Gun?

[KeyWestPirate]

I had a dream like that once, after a lot of FDC and too much BBQ pork and beans.

Since we've moved onto dreams (not even related, and I'm not going to try and find a hook):

I did my usual drive to CR to catch a plane back to the US on Sunday. More flights, better connections, better prices than MGA. I got out late Sunday, a couple of guys showed up with a pantry for the kitchen that was supposed to be delivered Saturday. It didn't quite fit, so we had to do some sanding. Ariana found a couple of last minute chores for me, didn't want to see me go. In short, I got out of there really late.

I got to the airport in plenty of time, but I hadn't eaten since the morning before and was starved. CR has ALL the US fast food, I got a Cinnabon and a cup of coffee $9, took a sip of the coffee (too hot) and was just kind of ruminating about the weirdness of the dual life I've started to live -and drifted off. I wasn't even aware that I had slept, kind of like a deep daydream, but when I reached for the coffee it was cold. I went to the gate, plane had just left. CR is getting so busy now, some of the flights use buses like in Miami to take you to a waiting plane on the tarmac. No way they were going to send the bus back for me.

There's a hotel close to the airport where I leave my car (and stay when appropriate) run by a Dutch woman, a really nice property. My bag was already pulled off the plane, one of Avianca's pelple set me up for the same flight the following day, and she walked me back through immigration and customs (no secret way around, apparently). Back at the ticket counter, they retrieved my airport tax receipt, gave me the tickets for the following day, and I was asleep in a real bed an hour later. Really great customer service, big smiles all around.

The next morning I got there TOO early, there's a large 24 hour coffee shop that takes up the entire mezzanine above the ticketing counter, here's a couple of pics. Everyone goes there to sleep, the floor was littered with backpackers.

[MizBrown]

The whole gun thing is a catch 22. The thing is that the deterrent is people knowing you have a gun, the problem with that is people knowing you have a gun, what if someone wants the gun worse than you do.

My former sheriff in rural Virginia wanted anyone who had a handgun for self-defense to get a concealed carry permit and take the thing with them rather than leave it in the house. They're often the most valuable thing to steal in a house.

The best thing to do here for security is live in a fundamentally Nicaraguan lower-middle class to middle class neighborhood where everyone else also has the same stuff you have and also doesn't want to lose it. Same rule applied in NYC. Also, anywhere, family are going to be upset if you shoot someone for trying to take your stuff -- and as a former handgun owner, I think it's a bit disproportionate.

Most of the theft I've heard about or experienced in Jinotega was from either being a pulperia owner and so exposed to "the element" or having employees or boyfriends of friends steal. Had a friend feeding the fish twice a day when I was in the US, so someone was going in and out and checking on the place.

I sometimes get the impression that for some people, getting robbed is part of their experience in Nicaragua and they wouldn't miss it for the world and do the things that cause problems like have crap friends and the servants someone else fired for stealing.

The neighbors make or break people's experiences here -- getting along with them (or moving on) is non-negotiable. This isn't to say that all of them will be people who are immensely likeable.

[KeyWestPirate]

So, I traded a really nice scope 'd 308 for a Mossberg 500 yesterday. I was chatting with a gunsmith friend who came over for a piece of furniture. There's nothing left to hunt in Nicaragua, except maybe rats in Managua, no need for the 308. The Mossberg comes with two barrels, one is 18.5 inches .. .

Someone has blogged about getting weapons to Nicaragua on the other site, I'll have to find his posts. . . I'll register it in Alexi's name, and I'll have to teach him how to handle it safely, shoot it until he can hit something (much easier with a shotgun), and maintain it.

I don't feel the need for a weapon of this type at the moment, but when I begin living on the farm I could become a target. I'm a long way from Managua, and the rogue PN's have a lot closer and easier targets in SJdS. Plus paved roads for their getaway.

This goes into the "one more annoyance" column. . I'm still a much bigger fan of security lights and alarms.

[Playa Pete]

The question of arming our guards at the casinos was requested by our first manager...I said " Fine, you can have the guns, but no bullets!"
Then an interesting comment by a new guard who indicated that he did not want his fingerprints on the weapon because it might be stolen ...solution? The handguns have been in the safe for five years!
We have many more problems with FDC then people carrying weapons...very rare.

[Daddy-YO]

Even Catholic catechism supports the use of deadly force in self defense.

From the universal church based on the guy who said turn the other cheek?


What's Pope Francis' position on killing non-Catholics?

[KeyWestPirate]

We've about worn this out, but I was talking about the dilemma with a friend who is considering re-locating to Little Corn to open a dive and parasail business. He's a bit of a gun nut, but we live in a rural area where there is tolerance for this type of person.

He told me that tasers -the ones that fire a pair of darts and disable the perp with high voltage pulses- have become very inexpensive. Whether these require a permit in Nicaragua is unknown to me. Pulling the trigger after the darts penetrate sends additional jolts that disable most people. This would not be a permanent solution, but would serve you until you could put your baseball bat into play.

On my boat I kept those cannisters of Grizzley Bear spray. They spray 30 feet and are likewise disabling. John suggested that instead of the bear deterrent (which is restricted in some jurisdictions, and is expensive) that one simply purchase wasp spray cannisters. He claims the wasp spray is much cheaper, will temporarily blind the assailant if you hit his face, and sprays almost as far as the bear spray. Another problem with the bear spray is, the damn stuff gets everywhere, and you too will suffer the effects for a couple of days. I made the mistake of testing one.

These are a couple of additional non-lethal solutions.

While a 12 gague loaded with buckshot would have the final say, the ensuing paperwork associated with its use might be more than most of us would want to endure.

Of course, a guy shot with a taser, or nailed with wasp spray, is probably going to be laying for you. No easy answer.

[cookshow]

He should move to Little island, shoot a guy with his funny machine and see the wrath of Islanders come down on him. Everyone is family here. Hope he has eyes in the back of his head, he will need them.

[KeyWestPirate]

He should move to Little island, shoot a guy with his funny machine and see the wrath of Islanders come down on him. Everyone is family here. Hope he has eyes in the back of his head, he will need them.

Yeah, yeah, I agree 100%.

But, this isn't tasering, or spraying Nicas with wasp spray for the sport of it, it's a defense solution short of lethal when your back is up against the wall, and you're looking at some serious hurt -or maybe worse.

I'm getting more,,, bite your tongue and avoid the confrontation, memories are long. I finally kissed and made up with a transito I disrespected last May.

I'm one of those who learn the hard way, but once I learn, I learn pretty good. It's different down here, a small community that has learned how to survive, and that's by pissing off as few people as possible.

[cookshow]

Defense or not it makes no difference. You cannot fight an entire family.

I have 2 scars from machete hits, I left one for each one I got, I could have shot either one of the ones that hit me, I chose to do it island style and I got a lot of respect, everyone knew I could have shot the guys, I went hand to hand, sure don't think I was a winner either time, but my injuries were minor, few stitches here and there.

Had I shot someone I would be in a Blood feud here.

People know I am Crazy so I don't have as many problems as I once had.

[Just Plain John Wayne]

Hahahahahaha... My woman shot a youth today with the BB gun...

They had been relentlessly coming on our land to steal the Crabble berries.

When she would go out there they knew they were in the wrong and would run from her, sometimes leaving their mothers pan where they were working under the trees.

They could not out run that BB gun ball and one of them squalled from it. With full power it will throw a BB 300 yards

Jameleth shouted out go bring your mother here, I am Nica and will shoot her if she tries to steal my Crabble Berries.

I was reluctant to show her how to use it, but I did and asked her to only pump it 5 times to just sting a bit....

I laughed when she told me she nailed one of them in the leggs. She can do it, but I think I better not just to be on the safe side..

[cookshow]

I have seriously considered and may buy a paint ball gun. If you have ever been hit by one you know that it stings like Hell. With red paint balls they would think they were bleeding to death, no one here has ever seen one so the first few people you shoot will go nuts thinking they have been mortally wounded "blood" everywhere.

Be worth a few chuckles at least.

[Little Corn Tom]

I use to have a paper route as a kid. Made deliveries on a bike. Dogs ran loose then and took particular delight in chasing and biting me.

My Mom got pissed and bought a squirt gun and then loaded it with ammonia water.

Worked like a charm. Never had to shoot the same dog twice.

Found this: http://www.vasfirstresponse.com/mace...=productsearch

[KeyWestPirate]

I have seriously considered and may buy a paint ball gun. If you have ever been hit by one you know that it stings like Hell. With red paint balls they would think they were bleeding to death, no one here has ever seen one so the first few people you shoot will go nuts thinking they have been mortally wounded "blood" everywhere.

Be worth a few chuckles at least.

Paint balls are also available with red pepper/pepper spray loads. Probably don't ship to California

http://www.backoffsucker.com/pepper-...ed-paintballs/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC1qw_M7wTw

We need a volunteer .. ..

[cookshow]

Pepper Spray would be amazing. Rock Man would not know what in the hell hit him, only know he no want no more of whatever that Gringo is serving.

[Jonh]

Kimber Pepper Blaster II

[Just Plain John Wayne]

Oh Good Lord....

I heard one gringo pepper sprayed an Indian here.

Of course they were all a drinking to a favored swimming hole and it almost turned into a riot.

Funny second hand story it was and would take time to lay it out.... I will one of these days..

[Little Corn Tom]

Awww...c'mon....do it now!

[ann]

Again, my thanks for the input...really like the idea of a paint gun and will look into that.

Got a pistol, got a rifle, and now - at the recommendation of the local police chief - have a shotgun. Maybe I'll open a store..............

[Just Plain John Wayne]

We say Grace an we say Mam, and if ya ain't into that I DON'T GIVE A DAMN....