A baseball bat as home self defense?

[Zombocalypse]

I'll enroll at my local BJJ gym but... I don't know man. I think a would-be criminal who's gonna try to harm me at home is not gonna fight with just fists. I can't (and won't) carry a firearm. I also can't rely on some pointy dagger because that's a concealed weapon and I don't feel comfortable carrying that anywhere. So I guess before I gain actual grappling skills, can I just fight my way out of a bad situation if I have a baseball bat in my room?

Is it gonna make a difference in a fight? I heard opinions from both sides. I heard of some kid trying to kill a trained cop using a baseball bat and failing miserably, while the cop didn't even have a weapon with him. I also heard about a taekwondo black belt getting mauled by a pissed-off thug with one swing of his bat.

 

[Jared Traveler]

I'll enroll at my local BJJ gym but... I don't know man. I think a would-be criminal who's gonna try to harm me at home is not gonna fight with just fists. I can't (and won't) carry a firearm. I also can't rely on some pointy dagger because that's a concealed weapon and I don't feel comfortable carrying that anywhere. So I guess before I gain actual grappling skills, can I just fight my way out of a bad situation if I have a baseball bat in my room?

Is it gonna make a difference in a fight? I heard opinions from both sides. I heard of some kid trying to kill a trained cop using a baseball bat and failing miserably, while the cop didn't even have a weapon with him. I also heard about a taekwondo black belt getting mauled by a pissed-off thug with one swing of his bat.

There is a lot to unpack here, you imply you are morally opposed to firearms, but not to bashing someone's brains out? Or you have a criminal record preventing you from carrying a weapon?

The simple rule is the bigger the knife/stick, the less martial arts skills you need. In other words, you don't need a high level of skill to hurt someone with a sword, brick or bat. However their are extreme limitations to this.

Because ultimately even though you have a bat, you really will not have skill at using the bat, retaining control of the bat, getting the bat back if someone takes it from you. It can be a simple effective solution, but is more likely going to result in false confidence.

Predictably being able to defend yourself does not come from shortcut solutions.

 

[Zombocalypse]

There is a lot to unpack here, you imply you are morally opposed to firearms, but not to bashing someone's brains out? Or you have a criminal record preventing you from carrying a weapon?
.

Okay I normally wouldn't reveal personal information about myself but... No, I don't have a criminal record. I'm just a bit of a pathetic old dude who still lives with his mother. And probably will stay that way. lol.

As far as the morals of it, it's more to do with the opinions of cops. A huge part of why I like the idea of learning a grappling art is because I can neutralize enemies without throwing a strike, which makes it easier for cops to understand my position if they get involved into the ordeal. It's the same with a weapon. If I shoot someone with a gun, it's game over. I'm in prison.

So you are saying that a heavy weapon doesn't require too much skill to use?

 

[Jared Traveler]

Okay I normally wouldn't reveal personal information about myself but... No, I don't have a criminal record. I'm just a bit of a pathetic old dude who still lives with his mother. And probably will stay that way. lol.

As far as the morals of it, it's more to do with the opinions of cops. A huge part of why I like the idea of learning a grappling art is because I can neutralize enemies without throwing a strike, which makes it easier for cops to understand my position if they get involved into the ordeal. It's the same with a weapon. If I shoot someone with a gun, it's game over. I'm in prison.

So you are saying that a heavy weapon doesn't require too much skill to use?

Options are great. Having tools in your tool box come in handy, but it's good to use the right tool for the job. Respectfully your understanding of the police and how they investigate situations and why the make arrests is non-existent. I don't mean that to be offensive, but honestly your concerns and reasoning is not based in how things actually work.

It is always less complicated if you can restrain someone instead of shoot them. But you can more easily be killed trying to do that obviously. On the other hand shooting someone or hitting them with a bat is the same level of force as far as the police are concerned.

 

[Buka]

Bats are kind of big to use in close quarters. And then there's the problem of the knuckleballer.

 

[Zombocalypse]

Bats are kind of big to use in close quarters. And then there's the problem of the knuckleballer.

But why would the aggressor be stupid enough to be in close quarters if he can see me brandishing a bat? I'm no elite military soldier, but I've experienced some violent times in the past. If a certain would-be aggressor sees you brandishing a weapon and he feels that you're crazy enough to use it against him, he's gonna be scared shitless.

And the idiots who couldn't sense how serious you are at the possible use of it will get hurt. I'm not really proud of it but I was really violent in a hostile environment when I was young. I only stopped being that way when I was old enough to get jailed. But trust me, I've experienced a bad neighborhood before. lol. It's been my experience that violent bullies will really only engage you in close quarters if they feel like you're no match for them. But if you have intent to fight back, it scares them off. And why would they not be scared if they can see you in a fighting stance with a blunt weapon when they are doing home invasion?

I'm not trying to argue. Just honestly confused. lol

 

[Zombocalypse]

Options are great. Having tools in your tool box come in handy, but it's good to use the right tool for the job. Respectfully your understanding of the police and how they investigate situations and why the make arrests is non-existent. I don't mean that to be offensive, but honestly your concerns and reasoning is not based in how things actually work.

It is always less complicated if you can restrain someone instead of shoot them. But you can more easily be killed trying to do that obviously. On the other hand shooting someone or hitting them with a bat is the same level of force as far as the police are concerned.

Oh hey, thanks for being polite. No offense taken. But although I'm not an expert, I've dealt with cops a few times. It's been my experience that they will give you a chance to explain your position.

I don't know man. In my state, cops are not notoriously corrupt and abusive. Is it different in other states? The ones that I've dealt with seem to make the right decisions when you show them you're not committing a crime.

 

[OLD DOG NEW TRICKS]

I'll enroll at my local BJJ gym but... I don't know man. I think a would-be criminal who's gonna try to harm me at home is not gonna fight with just fists. I can't (and won't) carry a firearm. I also can't rely on some pointy dagger because that's a concealed weapon and I don't feel comfortable carrying that anywhere. So I guess before I gain actual grappling skills, can I just fight my way out of a bad situation if I have a baseball bat in my room?

Is it gonna make a difference in a fight? I heard opinions from both sides. I heard of some kid trying to kill a trained cop using a baseball bat and failing miserably, while the cop didn't even have a weapon with him. I also heard about a taekwondo black belt getting mauled by a pissed-off thug with one swing of his bat.

Baseball bat's are useless unless your fighting a baseball. Any Martial Art will improve your chances. But if you are going to use a weapon go with a approximately 2+ foot heavy pipe or a machete. If they have a gun then you better act fast. A revolver pistol is the best way to fight another pistol if you become trained in using it. No to the baseball bat, very easy to take away by just stepping in on the bat. I've done it many times and beat some sense into them after taking the bat away.

 

[Zombocalypse]

Baseball bat's are useless unless your fighting a baseball. Any Martial Art will improve your chances. But if you are going to use a weapon go with a approximately 2+ foot heavy pipe or a machete. If they have a gun then you better act fast. A revolver pistol is the best way to fight another pistol if you become trained in using it. No to the baseball bat, very easy to take away by just stepping in on the bat. I've done it many times and beat some sense into them after taking the bat away.

Makes sense. But what about the majority of would-be aggressors? Will they know how to deal with my wild bat-swinging?

I mean bro... I've hit somebody on the shoulder with a thick, heavy bamboo pipe before. This is not the shin or the head. This was his brawny shoulders and he writhed in pain. A baseball bat that will swing faster than that bamboo is gonna cause much more damage.

Plus, when someone closes in the distance, all you gotta do is forcefully push him back. That's just instinctive. People have gotten in my face before and I just pushed them back.

I'm not trying to argue. I'm just trying to understand how it works.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

try to harm me at home ... in prison.

As far as I know in Texas, when someone breaks into your house and if you kill him inside your house, it's 100% legal.

A weapon that require to swing (need more space) is not as effective as a weapon that only require to stab (need less space). Sword should be a better choice.

I find the following logic don't make sense.

A: Why do you stop punching on your heavy bag?
B: I don't want to develop too much punching power. I'm afraid too much punching power can hurt my opponet and give me some legal problem.

Do those guys who train traditional weapon all end up in jail? I don't think so.

 

[Buka]

But why would the aggressor be stupid enough to be in close quarters if he can see me brandishing a bat? I'm no elite military soldier, but I've experienced some violent times in the past. If a certain would-be aggressor sees you brandishing a weapon and he feels that you're crazy enough to use it against him, he's gonna be scared shitless.

And the idiots who couldn't sense how serious you are at the possible use of it will get hurt. I'm not really proud of it but I was really violent in a hostile environment when I was young. I only stopped being that way when I was old enough to get jailed. But trust me, I've experienced a bad neighborhood before. lol. It's been my experience that violent bullies will really only engage you in close quarters if they feel like you're no match for them. But if you have intent to fight back, it scares them off. And why would they not be scared if they can see you in a fighting stance with a blunt weapon when they are doing home invasion?

I'm not trying to argue. Just honestly confused. lol

You mentioned having the bat in your room. I figured a room is close quarters.

 

[Zombocalypse]

You mentioned having the bat in your room. I figured a room is close quarters.

Oh... Okay we're just having some definitional mismatch then. To me there's only two. Far enough for a gun, close enough for a baseball bat. I didn't realize there's such a thing as "hugging range". lmao

Nah man. If someone gets close to me like that, I'll just push him away. Or throw a hook. Not a problem. Who the heck gets close to that on anyone? That's just suicide.

 

[Zombocalypse]

As far as I know in Texas, when someone breaks into your house and if you kill him inside your house, it's 100% legal.

A weapon that require to swing (need more space) is not as effective as a weapon that only require to stab (need less space). Sword should be a better choice.

I find the following logic don't make sense.

A: Why do you stop punching on your heavy bag?
B: I don't want to develop too much punching power. I'm afraid too much punching power can hurt my opponet and give me some legal problem.

Do those guys who train traditional weapon all end up in jail? I don't think so.

Okay thanks. I didn't see it that way.

So aside from a bat, I should also have a dagger?

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

So aside from a bat, I should also have a dagger?

I have both of my Walter PPK and my 4 feet long Miao Dao next to my bed. To protect my wife in my own home is basic self-defense 101.

 

[Zombocalypse]

I have both of my Walter PPK and my sharp long sword next to my bed. IMO, to protect myself in my own home is self-defense 101.

Any dagger brand recommendations?

I prefer to value aesthetics more than utility. Am I wrong in saying that all pointy daggers/knives are pretty much as deadly as each other? I of course would not have a kitchen knife in my room for self-defense. If I was really poor, I would. But my mom is well off and I live with her. lol. She would be weirded out if I kept our meat-cutting knife in my room.

I really prefer a beautiful, well-crafted dagger unless there is some kind of design flaw that will make it ineffective. If it's durable, I'll take it. Cheap or expensive.

This is home self defense, mind you. I'm an athletic guy, so when I'm outside and in a relatively dangerous place, I'd just shoo weird people and run away. And I'm not stupid enough to walk in some isolated back alley.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Any dagger brand recommendations?

Not sure it's a good idea to talk about which dagger is the best for killing online.

 

[Zombocalypse]

Not sure it's a good idea to talk about which dagger is the best for killing online.

Alright.

 

[wab25]

I'll enroll at my local BJJ gym but...

I didn't realize there's such a thing as "hugging range". lmao

Nah man. If someone gets close to me like that, I'll just push him away. Or throw a hook. Not a problem. Who the heck gets close to that on anyone? That's just suicide.

Are you sure you know what you are signing up for when you enroll in your local BJJ gym?

Anyway, I would highly suggest learning about use of force and lethal force where you live. Using a bat, a knife or a gun can all be considered lethal force. Since you are talking about having these in your room... do you have Castle Doctrine where you live? (in some places you may have a duty to retreat)

I can't help much with corrupt and abusive cops... but, it would be better for you to at least be on the right side of the law. Understand that these laws vary, depending upon where you are. Knowing the local law would be step one.

 

[Tez3]

As far as I know in Texas, when someone breaks into your house and if you kill him inside your house, it's 100% legal.

I imagine though that the investigating police don't take it at face value that the person broke in. At least I hope they don't turn up and when the householder says they killed an intruder they just go "okay fine" and leave.
We've had cases in the UK of self defence killings, the press and public indignation at the police investigating what seems to them 'justice' is fierce. In most cases the police investigation proves it was justified force but in one case, quite famous here, the householder was guilty. The media championed a farmer who had shot an intruder, loads of righteous indignation and 'an Englishman's home is his castle ' stuff. However it turned out the farmer had illegal shotguns, he's threatened to shoot people, had lured the intruders into his house which he'd boobytrapped and then shot one in the back while he was running away.

 

[Gyakuto]

I was a magistrate here in the U.K. (and hopefully will be again) and in the course of ‘sitting on the bench’, discovered the the term ‘reasonable force’ is extremely fluid and open to interpretation. If a U.K. resident hears an intruder in their house, my suggestion is to lock yourself in a room and call the police for assistance because despite the reports of the legal system being lenient towards defendants who’ve hurt or killed intruders, it is pretty much a myth.

There are phrases you can use if you’re up in court for maiming or killing an intruder, that might help your case, but even so…<shudders>