How many of you carry weapons?

[teletiger7]

Just because you don't have a weapon doesn't mean badguy won't attack you anyway.

Plenty of times in my city (LA) when the BG will go ahead and shoot or stab you anyway even though you are giving full cooperation Why? Alot of these guys have self-esteem issues and need to prove what a "badass" they are by hurting people. They do it because their status and "rep" gets increased in the crime culture. Other criminals will respect(fear) them more. People been acting this way since the beginning of time, it shouldn't surprise you. Many store clerks that did everything the robber told them 2 and still got shot. Sad but true

[konghan]

Plenty of times in my city (LA) when the BG will go ahead and shoot or stab you anyway even though you are giving full cooperation Why? Alot of these guys have self-esteem issues and need to prove what a "badass" they are by hurting people. They do it because their status and "rep" gets increased in the crime culture. Other criminals will respect(fear) them more. People been acting this way since the beginning of time, it shouldn't surprise you. Many store clerks that did everything the robber told them 2 and still got shot. Sad but true

In the USA where it is easy to get a license fire arm and where laws there allow citizens to defend themselves, I would carry a gun and be ready to use it..why carry a knife when you can carry a gun.

As for those criminals, no quaters should be given, be ready to shoot it out because as you have pointed out they will hurt you anyway so why take the chance.

[BoarSpear]

In the USA where it is easy to get a license fire arm and where laws there allow citizens to defend themselves, I would carry a gun and be ready to use it..why carry a knife when you can carry a gun.

As for those criminals, no quaters should be given, be ready to shoot it out because as you have pointed out they will hurt you anyway so why take the chance.

Why carry a knife when you can carry a gun? lets see.. its makes less noise so it brings fewer onlookers/witnesses. Inside 21 feet the knife is faster to deploy than a firearm. FBI statistics show that most shootings occour at less than 20 feet. Many(most) people are more scared of a knife than a gun. I can slash/thrust you in crowds of people where i would never risk firing a shot.
Now that being said, a gun can be a better tool for some jobs...carry both

[Arnisador]

Technically, no, I don't carry weapons as defined by most legal jurisdictions.

However, from an Arnis/Eskrima viewpoint, perhaps I do carry weapons if the following items can be classified as FMA weapons:

-blue, medium-point, ballpen;

-cellphone;

-thick leather belt with heavy chrome buckle;

-banadana;

-kahoy maliit attached to keys (Filipino version of kubotan);

-rings;

-small, automatic umbrella;

-whatever else I may be carrying at the time.

On another note, despite all of the training that we may have accumulated involving edged/impact weapons, firearms, etc., regardless of the levels of mastery/competence that we may have achieved in our respective arts, if one of those SOBs decides to target anyone of us specifically, then I really don't think that there's too much that we can do about it, especially when you consider the cowardly (they may consider themselves as tactical) ways in which they follow-through with their ill-willed tasks (e.g. behind your back, when you least expect it, in groups, etc.).

Our training does not guarantee us victory over the bad guy. It can only increase our chances of survival, hopefully.

You're holding a knife vs. a gun-toting bad guy who's out of reach?

You've got a hidden firearm vs. getting stabbed in the back without any forewarning?

Many more what-ifs, wouldas, couldas, shouldas can be listed ad infinitum. So what?

We can't get cocky and sit on our laurels, thinking that nothing can harm us if we carry this knife or that gun or whatever. However, once we get past that, we can get on with training (no matter what may or may not happen to us personally in the future) and, better yet, we can get on with living without too much paranoia. Easier said than done, I know.

Still, if it's meant to be, then so be it. If our number's up, then so be it. If we get a chance to retaliate, then so be it, too. Otherwise, we try to keep on living without being overwhelmed with constant fear.

Quoting BoarSpear: "TRAIN FOR THE WORST, HOPE FOR THE BEST". That's really it.

IMHO, only. Thanks.

[StknDecuerdas]

i myself like to carry one of those big, round sharpie markers. i use them at work to write on boxes so they're easily explainable. My wife is cambodian and we go to a lot of weddings and because I can't speak the language, i find myself sizing up all of the guys and checking visually for weapons. I always keep one hand on the pair of chopsticks and try sit in a position with the least threat to my back. It gets even more fun when i start to drink the customary bottle of cognac on the table.
JDB in Stockton

[LoneHusky]

This may sound crazy, but the BJJ & Judo guys will understand.

I saw an advert for a special kind of watch band that is extendable and robust. It is to be used for performing Ezekiel chokes on the street.

If you don't know what I'm talking about then imagine putting your thumb in through the far side of your watch band (as if you're checking the time and put your thumb in at 12:00, not 6:00). Then slide your watch-wearing side hand forward, a little like an X block but with the opponent's neck running through there.

It's tough to explain but it's a good tool. Also, the band was arranged in such a manner that you don't put your thumb in but actually grab it instead (and don't loose your thumb).

I found it a sound idea.

http://www.attitudeapparel.com/products/specials/index.htm this it?

[shaolin-warrior]

I've never used it, but I have a kubaton on my key chain and am a little more than proficiant with it

[doubleouch]

i myself like to carry one of those big, round sharpie markers. i use them at work to write on boxes so they're easily explainable. My wife is cambodian and we go to a lot of weddings and because I can't speak the language, i find myself sizing up all of the guys and checking visually for weapons. I always keep one hand on the pair of chopsticks and try sit in a position with the least threat to my back. It gets even more fun when i start to drink the customary bottle of cognac on the table.
JDB in Stockton

Well, either FMA has made you extremely paranoid or maybe you are hanging out with the wrong people.

[devildogg]

carrying a weapon is a big deal. I believe that if you carry it you better be prepared to use it. I Personally carry at all times a handgun and a blade sometimes 2 blades. Sayoc kali is an all blade all time system.And the moto of our class is I will with cruelity destroy those who would harm me.If a person doesn't intend to harm someone they shouldn't make one believe otherwise.

[devildogg]

in response to Arnisador's comments on 8/30 i totally agree very well said

[StknDecuerdas]

Well, either FMA has made you extremely paranoid or maybe you are hanging out with the wrong people.

Maybe not so much paranoid as being more observant and aware of my surroundings. It's merely mental training in learning to assess the situation. I observe people, body mechanics,- i play a mental chess game with myself to keep sharp as to be several moves ahead should an unfortunate situation arrive. But i don't really hang out with the wrong kind of people, never really have. I like to associate(like most people) with good-humored and thoughtfull people.

JDB in STK, CA

[doubleouch]

carrying a weapon is a big deal. I believe that if you carry it you better be prepared to use it. I Personally carry at all times a handgun and a blade sometimes 2 blades. Sayoc kali is an all blade all time system.And the moto of our class is I will with cruelity destroy those who would harm me.If a person doesn't intend to harm someone they shouldn't make one believe otherwise.

You got that right! That's why I don't carry. I don't want the responsibility.

[gong fu]

yes i carry weapons nearly all the time, mostly small single handed weapons,
Kubaton's are handy and legal, but ive carried small metal bars, blades of all kinds, when carrying a weapon make sure its easy to conceal (small), coshes/telescopic poles, are good, cs gas very deadly can incopasitate multiple aggressors, ive carried full sized katanas on street before but thats not what im reccomending here, there are good small weapons out on the market nowdays cheap aswell, you can get decent CS gas rings that look like a ring (some ugly ass shit) but it gets the job done but if you carry this i would reccomend having another weapon as the ring could **** up, it has a safety u might not be able to use it in time fumble etc, make sure your weapons dont take 30 mins to flick or get out, but also dont have unsheathed blades in pockets etc it can harm you when fighting if its not pulled out, i converted some fingerless sturdy kung fu gloves into some kind of knuckle duster wit a twist and advantage, its very effectie i have 2, one with steel bars in it, and another with spikes comming out firmly attatched and well made.

[sharpie]

well if you want to carry a weapon around that is pretty compact just get some nunchaku's that compact into each other or screw apart or something and just set them some were incase of an emergency. there pretty effective if you have multiple people coming toward you with knifes and crap , there really the easiest weapon to learn.

[BoarSpear]