Do you carry protection when running?

People can carry a weapon anywhere they want. It doesn't have to be legal, and that's exactly the problem. Making guns illegal isn't going to stop criminals from carrying them. Criminals LOVE gun control laws because they know such laws make it easier for them to commit crimes.

If you're eating in a restaurant and some lunatic comes in with an M4, ready to blow everyone away, you are FAR safer if there are responsible, law-abiding, gun-carrying citizens in that restaurant than if you're in some place where the only people who are going to have guns are criminals.

I live where it IS illigal gotta say NEVER had ANYONE come up with a gun!!! EVER! not even in a big city! I am glad there are no guns!

Whether it is legal or not---there ARE guns.

Question to those who carry defensive weapons when they're out - do you find it really hard to go out without it now?

We can't carry anything in the UK. I was just wondering.

This is what I thought...we are stationed in the UK (husband is US military) and while I run on base where it is fairly safe I did not think we were allowed to carry things like mace, knives, tasers, etc in the UK. They have some strict laws...I do not believe the police even carry guns, I think they just started carrying tasers recently (although someone please correct me if I am wrong).

That said, I am training our dog to run with me, she is a German Shepherd and at 5 months already 50 pounds so I think she will be a rather good deterrant

I just thought I should point out, for your dog's safety, you should not be running with her much at 5 months old, especially because of her breed (a larger breed that is practically synonymous with hip problems thanks to irresponsible breeding practices). If you have to run her at all, I would keep to grass or dirt, not pavement.

Another thread got me thinking. Do you carry anything when you go running to protect yourself?
I actually just ordered 2 small (4"x1") dog sprays, basically pepper spray. We live in a small town so I'm not worried about a man attacking. However we have cougars here and I'm terrified of them.

If I were caught with pepper spray in the UK I could end up with five years inside as it is considered a firearm, I would also get arrested for carrying a knife and I won't even talk about guns........

I just stick to public areas and do not go down isolated little lanes whereby somebody could jump out at me.

Another thread got me thinking. Do you carry anything when you go running to protect yourself?
I actually just ordered 2 small (4"x1") dog sprays, basically pepper spray. We live in a small town so I'm not worried about a man attacking. However we have cougars here and I'm terrified of them.

If I were caught with pepper spray in the UK I could end up with five years inside as it is considered a firearm, I would also get arrested for carrying a knife and I won't even talk about guns........

I just stick to public areas and do not go down isolated little lanes whereby somebody could jump out at me.

I really don't understand that one. I mean, while I don't agree with it, I understand the thought process behind banning guns (and, to a lesser extent, knives). The odds of someone getting killed skyrocket once one is pulled out.

But basically putting mace on the same level as the other two? Really? I don't get it.

Another thread got me thinking. Do you carry anything when you go running to protect yourself?
I actually just ordered 2 small (4"x1") dog sprays, basically pepper spray. We live in a small town so I'm not worried about a man attacking. However we have cougars here and I'm terrified of them.

If I were caught with pepper spray in the UK I could end up with five years inside as it is considered a firearm, I would also get arrested for carrying a knife and I won't even talk about guns........

I just stick to public areas and do not go down isolated little lanes whereby somebody could jump out at me.

I really don't understand that one. I mean, while I don't agree with it, I understand the thought process behind banning guns (and, to a lesser extent, knives). The odds of someone getting killed skyrocket once one is pulled out.

But basically putting mace on the same level as the other two? Really? I don't get it.

Mace, Pepper Spray, Knives.... all of them are illegal in the UK.

I kinda got that from the previous replies. What I don't understand is why mace/pepper spray are considered as dangerous or in need of banning as knives and firearms.

I really don't understand that one. I mean, while I don't agree with it, I understand the thought process behind banning guns (and, to a lesser extent, knives). The odds of someone getting killed skyrocket once one is pulled out.

But basically putting mace on the same level as the other two? Really? I don't get it.

Mace, Pepper Spray, Knives.... all of them are illegal in the UK.

I kinda got that from the previous replies. What I don't understand is why mace/pepper spray are considered as dangerous or in need of banning as knives and firearms.

Ahh sorry, I think they consider a person defending themselves to only use "reasonable force" - whatever the hell that is supposed to mean pmsl!! Reasonable force will not include mace, pepper spray, knives, machetes or guns - in their view.

Personally, if somebody were about to attack me or my family and I had a weapon to hand........ not going to say anymore lest I incriminate myself lol.

lol, agreed.

As for the "reasonable force" argument.... *boggle*

I run with my dog and I carry my keys (I've taught self defense courses and can use my keys as protection). However, I don't run when it's dark out and I live in a safe area.

No. I just figure that since I am already running, I'd just run away if there was trouble.

I hear that one quite a bit.

However if you think about it, if you're at the end of your run and tired can you out sprint someone who is fully rested?

I carry pepper spray in one pocket and a large folding knife with a wicked, nasty blade in the other. They balance each other out. I also run/walk with my dog. He is a total wuss but he at least lets me know when someone or something is near. I would carry my Glock but I havent found a holster that doesnt bounce around and is totally concealed under running/walking clothes.

My trainer has been teaching me some self defense recently, but pepper spray wouldn't be a bad idea either.

When I moved out of my parents house the University I went to put me in the crappiest dorm building as far away from anything as it could manage so my dad bought me some "protection"....yeah, that would be a switch blade. LOL :laugh: He swears that it's not classified as an actual switch blade but when I press a little lever on the side and a blade pops out, that's close enough. Thanks, but no thanks daddy...I would probably do more harm to myself than any mugger. :laugh:

Yes, I carry pepper spray for some of the nasty dogs in the area.

I expect to have my CPL license in one week, but don't plan to RUN with a sidearm :noway:

However, if the law passes that would included tasers under my CCW, I would consider taking that with me.

I am scared reading this thread. If you need to carry a weapon to go about your normal business (and I take running to be normal business) the states is in a far worse place than I thought it was. The more people who carry weapons really increases the likelihood of someone getting hurt or killed.
Wow, this thread is enlightening to see the attitude of the general population in America as well. I don't mean that in a bad way, and I know that this is hardly a statistical representation on America, but I am still very uncomfortable reading that knives and guns are carried routinely. I do hope that you know how to use them, and that you never have to! I could never live somewhere where I felt such measures were required.
I live in rural uk my big problem is no street lights or pavements! I just started running and my expense was the trainers, not a gun!

I'm not a runner, but when I go walking I don't carry anything. If it's night time, I go without headphones, but that's it. I don't fear my neighbourhood.

I'm amazed at how many of you carry guns.

I haven't been taking anything but I'd take the .25 it fits in my clevage but feels unsafe to run with it in there. I don't want to be a chedder bob but I am trained to use it. lol

i have bear spray.. we have them on the bike trail and around my area.. i have run into 4 bears in the last 2 years. oh.. and a rabid racoon.. and recently we have had a rash of fox attacts..