Do You Feel Sale?

While I was in my hometown I did not feel safe. I never felt safe. However that was not a reflection of the town itself, so much as it was my own paranoia and anxiety. Agoraphobia I think it's called?
I'm not sure about the town I just moved to. It's a lot smaller, and very friendly all around with a great community feel. I still make sure everything is locked at night though, and sometimes I'll wake up paranoid in the middle of the night thinking there's a stranger in my house but again, thats just me, not my community talking. It can get very stressful, to the point where my hair will actually begin to thin.

However considering my hair has been coming back I guess I could say I feel safer here than I did there. Likewise, my decision to change my body to suit my terms is not because of the society we live in today on THAT level, so much as I just think it would be really cool to be in full control of my body and make it do all the stuff the peeps in action movies do. Lol!

I live in a small safe town (Rohnert Park, CA, US). I felt comfortable going for a walk at 3 am no problem. I no longer feel safe anywhere I go, no matter what town it is. In 2011 I became a witness in a murder case as I was confronted by the killer. It has completely ruined my sense of safety. I no longer go anywhere alone in the dark. I won't even walk from my front door to my car alone. It has made life challeging at best and I'm blessed to have a very understanding husband and friends.

I never feel safe.

I live in South Florida which, compared to, lets say, South Africa or Somolia, it is pretty safe.
However, I have seen what humans can do to other humans and as a result, I won't be a victim.... ever....

I do carry almost everywhere I go (legally obviously)

Corrales, New Mexico, USA

I feel perfectly safe other than my daily 2 hours of commuting during rush hour.

Today definately has been an eye opener. Who would think you would lose your babies when you send them to school.? I feel safe in the town where I live. I feel safe to walk around the neighborhood at anytime. Unfortunately we have had robberies in our Community. I live in a suburb in Tampa Bay. I feel so sad for all the parents and their families who lost a loved one today. I just want to cuddle with all my children tonight.

Alberta, Canada.

I feel very safe. I have never looked over my shoulder during a walk and have never been a victim of crime (knock on wood). Occasionally I forget to lock my doors at my house, and it doesn't bother me at all.... I think nothing of it.

I just recently moved 2 weeks ago to Reading, PA. This city is known for having the highest crime rates in the state. While our house is not directly in the city, it is within a mile of all the chaos. There are murders nearly every day.

There's a rail trail that literally goes across the street from our house and I'd love to use it for running. Earlier this year, a 65-yr. old cyclist was attacked by three adolescents on the trail. He was carrying gun and shot two of them and the third ran. This is not the first incident on this trail, unfortunately. The news article is here if you're interested: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/weird/Thun-Trail-Shooting-Juveniles-Cyclist-138097778.html

I would like to think I would be "safe" on the trail since events like this only happen once or twice a year, but I don't want it to be me. I will be getting a carrying permit anyway. I will never go on this trail at night.

I live in Portland, Oregon, USA. I feel safe in my neighborhood. I generally feel safe in Portland. Would I walk around in the wee hours of the morning? Yes, and I have. I am never armed, I don't like weapons. Anywhere I am in this world, I try to stay in populated areas, and fully believe in the buddy system. I use common sense in isolated environments, like avoiding them. That said, these shootings happened in broad daylight, in populated areas.

Life is a contradiction - In general, I don't think the world is safe, but you have to keep living your life.

I am heart broken by what happened in the Connecticut school and the Oregon mall I have shopped in many times. But I won't crawl away and hide in my house either.

God bless the families and communities affected by these tragic events. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I live in Portland, OR near where the mall shooting took place.

I feel reasonably safe even at night but I do believe in taking realistic precautions: I maintain awareness of my surroundings, keep doors locked at night, and live (and walk) with a large protective dog (he doubles as a warm and cuddly blanket).

Terrible things have been happening since the beginning of time. The big difference is that now we have faster communication networks so it seems like everything is happening in your own backyard. It's good to be prepared and run through scenarios in your mind once in a while to have a plan for those big, horrific events, but you can't live in fear. It's a fine line.

^^^ This!

I live in the metro-Atlanta area.

I never feel safe.

I don't walk alone. I carry mace on me. My husband and I are working on buying and safely learning to use a gun.

Such is life.

I'm sorry you feel you need to carry a gun in order to feel safe. I guess it's a little different to be out alone as a woman.

I'm a dude, I would definitely feel safer if I had a concealed carry permit.

Inner city NYC here, and yes I do feel safe in my travels. I grew up and raised my kids here and often travel home from work on public transit late at night. I have never owned a weapon and do not believe they actually make people safer. Stupid things happen when guns get involved.

I live in the Dallas area. Third highest crime rate in America. Lots of drug addicts here, more than people realize. In suburban areas as well as city areas. It's relatively safe in my city, but not really. Safe, sure. Confidence in my safety, mehh.

Here is my thoughts on the issue. May opinion may be wrong but...

You can step out of your door in the morning and get ran over by a freaking car that is driving in reverus for crying out loud.

Do I feel save in my house? Neighborhood? Eh not sure. I see a lot of people walking around with sticks and what not. (I know a few carry guns). Am I afraid to walk around the block?

Nope. I got a big black dog with me. No one bothers me with that.

Do I feel safe at work? Yes I do.

Would you be better off home schooling your child?

My answer, from a girl who was homeschooled for three years of her life: No.

Not unless you are going to be the mother who doesn't make your child so closed minded to things. Who makes sure the said child has time to play with other kids and socialize them.

Bad things happen. My heart goes out to the kids and people, and their familys, who lost their lives and lost loved ones. However, we live in a world that every single day you step into danger.

There is no way to get around it.

Since...awhile back, my dad came to me to get me to take a gun class to learn to use one...I said yes.

It was the best investment I could have done.

Many people are now going off on how guns are bad.

Wait a minute. Let's stop this band wagon.

Since when does the gun have the will/power to do anything on it's own? It doesn't. What you need to fear is the evil, dark, sick minded, deranged, and ect people in the world. That is what you should defend yourself against.

If anything we all should learn how to defend ourselves and be ready when the course of action is needed to be taken. Can we stop every little action? Maybe not.

Back to the other issue I posted.

Really, if you're worried about being safe? Please, for the sake of my sanity, step out of your front door and look around. What do you see? Trees? rocks, cars, random people, and more..

To be honest, at the moment I am more afraid that a 80 to 90 year old will get into their car and run over me than a mask gun man walking into my house.

That fear comes from a year ago, the next door neighbored got into her husband's car and did just that into my brand new Honda CRV.

Point being: Live every day as it is your last. Cause you will never know when the Lord almighty will call you home.

Weather it be from gun shot, stroke, or heart attack.

Yeah, I feel safe, because I take steps to make sure I am safe.


Oh one more thought: The instructer told us in the gun class...

"There are two types of people. The sheep and the wolves. By you showing up to this class you guys are the wolves."

Meaning, it's up to us to protect the ones that can't. If this, and the last few weeks have proven anything...

We must take a stand and stand up to these evil minded people who want to harm us.

Edit: Alabama here. Yeah I feel safe.

o_o; Just watch out during deer hunting season. (joke just a joke.)