Author Topic: If you couldn't carry a handgun.... (Read 3684 times)

KPD · « **on:** July 09, 2005, 03:27:31 PM »

..what would you carry for self defense?

I live in Canada, where it is illegal to carry handguns :x , what other options are there for protecting ones self against potentially armed criminals?

Any comments are welcome, thanks!!!

KPD

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2005, 05:15:31 PM »

I understand it is illegal to carry handguns in Canada. But before I got my CCW, I carried a handgun. Better judged by 12 than carried by 8. But that was me. If you feel you have to have something, get a knife. JMO

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2005, 12:30:12 PM »

I don't know how it is here in Utah, but in California, it was a misdemenor to carry a hand gun but a felony to carry nun-chakus or a knife.... Go figure. I think it's still like that. When I lived in Long Beach, there were times when I did carry because I feared being robbed more than the consequence of being caught carrying.

Greeenriver · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2005, 08:07:17 AM »

When I go anywhere that I can't carry a gun, I carry a walking stick. I use a cane to assist my walking all the time anyway, and my walking stick is the same length as my cane, but made of White Oak with a heavy brass ball on the hand end. It is useful for jabbing, swinging, of any kind of use a club can be used for, and is always in my hand when I am on my feet. I also can take it anywhere I go, as I use it as a cane on Dr.'s orders.

Greeenriver (Something to think about)

Old Griz · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2005, 01:38:37 PM »

:cb2: Good pepperspray.

RedRyder21 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2005, 06:41:25 PM »

A good pair of steel toed boots...

If I am traveling somewhere unfamilar or somewhere questionable, I try to wear a pair of steel toed boots if the weather is cool enough.

I am young (22) and still bend pretty good. I am not a self-defense expert, but I have studied a few fighting techniques. If I have to "tangle" with someone I am not going to do the whole "boxing" thing. Its hard to explain in words, but I may get my rear whipped, but I am going to go down kicking and swinging if you know what I mean.

I don't wear the cheap steel toed boots, I spend the extra $$'s for a comfortable pair.

volshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2005, 06:02:37 PM »

I'm getting old and most if the time I find myself in a possible sticky sitution I catch my self reaching for my pocket knife instead of my carry weapn. Some of y'all know how it is ...up close and very personal.

Rick

gino · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2005, 04:17:59 AM »

Here in the Peoples Republic of Illinois carrying a handgun (or pretty much anything) for self defense is illegal. My Irish blackthorn walking stick is about the best option for SD without getting in a bunch of legal trouble. I'm old enough & look decrepit enough to get away with it.

gino

Horsefeathers · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2005, 04:23:47 PM »

That brings to mind an object I carried as a teenager when i worked ina shipyard and travelled the streets of N.Y.C. and N.J. and the subway in early hours of the morning. I had a pair of leather gloves stuffed in my back pocket but one glove had a large lead fishing sinker inserted in the thumb. A good whack whith that could do serious damage. And it didn't look out of place. I also at times carried a revolver in the small of my back. It thwarted a couple robberies late at night on the Subway. I have been carrying leagally for the past 50 years.Horsefeathers

AZ223 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:06:23 AM »

All good ideas so far. I'd opt for bear spray, like the stuff sold on UDAP.com Plus it shoots a fog rather than a spray -- the plus side is you don't have to hit them in the eyes; once inhaled it sends them into a bronchospasm (like an asthma attack), whether human, dogs, or anything else. The down side is it doesn't work worth squat in a stiff wind.

I've studied martial arts, but there are simpler and more to-the-point training you can learn that won't take nearly as long. My hesitation with using any handheld weapon, particularly knives, is that you better know what you're doing. Inmates practice with each other on how to disarm one another, in case they're confronted with police or an armed civilian. And trust me, they do it very effectively.

RollTide · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2005, 06:50:05 PM »

If I could not carry a gun, I would carry a 25acp as the old saying goes.

Seriously, I have lived in some rough neighborhoods and have seen little old ladies carrying a pool que with most of the tapered end cut off. Just the WEIGHTED end left. Must be a common thing, I have seen it a lot.

CraigJS · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2005, 07:04:13 PM »

Bear spray, and an assisted opening ( not a "switch blade") pocket knife like the Kershaw. The spray for a distance deturant ( chance to get away), and the knife held discretely (if possible) along the thigh for close in if needed... Don't advertise you've got the knife, let it be a "special" surprise.
CraigJS
Best is to run like hell if you have the option!!

animal · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2005, 05:23:39 PM »

A minnie blow gun 6" with a feathered copper dart would put the smart on an attacker. It would buy ya some time anyway.

rockbilly · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2005, 03:28:42 PM »

:roll: The civilian community near one of the post I was stationed at during my Army time had a bunch of folks that hated the military. This was back in the late fifties and we didn't dare carry a gun or knife, it the MPs didn't get you local LE would. I found that a roll of quarters (for making telephone calls, haha!) in a long boot sock (had to have a change of socks while on pass) was about as effective as you could get under the circumstances.

Win 73 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2005, 04:30:35 PM »

If I couldn't carry a handgun...Why go there?

Malamute · « **Reply #15 on:** August 21, 2005, 07:50:01 PM »

I believe Canda does not consider armed resistance to be proper. at least for visitors, self defense from people is not a valid reason to bring a firearm into the country, but defense from wild animals is. Same for pepper spray, possesion of "people" pepper coming into the country is not allowed, but if it is specifically for wild animal defense, it is ok.

I would think a short lever carbine would be a nice thing to have handy. As I understand it, IF the gun (rifle) came from the factory with a barrel under 18.5", then itis OK to have, but a visitor cannot bring in a gun with a barrel under 18.5", (or 47 CM). I may be mistaken, but this is what I have read or been told. Any Canadians know the specifics?

Old Griz · « **Reply #16 on:** August 22, 2005, 06:48:08 PM »

:cb2: For our 25th anniversary my wife wanted to drive up to Maine. However, she read an article in Guns & Ammo that listed the worst 10 states for people traveling with handguns, and she changed her mind. The New England states we would have to drive through had awful laws, especially Massachusetts. So, we spent our time in a B&B in Colorado instead. Spent our $dollars in more gun friendly states. Like Win 73 said, "If I couldn't carry a handgun...Why go there?"

The Pistoleer · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2005, 11:50:41 AM »

Since we can't carry concealed in Wisconsin yet I too usually have a walking stick or cane. I usually have a double coach gun hanging from the back of my truck seat with a ammo sleeve on the stock. It is in a case but the case is unzipped far enough to get my hand in. Since I do a lot of cowboy action shooting I can load the shotgun pretty fast under stress. I figure that if something happens in a parking lot I can get to the gun fairly fast. I wish I lived in a will isue state but my wife won't leave her parents.

Buffalo_Hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2005, 10:50:07 PM »

How about a Ball Peen Hammer,just kidding.I believe that pepper spray/mace is also illegal is such liberal territories as Canada and the peoples republics of California and Massachussetts. A stout walking stick is tough to outlaw and can lash out a good thumping,in short order should the need to defend one self ever come up.

mossberg22 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2005, 11:30:29 AM »

for power and style i whould choose a viper. the recoil is very powerfull. :twisted:

Mainspring · « **Reply #20 on:** October 17, 2005, 01:19:33 PM »

Like several others, I strongly advocate some form of pepper spray, backed up by a legal length knife IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT. I don't think that trying to fight with a knife if you have no training is a good plan unless there is no other option. I also strongly recommend some kind of self defense training.

I have also seen a hat that had a pocket inside that held a bag full of lead shot. It was a stoutly constructed hat, with the adjustment strap firmly attached. That was the "handle". It would make a nice surprise.

JeffG · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2005, 03:11:52 PM »

This is my extreme carry knife. I had John Gonzales make it for me for situations I couldn't carry a handgun. I have an IWB kydex sheath I wear it in.

http://www.dervishknives.com/ishtar.htm

BrianMcCandliss · « **Reply #22 on:** December 11, 2005, 08:54:04 AM »

I think it's important here to realize that such half-measures might be better than nothing, but they can't keep you truly safe like a handgun can, and so you have to live with that apprehension. I can't carry due to the laws in my state, and have given up a lot of my freedom because of it due to prior incidents which REQUIRED a handgun-- not sticks or stones etc. The state doesn't CARE about our safety-- just obedience.

JeffG · « **Reply #23 on:** December 11, 2005, 01:25:04 PM »

I think that" the state" that doesn't trust you to wear a weapon is the over generalization of people who are unwilling to defend themselves against criminals; your neighbors. They feel if nobody wears weapons, nobody will get hurt, that's bunk, some people need to get hurt. Their behavior is so agregeous,(sp) that some one should shoot them to stop it.

Rather than ban the wearing of all weapons, the reverse should be true, wear a weapon, if you abuse tha tright, you're done, and likely in prison, or, if you misbehave with a weapon, suffer the consequences, being stopped in a lethal manner by the authorities; shot by the police in a confrontation.

An armed society is a polite society...

ShadowMover · « **Reply #24 on:** December 11, 2005, 02:04:48 PM »

A two or three foot long piece of 5/8" rebar. It is cheap, can be discarded, and is a good item to keep a knife wielding opponent at bay. No man can block a downward swing toward his head without sacrificing an arm. You 'own' any dog that comes at you. The 'heavy duty walking stick would be a good alternative. A CW is more convenient where legal.

bmbtek02 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 13, 2005, 09:28:25 PM »

If you are not allowed a cw then by all means a "walking stick" would be a great idea .....but if you are not trained or you do not practice with it you might have a false sense of security. There are lots of dojo's that teach cane defense and in just a few lessons you could become confident and practice makes perfect. I to live by the Tried by twelve or carried by six mind set but thats the key MIND SET I have a saying when you come in contact with someone you dont know be polite be courtious but have a PLAN to kill everyone you meet.

williamlayton · « **Reply #26 on:** December 14, 2005, 10:27:50 PM »

Culture, sometimes more than law, is the answer to this.
I have posted a number of times concerning the culture of things in Texas years ago. It was illegal to carry but the culture of things in most counties was that the boys figgered most folks did, especially in the car. They just did not ask.
If this is the way it is where you are then hang the law and carry--or move to Texas.
Blessings

Muddy05 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 15, 2005, 12:34:36 AM »

uh let's here... no one mentioned slingshots, stun guns, slap sticks, whips, and I can't believe no one mentioned the Mag-light!!! Seriously thought, I'd even think about the stun gun. Its smaller and more compact. Just dont get any of your own fingers in the way!!!! :shock:

jimster · « **Reply #28 on:** December 15, 2005, 07:19:41 AM »

Well, he's talking about going up against ARMED thugs here...
I don't know about you, but I carry a gun, I pitty the thug that brings a whip or slap sticks, or whatever to my gun fight.
Aint no thug getting close enough to me to use any of that stuff.
I'm thinking, if your going up against ARMED thugs, you best be armed yourself...hang the law...being in a box and put into the ground is not worth following the law....my opinion...they vary.

Or, as another person has already said...move to a place where you can be free and carry a gun.

Jimster

chevyfan1a4 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 16, 2006, 06:39:25 PM »

Before I got my pistol, when i went out in the "bad" areas I carried Fox Labs pepper spray, 300,000 volt stun gun in my jacket, and my little Cold Steal Spike knife on my belt.

Fox Labs spray will bring anyone to there knees just as quick at a .45 acp to the chest! Just like nobody likes to bleed, no body likes to have there face fealing like it is in hell, and there eyes slammed shut for 5 hours! :grin: The stungun is awesome if there already on top of you. And the knife is last resort.