Ebbie, I really appreciate that you gave context in your post. Camping in wild areas, it makes sense to you to carry a firearm, or have one readily assessible.

I have a not-at-all tested theory that when or whether a person carries a gun, or feels a need to insist on his/her right to carry a gun depends on a number of variables.

Culture and socialization is certainly one variable. Another deals with how well the Eriksonian developmental crisis of trust vs. mistrust get resolved in early childhood. Yet another is how life circumstances and experiences at ages well beyond early childhood has shaped one's perceptions of danger and safety, and lastly, how inclined toward risk-taking is an individual. The last includes those who get a thrill out of being in potentially dangerous situations, and those who are determined to pursue their interests and like adventures, access the dangers, more or less realistically, and decide the pursuit of the interest or adventure is worth the danger, but they want to be prepared as much as possible.

Testoterone levels probably also figure in to the equation some way or another, but not hugely.

Janie