There's probably no way to say this without offending some. Failing to carry at least one reload, when one has the ability to do so, is unwise. Rationalizing the practice of not carrying a reload, by citing statistics, or by pointing out that mere citizens can and should run away, is downright asinine (look up the definition, if you're not 100% sure what I mean). Also, stating that, if one feels the need to carry a reload, then one must be living in a bad part of town and needs to move, comes off as highly naive, elitist, and rude. I'd be ashamed to have such utterances attributed to me, and I sincerely hope some of you guys will rethink your rhetoric on this issue.
I carry 1911's. I carry seven rounds in the mag, plus one in the chamber, and never less than one spare seven round magazine, which I carry in my left back pocket (see, all my pants come with two integral mag carriers). There have been a few times that I've carried up to four spare mags - two in my back pocket, and two more in my jacket pocket, in case I need to get at one while sitting on the other two. Therefor, I generally carry 15 rounds, but may carry up to 36 rounds. You're statistically unlikely to need your spare mag, your flashlight, your fire extinguisher, your spare tire, etc. Define your life by statistics, and you may have the privelege of becoming one.
