy rider

I am VERY happy to plan my vacations and all travel around my ability to feel safe and secure.

I truly believe that if your not ready to defend yourself,your planning on being a victim.

I have seen way too much of 'victims' as an LEO,they were truly a sad thing to behold.

I CHOOSE to not be a victim,and if that means not going into harms way --- so be it.

And yes,that means not going to anyplace where I cannot have ANY control over the safety of my loved ones and myself.

Paranoid,call it what you like.

I see it as cautious,and in this world as it exists today = its a choice I can LIVE with easily.

And I am one that can [ and does ] legally carry in all 50 states AND that includes NYC.

I also agree that any 'city' is a good place to avoid when enjoying myself.

SleazyRider said:

I beg you to reconsider. In doing so, I believe you will find traveling abroad or to NYC liberating compared to confining yourself to just a handful of states, albeit beautiful states. Sometimes it's worth leaving your guns behind. I question the validity of the poll to which you refer; could it be that the individuals polled are from out of town? Most people who live here seem quite happy, at least as happy as anywhere else.

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I would rather not dump any money into the pockets that shred the Constitution. A close college friend of mine has a time share apartment on Times Square that she gets for New Years. I turn her down every year, because that is a few thousand dollars I would spend on food, souvenirs etc. Besides my permit covers me in all the places I want to go: Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas.

I recently traveled across part of Canada (which left us unarmed in AK as well) on an MC and the only Glock I had was a shovel.
We did have an Estwing ax and bear spray as well as my companion (son) is an accomplished MMA practitioner and I can hold my own in a pinch.
We by no means projected "victim" and wouldn't have in any setting but I wonder if the same could be said for women or elderly in the same circumstance or even one of us traveling alone.
I spent 6 wks. in Israel 20 some years ago and kept a knife stuck in my belt at all times, we traveled most of the country without incident but again I was traveling with others and we certainly didn't project ourselves as easy targets.
I've always felt safer and happier when I could choose my own form of protection and self defense and for the most part fall in line with those who stick to places that allow me to do that.
The point is, if you keep to the traveled path, make yourself appear to be more trouble than its worth, travel with a group, and be prepared to improvise you can go many places and do it without incident but take away to many of those things and you may be in for trouble.
I personally believe that there is a lifetime of places to travel and vacation in which you can have more control of your personal well being and for the most part adhere to that.

And yes,that means not going to anyplace where I cannot have ANY control over the safety of my loved ones and myself.

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You seem to equate "ANY control" as meaning only having the availability of a gun - that is just incorrect. There are many places in this world (which you obviously will never get to experience) where folks really are nice and not out to kill you for your Nikes. Most European countries have FAR less crime, especially violent crime, than most of our cities, as do most of the Caribbean and South America, let alone NZ and OZ.

One does not need to always have a gun in order to feel secure or safe; life's too short to constantly worry and never explore or be happy or experience new things outside of what you know

Honestly, whether I can be legally armed factors greatly into my vacation destinations. Unless there is CCW reciprocity I am not visiting the State. Limiting? No. I traveled quite a bit in my earlier days in consulting.

A related theme is firearms for non-permissive jurisdictions.

I beg you to reconsider. In doing so, I believe you will find traveling abroad or to NYC liberating compared to confining yourself to just a handful of states, albeit beautiful states. Sometimes it's worth leaving your guns behind. I question the validity of the poll to which you refer; could it be that the individuals polled are from out of town? Most people who live here seem quite happy, at least as happy as anywhere else.

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LOL! Sorry, I'm not bashing the people of the State, but until you folks get your politicians out there are going to be A LOT of folks like me - with money to spend that will avoid NY, NJ, CA, MD, DC, & a few others like the plague. In my younger days when I was invincible I'd visited many dangerous cities and unwelcoming States. These days with a questionable ticker, I rather shoot the bad guy than try to go hand-to-hand with 'em.

Reloadron said:

Sitting in our room my only thoughts were if that lunatic bust in here wife is locked in bathroom and I had the butcher knife we used on the beach to slice and dice.

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Staying in your room with door locked was first good plan, knowing you would be able to at least use the knife if needed is second good plan. After working a few years in a few different hotel chains having wife in bathroom I would think would not be a good part of that plan. Those door are nothing more then paper wrapped 2 X 2's. Not knowing what you wife is capable or not to do at very least would have her on the phone with police and stay on that phone until they showed up. And stay in your room and be a good witness like you did until it is time to no longer be a good witness.

kwguy said:

I also think that folks, when they make such a broad statement, may be referring to the second amendment in general. I think the U.S. Is the only country that has in its constitution, the right to keep and bear arms as a Basic human right. I believe only Mexico, and Switzerland come close to this, and they are pretty heavily regulated (ie, restrictions on 'military' calibers, and registration).

It is still pretty evident though, that even if it is in the constitution as a right, regulation can still get crazy, as in the case of N.Y. State...

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I have not read everything there is concerning what countries have a constitution that has an equivalent to our 2nd Amendment, but so far I've not discovered one. I don't believe Mexico has any right in it's laws that give the right to keep and bear arms. If it does it has been restricted so much that it is nearly impossible for a Mexican to own a firearm.

Mexico has one gun store, it is on a military base in Mexico City, Mexican citizens are allowed to own a .22 rifle and a .38 revolver unless in a gang or leo.

Where to stay in hotel(s)......

After working in a few hotels, resorts, motels, extended stay places, etc I can offer these points:
1) if the property is multi level or has several floors, try & get a room between the 4-10th floors. It's not so high you can't escape quickly in a fire or other emergency but it's not too close to the ground/lobby level. Many robbers, rapists & crooks like to get in & out quickly, staying to the rooms on the first few floors.
2) Avoid the rooms by vending machines, ice machines, stairs, elevators, etc. People tend to make a lot of noise around these places. They might be intoxicated or start fights/arguments in these areas. If you can get a room or room away from these common areas the better.
3) When you check in, make sure your hotel phone works & that you have a working smoke alarm. You'd be surprised how often these things break or are left out of order. If the property is decent or by regulation they'll have a map or fire safety chart and a list of local police/fire/EMS/poison control/etc.
4) Avoid the pool side or pool area rooms. Noise & problems sometimes occur in these areas more than other sections of the hotel. If you want a quiet stay or want to avoid any places where people consume alcohol/smoke, don't stay near the pools or hot-tubs.
5) Don't leave your room keys laying around, don't give them to strangers & ask the desk staff to recode them often. It might sound simple, but doing security I've seen it occur often. Once the keys are recoded, the old ones won't work. Some low end places may make a issue over it, but most hotels understand it's a safety issue.
6) If you checking into a new property or just pulling in for the night, drive around the entire hotel & see if it's safe/well run. If it looks sketchy or unsafe, do not stay there. Spending a extra $10/20 may be a bit much but it's better than being in the middle of a gang fight at 330am or some domestic with 2 drug addicts.
I've worked on properties where guests complain then droll on & on about how they stay at the Four Seasons or the Waldorf Astoria. If you want top level service & quality, you have to pay for it.

Just something to think about.

Rusty

@ oneounceload

"You seem to equate "ANY control" as meaning only having the availability of a gun - that is just incorrect. There are many places in this world (which you obviously will never get to experience) where folks really are nice and not out to kill you for your Nikes. Most European countries have FAR less crime, especially violent crime, than most of our cities, as do most of the Caribbean and South America, let alone NZ and OZ.

One does not need to always have a gun in order to feel secure or safe; life's too short to constantly worry and never explore or be happy or experience new things outside of what you know"
__________________

I see things ina very different light than you,obviously.

and as stated prior - NOT going where my protection is not a PRIMARY concern for for others who don't give a hoot ,is my way of voting with my feet & my DOLLAR.

And I see you actually mentioned South America ,where all the sweet "children" are running from across Mexico to get here ??,is THAT the south America you refer to ?.

I actually follow the news from around the world,and I see many places that do not 'seem' to be violent.

I also note that most college's "SEEM" to be safe havens for our children.

But if you investigate ,that is NOT the truth.

Pardon me if I have trouble believing that ALL the bad news actually makes it out of "those" places as it is OBVIOUSLY bad for tourist business = ya think ?.

I travel with REAL peace of mind,and that is a great deal more important to me than seeing any place I cannot be assured of that.

Rant over,its my 00.02 cents to spend !,so I do so where I do so !.

btw = in my 67 years on this planet,I still have not [ and never will ] see all of this great nation.

You need to learn the difference between Central and South America it seems. (Which if you were willing to explore, you would )

I don't believe Mexico has any right in it's laws that give the right to keep and bear arms. If it does it has been restricted so much that it is nearly impossible for a Mexican to own a firearm.

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I believe it was called 'Article 10' of their constitution. Ah yup, here it is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Mexico

And yes, it has been watered down to the point of being ridiculous. Kind of like some folks in the U.S. want to do when they cry and bleat for 'another look at the constitution and the 2a'. That's what you wind up with.

So when folks make such broad statements about how the U.S. has better gun laws, and some people take offense to that, I think they are generally referring to the constitution portion of it. Out of the entire world, those two countries (Mexico and Switzerland) were the only ones I had ever heard of that even had it mentioned in their constitution's as a right, and look how lame it is in those two countries

(I know some Swiss folks might take offense to that, but I'm comparing them to a really good state in the U.S. that has CCW and really good laws, not something like NJ or NY, so again, it's all relative)

Of course, some of our own states have pretty draconian laws too, even though we have it in the constitution.

"willing to explore"

IF I were willing to "explore" and take the risks that that action entails = yes I might not have any bad experiences.

OR then again I might.

Seems the state dept and any and all sites I have checked ,do believe that traveling out of the USA at this time is NOT SAFE.

Of course you can hire security,and ask where it is safe for WHITE Americans to go = but that just proves my point.

When in this nation,I do use caution = BUT being armed and cautious beats the snot out of just being cautious.

If you choose to take risks [ and yes that is how I will view travel ] then its on you IF the manure hits the ventilation system.

I CHOOSE to avoid flying,and I feel completely exonerated right about now ,due to the few "accidents" that have killed a FEW HUNDRED so far this past few months.

And I must truly say that there is nothing that I want to see outside of my country [ that I have not traversed fully yet = nor ever will ].

Its possible that if most of the FORTY ONE [ 41 ] wars in progress are at a slowdown --- I might look at travel to ,Italy = IF the wife can be convinced to go :banghead:.

But I am in NO hurry,and as stated = there is TOO much to see and enjoy right in the USA.

Allow me to show my point

Read and understand that this is considered SAFE travel posting.

Since coming back to Europe after 10 months travelling in South America, we’ve certainly been asked more than once, “was it safe?”

We absolutely felt safe during our time in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador and would return to each of these countries without a second thought about what extra precautions to take to ensure our safety.

But that was just our experience, so in order to give a more balanced and varied look at how to travel safely and healthily in South America, we reached out to some other travel bloggers and asked for their tips and experiences.

We hope you find them useful, but above all, that they help assuage any fears you might have and help you make the leap to travel in this amazing continent if you’re already considering it but are concerned about safety in South America.

“Conceal your wealth” – Arianwen, Beyond Blighty

So you may not think of yourself as being loaded with money, but as a traveller who can afford to take a plane from your home country to the other side of the world, you will be perceived by many as a goldmine. For people like me who could never blend in in Asia or South America (think tall, pale-skinned redhead), there’s no chance of fooling the locals into thinking you were born there, but your actions and the way you present yourself can go a long way to keeping you safe.

To begin with, don’t dress up. In my opinion, there’s no place for a pair of high heels or expensive jewellery in a backpack. Keep your outfits practical, conservative and as plain as you can and fewer people will notice you. If you have to wear a watch or decorate your wrists and ankles, go for the classic friendship bracelets and cheap devices you wouldn’t be upset if you lost.

When you take photos, be surreptitious. Put your camera back in your bag and zip it up when you’re not using it. If you need to consult the map or travel guide, hide in a shop door instead of standing in the centre of a plaza or you might as well have a sign on your head saying ‘not only am I a rich tourist, but I’ve only just arrived in this place and I have no idea where I am!’

Came to the party late.

Damn, NYC born and raised and I hate this place now.

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A sentiment I can echo.

kwguy said:

Very good point. It's popular, but not a right, so they can be regulated into nothingness at the whim of the government, and the people have no constitutional recourse to fall back on.

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Gun rights are slowly being eroded state by state. Do you really think they care about the god damed piece of paper the constitution?

I have family in both NYC and Chicago, two of the most self-defense unfriendly locations in the USA. What I do is bring a stout hickory cane, since I can't carry.

"Nothing like a good piece of hickory."

Feeling Helpless In NY...

I suggested real strongly the call the cops and now!

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You feel helpless because you didn't have a gun and saw a crime occurring in close proximity to your room and so you call somebody else (the manager) and "suggested strongly" he call the cops????????

I think the first step to you not feeling helpless is first to learn what to do in a crisis. YOU or your wife should have been calling 911 FIRST, not the manager.

Sitting in our room my only thoughts were if that lunatic bust in here wife is locked in bathroom and I had the butcher knife we used on the beach to slice and dice. Thinking how I longed for my .45 ACP. Damn, NYC born and raised and I hate this place now.

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If you were afraid that the guy might bust in, why were you not barricading your door with furniture from the room? You obviously had plenty of time to be doing things to benefit your situation.

You should not feel defenseless in that sort of situation simply because you don't have a gun. A gun should not be the determining factor to being able to defend yourself. If it is, then you are way underprepared on a general level. Guns are great tools, but you have many options in a hotel room with which you can defend yourself.