"Scrappers, it's time to protect yourselves when you're out on the run"

Ok, I read a current post on some crazy stalking harassing some real Scrappers. When you leave out to go scrapping, besides a decent amount of gas in your vehicle, you need to have a fully charged or almost fully charged cell phone. The smarter the phone the better. They can record and snap photos of idiots trying to give you a hard time quickly.

Next, if someone is checking you out, don't make eye contact. By making eye contact you are acknowledging them and they may want to engage in a bunch of chatter. It could be a pleasant chat so you have to judge that one on your own. When you mind your business, folks generally mind theirs as well. While not making eye contact, watch your 6 and be alert. Pepper spray or something like that is always good to have. Personally, I role a little heavier than that, but I have to choose my words right so I don't tick off admin.

One last thing, in case you are following up on a Craigslist free pick or any pick up for that matter, hold on to all emails until all pick ups are complete. This is a good way to avoid harassment from cops or someone who wants to set you up. This is where having a smart phone is a plus. In case someone is accusing you of stealing, you can quickly pull up your email to prove otherwise.

Ok, I have said enough. Add a safety tip for your fellow Scrappers.

2 words. Concealed carry.

This Craigslist scam went down just north of us up in South Bend.
Probably can happen in any bigger city. Be alert, the old saying really applies here;
If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

UPDATE: 3 men in jail for local Craigslist scam, mugshots released - wsbt.com

If I'm going somewhere I don't really know or trust I leave my money under the matress.......That way if I do get jumped by a group of guys they won't get much

I'm not usually far from 3 guns at any point in time

I agree.

Originally Posted by taterjuice

I'm not usually far from 3 guns at any point in time

I guess it's safe to say, you're gunnin

Originally Posted by TheRecycler

I guess it's safe to say, you're gunnin

I'd rather have the heat and not need it then to need it and not have it .

Say hello to my little friend....

Or one of these This is my Daughter BTW and yes her stance is not good because she is wearing a boot for a sprained ankle.


My nephew having some fun as well.

Toting guns and scrapping metal seem to go hand and hand like peas and carrots, but maybe that's just me. I've been in a few situations where simply having a piece keep the peace. For some reason the sound of mini 14 bolt slamming shut as it chambers a round seems to stop many arguements before they start. Everyone, even non gun people seem to know the sound and what it means. It's a deterant for sure, I hope and pray the need never comes to be to fire on someone.

i learned a long time ago that having one and not needing it while good in itself can stioll afford trouble i will not go further than that

Pepper spray and a dog have worked for me.

I am in no way anti-gun or gunowner's rights but it seems to me that carrying one could come back to bite you. If the other person isn't armed you risk a legal charge for shooting them and if they are armed, you risk a shoot out. Maybe I am just lucky to live in an area where that kind of crime is rare, but even if I lived in the city again, I would try to avoid places where I felt I had to carry a weapon. You'd have to keep it on your body for one thing - because someone could reach into an unlocked car and pull it out or break your window and get it. And if you have it on your body, it could make moving large items kind of dangerous. I knew someone who lost a testicle carrying a gun in his pants - no kidding.