Good Weapons For Self Defense Besides Guns

[PhotonGuy]

So what does everybody consider the best weapon for self defense besides guns? It's quite obvious that guns are extremely effective in self defense but what I consider perhaps the biggest disadvantage of guns is their ownership, possession, and use can be highly regulated. Just how much guns are regulated varies and it varies a lot. Depending on what town, state, country and so forth that you're in you might or might not be legally allowed to own or carry a gun and even if you are there are places you might go to that don't allow guns. Certain businesses, government buildings, ect. don't allow guns so you would not be able to bring a gun into such places. And then there comes the question of use, depending on the situation you're in you might or might not legally be allowed to use a gun and that of course also varies quite a bit. Then there is of course the issue of collateral damage, when you fire guns you can accidentally hit innocent people. So guns, although very effective, might not always be the best choice for self defense.

So aside from guns, what weapon or weapons does everybody think is good for self defense? For a weapon to be effective it has to have certain criteria. First of all you obviously have to have it with you (and that's the problem with guns, as explained above you might not always be able to have guns with you) so it would have to either be a weapon that you carry with you or that is easy to come by. It also has to be a weapon that keeps collateral damage to a minimum and where using it in a self defense situation is less likely to get you in trouble.

 

[Rich Parsons60 2]

I would look at a good knife.
Fixed blades also have issues as you mentioned above of always not being on you. As well as variation of laws.

A good Folder (Note: Not anything underneath $50 and even then I would think twice for Self defense.)
One needs to have practice the location and deployment.
Also escalation of force needs to be undedrstood.

As well as in Michigan Firearms are considered defensive while knives are considered offensive.

A good walking cane.

A sword cane for those who like both impact and edges.

Of course your body.

Yet, to me it is and always will be the mind. Your awareness of your surroundings. Your planning to avoid bad areas or areas at certain times.

 

[PhotonGuy]

I would look at a good knife.
Fixed blades also have issues as you mentioned above of always not being on you. As well as variation of laws.

A good Folder (Note: Not anything underneath $50 and even then I would think twice for Self defense.)
One needs to have practice the location and deployment.
Also escalation of force needs to be undedrstood.

As well as in Michigan Firearms are considered defensive while knives are considered offensive.

A good walking cane.

A sword cane for those who like both impact and edges.

Of course your body.

Yet, to me it is and always will be the mind. Your awareness of your surroundings. Your planning to avoid bad areas or areas at certain times.

Knives are good but the way I see it, the main drawback with knives is the same as it is with guns, you can't always carry a knife. Just as with guns knives aren't allowed in all places and using a knife (just like when you use guns) can be considered excessive depending on the situation and can get you in trouble. A walking cane can be a good choice although unless you're old or injured, walking with a cane can draw questions. A sword cane, just like knives and guns, can get you in trouble if you bring it or use it in places and situations where you're not allowed to bring it or use it.

Last year I went to a convention in Washington State. I wouldn't've been able to bring in a knife or gun as they didn't allow them and you had to go through a metal detector, but I was able to bring in an umbrella which can be used as a stick. That's why, as I've mentioned before in other posts, I like sticks as practical weapons. In places where you might not be able to bring guns, knives, or other obvious weapons, you might be able to bring sticks or stuff that can be used as sticks (such as umbrellas). Sticks are also easier to come by than most other weapons. You're not all that likely to find a katana lying around so unless you're carrying one with you it's not going to be of any use, but you might find something that can be used as a stick, broom handles, fireplace pokers, baseball bats, and so forth. Even a rolled up newspaper. Even if you aren't able to find a stick like object all the time, you're more likely to find one than most other weapons.

I agree that your mind and body are your best weapons, in that order, although since this is the armory I was thinking about other weapons apart from your mind and body.

 

[Fungus104 2]

How about sharpened enforced winklepickers and a pair of kevlar gloves and why not a kevlar shirt?

 

[Holmejr13 12]

besides your own body,
A belt with a good buckle can keep someone at bay.
in FMA we practice using what is called dulo-dulo, or 6 inch palm stick. They sell all kinds of tactical key chains.
One of the problems with knives is most folks don’t practice using them and if you pull and deploy a knife that pretty much makes that hand useless. Actually stabbing or slicing someone takes a deep intent commitment. Most folks are not ready for that. Keep the blade closed and use it as a dulo dulo.
Whatever use choose you have to practice like your life depends on it.

 

[wab25]

If you are going to carry any type of weapon for self defense, I would suggest looking into the law in the place where you intend to carry. The law is different in many places... what is fine to do in one place will get you prison time in another.

As an example.... in California it is legal to have a cane.... if you are using it to walk or stand. If however, you have it for self defense, it is then considered a weapon and not legal. So, if you don't actually need a cane, and someone attacks you on the street and you bust out your moves that you learned in your martial arts class... then you were carrying the cane for self defense, making it a weapon and illegal to carry. If they have any reason to look at your cane, and find that it is modified (strengthened, weighted, sharpened....) or that it is a "tactical" cane.... it is considered a weapon and illegal.

You also need to look into lethal force law, where you are. Does the weapon you carry count a lethal force weapon where you are carrying it? If so, then you can only deploy it in the same situation where you could deploy your gun, also a lethal force weapon. If you can't legally draw your gun in a situation.... it is probably a good bet that you also cannot legally draw your knife or brandish your weapon.... that would get you assault charges, possibly assault with a deadly weapon charges.

The point here is to know the law about weapons and about lethal force for the place where you intend to carry. Just because it is not a gun, does not mean that the law treats your use of it any differently. If the law considers it a deadly weapon.... then it legally does not matter whether that deadly weapon is a gun or not. Do your homework, look up the laws.... maybe even talk with a lawyer or law enforcement officer to get a better understanding.