Originally Posted by
lapher22
If you wouldn't go thru a neighborhood without a weapon why would you go thru one with a weapon? If you don't carry every day then riding your bike should be no different. Just my $.02
I think this is the key post of this thread so far.
I do carry a pistol on me every single day. HOWEVER, I still avoid trouble like it's the plague. I stay away from bad neighborhoods. Why? because I don't want to ever have to use it. If I ever pull that gun out, it'll be because someone put me in a situation that I cannot avoid, and cannot escape. Once that happens, I have no problem drawing and firing (which I train to do pretty frequently. I practice what are called Mozambique drills. Two to the chest, one to the head.)
I would not have any hesitation to use it if I had to, but I look for every opportunity to never have to. So far, in the 3 years that I have been carrying, I have never even had to consider the option of drawing. I'm sure that if I went around putting myself in bad neighborhoods at night and confronting shady people, I'd be telling you a different story.
Editing to add: A common saying on he gun forums where I also hang out, is that a gun is like a good insurance policy and a good doctor. They are good to have, but hope you never need them.
A Kel-Tec or Ruger .380 is ideal for bicycling -- very light, powerful enough, and super concealable.
True. My every day carry when I ride is my Ruger LCP.