Do you carry anything for self-defense?

cdiver2 wrote in post #15977086
Tell that to the soldier attacked by 2 men with a knife and a meat cleaver on a London st

That's a whole different story. The victim is seen as a soldier and the attacker is a radical Muslim out to prove himself. I hope this isn't going to the gun debate because Texas of all states (wink, wink), had a nutcase marine shooting randomly at people and killing 4 or 5 in the process, for no reasons. Texas isn't short of good people with guns, FYI....

Luckless wrote in post #15977004
Well, that is a very bad place to be, even if you are carrying weapons. And I would even say it is a very bad (and stupid) idea to have no experience or training especially if you are carrying a weapon of any kind. Carrying a weapon that you are not well trained in all too often leads to overconfidence, which makes it very easy to find yourself in a situation that makes things even worse for you.

I meant as far as Marine training, or any kind of military training. I shoot regularly with my gun, I know how to use it, pepper spray and I can pretty much figure in a short second how to slice someone's stomach open with my knife if I had to, or just stab them in the face. I am talking about actual hand to hand combat.

kozal01 wrote in post #15976527
Yes, I have my CPL and I carry every day.

What are you gonna do, throw it at em? Break it, and use the shards of glass to cut em?

Todd Lambert wrote in post #15977232
What are you gonna do, throw it at em? Break it, and use the shards of glass to cut em?

Stop or I'll polarize you!

FreeSoul1987 wrote in post #15977188
I meant as far as Marine training, or any kind of military training. I shoot regularly with my gun, I know how to use it, pepper spray and I can pretty much figure in a short second how to slice someone's stomach open with my knife if I had to, or just stab them in the face. I am talking about actual hand to hand combat.

Well, why don't you go out and get training? I have met far too many people who think that carrying a gun and being able to put holes in paper targets on a range twice a month means that they are trained and protected.

If someone steps up behind you, grabs your wrist, and puts a gun to your head, what good is that pistol strapped to your hip/ankle/back, or stashed in your kit bag/purse going to do for you? Do you have any idea how to react to that? Have you thought about it? Have you taken training in how to prevent that from happening in the first place?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but it is a very simple truth that far too many people in this world don't take the time and effort to achieve even a fairly basic level of training in such topics, and keep themselves obliviously in the dark about just how dangerous their fellow humans can be.

Todd Lambert wrote in post #15977232
What are you gonna do, throw it at em? Break it, and use the shards of glass to cut em?

frugivore wrote in post #15977243
Stop or I'll polarize you!

ha ha ha

TooManyShots wrote in post #15977100
That's a whole different story. The victim is seen as a soldier and the attacker is a radical Muslim out to prove himself. I hope this isn't going to the gun debate because Texas of all states (wink, wink), had a nutcase marine shooting randomly at people and killing 4 or 5 in the process, for no reasons. Texas isn't short of good people with guns, FYI....

I don't think for a second they were part of any organized terrorist threat, just wanabes and no matter what the reason for the attack dead is dead. I was confronted by three young punks one with a knife so no debate from me.

With or without a camera, I don't leave home without my husband unless I have to. I don't like the resulting lack of freedom, but there's more street crime here than there used to be. Purse snatching is popular; sometimes the women get beat up. I've switched from a shoulder bag to something homemade that I wear at my waist and isn't so easily grabbed, sort of like a fanny pack. I carry a little Swiss Army Knife for other uses, not as a weapon.

Personal safety was one reason I bought a G15 when I wanted to upgrade instead of a DSLR. DSLRs are too big and hard to hide.

I always have my mono pod with me as it makes for a good extendable weapon with 6foot reach

Everyone on the street think this is a toy and I get very little attention.

Nice toy.

I carry a ninja on my back!

FreeSoul1987 wrote in post #15976468
While out on excursions or any type of shoot really, normally by yourself do you carry a weapon of some kind (for self-defense purposes), like a gun, pepper spray, taser, knife, etc? I guess my question would go mainly for women, as men can normally defend themselves or don't look so much like enticing targets like a lone woman would, but men can answer as well.

Yes, I do.

As to some of the other points that come up whenever this topic arises, I had my say in posts 59 and 61 of the thread called "A question for the ladies, regarding saftey [Sic] while shooting."

>>>...men can normally defend themselves...

If we're speaking of situations that do not include weapons, that statement is no more valid than would be the claim that women cannot normally defend themselves. I'm a man and I carry a weapon because without it I could find myself totally at the mercy of a merciless 20-year-old street thug.

kf095 wrote in post #15976650
I don't know any neighborhood anywhere in Canada where I will need something for defence, because of the neighborhood.
States is different story...

You obviously have spent your time in larger Canadian cities in the more well to do areas. In any given city in this country there are areas where the people will roll you for small change, let alone several thousand worth of gear. The criminal element here are no different than those in the US. The major difference is the gun laws but there are still plenty of weapons being packed by the criminal element here.

I always have a pocket knife with me but it is to be used more of a tool than a defense mechanism. I'm sure those asking for your money or gear will give you the time to reach into your pocket or camera bag and open a pocket knife. I do have a can of pepper spray that I pack when I go into the mountains. If I am in a part of a city that I feel I might need it I take it even though it is not legal in many cities. I think the best thing one can do for self-defense if they are going into a higher crime area is not to travel there by yourself. There is power in numbers and a smart criminal is not going to try and rob you when you have company unless of course they have more people than you do. Common sense is ultimately your best thing for protecting yourself, imo.

kozal01 wrote in post #15976673
Bad people exist in every country, evil doesnt stop at the border between the US and Canada. Unfortunately Ive seen the evil this world has to offer face to face during my time in the service and its changed my view of the world and how I go about my day to day life now. Living in a good neighborhood/ town/city/ state/ country or whatever is no guarantee of personal safety. Stateside Ive never had a violent encounter and chances are I never will but if it ever does happen at least I will have that choice to protect myself and my family, thats what its all about.

Couldn't have said it any better.