Self-defense for female in apartment in urban neighborhood?

[12.7x99mm]

forget the wooden swords - get one of these

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/sword.html

And then think about moving, I really dont miss that area to much and feel so much safer in a ccp state

Is Demon Dogs still around... under the Fullerton El stop.

I love chicago hotdogs

 

[Vic303]

Seems to me the first thing I'd do is ditch the roommate! Naive is a bad bet...Then get as big a dog as you can manage in your apt. If you're stuck with a weight limit on the dog, a terrier never sleeps! At least it will awaken you probably in time to take action for defense, rather than being awoken by the BG from a sound sleep.

Personally I wouldn't rule out Akitas, they may be quiet but who cares so long as it eats the BG! IMHO the only reason OJ didn't get chomped by the Akita there is the dog was too confused/distraught by a war w/in his "pack".

I also agree with the suggestion of a pump shotgun in whatever gauge you prefer (eventually). Nothing puts the fear of God into a BG like the sound of a slide getting shucked home!

--stay safe!
vic303

 

[p35]

I have a Chinese made machete that I bought for about three bucks at Harbor Freight Tools, has a curved 18" blade made of pretty good steel. I use it to keep down the blackberry vines around my place (major problem in these parts, basically covers your land like green barbed wire entanglements, but at least the berries are good) but it would go a long way in discouraging intruders if need be.

 

[Jim March]

Yes, a machete will WORK. But B'Gawd is it messy and it takes a degree of "bloody-minded hardcore determination" to get that messy...hell, most GUYS don't have that, never mind a gal.

Getting her to tenderize a goblin's knee with a bokken is *mentally* easier. Still takes determination, mind you.

 

[dav]

Against edged weapons

Personally, I don't think edged weapons would be a good idea in this scenario.

As suggested, having multiple implements about the apartment might be a good idea. You may not be next to the bed when an intruder calls.

If a BG happens to grab a stick (bokken), they are not likely to be proficient with it, and might not bother retaining it.

If you are well trained, you could use anything stick-like that is near at hand to do sufficient damage. And I do think it would be *much* easier to be mentally prepared to bash someone in the kneecaps than to disembowel them, and it wouldn't affect recovery time like the sight of body parts falling off might.

I'd like to stress the cell phone. You need to contact outside help as soon as the situation stabilizes. There may be other BG's waiting outside. Don't go looking for trouble. Stay where you have prepared your safe retreat if you can, and get people you trust to come help you.

Last, to answer your question, cats (esp. kitties) have no deterrent effect on intruders. None.

 

[CMichael]

This may be a lot harsh so please take it with a grain of salt.

I suggest get over the qualms about purchasing a firearm and get one. That is the only real way to defend yourself.

If someone busts into your place ready to rape and/or kill you there really isn't that much you can do to stop him without a firearm. A 12 gauge pump shotgun would do the trick.

Going by the information you supplied it's only a matter of time. So you can have your qualms and be a raped or dead victim or you can protect yourself.

I suggest a shotgun for the house and a handgun for the road. If you do get a firearm(s) make sure you get proper training, otherwise it can be more of a danger to you than a benefit.

 

[Glamdring]

Some basic ideas for home security. You want layers of defense. You want the bad guys to have to come thru or over as many walls or barriers as possible. Since your on the 3rd floor in a locked building you have a bit more security to start with than most apartments I have lived in.

They have to get into the apartment building first (how well do you know your neighbors? get to know some, people that know you even a little are far more likely to help, even if it is simply noticing an odd person hanging around).

How solid is the door(s) to your apartment? Could you put holes in it real easy with a regular hammer? The stronger the door the better. Does your door open into apartment or out into the hall?

If the door opens in most healthy males can probably bust it open by kicking or body checking it. If it opens out then one has to pry it open, much harder without tools.

If it opens out that means the hinges are on the outside, and if the hinges are removed the door can be popped open pretty easy. To fix that you remove two screws per hinge (matching pair one on door and the one it lines up with on the frame) room the hinge and replace it with a nail. You want to leave the nail sticking up a bit so the head goes into the opposing hole (ie if you put nail in frame, the head will be in the screw hole on the door when the door is closed, that way even if they take hinge pin out they still can’t just pull door open).

Get some dumbbells, not little ones. Go to real sporting goods store that sells weights and benches and such. Get a matching pair of the heaviest cast dumbbell you can lift using two hands on one dumbbell (it should feel heavy to you to pick up). If your door opens in you can stick a towel under the bottom of the door to wedge it shut and then put dumbbells against the door also. Dumbbells that are big enough (I think 50 pounds smallest to work really good but 30’s and 40’s work fairly well) make VERY good tripping devices all by themselves. You can set them between exterior door and short line path to bedroom. The idea is if someone gets in they are slowed down, giving you time to go out window on fire ladder, or for neighbors to help or for cops to get there (call Fire Department, they are usually MUCH faster than LE), or whatever. Gives you time.

The other nice thing about dumbbells is that you can put a LOT of weight in one spot. And even if the get thru the door they still have to get thru the obstacle course. You can also use furniture and such to create a little room around the door. If you do that you can also you couple of broomsticks, rope, or chain to close the walkway when you go to sleep. Can also set motion sensor with light to blind anyone coming in the door. Might work.

You can also get this http://www.foxlabs.com/Grenades.html
type of pepperspray if some starts trying to break thru your door (note pepperspray might make more sense for bedroom door, or at least store it ready to go there.) just stick tube under door.
Then you can flood the area outside the door with pepperspray.

 

[jade]

i would suggest getting a dog that doesn't chase cats (since you already have a cat). the thing with dogs is that they are always there and interested in what is going on around them. if a badguy comes up to your apartment and sees or hears the dog, they may decide to move to an easier target. i would suggest a medium sized dog rather than a small or large dog. apartments are often too small for a large dog and small dogs just aren't intimidating enough (in my eyes anyway).

you might want to post some bumber stickers or something in windows or on your door that tell of your support for firearms ownership.

i am also a computer geek (22yr old female at that). so i know about having all of the computer and other geek implements around. find a way to conceal your toys. i have very thick curtains on my windows (i live in a house).

i would also suggest taking a martial arts class. i took tae kwon do for a number of years. get some serious study time in. eventually your body will commit some of it memory. i no longer practice actively, but i have noticed that it comes back without me thinking about it. if a friend or co-worker throws something at me, i usually block and catch at the same time. as much as i hated sparring, it is so valuable. you learn where and how to strike an attacker.

as far as your roommate goes, some people will not "figure it out" until something bad happens to them. either set rules or find a new roommate. don't let people in your apartment unless you know them really well. don't volunteer information to strangers or people you don't trust. follow your instincts.

i knew a 17 year old once who had a job that put him into contact with questionable characters. he was constantly harassed. he started wearing an empty holster in plain view. he never carried a gun, just the holster. all of a sudden, people where polite. maybe it was because they didn't know where the gun was. you might keep a holster with you in a back pack or purse, and put it on when you walk home at night. although in chicago, you might get stopped by the police. while i don't think there is anything legally wrong with carrying an empty holster, you might want to find out for sure.


good luck and stay safe.


jade

 

[TarpleyG]

Last, to answer your question, cats (esp. kitties) have no deterrent effect on intruders. None.

Well, you've obviously never met my kitty-in-law, Nala. We have affectionately named her Nala Bin Laden because she is a terrorist to anyone but her mom. I hate that damn cat.

GT

 

[CMichael]

Our cats would hide under the bed.

 

[jade]

my cat attacks people. even people she knows.

she was badly abused. she won't actually engage them unless they refuse to back off, but if they get close enough...

 

[dav]

<thread hijack in progress>

TarpleyG and Jade,

I did not mean to imply that there are not "attack cats", only that BG's can't believe it is true until after they have entered the premises and are attacked.

I think that is too late.

Dogs barking *might* dissuade them from entering at all. Cats won't.

Just my opinion, of course. Where's my two cents?

<end thread hijack attempt>

 

[sm]

Good Locks, with long throw bolts, not the one's in the discount mart, see a locksmith. If Apt mgr leaves, easy to re-key. Master keys "sometimes" end up in the wrong hands, and NOT just for theft, but sex. [I call it straight out, no offense intended].

Drill holes in window frame , big nail used a "stop" so window cannot be raised above 3-4".

Single shot 20 ga, if budget allows, get a used 20 ga 870 pump, youth stock available and these are effective defense tools. My mom uses a 20 ga single shot youth model from NEF.

Radio shack has in-expensive portable motion alarms. Cell phones for calling out if main line cut.

Everybody needs a small portable marine "air horn". People will not listen to "rape" , don't want to ger involved. "Fire" , a better choice to get attention, but again people will run for safety, or not want to get involved.

That darn Horn, will get someones attention! I assure you, will alert roomate/spouses/kids.

I gave my neices and nephews one for their room, if a fire should erupt in the house, and smoke alarm dosn't alert everyone, it is used to get everyone up,let parents know where they are, summon help, and the neighbors will be alerted, I assure you.

In private business or homes with security alarms, if power cut/ and batteries are dead, one cannot use the silent alarm, or panic button to summon help, if robbery occurs and employess tied up.

In another life -- I had air horns stashed throughout to alert adjacent businesses. One can't call yell for help through Duct tape.

In past times, I have wired my apt or house with silent alert system to alert neigbors, flashing lights for the deaf/dumb lady next door( t o alert her of someone is coming over in case of fire for instance) . My blind neighbor at one time I wired foraudible alarm for same reason.

My former undercover" neighbor and I wired a sytem to each others homes--not for us so much but for the wives, and kids sake.

 

[Dorian]

I'm in a very similar situation to you Leah. I'm a 21 year old male college sudent living in a second story apartment. Luckily my roommate is not niave.

I sleep with a gun under my pillow.

Now I've been in the Army and have been through Police Academy. And through all that I learned one thing about self defense. A firearm is absouletly the most effective deterrent, both mentally and physically. Most of the time you will scare someone away at just the sight of a gun. But if they see that gun and start charging, you'd better be ready and able to shoot.

You asked what we thought the best thing to do was, and I believe that taking a firearms training class and getting a firearm would be your best bet.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Jade, interesting about the holster. I am aware of a guy that used to always leave an empty holster on his Harley where ever he was. People seemed to give his bike plenty of space in parking lots. Empty holsters do make people nervous but I hesitate to recomend this course of action to someone not able/willing to backup the threat. Of course your mileage may vary

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Here's a personal favorite of mine, two katanas. You can pick up a pair of them on ebay for under $35. As said earlier, it tends to get a little messy but with two katanas your reset time is much faster. Just remember, your best weapon is the distance you keep from the BG. I personally carry a .357 magnum revolver but I live in Oregon where you could practically carry a pocket bazooka.
Check this place out for a taser. http://www.tasertron.com/
They have one that looks like a handgun but shoots two electrodes 21 feet into the intruder and will drop them with a wopping 26 watts! American handgunner did an article on tasers a few months ago. If you're interested in it, email me and I will send you a copy of it.

 

[Waitone]

I really bothers me to hear of someone in a situation where they are prohibited from effective self-defense. You've received good advice in view of your cities' and states' policy on firearms.

I can add only two thoughts.
1--Take a course or two in personal safety. The NRA offers home safety course as does any number of personal safety experts in your city.

2--Get smart on Chicago and Illinois gun laws. www.packing.org is a good place to start. Then when you fully understand the law, hoops, and harassment you'll have to endure, engage in a little political advocacy. Go to whoever is responsible for issuing whatever card you have to have and start the process assuming you are of age. Demand to know why it is you are prohibited from effectively protecting yourself. Its one thing to tell a fat, middle-aged white guy they can't protect themselves. Its a different issue to tell a single female the same thing.

Chicago is home to some truly horrifying stories of physical attacks while the victim was on the phone begging for police intervention, not to scare you but it does happen.

Cruise the legal and general fora. We have many female members who can offer great advice. Several of them live in severely anti-gun states. Just for your reference, the truly outstanding anti-gun states are as follows: California, Mass, NY, NJ, and Illinois.

Good luck to you in your problem. Please keep us posted.

 

[NukemJim]

Get smart on Chicago and Illinois gun laws. www.packing.org is a good place to start. Then when you fully understand the law, hoops, and harassment you'll have to endure, engage in a little political advocacy. Go to whoever is responsible for issuing whatever card you have to have and start the process assuming you are of age.

To Waitone, I suggest you look at packing.org.

Unfortunetly unless you are a police officer or armed security guard you CANNOT CCW in ILL. Add to that Chi has all kind of special rules about firearms no handguns unless they have beeen regestered every year since 1985 and even then no CCW.

I am not saying I like it only that it is the law and unfortunetly the only solution ( As long as King Richey the 2nd is in power ) is to move out of state, and no ILL does not recognize any state CCW.

Just as an aside a few years ago when ILL law regarded CCW as misdemeanor not the current felony King Richey ordered the police when they foungd a gun NOT to charge the person merelly to " get the gun off the street " they could have been prosecuted and given a year in jail at the state level or prosecuted under GCA of 68 ( I believe ) which means a felon ( wich most of the gangbangers who carry guns are ) who has a firearm is elegible for 5-10 years at club fed. King Richey knoew that he used to be the States Attorney prior to his election to mayor.

She may be able to register shotgun but as far as handguns or effective semiautos (Mini14/AR-15/SK/AK) are all outlawed.

I HATE this situation. But unfortunelty that is the way it is.

NukemJim

 

[Waitone]

That is my point. Know the law then demand of the goobers enforcing the law why a single female is prohibited from protecting herself.

Perhaps while this conversation is taking place the recording could be played of the poor woman who was murdered while on the phone with 911 pleading for her life.

It is a disgusting situation you have there in IL.

 

[NukemJim]

It is a disgusting situation you have there in IL

Agreed, wholeheartedly.

Know the law then demand of the goobers enforcing the law why a single female is prohibited from protecting herself.

Because it is against State, County, and City law. ( IMHO those laws are unconstitutional ):banghead:

Bottom line, unless you are willing to risk felony charges ( even having a handgun in your house/apt/dwelling in Chi is a felony ) you can't have a handgun in Chi. or CCW anywhere in the state.

Just as a point of interest I have been told by several LEO friends of mine that even LEOs that are allowed to carry off duty in NonChicago departents are not allowed to ccw in Chi.

Nukemjim

 

[bogie]

High tech vs. Low tech

Guys, we've got a person here who knows next to nothing about personal defense, and likely needs it _now._

She doesn't have a few months, or longer, for training.

1. Alarm system, preferably calling for help. Armed response is a good thing. This can be accomplished in a day or so.

2. 3rd floor is good - how is the condition of the stairwell/elevator areas? Video cameras are relatively cheap now. Again, relatively fast.

3. A small baseball bat would be cheap, easy to buy, and can be useful unmodified. No big deal If you can't get a little one, buy a big one, and cut some off the business end (not the handle part). You can do it this afternoon.

4. Can people get to the windows via the roof? If so, put nicely colored wine bottles, potted plants (cacti!), etc. on the window ledges. Instant alarm/barrier.

5. Buy a few el-cheapo steak knives. Tape 'em under beds, inside closets, etc... Next time you go to the grocery.

6. Put a GOOD deadbolt on the bathroom door, maybe with a nice thick plywood backing. Take out all the hinge screws, and replace 'em with LONG screws. You'll need a drill and a good screwdriver. Get a phone installed by the can. If the bleep hits the fan, head for the john, lock the door, and dial the cops. Project for this weekend. Either do the phone yourself in a way that won't be readily apparent, or have the phone company do it. Weekend project.

7. Rethink your stance on things that go "bang." Then pack up your roomie, and go to a range, and try out a 18.5" barrel 20 gauge pump shotgun. It's better to get a few recoils in the shoulder, and maybe have to clean up a bit of a mess after the police eventually show up to do the paperwork, than it is to be raped/murdered. This'll need some practice. Maybe a ETA of two weeks.

8. Speaking of police showing up for paperwork... Police response times tend to be rather iffy... Write down your address and put it next to your phone - when they ask the address, you can see it, and you'll be more likely to tell it to 'em correctly. Always assume that you'll screw up under stress. That way you'll be less likely to have problems. Remember that some calls may get precedence - a police officer in trouble = cop convention. And a local 20 minute response in my neighborhood (St. Louis City - Go Cards!) was knocked down to five minutes when a coed neighbor who had neglected to take some obviously much needed medication stripped down and went for an evening run up and down the street...

 

[telomerase]

forget the shotgun

Just my uninformed opinion (been shooting since I was 8):

Shotguns are the least useful weapon for the novice.
If you're lucky, you might remember how to use a .38 DA revolver under stress: that's what I'd get in your position. If you even have the time to get to the shotgun buried in the closet, you'll short-stroke it or something. If you must get a long gun, get some sort of lever-action carbine in .357, they're a lot shorter than a shotgun and don't kick. If you get interested in guns... then you'll get whatever you want, and you'll be fine. Lots of women shoot shotguns... but they didn't start out with them.

The martial arts training is good. Baseball bats are worthless (unless you're so martial that you don't need them). The bokken is a good idea.

 

[telomerase]

MP5

Actually, you should get an MP5 (light, short, easy to shoot)... but once again, your government is "protecting" you by disarming you.

I think I'd wire some flashbulbs (ancient technology, I know) hanging from a light fixture in the room where the door is (unless there's only one room...), to a switch by the bed. Blinding an intruder temporarily is helpful (and safe if it turns out to be your drunken roommate).

 

[bogie]

Oh, fachrissake! A homemade flash-bang?

Too damn many wannabe mall ninjas. Simplicty works, especially for folks who don't have the time/inclination to dedicate their lives to paranoia.

 

[0007]

telo - good point about the lever gun. Everybody has seen westerns and knows how they work. Additionaly, they aren't evil looking rifles, they're what the cowboys use. ANd there is that nice "snick-snick" sound when you cock them. Shorter and lighter then a shot gun also. Load it with .38 158gr SWC/HP and you're in business.