Manhattan NY

[SecedeTX]

The family is going to Manhattan over the July 4th weekend, just booked the tickets today. I checked CHL map, and no suprise to me, New York was not on the list.

I REALLY don't like going to a downtown environment that I am not familiar with, without protection. My wife and my daughter really want to go, but the whole anti-gun thing turns me off.

The law is the law, but I am not happy with it.

[WildBill]

The family is going to Manhattan over the July 4th weekend, just booked the tickets today. I checked CHL map, and no suprise to me, New York was not on the list.

I REALLY don't like going to a downtown environment that I am not familiar with, without protection. My wife and my daughter really want to go, but the whole anti-gun thing turns me off.

The law is the law, but I am not happy with it.

I am surprised that you had to look at the map. The locals will be able to tell you what areas to avoid. Be safe and enjoy your trip.

[seamusTX]

1. Manhattan has a far lower rate of violent crime than Houston.
2. Pepper spray.
3. Mugger roll.
4. Subway map.

Enjoy your trip.

- Jim

[PUCKER]

I usually carry a nice pocket knife when visiting NYC, not that I go there alot but I've "had" to due to work, it can be a fun place, just watch your back, be alert, have a plan, etc.

[Excaliber]

The family is going to Manhattan over the July 4th weekend, just booked the tickets today. I checked CHL map, and no suprise to me, New York was not on the list.

I REALLY don't like going to a downtown environment that I am not familiar with, without protection. My wife and my daughter really want to go, but the whole anti-gun thing turns me off.

The law is the law, but I am not happy with it.

New York City during the daytime is MUCH safer than it used to be.

If you stick to the tourist areas, you should be fine.

Keep your situational awareness on high, though - scammers, pickpockets, petty thieves and the like are thick and will take lightning fast advantage of any carelessness like putting down a purse or laptop.

For the guys, carrying the wallet in the front pocket is much safer than the back. New York's pickpockets can easily remove a wallet from the rear pocket and even from the inside of an open jacket without you feeling a thing. I even had one guy try it on the front pocket, but instead of him ending up with my wallet, I ended up with a tight grip on his hand and we had a brief but productive discussion on the rudeness of that maneuver.

[Ameer]

Did you keep the hand? Seems only fair.

[Oldgringo]

For the guys, carrying the wallet in the front pocket is much safer than the back. New York's pickpockets can easily remove a wallet from the rear pocket and even from the inside of an open jacket without you feeling a thing. I even had one guy try it on the front pocket, but instead of him ending up with my wallet, I ended up with a tight grip on his hand and we had a brief but productive discussion on the rudeness of that maneuver.

Maybe he mistook you for someone he thought was glad to to see him?

[jimlongley]

Wrap your wallet in rubber bands, which makes it tough to remove.

As Shore Patrol in Manhattan in 1969/70 we advised sailors to carry their wallets in the inner pocket of their 13 button blues, front pocket of whites, but many went for the old fold over the waist thing to keep the lines looking neat, which usually resulted in a missing wallet.

We used to run into street urchins in other countries who could take your wallet right off your body, from just about any location, with a razor blade, and do it so skilfully you hardly noticed.

[seamusTX]

Watch out for fast talkers and team-taggers. One of the most tried and proven methods of pickpockets is for one of them to run into you while the other (whom you never see) does the picking. Often this technique involves spilling a beverage on you.

They used to use hot dogs, but I guess tourists got wise to that.

The following story has nothing directly to do with New York, but I like to tell it.

The last time my wife and I were in New Orleans, in 2002, we were walking in the French Quarter after dark in a fairly thick crowd.

Immediately to my wife's left, a very robust, tall blonde woman suddenly grabbed a slight black woman and yelled something like, "Give it up." We froze.

The black woman protested that she hadn't done anything.

The white woman told my wife to check her purse. Nothing was missing.
.
The white woman released the black woman, and everyone went on their way.

Obviously the white woman was a cop. The white woman knew the black woman was a pickpocket or purse-snatcher. The black woman knew the white woman was a cop and they recognized each other.

That's New Orleans for you.

- Jim

[OldCurlyWolf]

The family is going to Manhattan over the July 4th weekend, just booked the tickets today. I checked CHL map, and no suprise to me, New York was not on the list.

I REALLY don't like going to a downtown environment that I am not familiar with, without protection. My wife and my daughter really want to go, but the whole anti-gun thing turns me off.

The law is the law, but I am not happy with it.

NYC does not recognize permits by the rest of the State of NY. No way are they going to recognize one from another state.

One reason I haven't been there except to travel through. And I won't.

[SecedeTX]

I would rather not go, but I have a 10 year old girl who has been a castmember for the Nutcracker and Aladin. Her dream in life is to see Broadway shows.

Sounds like my trip to Paris...it would of been nice except for all of the French ;)

[The Annoyed Man]

The family is going to Manhattan over the July 4th weekend, just booked the tickets today. I checked CHL map, and no suprise to me, New York was not on the list.

I REALLY don't like going to a downtown environment that I am not familiar with, without protection. My wife and my daughter really want to go, but the whole anti-gun thing turns me off.

The law is the law, but I am not happy with it.

I use to live in Manhattan, in the "east 80s." It's not so bad there. I was only assaulted by a gang in broad daylight once in 3 years. {:•/)

[jimlongley]

The family is going to Manhattan over the July 4th weekend, just booked the tickets today. I checked CHL map, and no suprise to me, New York was not on the list.

I REALLY don't like going to a downtown environment that I am not familiar with, without protection. My wife and my daughter really want to go, but the whole anti-gun thing turns me off.

The law is the law, but I am not happy with it.

I use to live in Manhattan, in the "east 80s." It's not so bad there. I was only assaulted by a gang in broad daylight once in 3 years. {:•/)

Four years in the Navy during 'nam and the only place I ever got shot at was in Brooklyn.

[ShinerTX]

Growing up in a small west Texas town I've heard all the stories about Manhattan all my life. Rude people, expensive, crime, and ... In the last 18 month I've been there three times, each time for a week. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it and how great the people were. Not one bad experience. Looking at the previous posts you notice that several are from individual that had bad experience years ago. Much has changed and for whatever reason, it is an amazing place.

I love walking around cities and I've been on the street at pretty much any time of day, bars typically close at 4:00 so there is always music and action somewhere. Stay south of Central Park and you won't have any problems.

As a CHL holder you probably always maintain situational awareness, continue to do so there.

My philosophy is that people pretty much find what they look for, go with an open mind expecting the best and you won't be disappointed.

[Griffen]

Growing up in a small west Texas town I've heard all the stories about Manhattan all my life. Rude people, expensive, crime, and ... In the last 18 month I've been there three times, each time for a week. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it and how great the people were. Not one bad experience. Looking at the previous posts you notice that several are from individual that had bad experience years ago. Much has changed and for whatever reason, it is an amazing place.

I love walking around cities and I've been on the street at pretty much any time of day, bars typically close at 4:00 so there is always music and action somewhere. Stay south of Central Park and you won't have any problems.

As a CHL holder you probably always maintain situational awareness, continue to do so there.

My philosophy is that people pretty much find what they look for, go with an open mind expecting the best and you won't be disappointed.

I go to NY periodically for a number of reasons, the last was to run the NY marathon. I always enjoy going there because its so different from most other cities. I've never had a problem anywhere I've ventured there, and I look for odd or off the path type places. I even ride the subway which is a real treat sometimes. I know I may be putting myself in a vulnerable position sometimes, but to me the payoff is coming home with more NY stories under my belt. Until such time as there is a National reciprocity agreement in place, this is the type of decsion we're all going to have to make.

I suggest just be rational in your decision making. If sense something could be bad, don't go there or make alternate plans to visit at another time.