+1 Eden, Crankin and Chile Pepper!

I have been following this thread and thinking that I'd rather rely on awareness and common sense precautions than on carrying a gun. That cannot be aerodynamic! And if I ever carry a knife it is in anticipation of buying cheese.

More seriously, those considering carrying a gun would do well to get some advanced combat and gun handling training. Standing calmly at a shooting range, aiming at a non threatening target is very different from being knocked off your bike. A gun might be helpful in a tiny fraction of an unlikely type of event, but to each their own.

ETA: I could not agree more with Catrin.