I guess this is a new issue for me, but it has come up lately a couple of times when guys have tried to get very friendly.  Of course, I can't return the favor.  I am worried one might become angry or even violent.  I've been looking at pepper sprays and stun guns.  I guess the only other alternative is to just stay home, which I'm not going to do.

Do any of you girls carry anything for protection?  If so what?  Have you ever had to use it?  What about the applicable laws in carrying something that might be considered a concealed weapon?

Thanks for the help.

Kristi

I carry a mace.  Here in Utopia, they passed several laws concerning the use of tear gas maces; hence most people had to switch to hot pepper sprays (which IMO aren't effective if a 180 pound guy is trying to force you into his van)

I know someone who works for the police force and he obtained a tear gas mace for me with a missing serial number  .  I know it is not quite legal to carry it but hey my safety is more important than anything else really, and I have to be prepared just in case.

tink

Another thought:
Always travel with someone else; Perhaps not very practical but very functional nonetheless.

Pull out your katana and sli-


Err...okay. Non-deadly.



Theres always Tazors. Those frickin rock. Shock that mofro.

I carry a gun >. I'm joking.  I don't carry anything but I'm a black belt in Judo.  I've never had to defend myself from anyone.  Frankfurt is one of the safest cities in the world, but when I travel abroad, peeps don't know they can get in trouble if they try to rob me.

I don't carry anything.  I've not had any problems either and I second Kimberly's advice make sure that you go with someone else.  When I go out I make sure that I keep my wits about me and I make sure that I don't get drunk, or leave a drink unattended.

Steph

I recently purchased a boxcutter for use at work, since I occasionally need to open things and there typically isn't one laying around.

The other end of it is a one hand open, partially serrated knife blade. I really don't intend to open anything but cardboard or plastic with it, but I suppose if a situation turns serious enough it'd be better than nothing. If only it were left handed. And the boxcutter and knife could both be out at the same time... it'd be like some sort of Klingon death dagger.

I had an ex that carried a pair of knives bigger than mine for defense.

The thought of security is funny. The only time I want to be seen as a guy is when I have a bad feeling about a place. I haven't been out to pass, but there are definitely times when there's a huge discomfort that wouldn't be there in a wifebeater and khakis. Kind of sad that half the world's populace has to deal with that kind of shadow. It makes me very uncomfortable, since men like that would probably be even more malicious towards a cd/ts than a woman.

Nothing.  I live in the safest city in the world, Zurich.  Sorry Yvonne.

I do not carry anything. In england your not allowed to carry anything for protection other then a panic alarm which sucks.

You used to be able to have a small swiss army knife but even they are not allowed unless you use it as a tool of your trade.

I have had problems with people in the past and once someone attacked me about 10 months ago so now i am looking in to self defense classes.

I think martial arts is a good thing to learn as it can keep you safe. I wish i knew martial arts 10 months ago.

I am thinking of taking up wing-chun or jujitsu.

i carry pepper spray & a blade.  hopefully i'll never use them. 

The mace they use on grizzly bears and a 9mm pistol with Remington Golden Sabre ammunition. From past experience, once they see the gun they go away and usually do not come back. I have also been in the martial arts. Not tournament oriented styles, more towards street fighting, survival. Only carry a sidearm if you will use it. Check local laws as well.

I cannot carry at clubs but then I have a number of weapons on me that I use while doing the Domme thing. If I am doing something not fetish oriented, I arrive early so I can park my car as close to the door as possible and make friends with the bartenders. When in straight spaces I do not accept drinks from anyone I do not know nor do I carry much of a conversation.

Geez girls all I have are my fingernails.

No really I do carry mace!

Deb

The only thing I have with me is a knife (and some good martial arts training), but it usually ends up at the bottom of my purse.  I also have non-weapons that I can use as weapons like an umbrella and my purse.  I probably should get some pepper-spray or something.  I've also heard that on some people mace is ineffective, where pepper spray works.  Here's a web page that also says this: http://www.pepper-spray-store.com/relatedinfo/mace-vs-pepperspray.shtml

Quote from: tammygirl2 on August 24, 2007, 08:44:44 AM
I do not carry anything. In england your not allowed to carry anything for protection other then a panic alarm which sucks.

Unfortunately.  Someone once mentioned a roll of American nickles here.  It can help in an emergency.

I refuse to carry anything that someone else could turn on myself.  I figure that my weapon could very well become theirs.

When I travel I take my dog.  She is a loving little Queensland Heeler with an iron jaw and a protective stance that will make your blood curl.  The breed was developed with Dingo Dogs from down under from what I understand.  She takes care of the coyote problem around the house here.

I don't have too many opportunities to walk a "city street" out where I live.  So... she's always with me wherever I go.

Cindi

Cindi,

Great for you!  A loyal dog is about as effective a weapon as there is.

Yup, I figure that when she or the other dog passes on, I will find another Queensland Heeler.  She is an amazing companion.

cindi

I don't carry anything. I do have a self defense military and law enforcement background though. Also Pepper spray and mace is not always effective. though they are beter then nothing and do make sure not to spray yourself.
Rashelle

Quote from: Blanche on August 24, 2007, 07:41:31 AM
Nothing.  I live in the safest city in the world, Zurich.  Sorry Yvonne.

QuoteThe world's top cities offering the best quality of life
2007 Rank,  City,  Country, Points

1  1  Zurich  Switzerland  108.1
2 2  Geneva  Switzerland  108.0
=3  3  Vancouver  Canada  107.7
=3 4  Vienna  Austria  107.7
=5  5 Auckland  New Zealand 107.3
=5 6  Düsseldorf  Germany  107.3
7  7  Frankfurt Germany  107.1
8 8  Munich  Germany 106.9
=9 9  Bern  Switzerland  106.5
=9 9 Sydney  Australia  106.5
11 11 Copenhagen  Denmark 106.2
12  12 Wellington New Zealand 105.8
13 13 Amsterdam Netherlands 105.7
14 14 Brussels Belgium 105.6
15 15 Toronto Canada 105.4
16 16 Berlin Germany 105.2
17 17 Melbourne Australia 105.0
=18 18 Luxembourg Luxembourg 104.8
=18 21 Ottawa Canada 104.8
20 20 Stockholm Sweden 104.7
21 21 Perth  Australia  104.5
22  22 Montreal Canada 104.3
23 23 Nürnberg Germany 104.2
=24 25 Calgary Canada 103.6
=24 25 Hamburg Germany 103.6
26 31 Oslo Norway 103.5
=27 24 Dublin Ireland 103.3
=27 27 Honolulu USA 103.3
29 28 San Francisco USA 103.2
=30 29 Adelaide Australia 103.1
=30 29 Helsinki  Finland  103.1
32 31  Brisbane  Australia  102.8
33 33 Paris  France  102.7
34  34 Singapore  Singapore  102.5
35 35 Tokyo  Japan  102.3
=36  37  Lyon France 101.9
=36 36 Boston USA 101.9
38 37 Yokohama Japan 101.7
39  39 London  UK  101.2
40 40 Kobe  Japan  101.0
41 44 Barcelona Spain  100.6
=42 45 Madrid Spain 100.5
=42 51 Osaka  Japan  100.5
=44 41 Washington DC  USA  100.4
=44 41 Chicago USA 100.4
46  43 Portland USA  100.3
47 53 Lisbon Portugal  100.1
48 46 New York City USA 100.0
=49 51 Milan Italy  99.9
=49 47 Seattle USA 99.9

Very true.  At least I'm happy to live in one of the safest cities in the world.


tink

Or perhaps more to the point regarding weapons; If you are not willing to use it, do not carry it. Besides, know thyself, the human body is quite lethal and vulnerable both. But, all things considered it certainly is easier and more agreeable to never find oneself in such a disagreeable situation in the first place, as such I feel that stressing keeping yourself safe, aware and not doing foolish things should never be underestimated. Granted I probably take the thought to the extreme but I have never been able to justify going into a bar for instance, or any other place where incidents have happened or have reputed to have happened in the past.

Perhaps it is telling that I have only had problems when in situations I did not want to be in in the first place? (I.e. school, actually but ^*shrug*)

Anyway, just a few thoughts in the wind.