# First wave of unarmed citizenry? How'd that look? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 1, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-wave-of-unarmed-citizenry-howd-that-look/694590 "2014-08-01T17:45:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-wave-of-unarmed-citizenry-howd-that-look/694590/21 "2014-08-01T23:32:47Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I don’t know if this affects the discussion, but I rather doubt that people routinely carried firearms at any point in US history. That is, I wouldn’t expect (except under special circumstances) that one would be plowing the back 40 with a musket on your back or driving into town for groceries with a flintlock pistol in your belt. I would think there would be a rifle or two in the house, for hunting as well as home defense, but not carried routinely. > > Regards, > Shodan Now Shodan, The farmer plowing had her/his rifle in a scabbard strapped to the plow handles. It was much easier for them to get them out in a hurry. It was easier on the back as well. The less careful ones leaned it against a tree beside the field being plowed. Reading my family’s diaries of the 1800s this was not uncommon, as the LAW was often days away. Indians, and outlaws were not the main uses for a rifle. Wolves, coyotes, big cats, and bears come to mind. In fact, firearms are still used in my area today. There are still bears out there. Boulder as recently as last year had/has a cougar problem. I would bet that folks out in “the woods” “back east” still carry when the are out away from the house. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-wave-of-unarmed-citizenry-howd-that-look/694590/22 "2014-08-02T01:40:06Z")
Indeed - out in the wilderness, or where the Law is a long ride away, good idea to have your gun and knife within reach. In the larger cities, however, not that critical even in the 19th century. And in any case, the notion that the ideal state of affairs is to be packing 24/7 anywhere you feel like it, no restrictions whatsoever of time or place, is itself a relatively recent deal from the gun rights side of the debate. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-wave-of-unarmed-citizenry-howd-that-look/694590/23 "2014-08-02T02:16:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There have always been many Americans with guns Not only that, but the plot thickens… I personally know many people with _ **huge** _ stockpiles of guns and ammo. Me included. 😉 There’s a \*lot \*of people out there with a \*lot \*of guns & ammo. I know this first-hand. ---
**Author:** ![PorchePine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@PorchePine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PorchePine)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-wave-of-unarmed-citizenry-howd-that-look/694590/24 "2014-08-02T02:24:34Z")
> [@48Willys](#): > > Boulder as recently as last year had/has a cougar problem. When I’m approached by cougars, a simple, “No thanks, I like women my own age.” usually suffices. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-wave-of-unarmed-citizenry-howd-that-look/694590.md?page=1)