My gal and I are both full-time educators. It’s our profession at work (school) and our hobby at home with 4H, AWANAS, and the NRA/CCW courses. We love what we do, but our state and federal laws do not… so we are left unarmed in victim zones full of students each day. I’m sure many of you find yourselves in situations and places where concealed carry, or even the carrying of other defensive weapons is not allowed.
So what do you do when you’re still a law-abiding citizen who has been disarmed by obedience to the laws that others ignore? Well, I’ve worked with my gals for years to think about “what ifs” and visualize various scenarios where you might have to defend yourself without you firearm or even your knife. I bet if you start to look around, you’ll find all sorts of benign objects that with the right mindset can become excellent tools for self-defense.
If your mindset is ready, then assess your inventory of self-defense tools that you might already have in close proximity to your desk, your workspace, and even your vehicle. Some states still consider an expandable baton like the ASP a concealed weapon in the hands of and otherwise upstanding citizen. A piece of steel pipe can be a legal problem for some when encountered by law enforcement, but nobody questions a simple MagLite flashlight which can deliver quite a wallop upside the head of some thug.
Sometimes the keys in your hand, a pen, scissors, hammer, book, or even a pencil can be used as a defensive weapon when nothing else is available. Even if you have company vehicle, like some of my friends do, where there are anti self-defense policies in place… you can still keep acceptable tools and objects ready-at-hand if you need to defend yourself.
So as you’re getting prepared for what could or might happen, especially when you work where they prefer to give the criminals the upper-hand… What steps have you taken for self-defense? Are you ready when all you have are… Rock, Paper, Scissors for Self-Defense?
Most desk lamps have a pretty decently weighted base, and I knew a guy who kept a 3-4" length of 1/2" (I think) bar-stock in his desk. I asked him about it, he said that if anyone came after him, he wrapped his fist around that puppy and started swinging. Said he'd had the scrap in his pocket at a bar one night, and dropped a guy about 50 pounds heavier with one solid shot to the forehead. Not a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteI teach that not every problem is a gun problem. Light 'em up with a flashlight. The Mag light as you say works pretty good as a club. Hit them with the intermediate standoff stuff next. Pepper spray is next. Still a threat? Hit them with some smaller "impact weapon" that is also a flashlight. If it has the scalloped edges on the bezel, tell people to rake the face at the eyes instead of trying to thrust with it. Someone has blown by all of that? You now have a gun problem.
ReplyDeleteOh, wait, you got me wound up. I need to go! =)
@Keads... a small flashlight, especially the tactical ones you mention, makes a great kubaton... and most companies and schools won't fire you for carrying a flashlight...
DeleteDann in Ohio
I like your approach, and you are right. A baton becomes a "deadly weapon" when people strike to the head, neck or spine. In certification classes instructors always teach that. It can also be considered a "weapon" for HR purposes if the school district decides to go for a termination. In the school where I work pepper spray or electrical defense technologies such as the Taser are also considered weapons worthy of an HR citation or termination. Being able to assess and solve problems dynamically is a key skill in such "disarmed" areas.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Dann. You fight with what you have but you fight. It's vitally important to have put some thought and preparation into your mindset and tools before you find yourself in need.
ReplyDeleteNicely said my friend.
Mag lites are one of my favorite "improvised" weapons. I also keep a glass hammer strapped to my passenger seat that I wouldn't want swung near any part of my body
ReplyDelete