Best way to defend self on a road trip?

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Dionysusigma

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Title asks it all, but this stems from a thread in the Rifle Country ( http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108963 ) and, unfortunately, it turns out that a gun may not be a viable option.

Abridged version of the situation...
A friend/coworker of mine is moving to Rhode Island from Oklahoma City this winter for school, and having been in a few bad situations before in her life, she isn't going to do this without some sort of self-protection. She wants a gun for defense purposes; but being 18, a handgun will not work. A few details on the situation:

She's about average height and build, but tough
Money is not something she has a lot of (budget is ~$200 at the extreme highest)
Ruggedness is important
Capacity is a big factor as well

Means of conveyance is a '70s Chevy 1/2 ton pickup. Neither she nor I know much about the "Peaceable Journey" laws, so where online would one find them?

A Kel-Tec Sub 2000 with Beretta mags appears more realistic, however it's too expensive. I mentioned the Hi-Point carbine, but capacity is rather low. One of my more creative suggestions was a used Remington 870 Marine Mag with a PG and PG foregrip, but that may be a bit much.
Click to expand...

What techniques would y'all recommend to prevent a bad situation from occurring? What implements work to great effect that still fall under the ever-annoying factor of being legal? ;) :p

Any and all help is appreciated.
 
A big can of the streaming pepper spray, maybe FoxLabs. Get two, and practice with one. Carry the other.
 
Some possibilities:
- pepper spray
- Maglite
- cane
- baseball bat
- knife (looks like 3" is the legal limit)
 
Actually, a decent used pump-action shotgun with a 16" barrel should be only $150 or less. That is absolutely the most effective self-defanse weapon within 50 yards, and with shorter shells need not be too much for her. Or, get a 20 gauge, if recoil is a problem.
 
Haven't heard of anybody banning hatchets yet. I've even taken one into Canada. I figure if they confiscate it I can stop at the first hardware store across the border and buy another for a few dollars.

Best way to not get in trouble in the first place is vehicle prep. Start out with fresh oil and new tires for example. Using a 30 year old vehicle to go halfway across the continent isn't something I'd attempt.
 
Actually, a decent used pump-action shotgun with a 16" barrel
Click to expand...

Make that an 18" barrel, and load it with those baby Aguila shells, and you're in business.

I would highly recommend a good 870, or even a Mossy or 1300. Load up alternating with buck and slug.

Then, tell her to stop at regular stops ONLY!!!

That includes truck stops, and restaurants.

Absolutely NO stopping at rest stops.

Avoid the Chicago area like the plague.

And, good luck!
 
Actually, a decent used pump-action shotgun with a 16" barrel
Click to expand...


Sometimes the bad advice given on this forum is just freaking scary.
16" is either an AOW or Destructive device.

==============================================

Check www.packing.org for peacable journey laws.
I second the pepper spray. Good pepper spray, not the cheap stuff you get in the impulse aisle at the grocery store that I carry for dogs when I'm cycling.
 
Um - actually, it was just a slip-up, since rifles can have 16" barrels. OK, then, an 18" barrel. Geeze. Did I SOUND like I was advocating taking a hacksaw to a longer barrel?
 
Suggestions:

1. Drive defensively - don't get other drivers ticked off.
2. Don't go out at night in strange areas, especially around motels.
3. Carry a cell phone in working order.
4. Try to stay away from those lonely rest stops.
5. An old vehicle has a high probabililty of breaking down on the side of the road. Keep doors locked, call for road service.
6. Carry a small concealed .38 Special revolver at all times, preferably in a quality cross draw holster.
 
I don't know the laws in your area, but in some places you can own a handgun at 18, you just can't purchase one till you are 21. Great logic, right. Check out the laws in your area, also check www.packing.org for peacable journey laws.

If a handgun isn't an option I concur with the pump action shotgun (Mossberg, Winchester, Remington, Benelli), or the lever action rifle. If the lever action is the choice I might go with something like a .357 mag though. Just as effective close in, and a little easier to handle than the .30-30. Little bit quicker to get back on target for follow-ups also.

If none of that works, stick with the pepper spray backed up with something like an aluminum bat. Spray does not always work, or might not work fast enough.

Best advice is to make sure her vehicle is running well before she leaves, use a little common sense with where she stops for gas, rest, food, etc. Also, think twice about where she stops for the night.

Calhoun
 
I would think that a machete would be much better than a bat: harder to take away. I think this one from Cabelas looks pretty cool:
 

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In addition to avoiding sketchy rest stops, prepping the vehicle and considering alternative weapons, I'd strongly suggest a AAA membership and cell phone. And a pad of paper.

If she breaks down, she can sit tight and call. If she's out of cellular service, or if people stop, she should just stay in the car and hold up the tablet with either
"Help is on the way, thanks" or "Please call AAA (phone number, membership number)". I know some folks who keep shoe polish stuff for that purpose; they write it on their rear window "Just Married-style".

Risking hurting the feelings of a legitimate Good Samaritan is better than risking encounters with not-so-Good Samaritans.

Of course, a spare tire and couple cans of Fix a Flat aren't bad ideas; if she's not comfortable changing a tire, she should just use the nasty goo and get to the next service station.


My daddy was so cool for teaching me all this. I miss him.
 
BEST WAY TO DEFEND YOURSELF ON A ROAD TRIP?



have a gun, i don't care how much they cost ,get one. where there is a will there is a way. i hear people tell me all the time that they wish they could have a gun but they just can't afford it. that's cockafooy, they have cheap reliable guns. maybe these people should stop super sizing their value meals and save for a firearm.
 
My understanding is that a rifle with a pistol grip cannot be sold to anyone under 21. I could be wrong on that.
All the less-than-lethal things sound good. I would add two suggestions. One is an air-horn. Bad guys hate loud noises. The other is a dog. They hate dogs too.
 
I'm a little late to this post, but I saw several good reccomendations but one I missed was - having someone with a CCW to ride up to RI with her- wheather its a parent, friend, relative etc. 2 for the road is better in this instance than one. The cell phone and regular calls to check in are highly recommended.
 
maybe try one of those .410 / .45 derringer kits
Get an automatic pellet gun
small pistol cross bow
multi edged throwing weapons?
dart gun with poison but i wont say what kinds
I wouldn't use a spray because of wind and I seen a guy get sprayed in his eyes and the guy proceeded to beat down the sprayer and stun guns only work on scared people. We shock each other with the 500,000+ stun guns on purpose.

But what I do is say screw the law and I carry in a shoulder holster anyway.
 
If you want to stay legal be sure to do some research. Even some CCW states prohibit having a loaded long-gun in the car even with a permit (Wahington is an example). Also the blackpowder route isn't necessarily a loophole at the state level (again WA considers a capped muzzle loader to be a loaded firearm). My advise (assuming you wish to stay legal) is a quality pepperspray and maybe a heavy "blunt instrament" (axe handle being the classic, a baseball bat is likely easier to explain).

Now, if you don't feel like being hassled by all the various silly laws will be encountered on the trip (and who could blame you). I would go with a nice used shotgun. Be sure to have her run a few rounds through it just to make sure that it works right and she can hit what she aims at.
 
How about a large sized pepper spray and a tire thumper...

Tire Thumper from CTD

I picked up three of these at a truck stop on my way home from Colorado last time I visited my mother. I usaually keep one in each of my vehicles and one by the bed.

Something sharp wouldn't be a bad idea either. As others have stated, be sure to check the laws of the states that she will be travelling through.
 
back up to the cell phone comment? Is everyone here aware that a cell phone does not need current service to dial 911? ANY cell phone will transmit a call when dialed to 911, regardless of whether service contract is current or not. It will also transmit to the nearest tower, regardless of whose tower it is, so coverage is great. Almost anyone who has had cell service more than one time has old phones laying around that they do not use. Ten bucks for junk from someones junk drawer is a bargain, get a charger for a cigarette lighter, and she is in business.
 
Check if a police baton is legal to keep in the car.. Also, you were driving to a baseball game right?? Keeping a bat in the car might be a good idea.
 
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