Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm just curious if anyone carries concealed weapons for protection (legally)?

If you do, how do you ladies carry them?

I always have a biro in my bag which could be enough of a threat. Who would want to be stabbed in the face with a pen? No need to hide something as common as that aswell. Double plus good! :D

Car keys also work as effective weapons.

Steph

Keys held just so.  Thinking about Mace. though.

Don't believe in weapons. 

Janet

I carry a pocket knife from time to time usually in my pocket..legal, and in the truck I have a big-ass can of bear mace >:-)

Hide behind Wing Walker.

Cindy

I carry a Swiss Army knife. But not as a weapon. It's more of a utility tool. After learning some martial arts I found that I didn't often need weapons. Also, I learned that almost anything can be used as a weapon if necessary.

I carry a pocket knife or 2 all the time but most of the time it is for work type things, but I did use it in defence from some wild dogs, you never know when a pocket knife will come in handy and it is handy for many things protection included.
I also carry a kobotan, it is a small round long stick that if you hold it in your closed hand it can stick out a bit on each side so if you were to hold it like that and strike someone it can hurt, it is mostly used for preasure points and nerve centers, aloha.

Tina

Quote from: Virginia Marie on February 17, 2009, 02:17:06 AM
I carry a Swiss Army knife. But not as a weapon. It's more of a utility tool. After learning some martial arts I found that I didn't often need weapons. Also, I learned that almost anything can be used as a weapon if necessary.

Exact uses of my (pocket)knives, and that brings up that I really ought to swap one out for a more utility style of knife. But that all said, anything is a weapon and more to the point my body is all I need.

I always carry a knife, but its for work, though it is a wicked looking thing, but this is the US, and as they say, don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

Thanks for all the replies.  I should probably get around to carrying a knife more often.  I do say that I carry a handgun, but I can only get away with it as I am still presenting as a male.  When I go full time, there is no way for me to carry the current gun I carry, as it is pretty large.

No, I don't. My size is usually imposing enough. :embarrassed: And often, if I just stare at someone they back away. :-\

But I know self defence techniques so it isn't really an issue.

Yes, I carry weapons to protect myself; I have a Glok-19 & combat assault knife.  The pistol is in either on my belt or in a hand bag; I also have a combat assault knife in my purse.  Now I have a permit for the gun & years of experience with weapons.  If anyone out there is thinking about  getting a permit for a gun it is very simple but please make sure that you know how to handle it and if you ever pull it on someone you better be willing to end someone else's life, because that is what you are about to do.

Quote from: ErickaM on February 17, 2009, 11:04:16 AM
Yes, I carry weapons to protect myself; I have a Glok-19 & combat assault knife.  The pistol is in either on my belt or in a hand bag; I also have a combat assault knife in my purse.  Now I have a permit for the gun & years of experience with weapons.  If anyone out there is thinking about  getting a permit for a gun it is very simple but please make sure that you know how to handle it and if you ever pull it on someone you better be willing to end someone else's life, because that is what you are about to do.

BLOODY 'ELL, it's Rambo-ina.
I think it's a sad state of affairs when such a question need be asked.

Quote from: tekla on February 17, 2009, 06:58:10 AM
but this is the US, and as they say, don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

American etiquette  :D

I carry these weapons with me at all times:

two eyes
two ears
a voice
two legs
street sense

I am totally aware of what is around me, and I am a pretty good runner.

I've been attacked a few times where I couldn't get away, and honestly - the only thing that saved me was people who were present.  Those incidents were when I was younger and I wasn't paying close enough attention to what was going on.  Even if I had a weapon in those cases, I never would have had a chance to access it, because I was blindsided.  I would consider carring a legal form of mace etc. if I lived in a larger city.

Don't believe in weapons, I'm anti-gun.  I've shot my brother's rifles once while he was supervising what I was doing, but I wouldn't know how to handle a gun by myself.  I took a self-defense class and can basically use my body as a weapon.

Quote from: ErickaM on February 17, 2009, 11:04:16 AM
if you ever pull it on someone you better be willing to end someone else's life, because that is what you are about to do.

Could never end someone else's life intentionally, so that is why I'm anti-gun.  The whole point of the self-defense is to remove yourself from the situation, and that is what I would do if confronted by an attacker: find a way out.

Hopefully I will never have to own a gun, unless TSHTF and our whole society collapses, in which case I'm probably screwed, unless I'm in an area where my community will protect me because I can contribute in other ways.

[sorry for the rambling]

Carry concealed is illegal in Canada, however .....

Years ago, when I was young and used to hitchhike, I used to carry a 5" hunting knife in the back of my jeans belt. I did actually have to pull it once on a lonely stretch of road when an overly friendly trucker wouldn't take no for an answer.

Legal or not, when I am hiking in an wilderness area where wolves, bear, or cougar are known to be active, it isn't a knife stuffed into the back of my jeans but a .44 RemMag. Wild animals have no respect for your 'moral code' and I am not going to pi@@ around with pepper spray if confronted by a bear or cougar!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi25.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc64%2Fnorthernjane1974%2Fgrizzly-bear-warning.jpg&hash=39dd68170bd471ae34aa2cf3e2c344cb5e672770)

I carry 24/7 I am a Federal Agent I carry a Sig P229 and a Browning Hi Power backup. Off duty I carry my H&K USP and a Ruger SP101 back up. While enfemme I carry a purse with a hidden pocket for my off duty backup my SP101. A few others brought valid points, they carry a knife, can't shoot someone, body is a weapon, those are all great and wonderful and if they work great, I have only one comment well three 1 never bring a knife to a gun fight 2 you cannot out run or dodge  bullet and finally 3 find a freind that can shoot someone, kinda raw and I'm sorry for that but in line of work I see the horribile nasty reality of it all, and often ask had they been armed who would be notifing BTW is the absolute worst thing one person can do to another. Sorry for the gore but it's the truth........

What is it with Americans  ???
Living in a country where guns are generally illegal and almost no-one would ever think to shoot at or stab anyone else over anything I have to say martial arts and  :'( a 6 foot + skeleton are more than enough.

My mom (who wears pink and is a sweet, nice mommy type but who's also ex-military and has more balls than the entire male population combined) carries a Walther PPK in her purse. It's specially designed to hold a gun in a secret pocket that's inaccessible and invisible unless you're looking for it - in which case it's within easy reach. Google "gun purse" and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Don't use a knife or you could get in trouble for carrying a weapon. Use a credit card instead. Nice thin edge, cuts real well.

Quote from: Lisbeth on February 17, 2009, 09:01:00 PM
Don't use a knife or you could get in trouble for carrying a weapon. Use a credit card instead. Nice thin edge, cuts real well.

You've been watching Steven Segal movies  :laugh: But it is true. Just be careful not to cut your hand....or lose the c-card  :laugh:

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Post Merge: February 17, 2009, 08:22:32 PM

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Quote from: Cyndigurl45 on February 17, 2009, 03:00:17 PM
I carry 24/7 I am a Federal Agent I carry a Sig P229 and a Browning Hi Power backup. Off duty I carry my H&K USP and a Ruger SP101 back up. While enfemme I carry a purse with a hidden pocket for my off duty backup my SP101. A few others brought valid points, they carry a knife, can't shoot someone, body is a weapon, those are all great and wonderful and if they work great, I have only one comment well three 1 never bring a knife to a gun fight 2 you cannot out run or dodge  bullet and finally 3 find a freind that can shoot someone, kinda raw and I'm sorry for that but in line of work I see the horribile nasty reality of it all, and often ask had they been armed who would be notifing BTW is the absolute worst thing one person can do to another. Sorry for the gore but it's the truth........

I had some jobs that required me to carry an assortment of fire arms when I was younger. Glad those days are over. I'm not totally against guns. But I prefer to avoid using one  ;)

What is she "Jane Bond".  That was his gun for choice.  ;D

Janet

If anyone out there is thinking about  getting a permit for a gun it is very simple

You're out of your mind.  This varies at the discretion of the county sheriff (who has the jurisdiction to give out CC permits) according to state law, in in some places, including most metro areas, its almost impossible unless you can prove a real and dire need - like you carry large sums of money every night, and even then in NYC, or DC, LA, or SF, you ain't getting one.  The places where its easy to get a CC permit, you don't need one.

What is she "Jane Bond".  That was his gun for choice.
You couldn't be more wrong.  As any James Bond fan knows, what James loved what his Beretta, M took it away in Dr. No and FORCED him to take the PPK, and leave the Beretta, which he tried to take back.  FAIL

And I only carry the knife because it's a required item according to my union rules and regulations that I have to have one, and its nice, see:
http://www.shopwiki.com/search/BUCK+870+BONES+TIGER+STRIPE (http://www.shopwiki.com/search/BUCK+870+BONES+TIGER+STRIPE)
but its only because its a tool that I use at work almost every show.  On the streets, I depend on a much better weapon, my common sense.

But, given that, I can see where a lot of you think you need weapons.

Quote from: tekla on February 17, 2009, 11:17:54 PM

  On the streets, I depend on a much better weapon, my common sense.

But, given that, I can see where a lot of you think you need weapons.

A comment Virginia can relate to  :laugh: >:-) :laugh:

Quote from: tekla on February 17, 2009, 11:17:54 PM
On the streets, I depend on a much better weapon, my common sense.

But, given that, I can see where a lot of you think you need weapons.

I agree Tekla, common sense is what keeps you out of dangerous situations in the first place.  If that fails, then you should find a way to escape without involving the use of a weapon.  Everyone should keep in mind, if they are considering carrying any kind of firearm, that firearm can be taken by the attacker and used against you.  Many victims needlessly die this way.

Take a self defense class, and learn how to use your body if you need to.  Those skills, and common sense, which can keep you out of dangerous situations in the first palce, should be the only weapons you need.

Quote from: tekla on February 17, 2009, 11:17:54 PMAnd I only carry the knife because it's a required item according to my union rules and regulations that I have to have one, and its nice, see:
http://www.shopwiki.com/search/BUCK+870+BONES+TIGER+STRIPE (http://www.shopwiki.com/search/BUCK+870+BONES+TIGER+STRIPE)
but its only because its a tool that I use at work almost every show.  On the streets, I depend on a much better weapon, my common sense.

I'm curious Tekla: why don't you carry a leatherman or a victorinox knife instead? They tend to be alot more versatile, don't they?

QuoteBut, given that, I can see where a lot of you think you need weapons.

I believe everybody should learn how to use weapons, but carrying one is another matter. Adding an extra weapon to a confrontation only makes the situation more explosive, and a day doesn't go by here that you don't hear about a murder where the victim was killed with his or her own gun. I realize that South Africa does have it's own circumstances different from that of the UK or US, for example, but I just don't think it's wise to carry one unless you are going hunting ... and shame on you if you indulge in that ... unless you're hungry.

Mina.

Rule of thumb suggested to GG's which I learned the hard way after I began transitioning. In most cases a GG is just no match against a male attacker unless both the GG and TS person in transition have both been trained in self defence.

#1 After some months on HRT muscle mass decreases so you may not fair as well in a physical confrontation.

#2 Don't go walking alone on poorly lit streets, parks and parking lots by your self after dark and few people about. Take a friend with you.

#3 If going out to a club or bar go with a friend.

#4 Going out on a date? Make sure you have a cell with you and let someone else know where you are.

#5Avoid confrontations if any way possible unless it is in self defence.

#6 Learn self defence.

There are probably more precautions that could be taken then what I have mentioned here, but these are at the top of my head. Some I have learned from experienced, I was attacked once on the main street of town after dark when the street was mostly void of people.

I am not an aggressive person and avoid confrontations but that night I count myself lucky that. #1 the guy was drunk, #2 a good heavy purse to swing at him.

That same night I had a friend who had been attacked on another street on the other side of town and this is a small town pop 16000, so it happens.

Cindy

I carry a leatherman on my tool belt, use it almost once every show, and I have a Swiss Army knife in my bag - it's wine country, you don't go anywhere without a corkscrew, really  - and both have blades that are ok for cutting cheese, apples or opening letters, but they are not real knifes when you need to do some serious cutting, and in the case of the Swiss, it does not have a true locking blade, which again, when you're really cutting you don't want the thing folding back on you.

And what I have against carrying weapons, is not that I don't like them, I'm a country girl in a lot of way, and I dig guns, and I'm pretty good with them, but its the way they change the way people think.

It's simple to me.

If you wouldn't walk down that street, or alley, or go to that place without a gun, you most likely ought to stay the hell out of there even if you have one.

If carrying a weapon changes that basic reality in your head, then you have put yourself in greater danger and are a threat to your self. 

I have a Leatherman, A Kershaw multi-tool, a Swiss Army, My old Boy Scout and a Ka Bar. I use none of them as weapons and usually carry the Swiss Army. It's the least cumbersome. The Ka Bar comes in handy for camping or out in the garden or for as mentioned, serious cutting needs like a think rope or cable etc. If I carry the Ka Bar it is in plain sight. It would be illegal otherwise.
I guess that what most of us are getting at is that carrying weapons may well cause you more harm than good. Just use your common sense and stay out of bad situations.

   I am ok without a weapon ,  never needed one in 55years and my men keep me safe. I know everone in town and everone know my man.

I've lived way out in the Iowa country side for years, I always had guns at my house.  As people in rural areas know it could be 20-30 minutes for the police to arrive in a situation.  That's a different deal.  Though I never used it for that reason, but I sure ran off a lot of coons from the trash and killed a ->-bleeped-<-load of beer cans.

But I live and work in the city, and as I've said before, I work at least part time on a really bad street on one of the worst corners in the USA and have seen three people murdered while I was outside working or being on the job.  It will change your life, and in all of those cases, they way it went down, if the other person had a weapon, it wouldn't have mattered, they never saw it coming.

@Tekla: Good point about the locking thing. That's actually almost bitten me once or twice, so yeah, maybe I should look for something else. ... though a Victorinox can't be beat for compactness.

Mina.

Quote from: tekla on February 18, 2009, 09:23:05 PM
If you wouldn't walk down that street, or alley, or go to that place without a gun, you most likely ought to stay the hell out of there even if you have one.

that's what i think.

Quote from: tekla on February 18, 2009, 09:23:05 PM
If you wouldn't walk down that street, or alley, or go to that place without a gun, you most likely ought to stay the hell out of there even if you have one.

If carrying a weapon changes that basic reality in your head, then you have put yourself in greater danger and are a threat to your self.

That should never be the case.  I currently carry a firearm, and I don't go in more dangerous places because of it.  I only carry it for my protection, and am trained to use it.  It doesn't change any reality in my head, other than the fact that if something were to happen, the odds have a better chance of being on my side.

What in the world is all this macho atmosphere doing in here, anyway?  Do I detect the scent of T?  Yes.....I own guns.  I still have them, know how to use them,  but never ever carry one.  Home protection only.

Stay out of dangerous places. 

Imagine, some day, you are confronted, and challenged by a bigot, and he makes a move on you.  Draw your sig, glock, whatever, and fire in self defense.  Let's say you were even brutalized before pulling the trigger, and there were many reliable witnesses.
So....you killed someone in self defense.  Now you should be safe, right?

You know better than that. 

Attackers could in this country, get off with a light sentence for killing you.  But you, you miserable transsexual, could spend most of the rest of your life in prison, when a normal person would walk away free, and prison would not be a good place to be outed.

Stay out of dangerous places.



Bev
still kickin'

Quote from: Miss Bev on February 23, 2009, 07:04:13 PM
. . .
Attackers could in this country, get off with a light sentence for killing you.  But you, you miserable transsexual, could spend most of the rest of your life in prison, when a normal person would walk away free, and prison would not be a good place to be outed.

That's why I don't normally carry even though I have a permit.

Though when I go walking in rural/semi-rural areas I like to take my .22 revolver along to discourage feral dogs and other vermin.  At home I have my 12 gauge to convince 2 legged vermin to go away if necessary.  Thanks to the Deity it hasn't been.

It is foolish for any trans to risk getting arrested unless their lives are truly in danger but if that is really the case . . . I went through a few different kinds of hell to transition and save myself from dying, I won't allow anyone take my hard fought for life without at least trying to prevent it by any means available.

hugs & smiles
Emelye

I totally agree Miss Bev. I am only 5' 3" tall and 125 lbs and a lot less muscle mass then I had 10 years ago and of course 10 years older and I go where I want, when I want to, where ever I need to go to I know is safe. And for goodness sakes don't make a lot of waves to attract undo attention, unless your life is in jeopardy. 

I have not had any problems for the last 9 years living full time as Cindy. Except for once in my early transition where I had that one potentially bad experience with a drunk who accosted me in the middle of the street and tried to steal my purse. He proceeded to punch me in the eyes while trying to take my purse.

I screamed at the top on  my voice until the perpetrator left. The people in the store I had just left had already called the police. I was lucky he was to drunk to hit very hard, and I got away with my purse, two black eyes and my pride a wee mite dented but otherwise I was fine. Reminds me again my mom tellin me that the family was made of tough stuff, a girl raised on the farm with six brothers and another older sister tough as nails as well, I suppose she knew.

Lesson #1 don't go wandering down mostly deserted streets after dark.

#2 There are many other places that one should stay away from, like deserted parking lots or parks after dark.

#3 night clubs and bars, unless you have a friend or partner to escorting you.

#4 So yes, STAY AWAY FROM DANGEROUS PLACES. You are a lady not some macho tobakie chawin male. If you are true transsexual you were never a macho male anyway, or you wouldn't be here.

Cindy

I carry my weapon when I need it or I grab someone else's. Like in my Avatar. But honestly my Master said your car or house keys are enough to gouge someone's eye's out. So why carry a weapon?

This is one scary thread! :o

Some situations one can be placed in can be scary to say the least. Avoid those situations if and when possible

Quote from: Virginia Marie on February 24, 2009, 06:06:42 AM
Some situations one can be placed in can be scary to say the least. Avoid those situations if and when possible

Very true :)

hhmmm yes guns.
What was that scene in pulp fiction - in the car with the kid in the back seat talking about burger king....yeeeah. Not good.

Ok, my turn....just a couple of things:

1.  You fight like you train.  If you've taken a class in self defence, great.  BUT, if you don't practice what you were taught, you won't be able to do it when you need to--no matter how confident you are that you will be able to.  This is why the military, cops and serious fighters are continuously training and drilling until it is truly done without thinking (when necessary).  As in "the training just kicked in..." kind of comment after it's all over.

2.  Owning a gun does NOT make you a marksman.  If you don't practice at the target range at least several times a year, the gun you carry is nothing more than a noisemaker.....which may be good, but if you feel the need to pull the trigger, being able to hit your target is better.

3.  One option I haven't seen is the Tazer.  They are legal in a lot of places and non-lethal, yet very effective---unless there's multiple attackers, in which case you should not have been there in the first place.

4.  Don't overlook the power of high heels.  Stomp your heel down on the top of someone's foot and it'll do some serious damage.  If you've ever walked across a grassy yard in heels you'll remember how easy it is to sink 'em into something.

5.  Hand-to-gland combat, or use the knees (the old fashioned way)--just don't be shy about the amount of force.  If you're going to strike, strike!

6.  If you use pepper spray, and ANY of it gets into your nose, you will be in very bad shape (that stuff is a lot more potent than they make it appear on TV).

7.  Remember: the best way to avoid a confrontation is to not be there.  If you have no choice, be prepared.  Be trained.  Be proficient.  Be safe.

'nuf said.

the Tazer.  They are legal in a lot of places and non-lethal

Lots of people have been killed by those things. 

Quote from: tekla on February 25, 2009, 11:50:52 PM
Lots of people have been killed by those things.

Tekla's right, and often those who are killed are in otherwise good health.  Private citizens don't enjoy the immunity that police do when using them.  Not only that, but they are definitely illegal in some places.  In my state, posession anywhere by a private citizen is a multi-year felony, and there's really no hope of explaining one away as anything but a weapon...

Beyond that, I was under the impression that electroshock weapons such as the Taser only immobilise (and cause excruciating pain to) the target while they're being used; if you aren't carrying cuffs, you're going to have to keep zapping the attacker or run away very, very qickly, and if you're like me and half the size of anyone who'd attack you, the attacker's going to get it away from you and zap you senseless.

At least that was my understanding of them; I may be wrong and I am definitely biased in thinking of them more as portable torture devices than legitimate means of force.

This thread makes me sad.  Why can't everyone just play nicely?

  ~ Burgundy ~

Virginia plays nice. Or at least tries too  :laugh: Unfortunately in the real would you do have to deal with some real A-holes  :laugh:

WoW
You American ladies are carrying more firepower than our police force. Who are armed. Carrying a concealed weapon In Aus is illegal. And using any weapon even in selfdefence is problematic.
I carry a very bad sense of humour, martial arts and street fighting training, and I can run fast, after throwing off the heels. But being aware, doing the basics, know your environment, have your keys out and ready to use. Try to keep to public areas. Be ready to take someone's eyes out. Be careful.

Interesting thread to see how the civilised world is developing!

What's Glock? Sorry for being naive - or maybe I'm thankful!
Cindy James

A Glock is most commenly a 17 round 9mm side arm. (Pistol) Very pop with gangs in the US and elsewhere

I suppose the good girls carry them because the bad guys do. So next time you get a bigger glock!

(This is in jest, rare for me). Do any of our Bros want bigger glocks or do you think how you use them is more important?
Cindy James :-\   

I don't glock, but I can grok! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grok (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grok)

Quote from: CindyJames on February 26, 2009, 01:56:15 AM
WoW
You American ladies are carrying more firepower than our police force. Who are armed. Carrying a concealed weapon In Aus is illegal. And using any weapon even in selfdefence is problematic.

I don't want people to think that all Americans carry weapons.  The majority does not, and most people (the people I know anyway), are rather scared of firearms.

Again, I just want to clarify that you should only ever use a firearm when it is your last option.  I was never advocating using it to go into more dangerous places.  Also, you should only carry a concealed weapon when and where you are legally allowed.

I have a permit that allows me to carry concealed, just to clarify.  I don't want anyone thinking otherwise.

Quote from: tgirljuliewilson on February 25, 2009, 11:42:31 PM
Ok, my turn....just a couple of things:

1.  You fight like you train.  If you've taken a class in self defence, great.  BUT, if you don't practice what you were taught, you won't be able to do it when you need to--no matter how confident you are that you will be able to.  This is why the military, cops and serious fighters are continuously training and drilling until it is truly done without thinking (when necessary).  As in "the training just kicked in..." kind of comment after it's all over.

2.  Owning a gun does NOT make you a marksman.  If you don't practice at the target range at least several times a year, the gun you carry is nothing more than a noisemaker.....which may be good, but if you feel the need to pull the trigger, being able to hit your target is better.

3.  One option I haven't seen is the Tazer.  They are legal in a lot of places and non-lethal, yet very effective---unless there's multiple attackers, in which case you should not have been there in the first place.

4.  Don't overlook the power of high heels.  Stomp your heel down on the top of someone's foot and it'll do some serious damage.  If you've ever walked across a grassy yard in heels you'll remember how easy it is to sink 'em into something.

5.  Hand-to-gland combat, or use the knees (the old fashioned way)--just don't be shy about the amount of force.  If you're going to strike, strike!

6.  If you use pepper spray, and ANY of it gets into your nose, you will be in very bad shape (that stuff is a lot more potent than they make it appear on TV).

7.  Remember: the best way to avoid a confrontation is to not be there.  If you have no choice, be prepared.  Be trained.  Be proficient.  Be safe.

'nuf said.

I agree with everything said here.  I also have to go a little further and say that my ex was trained in aikido, and was rather proficient, but I could (with not much effort) easily defeat her because I had just a little knowledge of the concepts they used, and I had a major strength advantage.  I am not saying that these techniques don't work, I am just saying that you should understand they are not foolproof.

I can't say about pepper spray, but when I was a teenager, I got mace in my eyes (on accident), and it was the worst thing ever.

Training is crucial.  I can tell you, I took multiple classes on land navigation (when I was with the Army ROTC), and even 6 months after I stopped doing it, you forget so much.  The same applies to most things.  If you are not actively doing it, you WILL forget it, or at the very least, not proficient enough for it to matter.

I am a bit paranoid, I know, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Be safe.

Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?  ;D

Cindy

I was being harrassed by teenagers in gangs. I showed them some Loong choo Kung Fu and they left me alone...And then I found out that some of the people who were harassing me were gay. I felt bad vibes from them but they said they liked my clothes and hair and began to like me. I explained what being TS is and they knew. So now they leave me alone a bit. Because they know I only like straight guys. I told them I have a boyfriend.

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Post Merge: February 27, 2009, 01:48:07 AM

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Having a boyfriend is a bit like having a concealed weapon.

No guns for me. A tazer would be practicle. My only weapon is my big mouth and that usually gets me hurt.

I have a concealed weapons permit, however, I never actually carry my weapon. Perhaps at some point I will, but I just haven't felt the need.  I do go to a shooting range when I'm home, plus my current job requires I carry and I've had very extensive weapons training in the military.  As others have mentioned, some of the items you carry or wear are very effective.  I guess that's why I don't feel the need to carry.

I agree with the "use common sense and stay out of certain places" thinking. That has served me well for many years. Also staying out late at night has its dangers so we're always back home and off the streets around 10pm.

A buddy of mine was on his way home around midnight. He has a convertible. He was cutting through a neighborhood when he suddenly found himself boxed in by two cars. He heard somebody say "lets do this", and then suddenly there were armed people walking up to his car.

What the bad guys didn't know is that my buddy is a US marine, and was packing heat  ;D

He brandished his weapon, and persuaded the bad guys to get back into their cars and leave. No one was hurt. Had he not had a weapon the best case scenario is that his car would have gotten stolen, worst case is that he might have gotten a beating or worse.

With the economy as it is there have been a lot more "home invasion" deals happening. I saw some video from a home surveillance system showing 4 armed thugs getting out of a car with machine guns and storming a house. The homeowner was home, and was armed. The video then showed the thugs leaving in a hurry, being chased by bullets.

The moral? You can do things that make sense to protect yourself, and still find yourself in a bad situation. How you protect yourself is up to you, but some people will choose a firearm. And in some states there is a right to carry given that you have the proper permits. Its not always a bad idea.

Heh. I love it when Brits find one of these jaw-droppingly American threads.

The message? Don't mess with transpeople - we're armed to the teeth, know self-defence, and look amazing while kicking ass. ;)

I can melt people with my thoughts.  I don't need a gun.

3 1/2" blade flip out knife, clipped to my purse, used for attacking tape on parcel post packages.  I also carry a roofer's hatchet in the door panel in my car.  I have a pink (yes pink) purse gun  which shoots 22 Long, but it is a semiautomatic and it is getting harder and harder to chamber a round - so I am thinking about a derrinder revolver instead... but the best defence is stay out of dangerous situations, don't be confrontational, and kick and run.

Lizzy

I agree with Andrew...

There's an old saying: if you're going to kick a tiger in his ass, you'd better have a plan for dealing with his teeth.

substitute "her" for 'him' and you've got the idea....

Walk softly in short steps in high heels....and carry firepower.

a rifle in the purse & mace!!

Very good advice to stay away from "dangerous places" however danger isn't always found in dangerous places.  Very often danger is found getting in or out of your car at the supermarket or a convenience store.  Most attacks on people who aren't engaged in potentially hazardous behaviors i.e drugs, thefts and such occur in "safe" areas.  Car-jackings are the crime du jour and those can happen anywhere.  I live in a relatively quiet neighborhood but even here, one block away, a woman was pulled out of her car at gunpoint, robbed and had her car stolen.  All she did to make herself a target was stop at a stop sign.  Another woman was attacked in the parking lot of the mall, where she was beaten and robbed (and yes the mall did have security but someone intent on committing a crime can easily avoid even the most vigilant security).  When I go to the store I don't park next to cars that have someone sitting in them, I don't park next to someone who is standing in the parking lot, I don't park in dark areas, I park as close as possible to the store, I lock my doors when I drive, I constantly watch my surroundings in and out of my car.  I'm not paranoid..I'm careful and careful will take you 99% of the way safe.  It's up to you how to prepare for that other 1%...the most often repeated phrase after someone was attacked is "I never thought it could happen to me".

I'm a former police officer and I know what can and does go wrong on a daily basis.  Defend yourself with whatever you feel comfortable with because if you aren't comfortable with it then you aren't going to be able to use it effectively.  I choose a Glock 30 in .45 caliber and pepper spray.  I have years of training and experience with guns and I have no problems with law abiding citizens carrying them...IF...they are trained.  Training isn't the lame *ss course that concealed carry classes put on either. You will need intensive training and practice after qualifying for your concealed carry permit to be safe. If you want to carry a gun go to your local gun range and ask to be trained to use it.  If you are friends with a police officer ask him or her to train you and never carry a gun just because you can.  It's irresponsible and dangerous for you and everyone around you. 

Quote from: BrandiOK on July 17, 2009, 11:20:24 AM
I live in a relatively quiet neighborhood but even here, one block away, a woman was pulled out of her car at gunpoint, robbed and had her car stolen.  All she did to make herself a target was stop at a stop sign...

...I lock my doors when I drive...

I do the same thing, locking your door is a good way to not be carjacked while stopped in traffic.

I still stand by my anti-gun opinion; if you're not comfortable carrying or using a firearm, or are not mentally prepared to take another person's life, then you have no business carrying a gun.  I'm included in both those groups, so I won't use a gun.  Ever.

I have thought of carrying knives, and if ever attacked or confronted, I would cut or stab in non-vital areas, just long enough to stun the attacker, and then I'd run away and find help.  At least then, the person can get medical attention, and maybe think twice about attacking someone in the future.  Then, I wouldn't have to deal with the guilt of having killed someone.  Regardless of the fact that it would've been in self defense if the person died, I still wouldn't be able to live with myself.

I'm in the UK and the law effectively prevents us from carrying any sort of weapon at all.
I'm a peaceful person and have never even shouted an unprovoked insult at anyone, let alone attacked them - unlike the halfwits who shout "->-bleeped-<-" etc down the street at me for no reason.
I'll bend over backwards to preserve peace ....... however.....
If you attack me, you are declaring war on me as far as I'm concerned and in war, people die.
If some sh1thead thinks he'd like to jump up and down on my face to round-off his Saturday night, I'd kill him without a second thought.

Sure, I'd probably be in a whole lot of trouble, but at least you can argue from the dock - you can't argue from inside a box or when you're so brain-damaged you can't speak for drooling.

I'm a sensitive person who suffers guilt if I think that I have done someone down or carelessly hurt their feelings - but killing some violent moron who attacked me without reason wouldn't keep me awake at night in the least.

(....not a very girly attitude, but there you go.... )

I carry and usually keep my sidearm near me even at night. It has saved my life and that of others. Yet it never had to be fired at anyone. Am I prepared for that? As much as I can be I guess but I hope that it never happens but if it does then it would be a me or them situation and, in that case, it will be me that greets the next day.

Using knives for defense can kill just as easily and is easier to take away from you. You think you are striking in a non vital area? Great if you have time for it but how much do you think and aim in the middle of the night when your stronger attacker comes for you? Is your first thought, `I better not kill`? It will not be, trust me I know.

Some attacks do happen in "Bad areas". Unfortunately many more happen in "Nice quiet areas".

The last time I was attacked all I was doing was taking my dog for a walk. Luckily, I was able to defend myself fairly well. Which kinda surprised me. I thought I was getting a bit rusty at my age. My dog got scared and ran to hide.

Also, luckily someone called 911 and the police and EMTs were there rather quickly.

Turns out the attackers were from a city about an hour away. They were returned there to face previous charges. I was bruised up a bit and my head hurt awhile. But I was OK, got my dog back and went home.