The Unknown User
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Wow, great post. Good job.
Alternatives to carrying a concealed firearm?
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Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
It's a personal decision whether to engage in self defense at all- some of the bravest people I have ever known have completely foresworn violence for any reason at all. It is likewise a personal decision as to how to go about providing for one's own defense or the defense of others if that decision is undertaken.
It is NOT the responsibility of anyone here to mock another member for whatever personal decision is taken in that regard. Help if you can, if you cannot or will not be helpful, don't post at all. Discuss all you want, try to ferret out thoughts/ideas/problems and seek to offer solutions. But please try to contribute signal, not noise. Humor often fails to communicate via the internet.
lpl/nc
It is NOT the responsibility of anyone here to mock another member for whatever personal decision is taken in that regard. Help if you can, if you cannot or will not be helpful, don't post at all. Discuss all you want, try to ferret out thoughts/ideas/problems and seek to offer solutions. But please try to contribute signal, not noise. Humor often fails to communicate via the internet.
lpl/nc
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flashlight, OC spray, knife(s), blackjack/sap where legal, cane, hiking stick, carabiner, slungshot (no not a sling shot), large heavy book, rolled up paper, baseball bat, golf club, scissors, the list is endless for defensive weapons.
Of all the defensive devices recommended, both fair and foolish, in this thread, only the walking stick is both absolutely and undeniably legal in every jurisdiction, and moderately effective (although not a good stand-off weapon.)
A few people have mentioned 'canes' (commercial ones are usually too flimsy for weapon use) or 'blackthorn' sticks: I haven't seen a real blackthorn since my grandfather's day. Since I have become afflicted with arthritis, I have taken to fabricating my own sticks...a root-ball and 36 to 39 inches of 1-1/2" pin cherry, hop hornbeam, apple, maple or oak makes a good stout walking aid which is also a fearsome weapon when properly deployed. And even the Transportation Safety people will let you take one aboard an airplane, provided there are no metal parts involved. I wouldn't waste money on OC, or any of the other, mostly illegal impact weapons suggested by earlier posters in this thread, and will stick with my stick, thanks.
A few people have mentioned 'canes' (commercial ones are usually too flimsy for weapon use) or 'blackthorn' sticks: I haven't seen a real blackthorn since my grandfather's day. Since I have become afflicted with arthritis, I have taken to fabricating my own sticks...a root-ball and 36 to 39 inches of 1-1/2" pin cherry, hop hornbeam, apple, maple or oak makes a good stout walking aid which is also a fearsome weapon when properly deployed. And even the Transportation Safety people will let you take one aboard an airplane, provided there are no metal parts involved. I wouldn't waste money on OC, or any of the other, mostly illegal impact weapons suggested by earlier posters in this thread, and will stick with my stick, thanks.
FLORIDA KEVIN
Member
Why don't you take a concealed carry course ,so that you can get a better idea what may or may not be involved with carrying ? at least then you can make an informed decision ! if you get your permit you can decide to carry or not ,based on where you need to go or the current conditions !!If you carry you still have the option to use or not use a firearm ! if you don't have one you don't have the option !!
1911RjB
Member
i would say there are alot of alternatives to not carrying, like get a big dog and bring him with you every where, a stun gun, OC spray 100x worst then pepper spray, kimber, and alot of other companys have alternatives you should check out.
do some searching on the web, don't just ask people in forums, i know of a few web sights that a devoted to non-lethal weapons that could help you out.
do some searching on the web, don't just ask people in forums, i know of a few web sights that a devoted to non-lethal weapons that could help you out.
Rob,
I didn't bother to read all the posts, mostly because some of them are really annoying in the sarcastic ignorant replies. There has been some good advice.
I have a few ideas/comments that I hope may help you. First of all my wife one day happened to find one of my gun magazines opened to an article that in the title asked "Are you ready for Concealed Carry" or something like that, she read the first part and later asked me if I could kill someone. I told her I felt that in order to protect my life or the life of my loved ones I could, and I would. It is a question that everyone should ask themselves. When I told my that if taking a life that was trying to take mine was the only alternative to me being with her and the kids she really changed her attitude about carrying. My wife on the other hand is not a big fan of guns, she is a great shot and I think that if faced with a scenario where our children were in danger she would react with the "Mama Bear" mentality. My wife has really changed her opinion of guns and home/self defense the more she learns about it.
I would highly recommend the short book/pamphlet by the Late Great Col. Jeff Cooper entitled "Principles of Self Defense." It speaks much of mindset and situational awareness. It is in may ways "Politically Incorrect" but it is a great 75 page read.
Also I have heard LE officers suggest not to use pepper spray unless you are willing to have some get in your face and effect you, but it is better than nothing. You may want to look into self defense classes and also a CCW class as others have suggested. You have to be comfortable in your own skin and no man can or should judge you, you have to do what is right for you. Sorry for the long post.
Good Luck and Be Safe!
I didn't bother to read all the posts, mostly because some of them are really annoying in the sarcastic ignorant replies. There has been some good advice.
I have a few ideas/comments that I hope may help you. First of all my wife one day happened to find one of my gun magazines opened to an article that in the title asked "Are you ready for Concealed Carry" or something like that, she read the first part and later asked me if I could kill someone. I told her I felt that in order to protect my life or the life of my loved ones I could, and I would. It is a question that everyone should ask themselves. When I told my that if taking a life that was trying to take mine was the only alternative to me being with her and the kids she really changed her attitude about carrying. My wife on the other hand is not a big fan of guns, she is a great shot and I think that if faced with a scenario where our children were in danger she would react with the "Mama Bear" mentality. My wife has really changed her opinion of guns and home/self defense the more she learns about it.
I would highly recommend the short book/pamphlet by the Late Great Col. Jeff Cooper entitled "Principles of Self Defense." It speaks much of mindset and situational awareness. It is in may ways "Politically Incorrect" but it is a great 75 page read.
Also I have heard LE officers suggest not to use pepper spray unless you are willing to have some get in your face and effect you, but it is better than nothing. You may want to look into self defense classes and also a CCW class as others have suggested. You have to be comfortable in your own skin and no man can or should judge you, you have to do what is right for you. Sorry for the long post.
Good Luck and Be Safe!
aguyindallas
Member
"Alternatives to carrying "A" concealed firearm"
I suggest 2 over 1.
Seriously though....pepper spray and or a knife and some real skill using one for real life self defense.
I suggest 2 over 1.
Seriously though....pepper spray and or a knife and some real skill using one for real life self defense.
Get a neck lanyard. Put your keys on one end, melt the other end in a ball. Put your keys in your pocket leaving the "ball" hanging out. If you need it grab the ball and swing your keys. A bunch of keys to the head or knee might give you enough time. There is always a Emerson Wave. Not a automatic knife but just as fast as one. Then there's also a cane.
Robert Hairless
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Rob, I respect you for giving careful thought to what is right for you about the most important decision anyone can make. No group has the right to impose its will on other people, especially when they involve defending our lives or the lives of our families. Those of us who object to the prospect of being denied the means to defend against superior strength should applaud thoughtful people for exploring their own directions. These are hard decisions and they require considerable honest introspection. It's good to get input from other people as you are doing but in the end you must make your own choices and live with them. Stand your ground.
I'm not much impressed by the argument that a handheld flashlight is a light sabre that will stun a determined attacker. The purpose of a handheld flashlight is to provide illumination. I've no doubt that an exceptionally bright light might momentarily stun some people some of the time, but that phenomenon is nothing I'd count on to save my life.
I've been driving at night for more than fifty years and have encountered oncoming cars with their high beams on. It's disconcerting and annoying to meet that flash of light but it isn't disabling. People have flashed more powerful handheld lights into my eyes many times, including during night exercises while shooting, but my functioning hasn't stopped or even been significantly affected although I am a very old man. I've seen the same thing happen to much younger men in athletic condition and they carried on too.
My sense of these things based on my own experience is that the consequences of having a bright flashlight pointed at one's eyes depend on a great many variables (such as the other person's age and condition, the amount of ambiant light, the direction and distance of the flashlight beam, and the situation itself).
At my age and in my physical condition it would be ludicrous for me to think that I could buy enough time to escape any attacker by flashing even a really bright light in his eyes. Think carefully about whether you should bet your own life on it.
Please understand that I'm not arguing against the use of bright flashlights. I own and carry more than one for illumination in the dark. But in my hands they are neither defensive weapons nor placebos.
I'm not much impressed by the argument that a handheld flashlight is a light sabre that will stun a determined attacker. The purpose of a handheld flashlight is to provide illumination. I've no doubt that an exceptionally bright light might momentarily stun some people some of the time, but that phenomenon is nothing I'd count on to save my life.
I've been driving at night for more than fifty years and have encountered oncoming cars with their high beams on. It's disconcerting and annoying to meet that flash of light but it isn't disabling. People have flashed more powerful handheld lights into my eyes many times, including during night exercises while shooting, but my functioning hasn't stopped or even been significantly affected although I am a very old man. I've seen the same thing happen to much younger men in athletic condition and they carried on too.
My sense of these things based on my own experience is that the consequences of having a bright flashlight pointed at one's eyes depend on a great many variables (such as the other person's age and condition, the amount of ambiant light, the direction and distance of the flashlight beam, and the situation itself).
At my age and in my physical condition it would be ludicrous for me to think that I could buy enough time to escape any attacker by flashing even a really bright light in his eyes. Think carefully about whether you should bet your own life on it.
Please understand that I'm not arguing against the use of bright flashlights. I own and carry more than one for illumination in the dark. But in my hands they are neither defensive weapons nor placebos.
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