You are very lucky that you have never had a reason to pull your weapon. I was once like you until someone threatened my life in a very serious way (over absolutely nothing, road rage on their part) and pulling out my gun IMMEDIATELY ended the situation. As a "grown man", I was shaking like a child and have no doubt that the gun kept me from serious harm at that moment.

I hope you can avoid this type of situation forever. If your gun is ever used for protection, please get back on here and tell us if you feel the same way.

My point is you don't know anyones life story and what they have encountered in the past that might make them quicker than you to attempt to avoid a dangerous situation by using a gun.

There is trash like these people, http://www.flwfishing.com/news/2016-02-01-bfl-angler-poche-stabbed-to-death, all over the world. This is a tragedy and I am not saying a gun would have solved this situation, it could have made it much worse, but I want to be prepared for losers like this that have nothing to live for. Guns wouldn't exist if they weren't good at keeping people in line. The downside is that the wrong people get them way too often, which is all the more reason to own one.

921, without a doubt the situation you are describing is poor etiquette on the skiers part or yours in your younger days. I know the rules well and when we pick lines we are well away from the fishermen but do cruise parallel the bank. There is no reason to be fishing a bank then troll out 30-40 yds make a few casts then go directly back to the bank they were previously on. We have had idiot skiers do what you described to us as well and I flag them down to correct them and most seem to oblivious to what they are doing (Wally's).

Sounds like your cousin put himself in a bad situation and paid the price. Maybe you should learn to avoid conflict instead of escalating them with a gun. Eh? Crazy thought huh.

I'm not going to be a tough guy, I'm going to be the better guy and avoid the conflict all together.

Bad situations and conflict can find you, whether you would "put yourself in it" or not. For your sake, I sincerely hope you never face a situation like that. Your superior maturity and bravery will be lost with you. Thoughts and prayers for your family...

Just like you have been the better guy with your responses right?
Smh

Tim, I call your post above over the line. Name calling just ain't cool, especially on the forum. Of course, nobody cares what I think.

You call that guy a coward because of the way he handles situations. From the way you explain yourself.

Hymmm angry guy charging you in a boat...... That could mean you are dead quickly or you have a ridiculous quick speed draw..... What a joke dude....

^^Exactly right-the name calling part that is

I personally refuse to be a victim. If pulling my weapon will de-escalate a potentially violent situation then I will. Any situation can escalate rapidly, I choose to be ready and not behind the 8 ball. Not all confrontations can be completely avoided. Having said that I refuse to die over stupid chit.

I care. I hope that makes you feel better.

I'd rather be the solution over a statistic...

The story sounds like a skit from gilligans or the fonz jumping the shark.

Long line ski ropes are only 75' (25 yards) at the very longest. In the 1970's there was no such invention as a 'ski pylon.' All ski boats in the era the rope at to be attached very near the transom close to water level, even in the high end Nautiques of the day. Wake board towers have only been around since the mid 1990s. If the boat when to the offshore side and the skier went bank side as reported and you think about the angle from water level to chest high on a skier 25' yards away even if he had his hands over his head the rope would have had to get wrapped around Phototex boat, motor, chairs, windshield, would have had to take their legs out from under them, would have taken their poles out from their hands. It is physically not possible for a skier to get the rope over the head of a grown man who is standing 4-8" above the water level in a boat while the skier was at water level. The story can't have happened as described due to the laws of physics.