>>1330207>Do you carry a firearm with you when you go on extended trips?Kind of. I usually carry a "blank" revolver (which is actually loaded pepperdust and could be loaded with light shot as well, just no bullets). Under germanys fucked up laws, that's the only non-lethal weapon that I can carry for self-defense other than tear gas (even carrying pepper spray would be illegal, while crossbows, certain guns and knives are not). It's for animals, since with boars and dogs, the explosion, muzzleflash and pepper are usually enough. For defense against humans, I've got my knife (concealed fixed blade, usually a Mora). It's quicker to draw than a gun and not as easy to defend against. In theory, I could also carry any gun I own legally, but I doubt I'd ever need it. And being seen with a gun in another hunters area might cause misunderstandings.
>Do you open carry or concealed carry?Concealed, front IWB. While I could carry open legally, most hunters here would propably assume I'm poaching and call the cops.
>Alternatively, what's your opinion on people who carry while outdoors?In germany (and anywhere else where there are no large predators) they're either hunters, paramilitaries during training or idiots. Against humans who want to kill or rape you, guns are virtually useless. Try drawing and firing your gun before some guy starting at two metres away has subdued you, it's almost impossible. And then consider that the first bullet might not be enough or might not hit at all. In case of robbers guns might be useful, but who in their right mind would rob somebody in the woods nowadays when by the time they get back to their car, the cops might already be waiting for them?
Against animals on the other hand, usually scaring them with muzzleflash and sound is enough, so a blank gun works just as well.
