Carrying bow in public????

[Tree Potato]

What about the best defense being a good offense?

It depends. Doctrine and rules of thumb are based on what experience has taught others and are generally a good point of departure for decision making in real time, however, if they become dogma they can get people killed. Every self defense situation is unique, and decisions should be made based on available info that is guided (but not ruled) by doctrine.

The other answers above describe some of the many variations of why/how it depends. All worth considering closely before defaulting to “go offensive”.

[GRCarry]

What about the best defense being a good offense?

That can get you arrested on assault all the way up to murder. Sounds good, but sometimes, backing away, neither defense or offense, is the best thing. It all depends on where you are and what's going on.

[Wild Dog]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Looks like this sheepdog will have to find a new way to bare fangs at the wolf.

[eagleks]

In a larger city not real far from me, I know it's illegal there .... has to be cased. In this town, not even sure. I can't imagine that walking around with one would prompt much of a response. Laws here quite different then there.