Sorry I haven’t written anything for some time folks, but nowadays it looks like there’s more on my to-do-list then there’s time to do them. In fact, my daily travels are what inspired me to sit back and write this letter today.
It looks like everywhere I go these days, I get asked the same questions about self defense weapons. Are they legal? MUST I carry one? Do they really work? (And assuming they do work for self-defense)… How do you know which one is actually going to work for me?
The simple truth is, there is really no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It is a personal question, that includes a personal answer for each individual. So I’m going to do what I could to help clear a number of the fog on this topic, and we’ll focus on a simple definition for the term “self defense weapon”.
Self-defense: The act of defending one’s person or interests from harm through physical force or argument.
Weapon: Any instrument or device used to inflict harm on another, either for attack or defense.
So for the purpose of this article, we’ll consider a self defense weapon to be any instrument or device used to guard yourself from physical harm or attack… Not difficult.
Personal defense weapons can be found in many sizes and shapes. In fact, just about anything you use to defend yourself could possibly be considered a self-defense weapon. So instead of creating a set of self defense weapons (that is practically endless), I’ll just go over some of the concepts which are common for all of these devices.
First let’s discuss what a self defense weapon is NOT…
A self defense weapon is NOT an animate object with a mind of its own. In other words, it generally does not think for itself, and it doesn’t sit there coiled up, looking forward to the chance to strike at someone. A self-defense weapon is really a tool, no more. And being truly a tool, what it does depends entirely on what you do with it. A weapon can be extremely ideal for keeping you safe. However, you’ve got to remember several certain things…
1. A SELF DEFENSE WEAPON IS NOT MAGIC.
When you have a weapon, it generally does not mean you’re automatically safe. So, don’t go walking into a bad section of town, in the middle of the night, carrying a large handful of money. And do not flip off the neighborhood gang leader just because you have a weapon in your pocket
2. YOU NEED TO DISCOVER HOW TO USE ONESELF DEFENSE WEAPON.
And even more important, you must have confidence in your capability to utilize it. Just having a weapon doesn’t mean it’ll be any help at all. This is really a big problem among the uninformed; Military and police research confirms that people who lack confidence in a method or device will not resort to it in a stressful situation.
Many people have been seriously hurt in violent encounters with a personal self defense weapon right in their hand. In the stress of the moment, they didn’t think to utilize it or doubted its’ ability to impact the problem. Perhaps they were afraid that it would only make matters worse.
So if you’re thinking of carrying a personal self-defense weapon, make sure you’re prepared to discover how to use it. And practice to become skillful with it. Additionally you need to be prepared to use the device aggressively on a predator, to safeguard yourself. Never carry a Personal Safety Weapon with the intent to “bluff” your assailant. This is one sure way to have your weapon recinded and used against you. So if you are not prepared to use it decisively, don’t carry it!
3. WEAPONS DON’T WORK IF YOU AREN’T HOLDING THEM.
You need to keep your eyes open and give consideration, and you have to know how to carry and use your weapon of preference, cause if you don’t, you may not get a chance to use it. A gun doesn’t help whether it’s still in its holster, and a pepper spray or a stun gun isn’t too useful if it’s still in the bottom of one’s purse or in your kitchen drawer at home once you get attacked. So when you carry a weapon for self-defense, make sure you will get to it quickly if the necessity arises.
People seldom leave their homes thinking, “Gee, I think I’ll go out and fend off a mugger, or perhaps a rapist today!” What goes on to most self defense weapons may be the novelty wears off and they’re quickly forgotten, then they find their solution to the bottom of a purse, the glove box of your car, or the trunk of a kitchen drawer. They don’t do you much good there! So consider, is the device you are thinking about something practical enough to carry with you all of the time.
4. NOTHING WORKS 100% OF THE TIME.
Over-inflated claims and quick-fix promises are all around the self-defense business. Many gadget salespeople and wannabe self-defense experts exaggerate the benefits and capabilities of their systems and products.
You need to understand, and acknowledge the limitations of a self-defense weapon, and have a back-up plan. Take into account that nothing is ever 100% effective on a regular basis. Even a gun is only 99% effective. Sometimes people get shot, however they still don’t go down. Yet, I have no idea anyone who would say a gun isn’t effective.
So understanding that nothing works 100% of the time means regardless of what self defense weapon you decide to carry, you should still have a back up arrange for defending yourself… just in case
5. THERE ARE LAWS ABOUT WEAPONS…
Plenty of laws. Starting primarily with laws about guns, using guns, carrying a gun, etc. but additionally, there are laws about stun guns, pepper spray, knives, batons, etc. Mostly having to do with when weapons can be utilized, and under what circumstances.
Do everything you can to learn the laws about weapons in your area, but more importantly, work with a bit of common sense. Pulling a gun on a guy because he cut you off in traffic is a no-no, and shooting someone in the facial skin with pepper spray since they took the final donut at the meeting isn’t using good judgment. So when learning to use acheter beretta 92 fs , also learn the laws concerning the weapon, and when it is possible to and can’t use it legally.
So there you have it, several basic truths about self-defense weapons.
I could go on for another half hour about personal defense weapons, and never run out of what to say, but this short article has already passed the main one thousand-word mark, so I’ll end it here. The end result is, if you’re going to carry a weapon for self defense, make sure you know how to use it, and are prepared to use if the need arises.