Henry Bowman
Senior Member
I just returned from a 10-day vacation in Costa Rica (and w/o access to THR). It was hot, beautiful, relaxing, and hot. Did I mention that it is hot down there? It is the dry season and temps are in the middle of their range for the region.
The first gun I saw was on a police officer as we departed the airport in San Jose. He was carrying and older looking revolver (almost certainly a .38) with a 4" barrel in a cordura holster in a cross draw position. It looked worn, but likely to be in working order. I wondered if this was standard, but never saw any others in the cross draw position.
Next, as we entered the coastal resort (Playa Conchal), the guard at the gate had no side arm but had a bandolier of about 8 12 ga. shells on his belt. I took this to mean that he had firepower in the shack and he was not to be messed with. Thereafter, I saw private security (which far outnumbered LEOs) along the edge of the resort where it met the public beach. I was tilting my head to look at the revolver carried by one of them (also 4" bbl, but of unusual design and make) when he stated matter of factly, but in a friendly way, to me, "Treinta y ocho" (thirty eight).
Thereafter, I saw all varieties of semiautos, usually well kept in appearance and small frame on private security guards who acted professionally and with whom I would not mess. None were "full size" and none were Glocks. Never did I see a 1911.
Went into a bank in a very isolated and rural small town. One armed guard outside wearing soft body armor and moving constantly, one armed inside the single door who took the key from his pocket and unlocked and opened the door for each customer. My wife wondered out loud to me whether the guards were in response to a problem or whether there presence prevented there ever being a problem. I don't know, but would guess the latter.
Wages are very low in this country, but it appeared that the private security personnel were relatively well paid and very professional (without looking like mall ninjas). I would guess that their sidearms were personally owned. I saw only one unarmed mall ninja with an ill fitting uniform and a billy club.
I saw no gun shops (although I spent virtually zero time in the big city). In the poor areas where I was, no one but private security guards could possibly afford to own a gun. I was told that the beach and the small town near the resort (Brazilito) were dangerous an night and to keep hold of the hand of my 8 year old daughter when outside of the resort even during the day. I did and never felt any threat at any time.
I missed you all.
The first gun I saw was on a police officer as we departed the airport in San Jose. He was carrying and older looking revolver (almost certainly a .38) with a 4" barrel in a cordura holster in a cross draw position. It looked worn, but likely to be in working order. I wondered if this was standard, but never saw any others in the cross draw position.
Next, as we entered the coastal resort (Playa Conchal), the guard at the gate had no side arm but had a bandolier of about 8 12 ga. shells on his belt. I took this to mean that he had firepower in the shack and he was not to be messed with. Thereafter, I saw private security (which far outnumbered LEOs) along the edge of the resort where it met the public beach. I was tilting my head to look at the revolver carried by one of them (also 4" bbl, but of unusual design and make) when he stated matter of factly, but in a friendly way, to me, "Treinta y ocho" (thirty eight).
Thereafter, I saw all varieties of semiautos, usually well kept in appearance and small frame on private security guards who acted professionally and with whom I would not mess. None were "full size" and none were Glocks. Never did I see a 1911.
Went into a bank in a very isolated and rural small town. One armed guard outside wearing soft body armor and moving constantly, one armed inside the single door who took the key from his pocket and unlocked and opened the door for each customer. My wife wondered out loud to me whether the guards were in response to a problem or whether there presence prevented there ever being a problem. I don't know, but would guess the latter.
Wages are very low in this country, but it appeared that the private security personnel were relatively well paid and very professional (without looking like mall ninjas). I would guess that their sidearms were personally owned. I saw only one unarmed mall ninja with an ill fitting uniform and a billy club.
I saw no gun shops (although I spent virtually zero time in the big city). In the poor areas where I was, no one but private security guards could possibly afford to own a gun. I was told that the beach and the small town near the resort (Brazilito) were dangerous an night and to keep hold of the hand of my 8 year old daughter when outside of the resort even during the day. I did and never felt any threat at any time.
I missed you all.
, Art