Self Defense Items? (1 Viewer)

[Jason_Els]

The concealed carry law in Ohio requires you to get a permit or you face arrest and having to prove in court that you were entitled to carry the weapon even though it's legal. The permit system which is going into place is the legislature's attempt to cricumvent the Ohio supreme court's ridiculous ruling so do NOT assume that because it's legal you can do it without getting arrested.

Mace is illegal for private citizens to carry in the State of New York, might want to check the situation in Ohio.

 

[Paul_Sjordal]

Forgive my intruding a humorous anecdote into a serious discussion but…

A female friend of mine used to carry mace around with her.

Whenever we went out drinking, she would invariably shout, "Don't f**k with me! I have PMS and I have mace!"

You wouldn't believe how quickly people got out of her way whenever she did that.

 

[Johnny Mo]

There's a couple of things that can be suggested, but msot of them don't go well with the college campus thems. Gun, no good, where is she going to keep it? also, in NY anyway they are illegal on school grounds, if it is a State University - forget it, it would never be allowed on campus. I won't assume that your girlfriend goes out drinking, but hey it is college, guns and alcohol don't mix, ever. Mace/Pepper spray, also not great because my friend had one and her's just happened to develop a leak one night and got into the ventilation system of the dorm...the whole place had to be evacuated (it was a longshot but it happened) My best suggestion would be a women's self defense class. - Not just martail arts/karate, but a class geared specifically for women. The karate school I go to does this, they hold special sessions for women only that specialize in specific martial arts techniques and some adrenal stress training. The other thing you can go with is Krav Maga, my school offers this as well. There are a few versions of it, civilian, police and combat, it is EXTREMELY nasty stuff.

Now that she does know, she needs to make the "stranger's" presence known and hopefully protect others...use the buddy system and notify campus police as well as state police.

 

[Robert_Gaither]

I would recommend a gun and a cell phone, the gun can be used to hold off the perp until help arrives by calling 112 (international emergency number and works for all countries!).

One of my best friend from the past told me that pepper spray is pretty over rated (based on what he's seen and experienced in prison) and wind could blow it back to the user. If the gun scares her she can always load it with blanks and it should attract a lot of attention (if she fires the first shot up in the air, the perps not going to know if it's real or not as compared to firing at the ground which may kick up dust).

 

[Philip_G]

what you guys are forgetting is that it's a concealed weapon permit. So the university has some rule about firearms on campus, don't tell anyone about it and the only way they find out is if you need to use it, and at that point is it really an issue?
Anyway, in CO there is no actual law about carrying on scool grounds, it would have to be a university policy, not much enforcement there..
They make some nice purses with hidden compartments she could keep a snub nose 38 in quite easily and no one would ever notice.

 

[Mike Wladyka]

Chuck,

if you don't opt for a gun, an alternative would be a extendable baton. it is about 6in when collapsed and about 2feet when extended. It can be a very effective weapon against people and knifes. (note: i didn't say or imply effective against guns) i think one of these would be a good fit in your situation...a lot of security personal carry them when they can't carry a gun...

if you need help with techniques such as striking points, general use, etc...let me know, i can recommend some basic but effective techniques

Mike

 

[Curt_Dennis]

First, let me say I have trained women and police officers in self defense techniques in the past and feel that I have a fair bit of knowledge on the subject. However, I don't claim to know everything, and these are just my opinions.
I know you said that a gun is out, and I'm glad to hear you say that. I have nothing against guns as long as proper training is done, but in a case where someone is going to be attacked, most of the time you do not have time to open your purse, take out a gun, and point it in time. The same goes for pepper spray that is carried in the purse. A small key ring pepper spray or mace is much more handy because when walking to your car or house, we always recommend carrying your keys so that they are ready to go. Take a self defense class that not only teaches you techniques but also prevention. You'd be suprised how many women I've done a class for that has said, "I'd never have thought of that" when I've mentioned things to prevent an attack. Another important thing that everyone above has left out, don't just take the class and think you know it and will be prepared. If you do not practice the techniques you have learned on a REGULAR basis, you WILL freeze when the time comes. I recommend that girls living together, or a sororiety, or a girls dorm makes plans for once a week or every other week to get together for 15-30 minutes and just go everything. At the very least once a month. This will keep everything fresh in your mind and you will be more apt to react properly.
And finally, if you do find yourself in a situation, do not panic. That's easier said than done, believe me, I know. There is always a time that it's better to make a move than others, but 99% of the time, there is probably going to be an opening at some point.
Hope that helps. From one fellow buckeye to another...tell her to be safe and be smart!

 

[Randy Tennison]

I was a police officer for 12 years, and I can attest to the effectiveness of pepper spray. Now, when I say pepper spray, I am not talking about mace. Or even mace, with pepper. I'm talking about Oleoresin Capsicum spray. Don't be fooled. Mace is fairly ineffective. OC spray is very effective. I've put some very large guys down to their knees with OC spray. I didn't have to fight them, hit them with my nightstick, wrestle, or anything. I sprayed, they went down, and I handcuffed them. It saved us both a lot of physical damage.

Of course, there have been cases where people were sprayed with OC and it had not effect. But then again, there have been cases where people were shot with guns and it had no effect. On the whole, OC is an extremely effective tool to incapacitate a person.

When the local jail had problems with the inmates, we would simply walk in shaking our OC cannisters, and they scattered. They know that "liquid fire" hurts like hell, and they wanted no part of it. I also remember during OC training that one of the first people sprayed with OC by the local police had already been shot once, and was still fighting. After being sprayed, he begged not to be sprayed again. Notice he didn't say "Don't shoot me again". He said "Don't Spray me again!"

The reason I would emphatically recommend OC over a gun is simple. If Chuck's girlfriend mistakenly believes someone is threatening her, and sprays that person with OC, she can apologize to that person in about 20 minutes, no harm done. That person will be fine. If she shoots that person, there is no taking it back. She may have to live the rest of her life knowing that she killed someone.

Curt also makes a lot of sense. She needs to learn to use it. Police train with their weapons continually, so that when they get into a stressful situatuion, they react instinctively to their training, rather than having to think about what to do.

 

[Mike Wladyka]

Curt brings up a very good point, you must train regularly with any weapon. Curt BTW -- learn any good stuff lately?

 

[DonRoeber]

Most colleges have police forces, or at least campus security. All of the colleges that I've attended, visited or worked have had signs posted giving you a phone number to call to arrange for a security escort. If your girlfriend can't find a buddy to walk with and she feels uncomfortable, call the campus security. It's their job.

 

[JustinCleveland]

A good pair of steel-toed running shoes. Kick 'em and run!

 

[Curt_Dennis]

Hey Mike, unfortunately no. I've been so busy with work and helping with the Boy Scouts that I haven't had a chance to do anything pertaining to martial arts. Which means I'm getting rusty just sitting around! LOL! I think the closest I've gotten to martial arts is watching a movie where it was used. How about yourself?

Let me clarify one thing for everyone too, besides training and practicing with a weapon if that's what you choose, practice the defense moves as well. Knees to the groin, shin rakes, foot stomps, and on and on all require constant refreshing. As a former police officer just said above, you want instinct to take over.

 

[Garrett Lundy]

I still can't find the report in question. It has been several years and has probably been replaced by a more recent report, I'm not sure, It has been a few years since I read it in college.

I can't give you exact numbers but it stated, based on compiled police findings, that MACE/pepper spray was effective in less than 5% of premeditated rape/sexual assault incidents.

I also cannot remember the exact figure, but for mugging/purse snatching the effectivenes of MACE/pepper-spray was much higher, around 70%.

 

[AllanN]

A gun is a very effective self defense weapon if you are ready to accept the paramount responsibility of owning one not to mention the training and range time to be able to effectively use it in a stressful situation. Non firearm related suggestions.

#1 Get a cell phone if she does not have one already. Service is not a requirement. ANY phone with power to it will dial 911. This would not help in the specific situation but if followed in a car it would.

#2 never pull over for unmarked cop cars. Keep driving call 911.

#3 Take a self defense class. Many martial arts centers offer weekend or week long seminars. She will not only learn physical technique but also what to look out for. Enrolling in regular martial arts class is also a good way to work out, become more disciplined and lean valuable defense skills.

#4 Buddy system.

#5 Use your head, and listen to your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is better to error on the side of safety.

#6 From Randy’s suggestion pepper spray seems to be the best non-lethal easy to carry weapon. Purchase some and take a class to learn the most effective way to use it.

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

I see. I'd love to see the numbers, as I immediately wonder if this means:
1) in all attempted rape cases overall, 5% were foiled by pepper spray (and say maybe 80% were not foiled at all).
or
2) in cases where an attempted rape was prevented, only 5% of those preventions were prevented by pepper spray (as opposed to a firearm or hand-to-hand melee).
or
3) in cases of rape victims carrying pepper spray, only 5% reported it was effective it preventing the attack (whether it was discharged or not).
or
4) In cases where pepper spray was discharged, only 5% of cases did it prevent the attack.

Numbers can say many things... Although the description seems to imply #4, I would find that exremely hard to believe, as even being in the same room as discharged pepper spray is an extreme deturrent to breathing, let along physical conforntation... I can't imagine that in cases where spray was used, only 5% of attackers turned tail.

 

[Erik.Ha]

I've been the victim of a violent crime.

My advice is, there is no substitute to being better armed than your assailant.

To tell you where I'm coming from, in 1993, 4 men TRIED to jump me and rob me. I literally got my A$$ kicked. My jaw was broken in two places, and technically, I was the victor in the situation. To bring things home even clearer, I am no wimp... I guarantee I am physically bigger & stronger than the orignial poster's girlfriend, and probably bigger & stronger than everybody else posting on this subject. I am 6 foot 4 and weigh 280 pounds. On the night I was attacked, I was out celebrating winning my LAST NCAA DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL GAME. In addition, I had at the time been taking Aikido for 5 years. I also was not alone. I was in a well lit, well traveled area, and the incident was witnessed by several people who did NOTHING to intervene.

None of it... NONE, not my size, not my strength not my self defense training made a damn bit of difference. I was initially hit from behind by a blunt object to the base of my skull. (The police later informed me this is referred to as a "Rabbit Punch" because it is how Rabbits are stunned and killed for skinning). The blow was enough to stun me momentarily, bring me to my knees, and allow all four men to begin hitting me with fists and sticks while screaming "Give me your money" (I Had 3 dollars which I would have gladly given them if they had stopped hitting me long enough to get my wallet out). The more they hit me, however, the more lucid I became, and I realized I was in a fight for my life. Luckily for me, I was at the time committing a Felony. I had a small knife concealed on my person which I drew, and began to use to stab at my assailants in between blows to my head and body. They had NO IDEA THEY WERE BEING STABBED, and they continued to beat me, nearly to death, UNTIL, one of them realized it was his blood that was spraying all over the sidewalk. His friends saw him, and being the brave criminals they were, RAN LIKE THE WIND.

I have since procured multiple CCWs allowing me to carry a concealed firearm in almost every state in the union. I also carry a can of CS/pepper gas and a cellphone. I dont trust my life to the teargas alone, because I have accidently sprayed myself with it, and the effects, while unpleasent, were not debilitating or even really painful for several minutes. Considering the amount of damage that was done to me in an attack that probably lasted less than 45 seconds, I don't think you really have that kind of time to wait. I keep it just for a measure "in between" nothing and deadly force.

The choice is a personal one, and you should be trained in the use of whatever you decide, but there are certain things for which, when you REALLY NEED THEM, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE, and in my painfully educated opinion, a loaded firearm is one of them.

 

[Ted Lee]

my favorite, simplest and least obtrusive one.

take your biggest key (usually a car key), tuck it between your knuckes and grip the rest of the key "bundle" in your palm. makes for a nice pointed object in case of necessity.

as far as guns go, i will simply say that guns probably cause more problems then they're worth. and i'm actually pro-nra.

someone mentioned that if you "accidently" shoot someone, there's no going back, but if you spray them, you can apologize. that's worth reading again...

 

[Garrett Lundy]

I think that the biggest reason for the mere 5% effective rate of Mace was that, in all honesty, the MACE owner cannot accurately weild the weapon. Ask a major metroplitan ER doctor how many people MACE themselves, rather than their attacker. I'm gonna guess that it must be around 50/50.

Also, MACE isn't too effective when its locked in your car or under 20lbs of crap in your purse (Criminal justice professor).

 

[Michael Varacin]

Randy...I agree...Oleoresin Capsicum is the way to go.

Check this out.


www.pepperball.com

 

[Andrew_A_Paul]

Kind of an amusing story. My girlfriend and I both go to the same univerisity. We've had a few cases of female assualt on campus (nothing serious really). So when her dad read the paper and saw a few of these incidence he sent her one of those large mag lights, ya know the ones cops carry that weight about 6 pounds with the batteries in. But being serious ive heard that using pepper spray can harm the person its trying to protect. But i spose a little mace in the eyes is a small price to pay compared to the alternative.