Originally Posted by
BL4zD
Just to be clear, you can't carry a loaded weapon legally in California, openly or otherwise.
Furthermore, I'm surprised your LEO friend advised you to carry a firearm when it appears that you don't have much experience in using them.
You're placing yourself in a dangerous situation if you face off with people able and willing to use a gun against you when you have no experience or desire to wield a firearm or shoot someone in self-defense. My own personal opinion and experiences have led me to conclude that the order of least dangerous to most dangerous would be: willing to wield, willing to kill > unwilling to wield, unwilling to kill > willing to wield, unwilling to kill.
My guess is you're in that last category and you can maximize your survivability by remaining in the second category while raising your situational awareness.
When his LEO friend suggested carrying a "weapon," he probably meant a knife. I find it hard to believe that a cop would suggest that someone commits a felony.
Since that's illegal (without a permit) around here, the only way to carry is illegally. And it's pretty hard to conceal a gun if you're wearing cycling gear. If you do, it's hard to pull it out right away when you need it.
You bring up a good point about carrying, too. If you pull a gun out, you better use it - and right away. The guy you pull it on will expect you to shoot - and he'll act accordingly.