How do you deal with the fear of having your gear stolen?

[ConradM]

Thankfully we have castle doctrine here in WV as well.

That's actually called brandishing and it's illegal. You should only pull a gun if you intend to kill someone as a last resort. Not wound, not threaten, kill.

It's not brandishing to draw your weapon in defense and demand that the aggressor submit until authorities arrive.

It's not coercing someone into doing something. I think on any level, if you're being mugged you have legitimate concerns. Even if it's just camera gear. People have been killed for less. I was saying that if you have a concern you most likely will just need to draw your gun, this in most cases will be enough. I wasn't really questioning if you have a right to or not. I was just speaking in general terms if you feel you have draw your gun you most likely won't have to shoot them.

That would be the worst mentality to have carrying a gun. :blushing: It should be more like, If you feel you have to draw your gun, then you feel like you have to kill someone.

Concealed carry guns are not deterrents. If you're using your carry gun in a manner other than to kill someone in self defense or defense of property then there's a good chance you're breaking the law.

If you want a deterrent then carry pepper spray or a tazer.

 

[unpopular]

Using a gun is a bad idea. There is a 50/50 they have one also, and if you're getting jumped then your assailant already has the upper hand.

Unlike many of the guys here who play rambo in their suburban daydreams at the rifle range, I actually do live in a not so great neighborhood - not the worst neighborhood, but not the best either.

At first I really worried about getting jumped, not so much the camera but I really don't like getting beaten. But after a while, you just have to deal with it and realize that there is no point in owning a nice camera if you don't ever use it. I've found myself in a couple situations, and it really sucks to feel like you're being preyed upon, but you just deal with it, stay conscious of what's going on and always have an escape plan when you're in an isolated urban location. People are by far your best defense - way better than a handgun - and if you're in a sticky situation it's best to just move into a more public area.

Instead of using a gun, which is a TERRIBLE idea - the liability alone is tremendous - I'd suggest owning pepper spray or a taser. You could even attach a mace canister to your camera strap if you know you're going to be in a less public area.

Obviously unless you're doing a documentary on the subject, there is no reason to flounce your camera around in a neighborhood which you might not be welcome. Just use common sense, stay around people and if you find yourself in an isolated location always have some way to get back into the public.

 

[Netskimmer]

Also, if said attacker calls your bluff you could very well be getting killed with your own gun.

Oh it wouldn't be a bluff, I would pull the trigger if necessary.

 

[ConradM]

Thankfully we have castle doctrine here in WV as well. It's not brandishing to draw your weapon in defense and demand that the aggressor submit until authorities arrive.

Yes it is. If you get charged forit is up to the police/court. I know it seems like it's a good idea to use a gun to "threaten" an attacker and it might be. But it's still brandishing. Also, if said attacker calls your bluff you could very well be getting killed with your own gun.

BrandishingVerb: Wave or flourish (something, esp. a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.It says you can't generally threaten someone. Doesn't say doing so in self defense. I think this is in general terms, not intended for if you're in danger. Is it Really worse to threaten someone of you're in danger rather then to just shoot them?

Yes it is. Because, where do you draw the line? I could say I felt I was in danger because someone was shouting at me in the parking lot. You get what I'm saying? There has to be an "actual" threat. If there is an actual threat then you should be defending yourself with deadly force.

 

[Vtec44]

That would be the worst mentality to have carrying a gun. :blushing: It should be more like, If you feel you have to draw your gun, then you feel like you have to kill someone.

Concealed carry guns are not deterrents. If you're using your carry gun in a manner other than to kill someone in self defense or defense of property then there's a good chance you're breaking the law.

If you want a deterrent then carry pepper spray or a tazer.

Yep, that attitude will also get you killed. You draw a gun to shoot until the thread to your life is no longer a thread. You don't shoot to injure and when you point a gun at someone expect them to shoot back.

 

[ConradM]

Using a gun is a bad idea. There is a 50/50 they have one also, and if you're getting jumped then your assailant already has the upper hand.

Unlike many of the guys here who play rambo in their suburban daydreams at the rifle range, I actually do live in a not so great neighborhood - not the worst neighborhood, but not the best either.

At first I really worried about getting jumped, not so much the camera but I really don't like getting beaten. But after a while, you just have to deal with it and realize that there is no point in owning a nice camera if you don't ever use it. I've found myself in a couple situations, and it really sucks to feel like you're being preyed upon, but you just deal with it, stay conscious of what's going on and always have an escape plan when you're in an isolated urban location. People are by far your best defense - way better than a handgun - and if you're in a sticky situation it's best to just move into a more public area.

Instead of using a gun, which is a TERRIBLE idea - the liability alone is tremendous - I'd suggest owning pepper spray or a taser. You could even attach a mace canister to your camera strap if you know you're going to be in a less public area.

Obviously unless you're doing a documentary on the subject, there is no reason to flounce your camera around in a neighborhood which you might not be welcome. Just use common sense, stay around people and if you find yourself in an isolated location always have some way to get back into the public.

Are you against guns in general or just the idea of using a gun to prevent theft?

 

[unpopular]

Oh. and one thing on less lethal weapons - PRACTICE USING THEM.

Just like a gun, be prepared in how they operate. Especially with pepper spray.

 

[unpopular]

Using a gun is a bad idea. There is a 50/50 they have one also, and if you're getting jumped then your assailant already has the upper hand.

Unlike many of the guys here who play rambo in their suburban daydreams at the rifle range, I actually do live in a not so great neighborhood - not the worst neighborhood, but not the best either.

At first I really worried about getting jumped, not so much the camera but I really don't like getting beaten. But after a while, you just have to deal with it and realize that there is no point in owning a nice camera if you don't ever use it. I've found myself in a couple situations, and it really sucks to feel like you're being preyed upon, but you just deal with it, stay conscious of what's going on and always have an escape plan when you're in an isolated urban location. People are by far your best defense - way better than a handgun - and if you're in a sticky situation it's best to just move into a more public area.

Instead of using a gun, which is a TERRIBLE idea - the liability alone is tremendous - I'd suggest owning pepper spray or a taser. You could even attach a mace canister to your camera strap if you know you're going to be in a less public area.

Obviously unless you're doing a documentary on the subject, there is no reason to flounce your camera around in a neighborhood which you might not be welcome. Just use common sense, stay around people and if you find yourself in an isolated location always have some way to get back into the public.

Are you against guns in general or just the idea of using a gun to prevent theft?

I am extremely pro-gun. But in this situation it's a very bad idea.

 

[Vtec44]

Instead of using a gun, which is a TERRIBLE idea - the liability alone is tremendous - I'd suggest owning pepper spray or a taser. You could even attach a mace canister to your camera strap if you know you're going to be in a less public area.

Why even bother when the bad guy already has a gun? That's like bringing pepper spray to a gun fight.

 

[unpopular]

In the movies they always have the thug walking up to you and firmly, but politely, asking your for your wallet.

This isn't how it actually happens.

If you have a gun drawn at you, your only option is to hand over your camera.

 

[Netskimmer]

I think the problem here is that we are talking about what we might do in this hypothetical situation which hasn't been well defined. We are arguing vague points that really aren't constructive to the OP's question. I say we file this along with the 'Nikon vs Canon' and 'are UV filters helpful in protecting lenses' debates and move on.

 

[unpopular]

I'll point out also having some fear is really a good thing, it keeps you aware of what's going on and the behavior of those around you.

It's really only a problem when it limits your ability to work effectively.

 

[Diver_matt]

I've been in law enforcement for 20 years now. I have been involved in lethal force situations and a close friend actually took a life. I'm 100% convinced that taking a life for material possessions is simply not worth it. You can thump your chest all you want. My friend used to, also. When you actually take a life for a camera, you will either regret it for the rest of your's or you aren't much better than the one you killed. Simply meaning you lack compassion for human life. It's a camera...seriously. Generally speaking, when a victim pulls a firearm, it doesn't often go so well. Of course, we're on the internet so I'm sure everyone on here has been in numerous gun battles, hit every target (another reason not to worry so much about a camera) and were emotionally fine regardless of outcome.

So, to the OP: First, get insurance as many have suggested. Second, don't be a victim. Thieves don't want to get into a fight over your camera. Chances are it could get damaged making it useless to them, it would take longer to get from you and attract more witnesses. Look like a hard target. Walk with confidence. Hold your stuff firmly. Look into people's eyes with confidence. They prey on the weak. Lastly, situational awareness. Know what/who is around you. Don't get soooo focused on a photo that you lose peripheral vision. Make a note of your surroundings before setting up that awesome shot. Go with other photographers. Lots and lots of ways to protect yourself.

 

[unpopular]

^^ excellent advice!

I would also add to not dress like you have a lot of money. For one thing I hate it when rich people come into my neighborhood. It's like WTF are you doing here?! I'd imagine that if you look out of place, you'd be much more likely to be targeted.

At night, I've found it helps to carry a HUGE flash. Like a Sunpak 622 or maybe even something like a Flashpoint 400. I have no idea how useful this would actually be, but it helps so much just to have some idea line of defense in mind - and these flashes would be very disorienting.

 

[enzodm]

I come from a country with a totally different approach to guns, which is also one reason of the much lower number of homicides we have. Diver gives good advice on how to behave. I feel more risk in situations where your things can be robbed without your knowledge (wallet in metro, etc); thief does not mean violent, in principle.

I usually do not fear much - I live in a place where I can even forget to close my car without many risks.
When I travel, I try to understand where I can go showing off my camera. However, I'm prepared to let it to a thief, if really convincing.
For the last business trip to South Africa, I bought a P&S too for the places where I could feel less safe. After being back, I could tell I was overprudent, although it depended from the amount of people I was moving with (alone could have been different).
At present I travel with <1500 euros between camera and lens. If in the future the overall value of my kit will grow too much, I would eventually buy an insurance.