Page 81 - American Survival Guide - October 2017
P. 81
THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF
PERSONAL-DEFENSE WEAPONS
Packin’ some extra help? Remember: A weapon is only good if you know how to use it successfully when you are confronted by aggressive
individuals. Frequently, people who don’t want to be victims will carry all types of self-defense aids without fi rst knowing how to properly use them—
and, more importantly, how to keep them away from their intended recipient.
Below are the pros and cons of several commonly carried self-defense weapons. Check applicable laws and regulations before deciding to carry a
weapon of any sort.
Pepper Spray/Mace. This Stun Gun. A stun gun can
self-defense item, usually be highly e ective to stop
found on a key ring, is e ective an attacker immediately by
when sprayed at an attacker’s shocking their body with an
face—specifi cally, their eyes and electrical charge, thereby
nose. It needs to be ready to giving you the time needed
shoot, with its safety switch o , to escape. The success of this
prior to a possible confrontation. device depends on having the
The downside of this weapon unit in your hand and ready to
is that it can be used against use, as well as getting the stun
the victim if taken away by the gun’s contact points in contact
attacker. In addition, during a with your attacker’s exposed
windy day outdoors, the spray skin (thick jackets or coats will
can either miss its target or hamper its e ectiveness).
a ect its user instead.
Extendable Baton. This is a High-Powered Tactical
great o ensive and defensive Flashlight. An amazing non-
weapon. It is perfect to gain lethal and non-harming defense
distance from a knife-wielding tool, the tactical fl ashlight
attacker. The baton can be can temporarily “blind” an
hidden in your back pocket or attacker, allowing a person
purse until it’s needed, and it to escape from the situation.
works great in close quarters. Some fl ashlights are built tough
However, without the proper so they can also be used as a
training, it will most likely only striking device once the attacker
be used as a heavy “stick” that is momentarily distracted.
is swung carelessly at the foe. Unfortunately, the fl ashlight,
when pitted against nearly any
other weapon during a confl ict,
will come up short.
Firearm. A firearm can Knife. Another easily
be deadly for both the concealable weapon, a
attacker and the user. knife can be used to keep
Without proper training attackers from advancing.
in concealment, drawing, Even so, as with a fi rearm,
aiming and keeping the the results of using a knife
weapon in your possession against an attacker can
during a confrontation, have mixed results. The
it might cause more intended victim can have it
harm than help. Plus, taken away and used against
the finality of the results them or on nearby family
of firing a weapon at an members or friends, who can
attacker could have long- be accidently cut or stabbed
lasting mental and legal during the scu e.
implications.
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