[Sonic dB]

I am taking a new sales position with a company that provides services related to foreclosed properties. Without getting in to detail on the job... there is a very good chance that I will have to be on site in very improverished areas. For example, in our training this past week, we went in to a heroin den on the side of Chicago, as well as a few other properties in slightly better areas.

Several of the workers told us that they have run in to potentially dangerous situations on the properties, with some of the vagrants, druggies and bad people who are on site. They have, to this point been able to talk their way out of the situations, but nevertheless...the threat does exist for a situation. As a result of this, several of us new people were talking about what we may need to protect ourselves in the likely event that we find ourselves in these areas on site. Being from Detroit, Ive had experience in these neighborhoods before, so they dont really scare me..., but not as part of a full time job...

Without being too 'overreactive'...I was wondering what peoples thoughts were here, as far as what type of gun would be suitable to get and carry in the vehicle (with permit of course) as well as recommended body armor if I go that route. I will be doing this in So Cal, thx.