as everyone as says - be prepared - be aware at all times who is around you-and agree with cyclops- dont carry a regular gun -its too dangerous for everyone (could be used on you)..... i had a stalker that was a neighbor in an apartment i loved on the beach- lived below me - i knew the guy was strange and i'm usually friendy and chatty with people - but never engaged in more the polite conversation with him from my balcony - he came to my door several times supposedly "say hello" etc. - never let him in... then I noticed he was listening to my phone conversations from his patio, if i went for walks to the beach to get a (yes) dove bar he'd be about 50 feet behind me, and one night I was sitting on the balcony and made a dinner date to meet a couple blocks away at a local restaurant - half way thru dinner I saw him plastered against the glass that surounded the patio staring at me... ok- thats when it really hit me this guy was nuts... and his next step was to wait for friend to leave one evening - then leave at my door 13 callilies-which were a threat... thats when I called the police..... they took a stalking report, the officer told me of course they couldnt do anything unless he touched me - but if I were his girlfriend/wife/sister he'd tell me to move asap - I did... and in the interim he told he to carry a stun gun i had with me at all times (which he showed me how to hold so that it hopefully couldnt be turned on me) until I found a new place......which I did quickly..... and also be completely aware at all time what was going on around me - have my door key out the minute I got out of the car so I could get into the house quickly, just never let my guard down... even check inside the car before I got in to make sure no one was hiding in it....

To this day I'm angry I had to leave that apartment, I loved it, but at the same time - very thankful to the officer for the advice.....

We have to watch out for ourselves!