"You never know if somebody's going to jump out of the bushes if you pull over to help somebody." – Ron Queen

"Because I've always remembered a gal who was driving… on 299, and they have never found her. That's why I decided to get a concealed weapon. Something happened to her car, and whoever stopped to help her certainly did not." – Penny Elsebusch

"...and there's a mountain lion come strolling down to visit with you." – Al Koog

…sometimes their work takes them into sketchy places.

Al Koog grew up on a ranch in Texas, shooting – among other pests – rattlesnakes that sneaked into the basement.

On the cover: Carry concealed weapon(CCW) permit holders, Humboldt County. Graphic by Holly Harvey.