Self Defense Tip: Know Where You Are

By far, my favorite way to hurt myself is exploring the vast expanses of deserts, mountains, and forests in the great state of Arizona on my dirtbike. I wouldn’t dream of heading out on one of these adventures without a buddy, ample water, snacks, first aid, protective gear, basic tools and survival stuff, like my trusty old SIG 220. In the southern part of the state, running into drug smugglers, rip crews, and their ATF -enabled weapons is a real concern. Even though statistically the “Boonies” are much safer than the city where I live, if we do run into trouble out there, we’re on our own . . .

Last week my best friend and I headed up to the Bradshaw Mountains about an hour north of Phoenix. The area is laced with old and new mining claims, dirt paths, forest service roads, and a few isolated homesteads. Usually, if we miss a trail marker, a closed gate and bright orange and black signs reading “Private Property” or “No Trespassing” clearly communicate the fact that we need to turn around. Some property owners however prefer to be a little more subtle.

Cresting a small rise on a trail numbered “89”, we had the choice to go left down a rocky creek bed, or right onto a rutted two track. With no marker apparent, I chose right. In my peripheral vision, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a trash can lid, leaning on a bush, with what might have been some faint writing scratched in to it. We trotted up another 100 yards or so and passed an open gate made of corrugated tin and pvc pipe. At the next flat spot we were able to make a 3-point turn and thump back to the fork in the road. I stopped for a moment at what now looked more like a pizza pan and pointed out the inscription to my friend.

PRIVATE: RESISTANCE AHEAD, NO TURN AROUND.

He thought it was funny. “Resistance Ahead”? To me, this was the artists way of implying that he had creative license to greet interlopers anyway he saw fit…

Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground has been on the books in my state for a few years now. To borrow from the movie “The Fugitive”, It extends to farmhouses, outhouses, doghouses, hen houses, whorehouses , businesses, vehicles, bicycles and anywhere a person may legally be if they are not committing an “unlawful act”. In a public place I have the option to escape or retreat, or initiate a “Mexican Standoff”.

But we were not in public anymore. With a flick of the wrist, we had flipped sides on the “Stand Your Ground” coin. A pie-plate and a shoddy gate were the only indications that a large chunk of my self-defense repertoire had evaporated.

Facing confrontation on private land, the property owner can reasonably respond to whatever threat he/she perceives. He could do nothing, or he could meet the trespassing, (and possibly) vandalizing, arsonist, thieves, with a fully-accesorized modern home defense sporting rifle. Whether I know it or not, as the unwelcome visitor, I am now afforded only the minimum right to self-defense. I must attempt to withdraw, or communicate my intent to do so, before I can legally defend myself.

Out in the sticks, discretion is definitly the better part of valor. I must accept the fact that I might have to suck it up, apologize, and turn my back on a pissed off stranger with a rifle. Yikes!