[spetznaz]

One cannot register oneself as a deadly weapon. That's a myth stemming from the early '70s following the posthumous success of Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon (which brought about a martial arts renaissance). The only 'registration' I know of is in Florida, and that's a gimmick from a certain Dojang (Korean for Dojo) that teaches a Korean martial art called HapKiDo. Most importantly is the fact that most martial artists, including black belts, are from styles that are woefully inadequate for self defence. If you go to a Dojo or Dojang that has 15 year old TaeKwonDo black belts you have entered what is termed as a McDojo. Useless stuff that is only useful in instilling confidence in children.

What this guy was doing is a style of kickboxing called Muay Thai that is most definitely the real deal. Loads of conditioning (meaning that not only can he give a strong blow but he can also take it), hitting endlessly until the shins and elbows are calloused and desensitised (meaning he can hit you harder without feeling pain himself), and an aggressive mindset. I have a close friend who also killed a man using his Muay Thai skills when he was robbed at an ATM in Nairobi. He was jumped by two men, and although he had a license for a gun (one needs to have a license to carry in Kenya, which is quite the laborious process) he simply didn't have time to reach for it. With both guys attacking nonstop all he could do is hit back and he fortunately got one guy with a lucky kick (who ran away since a lot of thugs aren't necessarily that brave and expect their victims to play the role) and he chocked the other one (killing him by mistake). He wasn't charges.

You are 100% right on the need to be careful of you know martial arts - especially reality-based martial arts systems. It is all too easy for a jury to say you acted unreasonably, and if it is revealed that you practice Kali or Silat (Filipino and Indonesia arts, respectively, that are the best for using knives), and you used your knife to mess up some guy - you may go to jail. Google Leo Gaje JR to see what Petiki Kirsia Kali teaches for knife attacks - crazy stuff that I can get away with in Africa but will throw you in jail in New York. Or say you know Krav Maga and you kill a pickpocket! Very easy for a jury to say you could have controlled the situation better. The system I do always recommends that I VERY LOUDLY shout that 'I don't want to fight' and 'please don't hurt me' or 'you are scaring me now' so that any witnesses can know whatever happens next is not my fault. It makes no sense to win a fight and then go to jail.

[HiTech RedNeck]

are you saying be careful about bringing a fist to a knife or gun fight?

this is how stupid we are today. if you fight off an assailant with a knife or gun by socking said assailant with your fist hard enough to knock said assailant through st. peter’s gate, it ought to be considered the assailant’s risk not yours. this is not talking about beating up further on a fallen assailant of course.

[varyouga]

I never said one can actually register themselves as a deadly weapon.

I only said it will be used against you in court if you scratch one of “Obama’s sons” and the Jury buys that you traumatized the kid just as he was "turning his life around".

[clamper1797]

There are systems that use pressure points ... RyuKyu Kempo and Small Circle Jujitsu to name two . These points properly used can render an assailant unconsious ... or even stop the heart with one or two simutaneous very quick strikes. It is then up to the martial artist to revive them. If the heart stops this way even CPR won't bring them back as the electrical system has been short circuited but the trained martial artist can ... most times.

As far as McDojos and pre-teen "black belts" ... SOME TKD schools are notorious for this ... I've heard schools like this called "Take Your Do" and "Partial Arts". We also call them "candy shops"