Chicks and, err, not guns – bleg
In comments here, Rachel asks:
This is only vaguely related, but I’m interested in what you all think for situations where a workplace explicitly bans the presence of guns. Say you were considering something for self-defense, but technically you wouldn’t be able to carry a gun to and from work, and that to and from is when you’re most often out alone. Is there something else you recommend for self-defense? I’m puzzled as to how something like a carry permit would work when you’re not allowed to have a gun at the workplace, and what the alternatives might be.
Well, I don’t recommend dressing like a vending machine. As far as I am concerned, my car is my property. And I simply think that a handgun is likely best for self defense. I know some folks recommend various chemical weapons and Tasers. What say you?
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:55 am
“As far as I am concerned, my car is my property.” – What if you were taking public transportation to and from? Thanks for posting the question.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 am
Well, that creates a problem legally. Honestly, where I work it’s not an issue so I’ll defer to readers.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:03 am
Well, this is “better than nothing” territory. The choice will depend on your temperament and physique. In Illinois, tasers and stun guns are illegal to carry and I don’t have faith in the potency of the sprays available to civilians. It may be the case in your jurisdiction, too. If tasers are legal get the good one that’s also a stun gun (works like a cattle prod).
I carry a quick-opening pocket knife just the right size so that I always will drop it in my right-hand pants pocket. There have been times when I had a two-foot double-ended wrench or a length of two-inch oak dowel on the floor of my car. A collapsible steel baton can fit in a purse or a pocket.
A boxing club or full-contact martial arts class would also be my recommendation. You need to learn to “mix it up” and to get an idea what it feels like to hit and be hit.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:05 am
A very sturdy flashlight (Maglight) that is a least a 3 “C” cell type is an effective club and legal to have almost anywhere. Knowledge of how to use it is required (martial arts classes, study hand to hand combat, etc.).
Having it in hand (as opposed to something in a purse or holster) shortens deployment time significantly.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:17 am
Are you talking about law? Or just company policy? If it’s concealed, how will they know?
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Air Tasers are as big as a gun, weigh as much as a gun, and cost as much as a gun. Not too many people buy them with their own money. Contact stun guns are much cheaper – fifty bucks will get you a nice one.
Pepper spray has the advantage of being small, light, and inexpensive. It doesn’t have much range, but it at least has some range, as opposed to contact weapons like knives or kubatons. Pepper spray also don’t require physical strength or agility. Just remember that after you spray it you need to run, because it will affect you, too.
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Get a job where they value your life.
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
straightarrow Says:
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Get a job where they value your life.
There it is!
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tonto, not knowing that the Lone Ranger had disguised himself as a vending machine, stuffed a quarter in his slot.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:34 pm
With most females, upper body strength is usually less than that of the average male’s, so any conventional weapon a female carries may be taken from her and used against her by a male attacker. She who hesitates is lost sometimes. Sprays like pepper spray can affect the victim and are not your best option.
Back when I was doing rape crisis counseling, we had law enforcement officers and other experts in to talk about self-defense for women. An old directive used to be, go for the eyes. Well, as some police officers related and some research showed, most females, even when their lives are threatened, will not stick a key or their fingers into someone else’s eyes. Another old directive used to be, don’t kick him in the groin, it will make him angry (ier), and he may really hurt you then. But a groin kick may be the only chance you have to get away. And it IS recommended that you try to make a run for it, regardless of the weapon the attacker has.
It is also recommended that you fight to avoid being placed into a vehicle and you should try to get out of a vehicle if forced there, because your chances of survival if you don’t get out of the vehicle are not good.
My first lines of defense are being aware at all times of my surroundings, trying to stay in lighted areas, not walking alone at night in most areas, and having my car keys at the ready and my finger on the fob’s panic button. I’m skilled in a martial art, but I do not depend on it to save my life.
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:27 am
What’s more important your job or your life?
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:39 pm
When it comes to work carry, I would say it’s up to the employer. I used to work for a pro-gun employer who had no policy and I concealed carry. Now I work for an employer that does not allow guns in the workplace, so I lock mine in my vehicle.
While I could probably, technically be fired for having a gun in my car, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I know of no one who’s had their car searched, and I know of a few other co-workers who leave their guns in their cars.
I could probably park on the street but if push comes to shove, I will continue to leave my gun locked in the car. If they have a problem with that, I’ll let them fire me, collect my severence, and move on to something else.
I can’t tell you what to do, but I will not disarm myself. If you want to be difficult and make waves you could always ask for a written guarantee that you won’t be mugged or killed on your way home from work, and if you are you get 20 gajillion dollars or something. Yea, it’s absurd but it makes the point that they are assuming responsibility for your safety by disarming you.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Thank you all for your comments so far. Donna, I especially appreciated yours, because it lines up really well with what my Dad started teaching me when I was a wee thing – fighting fair and following rules goes out the window when somebody attacks you.