Do you carry protection when running?

IL doesn't recognize anybody's permit. They don't allow anybody to carry. However, with a resident MI permit, you can safely carry across state lines into WI, OH, or IN.

ETA: For now, always check the map before a trip, as those laws change often.

That's exactly what we were advised to do in our class...double check the maps before you go anywhere. We're taking an RV camping trip out west this year and since we won't be in OR or CA, we're seriously considering bringing them along since we'll be camping in some rural areas...

Thanks for the people for replying to my previous comment. Just a quick question, I'm curious, and mean nothing by this. Do you ever travel to Europe, Canada, Australia NZ etc where the general population do not routinely carry weapons? How safe do you feel in, say, Paris or Edinburgh. I know that "bad" people are everywhere and you can get mugged (and worse) anywhere whether as a tourist or a local. I mean, generally, do you feel safe in your own neighbourhood? In another US city? In a city in a foreign land? And how about where you don't understand the language? I'm from the UK and have been to Paris and Rome recently. In Paris I felt that as a tourist my purse would be stolen at any point, I did not think that I would be shot or stabbed, in Rome there was a different atmosphere and although I could have been mugged, it did not seem quite so likely. That was my perception based on the number of people "accidentally" knocking into me at tourist spots, or asking directions. (I don't know either language) However, if I were to travel to, say New York, I would assume that the robbing would involve a gun! It is such a different culture and it is like asking you to explain why you say sidewalk instead of pavement. We just don't understand! I feel 100% safe from attacks where I live. (The traffic is a different matter!) Seriously, I would hate to have to go anywhere with a gun, even if I was trained in its use.

Thanks for the people for replying to my previous comment. Just a quick question, I'm curious, and mean nothing by this. Do you ever travel to Europe, Canada, Australia NZ etc where the general population do not routinely carry weapons? How safe do you feel in, say, Paris or Edinburgh. I know that "bad" people are everywhere and you can get mugged (and worse) anywhere whether as a tourist or a local. I mean, generally, do you feel safe in your own neighbourhood? In another US city? In a city in a foreign land? And how about where you don't understand the language? I'm from the UK and have been to Paris and Rome recently. In Paris I felt that as a tourist my purse would be stolen at any point, I did not think that I would be shot or stabbed, in Rome there was a different atmosphere and although I could have been mugged, it did not seem quite so likely. That was my perception based on the number of people "accidentally" knocking into me at tourist spots, or asking directions. (I don't know either language) However, if I were to travel to, say New York, I would assume that the robbing would involve a gun! It is such a different culture and it is like asking you to explain why you say sidewalk instead of pavement. We just don't understand! I feel 100% safe from attacks where I live. (The traffic is a different matter!) Seriously, I would hate to have to go anywhere with a gun, even if I was trained in its use.

Well I have traveled fairly extensively for work around the world. Usually in the "tourist areas" one has to worry about pickpockets and purse snatchers. Violent crime rarely happens there as usually there is a police presence (both overt and covert) becuase tourism = big dollars and a splashy headline of some tourist getting stabbed to death in front of say Buckingham Palace wont go over well. So for "tourist areas" I do feel safe.

Now- do I feel safe going to places where I cant carry a gun? Yep- no problem. Like I posted above the best way to keep from having to defend yourself or from getting mugged is to keep your situational awareness up. Too often as a tourist people gawk, look around, and so on at whatever cool city they are in. That's fine but every now and then bring your eyes to street level and see if anyone is giving you a hard stare from across the street or is pacing you. Another good trick is every once in while walk into a random shop to "browse" for 5 minutes or so. Muggers are opportunists and they wont wait around typically while you look through a store.

As for not speaking the language- thats not true. I will guarantee if someone pulls a knife on you in Rome you will understand the language damn quick. ALL- and I mean ALL- criminals react almost the same way when it comes to the stalk and attack. Why? Because its rooted in our human nature. The stalk and attack are the same around the world, which means the signals are the same, which means you can pick them up and react accordingly. How you react will determine many times the outcome of the attack.

Real life example: I have a co-worker who went to Budapest. Now Mark is a jacked dude- 5' 11", wins amateur body building contests, has multiple black belts in "normal" martial arts and is very high in both krav maga and Gracie jiu jitsu. On top of that he just has a naturally mean face- so basically NOT someone you would want to **** with. Ever.

Mark is an amateur photog, wears a rolex, etc. He was in Budapest around 9 PM and he went a little off the beaten tourist path to take some pics of a church. He said all of a sudden he violently flinched because he felt like something was thrown at his head. He looked around and found himself being paced by 5 guys on the other side of the street. When they realized they were made they began the classic fan that is a prelude to a pack attack. Mark got out of it by NOT running as that kicks in a predatory response of the attackers. Instead he squared off to the obvious leader, set himself, and with eye contact alone non-verbally let the ring leader know that it was going to be an epic fight and Mark would do his best to KILL him if noithing else. He said the stare down lasted a few seconds, the ringleader said something and they broke off the impending attack.

In this case Mark let his SA down but listened to his primal brain that said he was being hunted. he then reacted accordingly and in this case his getting ready for a throw down was obvious. Crminals dont like to a) get hurt and b) have a commotion start that will attract attention typically. They try to pick on what I term "the sheep"- sometimes though they pick on the sheepdog and then all hell breaks loose. I am a sheep dog but responsible gun owners (and really responsible people) dont go looking for trouble. Just because I carry a gun doesnt mean I go all vigilante and hit the bad sections of town to dispense justice- screw that- the problem with that is *I* run the risk of being hurt in a fight!

Carrying a gun doesnt make me paranoid- if that was the case I would be in a sandbagged house receving my pizza through an armored slot in the door! I carry because I legally can. Avergae response time in the US for 911 call is around 17 minutes. I cant carry a cop on my hip but I can a pistol. And like I said in a previous post I have carried for 27 years and drawn twice in my defence (once a mugging attempt at 2 AM near a bar, once a pack attack by three armed teenagers at a mall who decided to mug my 9 year old of his Xbox)

To finish this ramble- I have two very good friends over here who are UK citizens. Here in my state at least permanent resident aliens also have the right to get their permits. Both of them carry over here also and wish they could do the same in the UK. It is a liberating to know that your safety is in your hands and one doesnt have to barricade the bedroom and pray the cops get to you before that door is broken down!

Hope this helps

I do not use anything for protection. But if I was a women I would use "The CellBand" along with a personal alarm.

Any weapon you take may possibly be used against you.
i have considered pepper spray, but if the wind is against you, it will zap you as well.
so unless it's something that comes second nature to you, is readily out of your pocket and doesn't require distance (such as a gun), i think you're better off with tall posture and a bit of a crazy stare. Or a crazy dog
Mind, if that gun, or knife, or mace gives you confidence, that might be all the deterrent you need.

Sigh.... These threads always make me sad

I run on a well lit path in an affluent neighborhood in a Canadian city with a large-ish dog as my companion. I don't really think I need any protection. Biggest danger is getting hit by a leisure cyclist but I keep music low enough to hear their bell.

When the days get shorter and my runs are before/after sunrise/sunset I'll probably use RunKeeper Live so if I'm late my boyfriend can check on me.

These threads always remind me why the rest of the world doesn't like America.

These threads always remind me why the rest of the world doesn't like America.

Also reminds me of why I love it... I enjoy my freedoms. Funny though, how the "rest of the world" sure likes our money and aid.

We certainly aren't perfect, but we as a country, have given and sacrificed more to help those in need than any other country- many times over.

I run with an Ruger LCR in a Remora IWB holster. The only place that my gun doesn't go with me is into buildings where I am not allowed by law to carry it (courthouse, sheriff's office, university property).

Ahh, I woman after my own heart.... were you raised in Texas too? lol

These threads always remind me why the rest of the world doesn't like America.

Yeah, I'd be jealous too if I couldn't have any guns