Weapons on wheels

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  Doug Halonen

  November 6 at 10:56 AM

  This summer, another cyclist I met on the Great Divide route told me he was carrying a pistol for his personal protection. I hadn't heard of this before but am now wondering whether this is a relatively common practice? Do you carry some sort of weapon when you ride? If so, what, and have you ever used it? I was carrying a can of bear spray at the time. Never used it. Thanks!

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  Along with their tents and sleeping bags, some touring cyclists are packing pistols these days, to protect themselves from a variety of predators, including two-legged snakes.

  
  

  The guns, they say, provide them with peace of mind.

  
  

   “I carry a gun on every bike ride,” said one cyclist, in response to a question I posted on three Facebook cycling groups I follow. “It takes no effort to put a gun on, and if I ever need it, I’ll certainly be glad for that extra pound,” the cyclist continued.

  
  

  “I am a female who carries when riding solo or with a few other gals,” added another rider. “15 ounces loaded. Don’t even know it’s there. Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.”

  
  

  Judging from the online comments from cyclists in response to my question, carriage of guns by cyclists is controversial. Of the more than 200 commenters, 12 made clear that they regularly carry guns on their bikes.

  
  

  Some carriage foes are concerned that the guns, which they see as unnecessary, could cause unintended injury, due to itchy trigger fingers or accidental discharge.

  “The statistics are clear that firearms are much more likely to kill owner or innocent bystander than a predator,” said one cyclist.

  
  

  Said another, however: “There will be some who carry and you will never know it. It doesn’t make you more or less safe by the fact that they choose to do that. The ones who carry aren’t going to rob or shoot you.”

  
  

  Judging from the comments, the carriage issue appears to be especially sensitive to cyclists outside the US. “I’m from the UK where we have sensible gun laws,” said one cyclist from across the pond. “Carrying a pistol whilst cycling would get you prison time.”

  
  

  Said still another cyclist, however: “I carry what I want and don’t care what others think.”

  
  

  Many of the respondents who don’t carry guns on their bikes do carry bear spray when they are in bear country, according to the comments. “I live in NW Montana and carry bear spray while cycling, be it for bears, mountain lions, or people,” said one respondent.

  
  

  “I carry both bear spray and a pistol,” said another.

  
  

   “Only in America would this actually be a conversation,” said another cyclist. “I’m saddened to see that gun culture has permeated even the more progressive world of bike packing. If you were in Canada, people would just laugh at you for even considering it.”

  
  

   “Apparently you are ignorant of free speech, one of the rights Americans have, along with firearms,” said another, in response.

  
  

  
  

   And so forth and so forth…