[sherman123]

Sounds kid of silly but it's a very simple weapon. You simply get a big (preferably knee high) sock and put a decent sized rock or three in there to carry around just in case Not something I'd EVER consider unless traveling in a state or place that doesn't respect my ccw permit or 2nd amendment rights. But say someone did have travel to places such where a gun ain't an option I would think this is a good and very simple improvised weapon. Most anything else that i can think of with the exception of a bulky maglite would be illegal to carry as well. What I'm wondering is if there would be any legal issues if stopped by LEOs carrying a rock in a sock. I wouldn't think so and I'd rather have a good impact weapon like this over a blade anyways. Wasn't sure if I should ask this here or in legal but anyone know if there'd be legal problems associated with carrying it.

[hso]

Actually, depending upon the state you could be charged with carrying a "slung shot" or even a "sap".

The best "improvised" weapon is one that you don't have to set up to use and that can be carried all the time in a utilitarian state. Cane, 'biner, umbrella, etc.

Now if deprived of such, you could drop a fist full of change, rocks, Q-ball, or bar of soap into said hosiery and use it as an impact weapon, but there's a lot out there that would be handier.

[CWL]

I think it'd be easier to get away with a couple cans of soda slung into a cloth carry/shopping bag.

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Here's you a variation of the rock in a sock. Silk scarf and a 50 cent piece. (half dollar) Silver dollar would probably work a little better but they're sort of rare...Both the silk scarf and the half dollar are very innocent looking, but if you take that half dollar and put it in the scarf you can snap it at people. Believe me, it will do a lot of damage. You can actually test it by like for instance standing in front of an old refrigerator or most anything and hold the scarf in one hand. Snap it at the refrigerator just like snapping a towel. The half dollar will put deep dents into the 'frige door. The scarf must be silk. The silk will not tear or rip or stretch out of shape and allow the half dollar to get loose. You can do a lot of damage snapping that into someone's face. (or anywhere you hit them)..Great White Hunter..

[4v50 Gary]

I just as soon carry a roll of nickels, but that's me.

[loandr.]

Yrs. back a buddy of mine and I upon travel would sew a BIT of Kevlar thread into the long sweat socks toe (Even toy'ed with marketing a line of such :-) paired with a padlock of Ridged edge made for a devasting combo. One would not think diff. between say rounded type combo lock and ridged squared off padlock BUT there is! the kevlar simple absorbs any potential abrasion/Tear but still lets those hard edges seek out and do what they do best, Seperate upon travel and assembled upon arrival. Just a thought. A weapon of opportunity, nothing more ;).
BBG

[sherman123]

I agree it's nothing more than a spare of the moment weapon if no maglite was available. Always wondered if that would be legal though. I was watchi8ng a show the other day on some motorcycyle gang(not hells angels they were called sons of somethin or other) and they would tie a bandana to a padlock to use as a sap type weapon since they claimed it was legal. They'd also carry maglites tho and I'd prefer that over the rock in a sock. I'd probably draw alot of attention to myself carrying a cane around since I'm only 22 but a cane or hiking stick would definitely be my top choice if it weren't for that.

[JShirley]

I have carried a long lanyard with a carabiner at each end (usually with my keys on the smaller 'biner) through a number of airports...

I don't usually carry my keys on one anymore, but I do have several with small, sturdy lights on one end. Darn handy.

John

[Speedo66]

Everyone wears a belt, perfectly legal. Find a sturdy one with a heavy square buckle, wrap the belt around your hand, and start swinging.

Preferred youth gang weapon back in the 50's, along with broken off car antennas and zip guns (homemade pistols). Metal garbage can lids used as shields. Ah, the good old days before Mac 10s. :rolleyes:

The soda cans in a bag reminded me of the movie "Bad Boys", with Sean Penn and Esai Morales. Penn's in youth facility about to get his butt kicked, so he goes to the soda machine, fills his laundry bag with cans, and comes out swinging.

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Yeah, snapping that belt buckle into someone's face will ruin their day to, not to mention their looks and maybe getting an eye knocked out..Great White Hunter...

[Norinco982lover]

I am actually very interested in this post:) I'm going on a roadtrip this summer with my wife and her two siblings and we are going to be going to some "communist" states. We are leaving from KS and going thru CO, UT, NV, AZ, NM, OK, and CA. The CA is the one that scares me as I know that my CCW (KS) will have to be completely unloaded and locked up. I am trying to think of something that I can take along for SD in the places where I can't carry my CCW. We will be doing a lot of hiking, hotels, and camping. I have a 6D maglite so I will carry that when possible. I might need to find a good walking stick or something.

~Norinco

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Get a can of mace. (tear gas, pepper spray) It's legal and can be bought in containers small enough to hook on a keychain..Great White Hunter..

[Piraticalbob]

US Navy sailors traditionally carry a roll of nickels or dimes rolled into their neckerchief when going on liberty in the jumper (crackerjack) uniform. ;)

A good expedient weapon you can often get away with carrying is an old-fashioned church key (can/bottle opener, just put it on your key ring. Use the can-opening end of it to gouge into facial flesh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/PiraticalBob/churchkey.jpg

[hso]

My son referred to a heavy padlock and a length of cable/chain as a "smilie" due to the shape of the wound it gouged out and the way it made you feel standing over some unconscious thug with his scalp laid open. These days with computer and briefcase/backpack security cables and locks being common having a hefty padlock and some chain/cable is easily explained.

The whole point being that if the thing isn't readily at hand to use when you're ambushed it isn't going to do much good.

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

The bikers in the show were the sons of silence they also carry a 3d mag lite for "breakdowns on the side of the road at night" and trust me when i was a teen in New Jersey I got whacked by a cop with one of those and they hurt like hell.

[KenWP]

Try a golf ball and a golf towel standard equipment for half to population and probbably better use of a golf ball then slicing it into the bush on a fairway.

[Silverado6x6]

Ping pong ball filled with real fine lead shot inside of a sturdy long boot sock.

Something of an old way of highway repair before engines got too complicated with serpentine belts was if you broke down in the middle of nowhere a woman's nylon stocking made an excellent emergency fan belt.

Said lead shot hollow ball inside several pairs of stockings would be a deadly defensive weapon for a woman.

Or a crossdresser.

[Carl Levitian]

"I am actually very interested in this post I'm going on a roadtrip this summer with my wife and her two siblings and we are going to be going to some "communist" states. We are leaving from KS and going thru CO, UT, NV, AZ, NM, OK, and CA. The CA is the one that scares me as I know that my CCW (KS) will have to be completely unloaded and locked up. I am trying to think of something that I can take along for SD in the places where I can't carry my CCW. We will be doing a lot of hiking, hotels, and camping. I have a 6D maglite so I will carry that when possible. I might need to find a good walking stick or something.

~Norinco"

Having lived most of my life in a communist state like the peoples republik of Maryland, I can say with a strait face that a good walking/hiking stick is a great thing to have. Plus with my better half having some relitives out there, We've done some hiking and camping in the Joshua National Forrest, and it's a beautiful area. I'm a little familiar with the areas around Irvine and Costa Mesa, where some of Karen's family live. We've done the Hollywood tour, and the walk of fame with all the handprints, and tourist stuff. It's not a bad town, but there was enough strange people walking around, I was glad I had a stout blackthorn in my hand. San Fransico had some low lifes hanging around the Fisherman's Wharf area. If you get out there, you have to do the tour of the "Rock"!

A stout walking stick is good, as is a AA mini mag in a back pocket. The minimag makes an exellent fist load or kuboton type weapon, as well as being usefull in the real world. It does get dark every night, and the big mag is a bit big to have on hand all the time.

A box cutter is also a handy thing to have. Flat and compact, cheap to replace, always very sharp. In Kalifornia you won't be running into people with heavy jackets. In place of a box cutter, a small lockblade like a Spyderco lady bug or Gerber LST is nice. It cuts well, and is small enough that it can be opened while still in a pocket, for that surprise effect. Yet looks small enough that its kind of innocent.

About 10 years ago we did a counter clockwise road tour of the U.S. out west like what you're doing. Hit Custer, Yellowstone, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands and Mesa Verde, National parks. For the most part, while I had a handgun stashed away in the camping gear, I never felt the need for it in the National Parks. There was such a park police and park ranger presence, and enough people on the main trails, I felt okay armed with only my walking stick and small pepper spray can clipped to belt. For most of the time it was unloaded and cased in the car. The only time I had it ready and close at hand was camping out on BLM land in between the National Parks, with nobody around us, or in motel rooms by the highway. Funny thing, it felt safer in the camp ground in the Cayonlands or Mesa Verde parks than in a motel by the side of an interstate.

Have a great trip, and carry a stout stick!

[bikerdoc]

What Carl said!
Plus a Sak Spartan could be quite handy for everyday chores.

[jhco]

pillow case full of door knobs:D

[Dr.Rob]

Irish variation:

Potato in a sock. I kid you not, this was popular in NYC.

Oh and Dr. Kevin from Emergency Vets? He used to be head of security for The Rolling Stones, he swore by ball bearings stashed in pantyhose.

Sometimes simpler is better.

[ColdCoffeeMug]

When I was in school and couldn't carry I put a quarter pound lead sinker onto a lanyard with a few duped up old keys and dropped the whole mess into my back pocket with the strap hanging out... I still carry it from time to time. Cops around here know what a smilie is due to an inundation of punk rock hippie types, thus far, the sinker has gone unnoticed.:evil: