Self Defence options other than guns

[mamabearCali]

A primary defense? A pocket knife! Good heavens--NO, a pocket knife would not be my first choice on stopping an attack if I had any other way to keep distance! Way way to close of an encounter! There is a reason I have a CHP! It is better though than teeth, fists, or finger nails.

[dorminWS]

When I was still pretty wet behind the ears and chock-full of whizz and vinegar, I won a fight with a feller who was thereafter said to be patrolling the roads with several friends and an announced intent to beat me at least half to death. An old cop told me I should go down to the hardware store, buy me a new pickaxe handle, and toss it in the back seat of my car just in case I got in a fight and needed help. He also said that if I did that I should be sure to break the handle out of a pickaxe and throw it under my front porch. His rationale was that if I was carrying that handle in case of trouble it was a deadly weapon and evidence of premeditation, but if I really had broken the handle out of my pickaxe and the replacement just happened to still be in my car when I had unexpected trouble, I stood a better chance of staying out of jail. If the old cop had been sober, the advice might have been different. Fortunately, even back then I knew better than to take such advice. Even more fortunately, the feller and his buddies never accosted me. But for some reason, I've never forgotten that interesting perpective on self defense. And, for Pete's sake, I certainly do not recommend it. Just tellin' war stories.

[SHMIV]

One of the things my mother used to do when walking through a dark parking lot at night was to get her car key in the ready to unlock position before she left the building. She would then take other random keys from her key ring and have them poking up from between her fingers, in kind of a Wolverine type fashion. Then she would walk out to her car cautiously, trying to be as aware of her surroundings as possible.

As far as the axe handle goes, it's not illegal to possess one; why should it be illegal to use it to defend yourself when attacked?

[jmicheals1984]

A primary defense? A pocket knife! Good heavens--NO, a pocket knife would not be my first choice on stopping an attack if I had any other way to keep distance! Way way to close of an encounter! There is a reason I have a CHP! It is better though than teeth, fists, or finger nails.

Agreed, a Knife has an intimidation factor that a fist does not have. I just stated that I'd rather bring a Gun to a Knife fight than a Knife to a Gun fight, or a gun to Gun Fight. And never a fist to a gun fight unless I am a T-101 Terminator.

[Riana]

I had a customer tell me the other day the best defense is Bear spray and a butt out field dressing tool.

While I don't even want to think about the Butt-Out tool as a defensive weapon I have recommended to some folks who do not yet own a firearm that they purchase a can of wasp spray. It shoots a 20 foot stream, and really hurts if it gets into the eyes/nose of an aggressor. It may not bring someone down, but it will certainly give the victim time to create some space (i.e., another weapon, or at least a phone).

[SHMIV]

I had a customer tell me the other day the best defense is Bear spray and a butt out field dressing tool.

While I don't even want to think about the Butt-Out tool as a defensive weapon I have recommended to some folks who do not yet own a firearm that they purchase a can of wasp spray. It shoots a 20 foot stream, and really hurts if it gets into the eyes/nose of an aggressor. It may not bring someone down, but it will certainly give the victim time to create some space (i.e., another weapon, or at least a phone).

Wasp spray seems a bit bulky, to me. I can't fathom where I'd carry a large aerosol can.

[ProShooter]

I had a customer tell me the other day the best defense is Bear spray and a butt out field dressing tool.

While I don't even want to think about the Butt-Out tool as a defensive weapon I have recommended to some folks who do not yet own a firearm that they purchase a can of wasp spray. It shoots a 20 foot stream, and really hurts if it gets into the eyes/nose of an aggressor. It may not bring someone down, but it will certainly give the victim time to create some space (i.e., another weapon, or at least a phone).

Riana - sending you a pm.

[zerodown1]

Good situational awareness,avoid and evade tactics will do as much or more for you than the wepons suggested here. For that time when despite all you have done, your attacked by someome with a gun,well,I know you have heard it,don't bring a knife to a gun-fight. A woman with a knife is no match for a man with a knife in most cases. Disparity of force enters into it as well. A male attacker will usually seek out a weaker person, bad guys don't usually look for someone their equal or greater to attack.If you are a woman you are at A DISADVANTAGE TO START WITH. At best you might be able to level the playing field if your very very good with the afore mentioned types of wepons. Your choice of a defensive tool should give you an advantage,not make you equal.

[SpanishInquisition]

Arent insecticides neurotoxins? Might do more than temporarilly incapacitate a bad guy.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[dorminWS]

One of the things my mother used to do when walking through a dark parking lot at night was to get her car key in the ready to unlock position before she left the building. She would then take other random keys from her key ring and have them poking up from between her fingers, in kind of a Wolverine type fashion. Then she would walk out to her car cautiously, trying to be as aware of her surroundings as possible.

As far as the axe handle goes, it's not illegal to possess one; why should it be illegal to use it to defend yourself when attacked?

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Old thread, here, but I'll answer:

The axe handle is not illegal. But the thinking would be something like this: If you procured and carried it intending to use it to beat the crap out of someone, then it is arguably not only a deadly weapon; it is also evidence that you premeditated violence against someone. Think George Zimmerman, here. Some priggish little Commonwealth's attorney, plaintiff's lawyer, or aggrieved relative is liable to decide to try to get you hung for going out looking for a fight and hurting some fine upstanding citizen just because he tried to whup your butt first.

But if you happened to have that axe handle in your car because you'd bought it to replace the broken one in your axe at home, then in the exigency of the moment you just siezed upon a tool that was fortuitousdly at hand to defend yourself when you beat the crap out of that fellow.

See the difference?

[TenchCoxe]

To quote Clint Eastwood in "Pale Rider": "There's nothing like a good piece of hickory."

[SHMIV]

I actually carried an axe handle in my car for a while. I found it in a pile of axe handles that had been left in a park for use as firewood. As I wasn't a gun owner at the time, I figured that it would make a great defensive tool while I waited to stumble upon a pile of axe heads left in a park for use as doorstops and paperweights. Still waiting on that pile of axeheads, but have long since misplaced the handle.

[pwichitnak]

I agree with RockOr from the second post about developing a Force Continuum, but that is coming from a former military special operator who had to obey by the Rules of Engagement. But nobody that I know of would follow that. Seems like they're quick to unholster at a karate stance.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[jdonovan]

lazarus thread, back from the dead.

[moss20]

lazarus thread, back from the dead.

+1

Just love new people not looking at dates and posting on over year old threads.

[Palladin]

All right you two, where's that Southern Hospitality?!

I'm starting to think it's kind of cool when youngun's dig stuff out of the back - gives you an idea of what their interests are.

(hops down off stump, muttering - " Dang! Have I really been hangin' 'round here going on 4 years??!!")

[dorminWS]

All right you two, where's that Southern Hospitality?!

I'm starting to think it's kind of cool when youngun's dig stuff out of the back - gives you an idea of what their interests are.

(hops down off stump, muttering - " Dang! Have I really been hangin' 'round here going on 4 years??!!")

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Ahh... give 'em a break. It's easy for a newbie to not pick up on the date of an OP. Been guilty of it myself. Besides, ..... t'ain't so bad to reanimate an old post; especially if it isn't one that goes stale. And this one was about a subject of continuing interest and importance, so I say no harm done. If it was about last year's Superbowl I might feel different.........


I don't even want to speculate 'bout what you might have been doing all perched up on a stump..................

[Palladin]

why I was preachin, of course! Can't get no elevation with a box of Tide any more... durned things just crumple up.

[adamdunn]

Pepper spray, batons, and even Tasers are okay. Folding tactical knives are okay, but FIXED blades cannot be concealed (they must be carried in an open fashion).

Do you have any reference for not being able to carry fixed blades concealed? The only thing I've seen is in VA Code 18..2-308 (A) where it specifically notes dirks and bowie knives. I have a friend that carries a Ka-Bar TDU (<3") concealed on his weak side. I'm sure he isn't interested in breaking the law though.

RocKor is mistaken. Here is what you cannot conceal in VA.

§ 18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.

A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart; or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second violation of this section or a conviction under this section subsequent to any conviction under any substantially similar ordinance of any county, city, or town shall be punishable as a Class 6 felony, and a third or subsequent such violation shall be punishable as a Class 5 felony. For the purpose of this section, a weapon shall be deemed to be hidden from common observation when it is observable but is of such deceptive appearance as to disguise the weapon's true nature.

What about keeping this on a keychain?



I love dogs so I have it on my keychain. It is made out of hard plastic (no metal). Thoughts?