With all due respect, 4 old guys that can barely stand up, sitting around shooting the breeze, in the middle of the day, is not exactly what most of us have in mind when we think of a bad neighborhood. Still, I don't really see what possible problem you could have with someone carrying some self defense, even in the best of neighborhoods. I see it as no big deal and totally unworthy of the major hysterics it produces. You guys make a point of being tough and fearless in the face of creeps and gangs carrying God knows what, and I can well believe that you are, but then you completely melt down because some law abiding citizen is riding around with a pea shooter? I don't get that.

I tell you that I'm way more concerned about the rabbits that keep jumping out in front of me, threatening to wipe me out, than I am about a whole army of fellow bikers, joggers and walkers carrying whatever the heck they darn well please. Personally, up until the point it starts treading on me somehow, it makes me feel good to see people take an active role in their own well being, however it is they decide to do that.

So getting back to the OP, part of taking charge is avoiding some of the areas where I've seen problems in the past. I may go through there myself if it happens to be on my commute, but I'll avoid the area if I have my wife with me. Why expose her to that and bring stress into what's supposed to be a good time?