People-Friendly Weapon for Self-Defense

J

j3r3mee

Joined
Jan 23, 2004
Messages
7
I am currently looking to use something for close-range self defense. Right now, I carry a FRN Endura for work-related tasks and possibly pepper spray, depending on where I am.

I live in Fremont, California, which has a 2" knife blade limit regardless of whether or not it's fixed or folding. :( I recently checked with the municipal law to make sure. I had to measure my SAK to determine whether or not it was above the legal length (Thankfully it's not).

I am looking for advice on what I can carry with me that will not be frowned upon by police or other citizens. I did some research and something like a yawara or koppo stick sounds useful. However, how are these perceived by others and how legal are they?

Are there any improvised weapons I can carry with me that are also useful? (A huge marker pen may cause pain, but I doubt I'll ever use it to write.)

Thanks everybody, hopefully I can find something out there. :eek:
 
I recently bought a Chrysler automobile. This is the only car I have ever owned where the ignition key has the remote door and trunk controls on the ignition key itself. This means that there is a substantial, semi-teardropped shaped chunk of plastic on the upper end of the key. Clutched in your hand, with the key sticking out between the middle and ring fingers, it is basically an unsharpened, serrated push dagger. Punches to the eyes or throat would be devastating with this thing. One concern would be the possibility of the plastic splitting upon impact, leaving the key without a handle. I am presently pondering a way to reinforce the upper edge of the plastic. Totally innocent yet deadly.
 
Pepper spray legal there? Most people don't bat much of an eye at a keychain sized pepper spray can.
 
j3r3mee said:
I am currently looking to use something for close-range self defense. Right now, I carry a FRN Endura for work-related tasks and possibly pepper spray, depending on where I am.

I live in Fremont, California, which has a 2" knife blade limit regardless of whether or not it's fixed or folding. :( I recently checked with the municipal law to make sure. I had to measure my SAK to determine whether or not it was above the legal length (Thankfully it's not).

I am looking for advice on what I can carry with me that will not be frowned upon by police or other citizens. I did some research and something like a yawara or koppo stick sounds useful. However, how are these perceived by others and how legal are they?

Are there any improvised weapons I can carry with me that are also useful? (A huge marker pen may cause pain, but I doubt I'll ever use it to write.)

Thanks everybody, hopefully I can find something out there. :eek:
Click to expand...

I'll play...

hmmm 2 inches? The Hideaway Knife comes to mind. Email Frontsight I bet she can make sure yours would be short enough if it isn't already.

Maybe a Benchmite or a Cricket? They're small, look more like gadgets than knives and I wouldn't want one being pumped in and out of me many times in succession.

Comtech Stinger is always good.

Koppo sticks - I've never heard of a law against these and you do have some options here. First of all avoid the novelty variety with the "throwing spikes" or a cheap blade inside. These are worthless and will just look bad. Get the solid kind that's just a plain old stick. Really how the heck do you regulate a 5-6 inch stick? :D I'd try for a plastic one because they look very innocuous and I've seen them in bright colors too.

Then there's the old chesnuts: the 2AA mini Maglite and the permanent marker that make pretty decent improvised koppo sticks.

Lots of flashlights out there like the Surefire E2D that you could also use as a stick. You can also blind or daze an assailant with a light like this.
 
You might also try a walking cane. The type with a T handle make great weapon's.
Danny
 
j3r3mee said:
I am currently looking to use something for close-range self defense. Right now, I carry a FRN Endura for work-related tasks and possibly pepper spray, depending on where I am.

I live in Fremont, California, which has a 2" knife blade limit regardless of whether or not it's fixed or folding. :( I recently checked with the municipal law to make sure...
Click to expand...
How does this work?...You carry a folder with almost a 4 inch blade, yet legally you can only carry a folder with a 2 inch blade.
:confused:
 
One thing that no one will question is if you carry a magazine. Rolled up it makes a long and heavy yawara stick.
 
Hi J3r3mee,

Is the 2" limit a city/local law? I'm pretty sure that California law doesn't place a limit on blade length on a folder (there are certain illegal folders such as automatics of course) and as long as a fixed blade isn't conceiled it's O.K.

You've got me a bit worried because I carry a folder with a 4" blade every day. Where did you check the laws?
 
A 2-AA cell Maglight flashlight as a keyfob. It's a great impact weapon a la yawara.

It goes onboard airlines with no problem. It goes past courthouse security with no questions. Anytime someone does ask, "What's that on your keychain?", I just say, "Flashlight" and flash it at 'em and they say, "Oh. Ok."

In fact, the thing even comes in handy as a flashlight every now and then.
 
I haven't been busted carrying a knife in California in a very, very long time. The last time it happened was in the mid 1960's (as long as you don't count that incident at the Tijuana border). When it happened the L.A. County Sherrif's Deputies took away my 5" blade Italian pushbutton and two gravity knives off my friend. They also examined his home made yawara stick. When they got a hot call and decided not to haul us off to jail, they kept the knives and gave him back his yawara stick. Most of the California laws regarding blunt instruments are based on the anti-blackjack law from back in the mid 1800's. They ban things that you can swing to roll people. Things like a blackjack, billy club, or slung-shot (basically like a small chain-ball mace. That is how nunchuks got banned. No way does a yawara stick fit that discription.
 
I'm shocked that municipal law exists. I've been carrying 4" clip folders in Nor Cal for 15 years without one problem/issue. I do not think there are many areas of CA where 4" is illegal, but if I were in one and a LEO saw it, I doubt he/she would even take it, being a law abiding citizen looking type guy with a respectful attitude. :D But if they did, I seriously doubt they'd haul me off to jail. It's more of a hassle for them than it's worth. Anything's possible, but I'll play what I believe are excellent odds that it won't get me in jail.That's just my opinion, I could be wrong...I hope not. ;)
 
Remember Bernard Goetz? The New York subway vigilante who shot a couple guys when they brandished a screwdriver at him? Be careful.
 
Trixwagen said:
Remember Bernard Goetz? The New York subway vigilante who shot a couple guys when they brandished a screwdriver at him? Be careful.
Click to expand...
You didn't mention the screwdriver was sharpened. ouch.
 
Walk softly, and carry a big stick. Cold Steel makes some very nice walking sticks for $30 or so.
 
The Fremont Muni code says:


Sec. 3-3104. Other dangerous weapons--Sale, use, or possession prohibited.
This chapter further prohibits the sale, gift, loan, or furnishing of dangerous weapons to any person, and the use by or possession or control of dangerous weapons by any person.
(Sec. 5, Ord. 52.)

Sec. 3-3105. Same--Definition of "dangerous weapons"; exceptions.
"Dangerous weapons", as used in section 3-3104 of this Code, shall mean and include, but is not limited to: Any knife having a blade two inches or more in length, or any snap blade or spring blade regardless of the length of the blade; any ice pick or similar sharp stabbing tool; any straight edge razor, or any razor blade fitted to a handle; or any cutting, stabbing, or bludgeoning weapon or device capable of inflicting bodily harm.
Nothing in section 3-3104 of this Code shall be deemed or construed to prohibit the possession or use by any person of a hunting knife carried in a sheath outside of the clothing while such person is engaged in lawful sport in which the use thereof is appropriate or going to or from such lawful sport; nor the possession or use of any item listed above, in connection with bona fide organized and supervised youth activities; nor the possession or use of any such instrument in lawful domestic or commercial pursuits.
(Ord. No. 52, § 4; Ord. No. 330, § 1.)


So the use or possession of a knife, even if it has a blade longer than 2" is not prohibited during "lawful domestic or commercial pursuits", which is basically all the time for law-abiding citizens. As long as you aren't loitering, fighting or spitting on the sidewalk you can carry any knife that doesn't have a "snap blade or spring blade". I recommend a Gunting.
 
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