How many of you carry weapons?

[Gryphon Hall]

There are a lot of excellent posts here already about the legality of carrying weapons with you; personally, I'd rather not because of inconvenience: inconvenient to bring into play if it is ever needed, and inconvenient to have to explain away everytime I need to pass a point with security guards, which in the Philippines is every entrance to the mall.

However, I would like to address an issue discussed earlier in the thread which is slightly off-topic. We have always been told, of course, that a knife-wielding or gun-wielding mugger really has no intention of using the weapon on you, so better do what the perp says.

Well, a handful of people I know in church believed that, and during a spree of mugging on public transports, these people dutifully handed their valuables, expecting to be let alone as soon as they have nothing more to give.

Instead, they all were either stabbed or shot up badly enough to be sent to the hospital. My Dad, who is a pastor, went to these people to pray over them, so he knew exactly what happened.

These people felt that it was unfair that they were still hurt, as they had "played by the rules" and given them what they want. Now, what was wrong with their thinking?

Now, a friend of mine and my brother were also mugged on two separate occassions. Both of them practiced martial arts, and both of them resisted and fought back. One of them got away unscathed, the other got cut up but didn't require stitches. They both did not have bladed weapons when they defended themselves but used what was on hand.

What did they do right?

[old skool dude]

Do I carry?

Unfortunately I carry a blade on occassion. It makes me pretty sad to say that because I feel the whole "to carry or not to carry" debate is a "non win situation " in some cases.
You get attacked and shank someone in self defense.....you get jail.
You get attacked and beat the living day lights out of someone due to your martial arts training.... you get jail.
You get attacked and you cooperate....you get killed. and get a coffin.

The latter remark is no put down on submission, hell, I've "punked out " on occassion and given up my dough simply because I was going to work and didnt want to "deal " with the mess of a physical confrontation. I was lucky they didnt want to have some "fun" with me.

When I do carry it's usually a folding blade with a serraded edge. I thought about carrying a yawara but came to the conclusion that (at least for me) If I'm close enough to strike with a yawara, then I'm close enough to take you out with my hands. One of my instructors said that a knife weider is an "instant blackbelt" simply because WHENEVER he touches you, he does damage. I would say that a trained FMA can actually be more humane with a blade simply because he can go for a few select target, and leave.
I also carry sharpened pencils, pens, and a cane in some cases. I workas an artist so I have been known to carry exacto-knives also. Someone mentioned a rolled up magazine as a makeshift weapon. That's a good idea and I've been known to carry that also. I heard a hilarious story from a friend who said that his mother (who is up in age) used to carry a water gun filled with ACID!! I can only imagine the surprise of anyone who messed with her!! She eventually had to stop carrying it because the acid eventually ate threw the plastic gun...
I used to carry mace until I figured out that a travel sized can of Right Guard Deodorant worked just as well when sprayed into the eyes... A friend of mine used to carry two pool balls in his pocket and could throw them with deadly accuracy..... another friend used to carry a heavy wine bottle in his bag just to crown someone.....
It's a shame you gotta live like this, but not everyone lives in suburbia...(not that I'm implying that about anyone here.)

[TNT]

....ninja spike key chain ....but let me tell you....getting into hoda korosu...many things bear consideration as weapons!!!

[shootodog]

a badjac, a tanto money clip, and my smile! with all the security around, that's what i can get through. i used to bring my resin knife but i broke it.

sometimes a neck knife.

sometimes a pistol under the car seat. bastons in the boot and at the side of my car seat. sometimes a bolo in my toolbox.

why? long story.

[shuyun]

One of them got away unscathed, the other got cut up but didn't require stitches. They both did not have bladed weapons when they defended themselves but used what was on hand.

Uhhhm.. I'm the friend that got cut up but didn't require stitches. But on a second occasion (dang i'm a thug magnet) i did win agaisnt 3 opponents taking home a heading caused by a left jab to my right temple. I got one guy's eye the other guy's nose and the othr guy's cheek. But strangely enough that scared me more.

Now I pack a weapon. It's a $3 iridium tipped fountain pen. I always prep it when i pass by the same place i was mugged and no longer have compunctions in burying it in someguy when the need arises (of course i avoid the spot as much as I can). It's a weapon believe me. and the way the nib is designed its sure to make one heck of a bleeder.

But avoidance is still best. and yes they don't respect the rules. you can give up your stuff and still get gutted.

[krys]

A mini push dagger or a tapak maliit and a small keris (kris)...
Sometimes a kris sword or a barong in the car...
In some places firearms and other stuff.
In case it rains I have an old french umbrella with a rapier inside....

[shuyun]

where'd you get that umberella thingee. i like.

[shuyun]

where'd you get that umberella thingee. i like.

[darrianation]

I have a concelled carry permit and carry a sig 45 in a fanny pack. Although I don't carry my firearm all the time, I always carry a folder, I also keep another larger knife in my vehicle.

Next to my bed (bed side table) that's where I keep my folder and next to that I have two eskrima sticks! I lock up my firearm becuase I have kids.

[old skool dude]

Imporvised weapons

After reading some of the posts hee, I began to become concerned about legal ramifications of deadly force. As I mentioned earlier I do on ocassion carry a blade, but I do so with apprehension because as a FMA I would DEFINITELY cut the guy more than once just by reflex, and then I would look like the attacker, get locked in jail, and have to fend off 300 pound sex crazed maniacs named "bubba" in prison. All I've got to say is damn our legal system!!...well, sometimes at least.

Having said that, I have been entertaining the thought of improv weapons and most importantly practicing using them. Does anybody here ever seriously practice using an umbrella, or rolled up newpaper in their training? I suggest, (and Im talking to myself also) that you impliment these improvised weapons in your training. I go through drills using a metal chair, books, anything I can get my hands on these days so that I will get my body accustomed to picking these things up and using them. I also suggest practcing footwork drills around obstances such as trees fences, lamp posts (make sure you do this ALONE!! Just to make the training more realistic.

On one of his video tapes Danny Inosanto stated that if he was going into a funky area he carried Cayenne Pepper in a plastic bag in his pocket. If he anticipated an altercation, he would puncture the bag, let the pepper flow into his hand, throw it in the face of the attacker, and start wailing on him....

I recall one hilarious fight in grade school when my brother was knocked to the ground by another boy. My bro' landed next to some dog poop.....yeah, you guessed it...better to have the poop on your hand(in my brother's case) than in your mouth and face! (in the other guys case!) I'd have to say THAT was the most brilliant example of the effectiveness of an "improvised weapon " that Ive ever seen!

[krys]

where'd you get that umberella thingee. i like.

Ah this belongued to my french grandfather .... I got really embarassed the day I opened it the "wrong way" in the street thinking it was a common payong...

It is not too difficult to build, could be very usefull during the rainy season in Manila....

[shuyun]

instrutions

krys,

could you give me instructions on how to do that. i've been racking my brains out for something exactly like that. John Steed-ish don't you think. any way i just love big umbrellas. the ribs absorb the shock of a blow just like shinai especially the double reinforced ribbed ones. but for now my fountain pen is still handy.

[krys]

It would be difficult to describe how to make it through the internet....
Best you look at the pictures: http://www.canneshop.com/francais/918b.htm

Look closely at the second picture you will see the mecanism to lock the blade inside the umbrella... to draw it you need to push to the side and then pull it up...

You may also have a look for fun at (I like the blow pipe cane):

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/weapon2.htm

[shuyun]

too kewl. just about how i visualized it i just nevet thought it was really doable. thanks a million.

[shootodog]

It would be difficult to describe how to make it through the internet....
Best you look at the pictures: http://www.canneshop.com/francais/918b.htm

Look closely at the second picture you will see the mecanism to lock the blade inside the umbrella... to draw it you need to push to the side and then pull it up...

You may also have a look for fun at (I like the blow pipe cane):
http://www.fashionablecanes.com/weapon2.htm

hey krys! looks like you have a nice weapon there. can you send me any schematics on how to make one?