I'm a little late on the disussion here but, my Dad always braught a colt .45 with us when we camped. I don't know if it was legal or what ever, but I knew where it was, I knew not to touch it and i knew that if any one or anything threatened me or mom it was dead. Dad also kept all the guns on a gun rack by the front door. I knew where the bulits were and how to load the guns. Thank god I never had to.
I am not a huge fan of guns. I choose not to learn to shoot or to own a gun. But I sleep with a hunting knife when I camp....