Ideal weapons for college students, in class.

[bang_bang]

I'm currently enrolled in college classes, and the whole VA Tech thing still bothers me. Oddly enough, I'm only about 70 miles from VA Tech...

With the legislation of concealed weapons on campus being pushed, I thought this would be a good topic. Most of the students I know in class aren't old enough to carry concealed, or to at least obtain a license to do so in VA (21). What would be some suggestions for a blade/blunt type of weapon to have handy in the classroom? Remember, this has to be legal and either fits into the pocket or bookbag without being considered a concealed weapon. These "weapons" do not have to be legit weapons, but objects one might think as handy or ordinary. What's some thoughts and/or suggestions?

 

[alaskanativeson]

Why does it have to fit into a backpack? To borrow a line from Clint Eastwood, "Nothing like a good piece of hickory." A walking cane is a great weapon and is legal everywhere (although I read a story about a retired teacher in Great Britain having his taken away even though he was in his upper 70s.) Note that I said a "walking" cane, not a "sword" cane. Never get a sword cane for anything but a desire to waste money.

The reason I say a cane first is because it can always be legally argued for a legitimate purpose with a consequential use as a defense item. Knowing what is legal is incredibly important in this increasingly litigious society where lawyers abound like cockroaches in a Bronx kitchen. There's also the gov't "nanny" state increase to be concerned about. We're not Great Britain or Australia yet, but we're certainly heading in that direction. Be safe in your choices. Cane = safe.

A short staff like a kubotan is also a great item, though it does require both knowledge, training, and close contact with the enemy. If legality is a concern, a good pen works nicely. Sand off the dumb logo and name.

Speaking of training, you really have your key to success in defense there. Knowledge is always your best weapon. Col. Jeff Cooper wrote extensively about the need to have the proper mindset. As with many things the late great Colonel said, it's hard to argue with that.

 

[Dr. Snubnose]

A Good Sturdy Metal Pen...Pencil with Plumbers Tape around the shaft for strenght to aid penetration...School Books, Magazine, Book Bag, Nice Leather belt, Scarf, Good Pair of Boots, Credit Card, an Old DVD which could be snapped in half and it's sharp edges used like a knife in an emergency situation, just about anything even Bottle Water or Wallet could be used in defense effectively....Best thing you could do is get some training on how to use these improvised weapons with someone who really knows how to use them.....Doc

 

[TAB]

I'm going to go with your brain, you know that thing you went there to improve... With out that everything else is useless.

 

[bang_bang]

Those are some good points. I know that some things might seem unusual, such as walking into class with a 4 foot stick of hickory, but if I ever get so paranoid to do so I will. Books, for CQC will make one heck of a weapon, but mine happen to be small, softcovers. I was thinking of getting an asp, or something I can carry either in a backpack (which I don't carry) or on my belt. The only problem with these things...I'm way under gunned if someone decides to go "postal" with a shotgun or pistol.

The only thing I'm worried about is safety of myself, and most importantly the people around me. "Bringing a knife to a gun fight" is just one of the things that go through my mind when I enter school. The "What If?" factor of some sick person bringing a gun into the building meaning to harm anyone that crosses his/her path is quite dense throughout SW VA. But I would feel safer with some type of weapon, other than my small fists. The thing of a weapon is that I'm a little guy compared to many in my area. I need the upper hand when it comes time to fight or flight.

As for carrying a firearm to school, forget it. I can keep one in my car and not break any school policies (community college in a rural area) but the fact is I'm 2 stories and 100 yards away from my car. Plus, I cannot carry concealed since I'm only 20 years of age. I can legally open carry a handgun, but I would feel uncomfortable carrying open; even if it was legal to do so in the classroom. Another problem with carrying open is that you might make another person feel uncomfortable, and it only takes one person to write a letter, getting the rules and policies changed for the school.

 

[Al Thompson]

Get a padlock and carry an 18 inch length of 550 cord securely tied in a loop. If things go south, thread/loop the 550 cord through the lock and use it as a flail. The heavy lock (I prefer Master brand) at the end of the 18 inches (or so) of 550 cord makes an awsome impact weapon.

 

[alaskanativeson]

Not a 4 ft piece of wood, that's be a staff. A walking cane is something more like this:

 

[jpatterson]

One thing I always like to keep in mind in SHTF scenarios is an unassuming soda cans. Finish the soda, bend the middle section together evenly, crease it back and forward and then rip it into two seperate even halves. You now have two decently-sharp aluminum blades to protect yourself in a defensive scenario. It's not much, but it might help you help yourself or the people around you.

I too am in college and often feel helpless as well. I do know that people would be more assuming when young, able bodied males begin walking around on campus with canes and sticks.

I'll stay sipping my can...

 

[hso]

There's a wealth of information on this forum on just what you're asking about.

Much of it can be summarized into, think out of the box and use your brain. The way to make that easy is read all the non-knife threads here.

While circumstances and local ordinances may or may not allow you to carry a pistol on campus that's a personal decision that everyone has to make after being well informed of the consequences should they get caught with one. Also remember that a pistol is not always the solution to every violent encounter so knowing how to use what's around you for self defense is always important.

Are you allowed to carry OC? Carry it.

Don't carry a pack? Carry one. Put a heavy square padlock on a length of covered aircraft cable to "secure" your backpack and you have a flail (my kid was, unfortunately, something of a street/bar fighter and he called these "smilies" for the wound they make).

Got keys? Put them on a solid carabiner and wrap the biner in paracord to keep the key rings from jangling. This also softens the grip a bit when you carry your keys with the biner in your fist.

Look at Don Rearic's site.

 

[TimboKhan]

In Colorado, getting caught with a concealed weapon on campus is a Class 6 Felony:

18-12-105.5. Unlawfully carrying a weapon - unlawful possession of weapons - school, college, or university grounds. From the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners CO firearms law FAQ:

(1) A person commits a class 6 felony if such person carries a deadly weapon in or on the real estate and all improvements erected thereon of any public or private elementary, middle, junior high, high, or vocational school or any public or private college, university, or seminary

If you have a CCW, it is up to to the university. CU doesn't allow it, CSU apparently does.


As far as expedient weapons go, I agree with what Hso said, and would add that a full water bottle can make one heck of a good impact weapon. The master lock idea is both very cheap and very effective.

 

[Carl Levitian]

Bang bang, like it or not, you will have to face the fact that at some times in your life, it will be impossable for you to be armed like you would wish. School is one of them. That said, you do have some choices. Stay with small innocent looking items while in school, that nobody can bust your chops on. A good strong metal pen, an inconspicious lockblade or two concealed on your person, a good size master lock on the end of a length of something like 550 cord or chain, a ball peen hammer in your backpack. Small to medium ball peen hammers are as good as a tomahawk.

The most important item is your brain. Look around you, take stock of anything in the classroom soon as you walk in, that can be used in an emergency. If God forbid, some wacko goes postal, use anything to evade and escape. Is there a good size desk that can be chained/tied to the door knob to keep a postal shooter from pulling open the door? If he can't get in, he can't shoot you. A piece of strong nylon rope tied from the doorknob to a desk wedged crossways to the doorframe will keep somebody on the outside from pulling it open. Don't most classroom doors swing outward? They can only get so much grip on a doorknob. Think forting up if you can't flee.

Lower your visability. Become a grey man. If you don't stand out from a crowd, it may help. Make clothing muted colors.

Don't violate your schools rules. Your trying to build a good future, not ruin it with a weapons charge on your record. Once you get out of school, go get your CCW, and exersise your rights under the Constitution.

Good luck with your schooling.

 

[leadcounsel]

Violence at a University will come in two flavors:

1. Hand to hand weapons, which means you can flee relatively easily if you're able bodied. You best bet for a real weapon is a knife of up to the largest lawful limit in size.

2. Firearms, which means your improvised weapons will make you a target to get shot.

The best advice is to use your head and stay away from the likely shooters and evade and escape if something happens.

Vote for leaders that are pro-2A. Get active in the politics of the state and the University.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

This:

http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Applegate-Fairbairn-Combat-5780.htm

or any good sharp, pointy, easy-open folding knife with a 3" + blade. Or a neck knife.

Beyond that, a book bag full of books, wielded by swinging it or throwing. If just two or three of the blissninny victims or would-be victims of the coward at Va Tech would have simply counterattacked in unison with some bookbags/backpacks, they could have made short work of the a-hole, albeit with risking injury. Clearly, there was a massive absence of a mindset to fight (counterattack) and survive in that incident.

I wouldn't rule out pepper spray as a good defensive weapon either.

Also, simply taking off your belt (the one holding up your pants) and swinging it with the metal clasp end toward the attacker is a formidible weapon.

A cane? This is a college campus, not an old folks home. Great weapon, but what student is going to carry that around?

 

[Geronimo45]

Great weapon, but what student is going to carry that around?

I did it with no questions asked - and probably walked faster with it than other folks did on two feet. I've seen guys hobbling on crutches, arms in slings, etc. People are ridiculously polite about apparent handicaps. They don't even want to ask about 'em. The only incident where somebody clearly noticed it and took action was when an older lady held open a door for me.
People don't pry very often.

Be sure to carry a knife, if legal. Knives are always a handy tool to have around.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I saw a thread in NFW a while back about an umbrella specifically made for self defense - it was strong enough to use as pull-up bar. If you're concerned about drawing unwanted attention with a cane or walking stick, that might be something to look at. It was kind of pricey ~$150 if I remember correctly.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Here we go:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=340646&highlight=umbrella

 

[CWL]

HSO has some good advice. College students will routinely ride bikes and carry things like padlocks w/chains or cables.

Something I learned from here is the half-frozen water bottle. Maybe one of the new stainless ones in a carry bag with /clip. I'd bet you'd be able to swing these pretty well.

Musical instruments such as a flute or case could do some damage. Skateboards are probably being used daily to beat on somebody...

Close-up, med-large sharpie markers make good fist loads, mechanical pencils whatever you can swing or thrust with.

The good thing about college is that students are ALWAYS carrying something strange... when I was an undergrad, I was heavily involved in the martial arts program and often walked thru campus carrying swords and staves, bokken, etc. and nobody paid it any attention -and this was in Berkeley, CA.

 

[Pax Jordana]

A golf ball.

Seriously.

A guy in fire(fighter) school showed us you can break plate glass with golf balls if you wing 'em at the window. If you're wearing thick gloves, you could also just swing it. Where I went to school at least, those darned windows only tilted in about a foot. Break glass, vault sill, try to land on your feet and crumple. Drag yourself away with your hands if you have to.

Anyway, unless you're willing to die or be grievously injured, I wouldn't advise staking yourself alone without a projectile weapon against a person who's got one.

 

[bang_bang]

The main purpose of this thread is to educate others who happen to stumble upon it, much like I found out about THR. Education of self defense and impromptu weapons, IMO, is a must for students, high school or college, in today's world.

Creativity is a must, some of the proposed weapons are new to me, such as the broken DVD and ripped soda can (DUH, cut myself on them more than once). I believe that a student should be able to arm his/her self with a firearm while in class as long as the user is of legal age and prohibited by the courts. VA Tech could have been stopped a lot sooner, or at least given CCW holders a good name, even if it meant risking his/her own life to save 20+ others.

 

[TAB]

Actually I have 2 degrees... one in math and the other in chem. 1st was from CSUS the 2nd was from UCD. English was never my strong point.

 

[Mr Crowley]

"the only time anyone would know you had a gun...."

What if it falls out of your pocket/holster, you accidentally rip the article of clothing its behind, it falls out of your bag, or any other myriad of possibilities where the gun could be accidentally exposed.

 

[KC0QGL]

CU doesn't allow it.

UNC aswell. We've had 2 shooting too.

 

[Mr Crowley]

now that I think about it...

I had this slingshot when I was younger that folded up nice and small, and had one of those forearm supports. You could use that and a hand full of .5 - 1 inch steel ball bearings or lead balls for muzzleloaders. Those things fire pretty hard; especially with a little modification. It is still probably against your schools weapon policy, but I doubt anyone would rat you out for a slingshot.

 

[The Highlander]

I carry a d-cell maglight in my bag when I take it, and I've been carrying a griptillian at all times. I smoke cigarettes every once in a while and carry a bic around with me a lot. They aren't bad for filling your fist either.

 

[bang_bang]

I think I might purchase a D-cell aluminum flashlight for that same reason. I remember a couple years ago on the news out of Roanoke, a rapist slept in an elderly couple's car overnight. When the husband, being a fine gentlemen, walked his wife out to her car knowing that the rapist was still at large, he carried his D-cell Maglite. When they opened the car door, the rapist grabbed her arm, and at the same time the husband knocked the guy unconscious.

I've gotten a hold of a complete set of bowflex rods. I've cut one down to around a a foot and a half. Solid plastic, but unbreakable....