SGTCap,
You make a lot of sense...
However... since I live in Southern California... I have no legal carry option...
My wife and I go on walks for exercise (often at night)... we live in a decent area, but you never really know... She typically carries her LE grade/size Pepper 'Gel'... I carry different things, depending on how I 'feel'... some of my choices are: Pepper 'Gel', MagLite 4-'D' cell flashlight, SureFire 6Z Combatlight or G2 Nitrolon, Cold Steel African Walking Stick or City Stick, or 'whatever'... sometimes more than one item... I have even carried a tomahawk, but not concealed...
At home is a different story... guns in multiple locations, plus tomahawks on the wall, easy to get to... but not in heavy traffic locations... near my dresser in the bedroom... weapons everywhere, but not in plain sight... lots of options...