Your Privacy Choices
Welcome to another edition of TFB’s Concealed Carry Corner. This week we’ll be discussing Concealed Carry while jogging. Whether you currently run, or are thinking about starting to run or jog, it’s time to think about personal protection if you haven’t already. We’ll discuss the potential dangers to joggers and the various types of concealment options available to those that wish to exercise their rights while exercising their bodies.
Concealed Carry Corner: Carrying While Jogging
You don’t have to look hard to find cases of joggers being attacked by robbers or sexual predators. A simple internet search of “attacked while jogging (or running)” will provide more than enough news articles that might entice you to start Open Carrying a rifle instead. However, we’ll stick to the lighter, less conspicuous and practical handguns. Unfortunately, more than a few people have been attacked and killed by two-legged predators while jogging. Some victims have survived their attacks by fighting back, or by finding the right opportunity to get away. “No worries” you say, “I go running at the gym.” Well, I’ve got bad news for you. It’s a sad world we live in when people can’t just try to better themselves without others forcing their will on someone else. We also live in a world that demonizes firearms and those that carry them, which is why Concealed Carry is a topic worth exploring in every type of situation that you’d rather not be without your gun.
Credit: YouTube video posted from CBS New York
Even if we take the criminal element out of the equation for a minute, we’re still left with the four-legged element. Between unchained pets or the occasional wild dog pack or the random cougar living in the nearby wooded area, there’s plenty to be prepared for. In May of this year, a woman was mauled to death by a pack of wiener dogs (yes, you read that right). For the rural joggers like myself, there are the farm dogs, occasional packs of dogs, various rabid animals, coyotes, feral hogs and cougars, plus bears and alligators in select regions.
Credit: YouTube video posted from CTV News
While running gravel roads, I’ve had the privilege of being confronted by a pack of four aggressive farm dogs. I opted for pepper spray first while I started walking backwards and grabbed the revolver I was also carrying. The wind was at my back that day, so I sprayed some pepper in the dogs’ direction and I could instantly tell the leader of the pack had second thoughts and we went our separate ways. Another time, while jogging with my children on a gravel road, we saw a dog running towards us from across the field. I drew my weapon and held it at my side while my kids got their pepper spray out. That dog happened to be one of the nicest dogs we’ve met and he joined us for the rest of the run. Yet another farm dog made sure I knew I was too close to his property, but I showed him my “war face” and it seemed to be enough that he didn’t give chase.
Credit: Fox 4 KDFW
Whether attacked by humans or animals, runners are already at a disadvantage during a violent encounter due to having already expended a lot of energy. While adrenaline can help us regain needed energy, the aggressor is most likely coming in completely fresh, and can have their own adrenaline kick in once resistance is met, not to mention that they could very well be armed. As has been said many times, the firearm is the equalizer. Although, simply carrying a firearm won’t necessarily win the day. It’s important to practice retrieving your firearm from concealment to become fast and efficient for when the seconds count.
On that note, let’s take a look at some of the various ways that people carry their their equalizers while running or jogging. How hard or far you run may dictate how you carry the gun of your choosing. I’ll start by what I’ve found works for me, but it may not suit your style or preference, so I’ll leave you with plenty of other options to consider and discuss in the comments section. This list isn’t exhaustive, but provides several options at varying price points that can be tailored to your needs. I also highly recommend adding pepper spray to your running gear, even if you already carry a handgun. It gives you a cost effective, less lethal option to go to if you’re in a crowded area or for when you’d rather not have to put a few rounds into Fido in front of his owners and their kids, even if you’d be justified in doing so.
Author’s “Field Shorts” for Pocket Carry method
While jogging, I borrow my wife’s Ruger LCP and pocket holster and place them in the deep pocket of a pair of “field shorts”. I put a spare magazine in the front cargo pocket. The frontal arrangement of the pockets help to keep from printing the firearm through the material. I’m sure you’ve seen shorter shorts while watching TFB TV, but mine are just short enough that the gun isn’t flopping against my leg. In the picture above, the LCP is in my right slash pocket. I’ll point out that my typical run is anywhere from one to four miles and this method has suited me for those distances, but your mileage may vary.
Another option is the Warfytr Liberty Holster. It’s marketed to work on all types of clothing including yoga pants and gym shorts. They also sell the Fabriclip by itself for $8 on their website if you want to modify an existing kydex holster. You can check out TFB’s Miles V.’s review on this from last year.
An option that is often suggested on forums is the Hill People Gear Runner’s Kit Bag. For running, there is an elastic strap that attaches to the base of the pouch and around your back so that it stays put and doesn’t flop against your chest. You can check out TFB’s Pete’s review of Hill People Gear here. YouTuber 762x51n8o has a good video demonstrating the Runner’s Kit Bag.
Credit: YouTube video posted from 762x51n8o
Pistol Wear is another company that’s designed holster options for active lifestyle individuals. Their PT-1 model is designed for full sized weapons. Their PT-2 model is smaller and meant for smaller framed guns and is marketed to fit men and women. TFB’s Tom R. also covered Pistol Wear’s products here. YouTuber Jacqueline Carrizosa demonstrates her use of the PT-2 model.
Credit: Pistol Wear, PT-2 model
Credit: YouTube video posted from Jacqueline Carrizosa
Situational awareness also plays into jogging safety. I often see joggers with earbuds in their ears as they use music to distract or motivate their mind as they exert themselves. I personally opt to leave my ears open to the sounds around me. It’s easy to get tunnel vision during long, hot runs, but my ears alert me to approaching cars, animals or people even before I’d catch sight of them. However, if music is what keeps you moving, consider only using one earbud so that one ear is free to hear the sounds going on around you.
What about you; do you carry a concealed weapon while jogging? If so, what have you found that works for you?
Be safe and we’ll see you next week.
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