Accounts from different people seem to indicate that a hollow
interior may in fact be occupied by a variety of nations and types
of beings. This is also borne out by folklore. Some may be quite
friendly, and other inimical to surface humanity.
This same topic about guns came up on Jan Lamprecht's
hollowearth list back in 1999. The rationale is really quite
simple: Polar bears, killer whales, giant feral felines, wolves,
hyenadons, smilodons, and a variety of other predatory creatures
are DEADLY. They don't care about your personal vibrations,
non-meat-eating philosophies, current state of enlightenment, or
karmic state. To them, you are a large monkey with extra nutritive
value. In addition to unexpected encounters with hungry beasts,
one must mention potential encounters (inside or out) with
primitive headhunters, religious fantatics, secret society
saboteurs, operatives of hostile governments, cannibals,
barbarians, or people who may just not want their happy little
corner of reality discovered or revealed to the nations "out here."
This all aside from any "friendlies" who may or may not be there.
A medium or large-calibre handgun, and perhaps a carbine rifle
(some nice 9mm models, fairly lightweight, exist, and could
share ammo with the pistols) would be a wise addition on an
expedition of this type. Don't leave home without it, but hope that
you aren't picked up for some sort of "illegal firearm" transport
violation by a hostile government or their armed forces. And I'm
not just talking about the U.S.A., I'm thinking more about those
jumpy and suspicious communists and pretend-we're-not-still
communists whose territories so closely approach the region.
Go armed if you go, it's just common sense. But go cautiously.
--Mike