Female jogger reveals she open carries while working out— and urges other women to run with a gun: ‘Protect yourself ladies’

New York Post - Apr 12th, 2025

Mikaela Dieppa, a female jogger from South Carolina, has sparked a heated debate after revealing she openly carries a gun while jogging in public. In a TikTok video that has garnered over 4.2 million views, Dieppa showcased her running outfit, which includes a gun holster purchased from Amazon. She defended her decision to carry openly, citing the frequent unwanted attention from men. Dieppa emphasized that her open carry practice acts as a deterrent, ensuring her safety during her workouts. Her admission has received mixed reactions, with some supporting her stance on self-defense while others criticize it as indicative of broader societal issues.

The controversy surrounding Dieppa's choice highlights the ongoing debate about gun rights and personal safety, particularly for women. While some commenters argue that open carry can reduce crime, others see it as a reflection of a flawed system where individuals feel the need to arm themselves even in seemingly safe environments. Dieppa's story underscores the complexities faced by women concerning personal safety and the diverse views on how best to address these concerns. The discourse also touches upon broader American cultural attitudes towards firearms and public safety, sparking wider conversations about the balance between individual rights and societal norms.

Tik Tok Self Defense Gun Rights Mikaela Dieppa Open Carry Women's Safety

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The news story effectively captures the public's attention by focusing on a viral TikTok video and the broader societal issues it raises, such as personal safety and gun rights. The article is clear and timely, addressing current debates and engaging readers with diverse perspectives. However, it lacks depth in terms of source quality and balance, as it relies heavily on a single individual's account without corroborating evidence or expert analysis. While the story is accessible and has the potential to provoke discussion, its impact is limited by the absence of comprehensive data or authoritative insights. Overall, the article provides a snapshot of a relevant issue but would benefit from a more thorough exploration of the broader implications and expert opinions.

Accuracy

The news story provides a generally accurate account of Mikaela Dieppa's experience with open-carrying a gun while jogging. The claim that Dieppa's TikTok video has garnered over 4.2 million views is verifiable through the platform itself. The story accurately identifies her location as South Carolina, a state known for its open carry laws. However, the article does not provide external sources or data to substantiate Dieppa's claims about the deterrent effect of open-carrying on harassment. Additionally, while the story mentions public reactions, it lacks empirical evidence or studies to support the broader claims about crime reduction through open carry.

Balance

The article attempts to present a balanced view by including both supportive and critical perspectives on Dieppa's decision to open carry while jogging. It quotes individuals who praise her actions and those who criticize it as indicative of broader societal issues. However, the article could have enhanced balance by including expert opinions or statistical data on the effectiveness of open carry as a deterrent to crime or harassment, which would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Clarity

The article is clear and straightforward, effectively communicating the main points regarding Dieppa's experience and the public's reaction. The language is accessible, and the structure is logical, with a clear introduction of the issue followed by reactions and Dieppa's personal justification. The tone remains neutral, allowing readers to form their own opinions based on the information presented.

Source quality

The primary source of information in the article is Mikaela Dieppa's TikTok video, which is a self-reported account. While this is a legitimate source for her personal experience, the article lacks input from other authoritative sources, such as law enforcement officials or experts on firearms and public safety. The reliance on social media comments and reactions, while illustrative of public opinion, does not provide the depth or reliability that more formal sources could offer.

Transparency

The article provides transparency regarding the origin of its information, primarily citing Dieppa's TikTok video. However, it does not delve into the methodology of how the story was compiled or whether any attempts were made to verify Dieppa's claims with independent sources. The lack of disclosed efforts to corroborate the claims or seek additional expert input slightly undermines the transparency of the reporting.