Thursday, May 26, 2022

Runfessions: Gunfessions

In light of yet another mass shooting this week, I've decided not to do my usual silly, irreverent, superficial runfessions. But I do have one runfession that I want to share.


I runfess...
that in spite of the increase in gun violence and concerns about safety while running alone, I will never carry a gun when I'm running. If I had a gun for every time someone tells me I should carry a gun for protection while running...I'd have a lot of guns. 

I'm dead serious about this. I get this advice a lot. Apparently, a lot of people think that more guns are the answer to solving our gun problem in the US. Current events seem to contradict that. 

But yeah, this is a running blog, so let's stick to the topic of running with a gun. Just for fun, let's imagine the scenario if I did carry a gun while I was running: 

Assailant grabs me while I'm running. 

Me, trying to catch my breath, wiping sweat from my face: "Hold up, Mr Assailant, while I retrieve my gun from my pocket." Reaches for gun while assailant wrestles it out of my sweaty hand and points it at me.

This is actually not funny because this is most likely what would happen. In the blink of an eye, a split second, the plausibility of me being able to use a gun for protection while out running is very low. Even if I was able to pull the gun out of my pocket and point it at my attacker, the attacker overpowering me and wrestling the gun from my sweaty grip would probably be the outcome.

Sweaty hands aside, being stopped in the middle of a run, out of breath, thinking about running, my pace, life, the weather, not tripping and falling, thinking about anything but being attacked...all lower my chances of being prepared to respond to an aggressor. Even though I like to think I'm 100% aware of my surroundings, the reality is that I'm not as aware as I would like to believe because I'm focused on the run.

Think about it. If you were grabbed by an attacker or even worse, had a gun held to your head, do you really think you're going to be able to reach for your gun and shoot your attacker before he shoots you?

REAL TALK: just having a gun doesn't make you safer. Like anything else, using a gun is a skill that is honed after lots of repeated practice. If you have a gun, you need to be prepared to use it. This means time at the shooting range. Train yourself by pulling it out of your pocket, holster, or bra and positioning yourself to shoot. There are a lot of options for runners who want to carry a gun, if you are interested.

Oh yes, there's a bra holster. I've put a lot of things in my bra while running--my iPhone, ice...but a gun? 

Just so you know, I'm not anti-gun. I grew up in a hunting family and I married a guy who also hunts. Guns weren't glorified in my family. We learned how to be responsible with guns. We learned how to shoot them. My husband has the same mindset about guns.

But carry a gun while running? Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Guns are not the answer. We need to think about why we would consider carrying a gun. And think about the risks.

I runfess that carrying a gun on the run is not for me. 

For self-protection while running, I wear the GoGuarded ring. Whether you carry a gun, pepper spray, or another weapon, be prepared to use it. You can read my post on self-defense tools HERE.

Do you carry a gun on the run? Any other kind of self-defense weapon? What do you have to runfess?

I'm linking up with Marcia for Runfessions and with the ladies of Fit Five Friday: DarleneMichelle, Jenn, and Zenaida.



28 comments :

  1. Nobody has ever suggested I carry a gun on the run. I agree, it's not a good idea.

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  2. Nope, no guns on my body either. Like you, I know my reaction time would be horribly compromised, and that would only increase the danger.

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  3. I agree with you 100%- carrying a gun while running would be a terrible idea. For sure, it would end up being used against me. And thanks for talking about guns. It is hard to go about our days as usual, while thinking about those parents who lost their children. I can't even imagine how they can go on with their lives. Thoughts and prayers won't bring their kids back. So, so sad.

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  4. agree. do not and will never carry a gun!!

    sad world we live in.

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  5. Fully agree, Wendy.
    Over here in Europe, we're rubbing our eyes in disbelief. Surely the connection between having guns readily available and mass shootings is obvious?!
    Obtaining a gun in Switzerland is nearly impossible. Therefore, the likelihood that I'd be threatened with a gun is fortunately nearly zero.

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    1. Last weekend, when I was in Alabama I was stunned by the political ads running non-stop on TV. Every candidate was showing their gun. It was sickening. And the NRA is having their national conference this weekend in Texas, where the most recent school shooting occurred. It just blows my mind.

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  6. My dad and my uncle took an annual hunting trip (we called it camping with a gun because they rarely got a deer.) But that's the extent of guns in our family. Besides all that you pointed out, me running with a gun would probably get me killed with no assailant in sight. I'd trip over my own feet and wind up shooting myself.

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  7. My husband is very into guns, and not for hunting. It got really bad when we lived in TX -- by which I just mean he started to collect guns.

    I agree that more guns are not the answer. I did not grow up with guns and I have zero interest in them.

    I wish I knew what was the answer though. There are places I really enjoy running that I wouldn't run by myself.

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    1. We experienced that in Alabama when we went for a hike. My husband was really nervous, so we retreated back to the car.

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  8. I've had several people suggest that I carry a gun when I run - it's not gonna happen! More guns isn't the answer and it continues to amaze me that this is so often the "solution" offered.

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    1. You so get me! Every time I hear that, I try to explain but people just don't understand.

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  9. agree that I would never run with a gun. Like you, I don't think it would work to my advantage at all. Not something I would ever even think about. If someone feels that unsafe running, it is time for a treadmill

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    1. We are lucky to live in areas where it is relatively safe to run alone. But running in a group is an option if you feel unsafe.

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  10. I doth my hat to you. You're right on the mark about the horrific gun violence and the problems here in the US because too many people think more guns is the answer, and or that they are safer with a gun. They are not. Stats prove this consistently, that more people are shot by their guns, that they are not safer; but quite the opposite I used to carry a whistle around my neck when walking alone, figuring I could blow it to scare off dogs and or humans and call attention to where I was. I think that's a better bet than a gun. And the reality is many people who have guns really wouldn't be able to shoot it at a human being...therefore, what's the point. Good luck with your running and try to be more aware. Let people know where you're running.
    Sandy's Space

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    1. I always share my destination and that GoGuarded ring is really a great tool to have.

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  11. I have seen many times on running FB pages saying that they carry a gun for protection on the run. My first thought, I admit, is, aren't they pretty heavy? I am not a gun person, and while I don't have a problem with having a gun for protection, they're just not for me. To carry a gun you have to be prepared to kill somebody. I will stick with pepper spray, thank you very much.

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  12. I would never carry a gun for protection while out running. No one has suggested it either and I will not even if they did! I cannot imagine what those parents are doing through after what happened this week. I couldn't watch the news - it was too much! It was days later when I finally did. As a teacher, having one either inside the classroom isn't the answer either.

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    1. I'm so sad about all of this. I sure hope you never have to encounter anything like this.

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  13. Thank you for talking about this. My slightly weird neighbour (union flag hung on his house, supported UKIP when it existed, had poster about no hijabs here in his window, but gets everyone's wheelie bins in and out for them on bin day) offered me a spray thing for "when you're out jogging" that you spray on an assailant and it foams up and then dyes them. Pretty sure I would trip over, trigger it and dye myself. So wouldn't run with a gun, no! We had one school shooting in the mid-90s, they changed the gun control laws as a result, and very little in that line since (shootings, yes, mass ones not so much).

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    1. I wish they would tighten up our laws, but it seems that gun violence only fires up the gun advocates.

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  14. Someone asked about this on a message board once and I didn't think they were serious, but they were. And I am shocked that people give you the advice that you should run with one. I have not heard of the GoGuarded Ring. I will definitely check that out!

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