If you were an "embedded" journalist what would you carry for self defense?
- Thread starter jsalcedo
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One of the embedded reporters was asked if he had anything close by to defend himself. His response was that as a non-combatant he didn't carry a weapon and left it at that.
Any reporter or news professional going to the Persian Gulf would have a hard time bringing any personal weapons with him into the combat zone. Not to mention that the sponsoring news organization would have a fit if they heard about any of their people taking their own personal weapons into the war zone. And, once there, the rules of war would strip him of his "noncombatant" status once he took up arms. So planning what weapon you'd bring with you from the states is silly at best.
For the reporters who are traveling with the troops, the troops themselves are the protection. Having said that, if a reporter asked, I'm sure one of the troops would make sure a M16A2 was placed in a handy spot in the military vehicle the reporter was riding in. If things got REALLY bad, no one on our side is gonna object too loudly if the reporter uses a weapon to save himself or some of the troops. But, it's going to be more of a battlefield pickup thing than personally carried weapon.
For the reporters traveling on their own, a weapon is more likely to get them into trouble than out of it in this kind of situation. Their protection lies in staying out of the "wrong place" at the "wrong time." If they do run into the wrong people, they are more than likely going to be outnumbered and outgunned (even if they had a gun or two) and need to talk their way out of the situation, if at all possible. The possession of a weapon in those circumstances could be a death sentance.
A better option for places like Afghanistan, or bad areas of Russia, etc is for the reporters to hire trusted locals to act as drivers/interpeters, if not outright bodyguards. Even if not hired directly as a bodyguard, the locals know the area, know the language and should keep their guys out of trouble.
There are times when reporters do quietly carry guns, but it's a controversial and usually frowned upon practice in the trade.
For the reporters who are traveling with the troops, the troops themselves are the protection. Having said that, if a reporter asked, I'm sure one of the troops would make sure a M16A2 was placed in a handy spot in the military vehicle the reporter was riding in. If things got REALLY bad, no one on our side is gonna object too loudly if the reporter uses a weapon to save himself or some of the troops. But, it's going to be more of a battlefield pickup thing than personally carried weapon.
For the reporters traveling on their own, a weapon is more likely to get them into trouble than out of it in this kind of situation. Their protection lies in staying out of the "wrong place" at the "wrong time." If they do run into the wrong people, they are more than likely going to be outnumbered and outgunned (even if they had a gun or two) and need to talk their way out of the situation, if at all possible. The possession of a weapon in those circumstances could be a death sentance.
A better option for places like Afghanistan, or bad areas of Russia, etc is for the reporters to hire trusted locals to act as drivers/interpeters, if not outright bodyguards. Even if not hired directly as a bodyguard, the locals know the area, know the language and should keep their guys out of trouble.
There are times when reporters do quietly carry guns, but it's a controversial and usually frowned upon practice in the trade.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
i'd have my CCW piece on (a .45 GM), and i'd alco carry some m-16 magazines on my person if i needed to pick up a rifle.
Nightcrawler
Member
Medics are considered noncombatants under the Geneva Convention. Most of them carry sidearms. (Some carry more, some have gone unarmed.) AFAIK, under the laws of warfare, a sidearm is a "defensive" weapon, due to its short range use, and does not automatically strip someone of his noncombatant status.
I would, if I could possibly manage it, carry a pistol of some kind. While 9mm generally wouldn't be my first choice, it would suffice nicely. It'd also probably be a pistol that's inexpensive, yet reliable, because odds are I'd have to discard it before coming home.
What would be good choices, then? Rugers, used revolvers, used S&W autoloaders...something that's not going to break your heart when you take it apart and bury it in the sand. (Or maybe you could take it apart and mail it home in a box labeled "scrap metal"...)
I would, if I could possibly manage it, carry a pistol of some kind. While 9mm generally wouldn't be my first choice, it would suffice nicely. It'd also probably be a pistol that's inexpensive, yet reliable, because odds are I'd have to discard it before coming home.
What would be good choices, then? Rugers, used revolvers, used S&W autoloaders...something that's not going to break your heart when you take it apart and bury it in the sand. (Or maybe you could take it apart and mail it home in a box labeled "scrap metal"...)
Jim March
Member
I wonder if any gay journalists are embedde...oh, arright, I'll shaddup now 
.
.kannonfyre
Member
Any good Mossberg shotgun with an 18" barrel and loaded with low recoil 00 buck and slugs.
stevelyn
Member
As an embedded reporter, if you find yourself in a situation where you need a weapon to defend yourself, there will probably be plenty laying around.
If the gun has to be hidden, a Browning Hi-Power is a pretty slim 9mm with good capacity, and some chance of obtaining spare parts in Iraq. The Beretta M92/M9 makes a lot of sense, except that it's bulky. Wouldn't disregard a snub .38 in a hidden holster.
When Richard Tregaskis hit the beach with the Marines at Guadalcanal, he was careful to bum an issue .45 from the quartermaster. Back then, I guess that journalists were presumed to be loyal Americans, not propagandists for the enemy as some are today. And the Japs would probably have killed him, journalist or not. You may want to see if the library has his, "Guadalcanal Diary". I think it was made into a movie, too.
I suspect that even if journalists can carry legally, they'd be fired if found armed by their employers, who tend to be the anti-gun media!
Lone Star
When Richard Tregaskis hit the beach with the Marines at Guadalcanal, he was careful to bum an issue .45 from the quartermaster. Back then, I guess that journalists were presumed to be loyal Americans, not propagandists for the enemy as some are today. And the Japs would probably have killed him, journalist or not. You may want to see if the library has his, "Guadalcanal Diary". I think it was made into a movie, too.
I suspect that even if journalists can carry legally, they'd be fired if found armed by their employers, who tend to be the anti-gun media!
Lone Star
cool45auto
Member
Blackhawk beat me to it. I was going to say a Peter Arnett mask!
More than likely I'd have a Beretta.
More than likely I'd have a Beretta.
Ol' Badger
Member
A good Swiss Army knife and Nicole Kidman! 
What else would I need?
What else would I need?
seeker_two
Member
Firearm: Something distincive that isn't used by either side, but can use what ammo is available--P&R Medusa revolver (can use any .355-.357 ammo w/o clips)
Knife: Bagwell Bowie & Applegate-Fairbain folder (1/2 serrated) & Leatherman Wave.
Other: Asp collapsable baton (longer the better).
Forget Geneva. It's everyone for themselves...
Knife: Bagwell Bowie & Applegate-Fairbain folder (1/2 serrated) & Leatherman Wave.
Other: Asp collapsable baton (longer the better).
Forget Geneva. It's everyone for themselves...
Country Boy
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- Dec 25, 2002
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If I had my choice, I'd vote for a bunch of Marines in a Bradley. If I showed them I was competient, maybe somebody could "find" a weapon for me.
Put yourself in the shoes of our armed forces. If you were out there, would you really want somebody you don't know or trust carrying a loaded weapon riding around with you?
Put yourself in the shoes of our armed forces. If you were out there, would you really want somebody you don't know or trust carrying a loaded weapon riding around with you?
Anything? M16A2 or an M4. Iron sights, no fancy gizmos. Several spare 20 or 30 rounders.
US legal? Whatever I can get close to the first two. Maybe something from Bushmaster or a Colt Match Target.
Barring THAT, anything .223 or if only a handgun, 9mm. I want something ammo will be readily available for. I would also prefer to have something with a sound similar to OUR issue weapons. Last thing I want is a rain of steel because I'm shooting an AK that sounds like the enemy.
US legal? Whatever I can get close to the first two. Maybe something from Bushmaster or a Colt Match Target.
Barring THAT, anything .223 or if only a handgun, 9mm. I want something ammo will be readily available for. I would also prefer to have something with a sound similar to OUR issue weapons. Last thing I want is a rain of steel because I'm shooting an AK that sounds like the enemy.
redneck2
Member
All that Geneva Convention crap...
sounds real good from the armchair here. Problems is, bullets don't have morals
I have a real good friend that was a medic in 'Nam. During his schooling, he was told he was 'off limits". Funny, no one explained that to Charlie. Charlie knew that, if the medic was "taken out", the wounded grunts had a lot less chance of survival. A seasoned Sargent advised him of this fact before going out.
Now, Ken is a rather large individual. He asked "what's the baddest thing I can carry???" Ended up being an M-79....
he has some rather interesting details of how well they work (along with a couple Purple Hearts)
sounds real good from the armchair here. Problems is, bullets don't have morals
I have a real good friend that was a medic in 'Nam. During his schooling, he was told he was 'off limits". Funny, no one explained that to Charlie. Charlie knew that, if the medic was "taken out", the wounded grunts had a lot less chance of survival. A seasoned Sargent advised him of this fact before going out.
Now, Ken is a rather large individual. He asked "what's the baddest thing I can carry???" Ended up being an M-79....
he has some rather interesting details of how well they work (along with a couple Purple Hearts)
Stevie-Ray
Member
GE Minigun. Oh and a SIG P226.
Schuey2002
Member
A platoon of Special Forces...
Just your garden variety Army Delta Force, Navy Seals, British & Aussie SAS/SBS operators...
Just your garden variety Army Delta Force, Navy Seals, British & Aussie SAS/SBS operators...
Redlg155
Member
Spam and a good Playboy Magazine.
In case I'm captures I'll just start eating a spamburger and reading my magazine. Hopefully they will leave me alone.
On a serious note, I'd try to get an issue Beretta M92. I'll have parts, magazines and ammo galore. With all the baggy clothing I'll be able to conceal it pretty easily.
Good Shooting
Red
In case I'm captures I'll just start eating a spamburger and reading my magazine. Hopefully they will leave me alone.
On a serious note, I'd try to get an issue Beretta M92. I'll have parts, magazines and ammo galore. With all the baggy clothing I'll be able to conceal it pretty easily.
Good Shooting
Red
Gordon
Member
An M-9 and an M-4 (or civilian equivalent).
JohnK
Member
I'm a bit surprised no one has suggested this yet.
I'd carry whatever the troops are carrying. No problems with ammo or spare magazines in that case. Chances are neither would be needed anyway, but why run the risk?
I'd carry whatever the troops are carrying. No problems with ammo or spare magazines in that case. Chances are neither would be needed anyway, but why run the risk?
illuminatus99
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I'd probably carry an AK-47SU, lots of ammo lying arround
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