Do guns, jogging mix? Sheriff has suggestions to ward off predators

Maybe Lululemon should start making jogging pants with gun holsters.

That’s exactly what fashion designers might be thinking following the advice of a South Carolina sheriff, who wants the women in his community to obtain concealed weapons permits and carry guns when they go out for a jog.

Self-defense classes or concealed weapon’s permits? What serves as the best protection? (MyNorthwest.com Photo/File)

This sheriff is concerned due to several rape attempts in just the last week. His department has a suspect, someone who has been booked in the local jail several times before on other rape charges. But the jails are so full, that they can’t seem to keep him locked up.

So in a press conference, he directly addressed the women of his community:

“Ladies: Walk in groups, get a concealed weapons permit; I want you to get a concealed weapons permit. I don’t want you to go for the Mace; I want you to go for the concealed weapons permit. There won’t be any doubt when you need to use your firearms to defend your life.”

Listen to Should women carry guns when they’re jogging?

But would carrying a gun on a jog really benefit women who need the extra protection?

“It’s not enough to get a permit,” said Ron. “You need on-going training.” Just like military training, according to Ron, someone carrying a gun to protect themselves needs to drill and practice exactly how you would react if attacked while out walking or jogging alone.

Don agreed, and said that if a woman was attacked, and did have a gun in her purse, the attacker might get the gun away from her, before she has a chance to defend herself. That’s why instead, Don had a different recommendation for protection.

“I’ll tell you what does work, those self-defense classes.”

The other thing that works, said Ron, is keeping guys like this repeat sex-offender in jail. “If you have a man doing sexual crimes against a woman, he should not get out of jail.”