*Serious subject* - Protection while walk/jog/running in you

I appreciate the idea that we need to protect ourselves. I run almost daily and have had one scary incident where I was "man handled" for lack of a better term by someone who was obviously mentally unstable. That being said it goes against everything I believe in to carry a weapon. I am very aware of my surroundings. I have my phone with me with my husband on speed dial (because he has to be home with the kids when I run, so he is close by) I do realise that bad things happen, I am not naive. But I dont believe in carrying a weapon of any kind. I have considered a small bottle of mace but even that is something I am not comfortable with. If I lived in an area where it was a bigger concern I would join a gym before I ever purchased a gun.

+1 on this. Not be willing to carry a weapon does not mean you are naive. I personally find that implication to be highly offensive.

I have a CCW and have recently been enamored of a new little Kahr 9mm that goes with me most places. I don't run any more, but many years ago I used to use a fanny pack holster with a smallish (for the time) .380 ACP/9mm Short Beretta. In recent years calibers realistic for defense have gotten so small and light that they can be VERY easily carried while jogging or biking. The little Airweight Smith's in .38 Sp and Ruger LCP in .380 weigh less than a pound.

I wouldn't be without protection. A female cyclist was attacked on a popular trail near my area by man on foot. The coward bushwacked then attacked and killed her. She was an athlete comfortable with her surroundings. Predators can be found anywhere and it only make sense to be prepared. I don't live in fear because I CAN and will defend myself.

I appreciate the idea that we need to protect ourselves.... That being said it goes against everything I believe in to carry a weapon.

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I appreciate the idea that we need to protect ourselves....that being said it goes against everything I believe in to actually take steps to protect myself.

You can be as aware of your surroundings as you want, but that's not going to keep you from being attacked in most cases.

Neither is carrying a gun unless I am waving around for would be attackers to see and to be perfectly honest that would mess with my pace, lol.

No, a gun won't keep you from being attacked, but it sure could help in stopping it once it's started. So could a knife. I actually prefer a knife to a gun. It's easier to conceal and much easier to use effectively when you know anatomy. If I had had a knife on me when I was attacked I guarantee that it would not have progressed into rape. I will NEVER leave home unarmed or leave my home itself unarmed for as long as I live in the States.

I am really sorry for what happened to you. I think that our personal experiences affect how we look at this. As someone who lost an innocent family member because of a violent weapon I will have to agree to disagree. Carrying a weapon is not for me. It is not in my nature and the idea frightens me much more than the idea of having to defend myself.

It is not for me to shove self-defense (or weapons) down anyone's throat, I just hope people stay aware of the their surroundings, and just know that the bad guys are EVERYWHERE, and are always looking for a victim. Peace my friends!

You people are scary. I'm glad it's illegal to carry guns, knives (as weapons) and pepper spray here.

Wow! Thanks for being judgmental against people who simply want to never be victims. I'm sorry your country denies your the simple right of owning a weapon and being allowed to protect yourself against bad guys. I wish you all the best.

You people are scary. I'm glad it's illegal to carry guns, knives (as weapons) and pepper spray here.

^^ this, im very glad to live somewhere like this, tho we are aloud to carry pepper spray here to prevent bear attacks

Carrying a weapon is a personal choice and with it comes responsibility of course. Responsibility to use it safely and legally.
If you choose not to carry a weapon, that's your personal choice, and it states you are willing to accept the risk of being victimized without a means of fighting back other than kicking, punching, and screaming.

I subscribe to the philosophy that it's better to have a weapon and not need one, than to need a weapon and not have one.
People may call you paranoid, but you're only paranoid until it saves your *kitten*. Then you're called "prepared".

It's hard to beat a gun for defense, but it takes some creativity to run with one in a way that's comfortable and still allows instant access to it. Although with some of the newer ultra-compact lightweight guns out there, it's definitely do-able.
Pepper spray is a good option, but it doesn't work on everyone, and if the breeze isn't in your favor, you spray yourself and become incapacitated and do your attacker a favor by becoming an even easier target.
Knives are light and real easy to carry, but in order to use it you have to be close enough to touch your attacker, and if you're already that close-quarters it may be too late anyhow.

I've been a police officer for over 17 years. And I'll tell you violent attacks don't only happen in bad neighborhoods and don't always happen at night. They happen everywhere. Just a couple months ago I assisted with a case in which a woman who went jogging around her neighborhood every evening didn't return from her evening run. She was found the next morning after having been dragged into an orchard, raped, and beaten into unconsciousness. At least she survived which is luckier than some. Apparently she ran the same route every night. Makes one wonder if someone was paying attention to her routine, or if it was just a crime of opportunity. Don't make it any easier. Be unpredictable and pay attention to your surroundings.

In my opinion one of the best things you can do to prepare to survive an attack is to constantly run through hypothetical scenarios in your head on how you would react to various attack situations. That way if it ever happens, instead of going into panic mode, you will already have rehearsed it in your mind and have a plan for how to react whether you choose to carry a weapon or not.