Personally I wouldn't take a gun in the middle of the night to a remote location such as a pistol, because sometimes you take something to protect you from being paranoid and may end up accidentally shooting someone like another innocent sky watcher. I am not against guns just pistols if your going to take a gun take something that will actually do the job.
-------------------- -Tristan
http://cheapastronomy.webs.com/ Orion Skyview Pro 8 GoTo
Homemade 70mm 800f/l Refractor.
Homemade 36mm/500f/l $6 scope.
Homemade 61mm/375f/l Wooden refractor. *work in progress*
"A smart man learns from his own mistakes, but a wise man will learn from another's mistakes." -Me
"When all else fails...." Ham Radio