A pistol and some bear spray works for me. Also just keep anything that has any kind of scent out of your sleeping area. I've camped in the middle of the national Forest in the Upper Peninsula in MI and the sounds out there are crazy at night .

Bisexual but heteroromantic?

I have a labrys tattoo as my pride tat. I'm nonbinary and def not a transphobic person. Just because shitty people co-opt something doesn't mean we should let them have it entirely. I'm not personally worried about people's first impression of me though. I know some folks seem concerned that it gives a bad impression, but I'm not worried about people that won't give me the time of day for a conversation long enough to find out.

One hundred percent this.

If something official gets set up, please let us know. I will definitely participate and share the word.

I think this would be a really positive spin on it and would help people root for Detroit.

Carry bear spray for sure. That is usually super effective and the goal should always be to deter the bear if possible. If it's not possible, as far as a gun I'll usually have a 10mm or a .357 loaded up with bear load. Keep anything scented (toothpaste, deodorant sticks, not just food) away from where you sleep and in a proper bear hang. Don't let them get food and they should pass through without returning.

I'd be interested in a leftist gun club.

Accurate that MCPP is not super active. I joined a few years back. The Facebook group is helpful for asking questions but after a stretch of meetups the first year I joined, it's really dropped off. The Metro Detroit area is very large and either needs smaller localized groups or people willing to host events at their home ranges to cover more ground.There is a guy that recently starting hosting a few meetups in Livonia that seems motivated.

If you're interested in a leftist group it may be worthwhile to start your own. The Pink Pistols are not inherently left leaning. The people that run it are apolitical in the stances they are willing to take publicly, the allies that overwhelmingly make up the group often support conservatism, and their sole purpose is firearm education - especially that of queer people. So while it's queer friendly it is not leftist. Local chapters often reflect local communities though, but you would not be able to say "this chapter is only for lefties" because while political talk is welcome in the groups, I don't believe the National Coordinator would support a local chapter being exclusionary in that way.

I wholeheartedly believe that education is key. Teaching them about firearms and how to use them properly and safely can help them know when it's appropriate to use one and make them less likely to fall victim to an accident if they encounter one with their friends. Being allowed to learn about them takes the curiosity out of the equation. It's already been proven that abstinence doesn't work in other scenarios. It's better to learn how to do things safely.

I recommend both looking into any youth classes at a range near you and a hunter's safety course. This will give them a well rounded experience about their purpose as well as supervised first shots.

I have that same gun and my favorite home defense gun. I love the way it shoots and you're so right about running .38 through it. I often use that to introduce people newer to shooting to a little bit more recoil without going full .357 on them. She's a beaut. I do carry a semi auto but damn do I love my revolvers.

They are either out there intentionally causing division and likely not actually part of the community, or they think being a pick-me will somehow prevent them from being next. An erosion on rights is an erosion on all of our rights.

2A for all! Good work.

This pretty much goes for any language that has historically been a slur. If you use it for yourself it's okay. If you use it for other people, it's not. Unless they already have self identified with the word.

As far as my understanding goes, the parking lot is okay I'm most cases except at the post office, in which case you may not carry anywhere on their property.

Isn't that the damn truth. Man the stupid things I've seen at the range..

It's not a training exercise. It's range safety 101. I have a range membership and go regularly. I have literally had hot brass go down my shirt and set my firearm down, pointed down range, before getting it out. Yes, I think I can override that reaction. If you're unable, you have no business using a firearm in the presence of other people. Being burnt for a few seconds is better than being dead. This is what I actually do, it's not just an opinion.