“One also has to be careful about carrying bladed weapons and laws involving that. In some cases, you could have less problems carrying a gun than a long knife.”
Yes. Some States don’t allow carry for anything over a 6” blade...or is that 4”?
“Pepper spray is an option that could cause some of the least legal issues.”
I don’t believe “pepper spray” is a good deterrent. There’s been too many examples of intoxicated bad guys who kept on coming after getting sprayed. The historical example is Rodney King.
“The best thing is to know your local laws and become proficient with whatever you choose to carry.”
Absolutely.
“A good Krav Maga class can teach you how to use almost anything as an effective defensive weapon.”
Yes, but what about us older folks who can’t train in that martial art? I’m 61 and don’t have the energy or strength for that type of training, much less a frail woman. Plus, it teaches you to maim, when you may only need to deter. A zap with a stun gun or taser will put the punk down, and give you the opportunity to run...that’s also something Krav Maga teaches. Who needs a lawsuit for putting out someone’s eye when you can just zap them and leave?
Pepper spray and Tasers have both come a long way since Rodney King.
I can point you to a thread full of people who have ‘ridden the lightning’ and been OC’d, and they all say they’d rather be Tasered again.
Get some Fox Labs 5.3, and you’ll be good to go.
Here in AZ where no permit CC is OK, Wife and I both carry .380 pistols with 13 rd hi cap mags.
Krav Maga is actually a very good art for people who aren’t strong. I’m a small woman, only took a few KM classes because it was too far away, but in terms of self defense it’s a lot more practical than most karate classes. And the instructors take your size and strength into account and teach you techniques you can actually carry off.
Anyway, if I ever have to fight, I’ll figure my opponent is deterred if he’s running away or incapacitated. Anything less than my utmost might not be enough, my utmost might not be enough, so why do less?
Best thing I ever learned from martial arts was that it’s better to avoid fights. Deterrence is awareness, trusting your instincts, avoiding risky situations, carrying yourself with alert confidence.
A friend of mine was having some trouble with a gang a few months back, but he has a felony record and thus cannot own a firearm. He asked the local PD for some recommendations and they told him to get a thumper and a can of wasp spray.
In Louisiana, Pepper Spray might be considered an aphrodisiac.
'La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur.' - Auguste Escoffier
(Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
I understand that everyone is built different, but I'll tell you what; my grandfather grew up in the deep south in the early 1900s. He moved the family to Los Angeles during WWII, and carried a Browning 1911 on him until he got so old, the kids had to hide it from him.
The man was from the old-old school, and didn't give a damn what the bs California gun laws said. He lived by the maxim: Better to be judged by twelve, than carried by six. He never had to shoot anyone (that he'd admit to), but he sure made lots of degenerates back down over the years.