Help me protect my wife

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Balog

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As some of you know, I'm set to deploy in September. As it appears unlikely my wife will be able to get a CCW (damn CA and it's "Shall Issue" idiocy) I've begun considering alternate means of self-defense for her. I'm thinking a good knife, and more importantly the training to effectively use it, are the way to go.

However, this presents a few difficulties. The number of qualified trainers offering knife-fighting training out side of a dedicated martial arts environment seems slim. While it would be wonderful if she became involved in a martial discipline, realistically it isn't going to happen.
I could of course get books or videos on the subject and attempt to work up a training regime for her, but that brings up doubts about both the credibility of the author and my competence to teach that which I don't know myself.

So what do ya'll think I should do? Any advice on how to assist her in training with the knife, or alternate ideas about how she can defend herself are welcome. I've always taken my vow to protect and care for her very seriously, and it's incredibly frustrating that the Corps puts me in a position where my duty to my country keeps me from doing that. Any thoughts are more than welcome.
 
First of all, God bless you in your deployment. The irony that you get to hoist a gun in a foreign land in defense of our country while your wife gets to rely on 911 in California is not lost on me.

I have done a whole lot of knife training in my karate classes. In my humble opinion, knives need a serious fighting attitude or it will get taken away from her. In other words, she needs to be ready to kill. What is California's policy on pepper spray?
 
For home defence i would get a revolver a good 357or more would do fine just teach her to point and shoot, alot better than auto's that may be complicated.

As far as knife training, its a good idea but I think it isnt very practical, because as you can read in most military manual's when a situation comes up all the complex things are forgotten quickly. Unless she has repteted her knife motions over and over and over hundreds of times and kept up with practiceing it will be useless against a most likely stronger attacker who probably has a knife.

If it were me i would go simple as possible and get some high end OC spray the stuff they say that takes down bear's not to be used on human's. That's the stuff i would get, have that in the purse and on key's. I dont know if its outlawed where you live but some places it is. If it is would reccomend a taser the kind where it shoots out a projectile that will allow her to keep a safe distance.

Both are by far weaker than a gun, so if it were me and my wife were going threw dangerous situations, or bad neighborhoods, i wouldnt be worried about laws. Plus the cops are more likely to be simpathetic being shes a woman, just tell her to follow the laws when she is carrying and they will never know.

the smartest defence is to never allow your self to get into a situation in the first place, so maybe talk about that with her.


PM me for any further questions be glad to help or email me at [email protected]
 
Living in Jersey as we do, we have an even worse 'shall issue' policy. I've got lots of guns, but the wife is not exactly what you would call a shootist and prefers they stay locked up. I bought her a P22 and made sure she knew how to operate it, but she just doesn't like to shoot.

I spent 26 weeks a year on the road the past few years, and with the kids out of the house, I had the same worries that you do.

I bought her a Surefire with the 120 lumen bulb, a air horn that makes your ears bleed, and a dog. That was about the best I could do...oh, and a .357 stashed in the bedroom.
 
For those who may not be aware, the area surrounding 29 Palms MCAGCC isn't an overly shiny happy place. It's not quite the "dumping ground for criminals" a Sgt from another CAAT told me it was, but it isn't a nice place.

Target4fun: If I could afford it I'd buy my wife a good Glock for use around the house. She's been shooting them since she was 12 and is actually better with handguns than I am. However, I have this weird attachment to paying for rent, car insurance etc that keeps me from carrying out that plan of action.

The problem I'm having isn't that she wouldn't be able or willing to repeat the training until she could use it effectively. The problem is finding a way to train her, so she can begin that essential repetition.

Shermacman: hehe, a fighting attitude? When it comes to rapists and robbers my wife is more aggresive than most of the jarheads in my unit. She's been known to incapacitate someone who was getting a little too "friendly" with a swift kick to the gonads. Ah, I'm a lucky man. :)

It is my understanding that OC spray and tasers are considered weapons in CA; even if they are legal to carry I'm not too enthusiastic about them. A good baton might not be a bad choice, but that'd entail about as much training to use well as a knife I would think.

Edit to reply to BJBaron:

I've been thinking about adopting a dog; partly for protection and partly because I love dogs. However, I don't know if I'd be around enough to train the little bugger properly.
 
If you are serious about defensive knife training on the practical side - look at the Insights web site. Defensive Knife I is a well known course in the self-defense training world.
 
Ah, the stumps. What a lovely place.
Pepper spray would top my list for her. Of course, carrying a knife or two.
Otherwise, the big question is, does she have the proper state of mind? Will she lock the car doors while she's driving, not open the front door without looking through the peephole, etc? Start working on those things with her, even if you have to laminate a checklist for her.
If you've got anyone you can really, really trust to keep an eye on her, do that, too. If she can take on a trusted roomate (female) while you're gone, that would keep more activity at the house which is a deterrent.
A dog would give her a companion while your gone, and a wonderful alert system. Also, they deter criminals. Get one, do what you can, and have her finish the training through one of those big pet places (Petsmart, etc all offer pet training programs).
Semper Fi my friend, stay safe, keep your head down.
 
If I could afford it I'd buy my wife a good Glock for use around the house. - Balog
Click to expand...

You don't have to spend the money to get a Glock, used revolvers or Makarovs can be had for $150-200.
 
Felonious Monk: I've got the bat and machete, but our apartment is so small getting a good swing in might be difficult.

GEM: thanks, I'll be checking that out.

JamisJockey: I've always been rather indifferent to pepper spray. I've seen guys get IT'ed while in a room filled with real, real high levels of CS. If non-medicated teenagers retain the presence of mind and physical coordination to do that amidst lots and lots of CS, I'm thinking a 30 year old on angel dust might not be overly impressed by pepper spray. Of course that same individual probably wouldn't be slowed down too much by a knife, but disembowel or hamstring anyone and they are much less combat effective.
Her mindset is actually pretty good. She locks the doors, checks when people knock, and generally does a decent job of avoiding Condition White. I've got people I trust to look after her, but they live about 6 hours away. Our apt is a one bedroom, so unless we get a bigger place the roommate idea is out. I didn't know Petsmart etc offered help training. That does it, I've gotta get a dog.

Nickotym: Since she could only keep it around the house, almost any gun isn't worth the cost. I'll just be bringing my shottie over before I leave. She isn't as good with it, but the advantage of a pistol just doesn't seem to justify the cost. I'd rather spend the money on a system and training she can use when she's out and about.
 
Balog.... you bring some good points of reality, on a concern that I am sure many have, in your position....and one that should be brought to the base commanders attention.... once ..twice, or how ever many times needed to make this point very very clear. In all the bases I have been too, there was always a few side arms, floating around, at a good price.... do the foot work, and get together with the other honorable men, with wives that are going with you.... your not alone with your concerns....se what the others have come up with. It would surprise me, if someone did not have a "loaner" weapon.... that she might have use of...and there is still time, to bring her skills up to speed. I would go with all the above.... dog, alarms, lights, peper spray, knife, guns and what ever.... don't lose track of the true question...with all the possible choices. Just bring to focus her daily activities...shop in the day....be home, and secure before sunset... her state of mind, is the very best security she can possess. Best to sort all of the home front questions, before heading out....the last thing you need, is mind baggage, in the sand pits. My thanks...for being on the lines, to show the world, what we Americans are made of.. my strengths and blessing go with you....and with every honorable soldier headed east.......... regards Arc-lite
 
Get her a can of FOX OC, then get her the dog & buy a training package for the both of them. You want the dog to defend her, right? She & the dog need to develop that training bond. If you train the dog, it'll bond to you. If you CAN get her a shotgun, do it. If she isn't familiar with pumps or semi's, try a double barrel coach gun. At least she'll have 2 ready rounds of 00 to deter the BGs with. Buy her a baseball bat...not outlawed in CA yet, AFAIK. ;)

Good luck on your deployment. Stay safe & come home to your family intact.
Thanks for doing a hard & often thankless job.
Vic
 
Take a look at Front Sight in NV. They offer a 2 day edged weapons course. I've been pretty impressed with the professionalism of the Front Sight course. They not only cover the use of weapons, but the seminars focus on the legal, moral and ethical problems of using deadly force.

You can get a "gray certificate" from www.fscerts.com that will cover both of you for a 2 day course for $200.
 
I've always been rather indifferent to pepper spray. I've seen guys get IT'ed while in a room filled with real, real high levels of CS. If non-medicated teenagers retain the presence of mind and physical coordination to do that amidst lots and lots of CS, I'm thinking a 30 year old on angel dust might not be overly impressed by pepper spray. Of course that same individual probably wouldn't be slowed down too much by a knife, but disembowel or hamstring anyone and they are much less combat effective.
Click to expand...

I'd go for the dog and the training package first. Very few non-professionals will go up against an obviously trained dog. And it's not tough (or expensive) to train a dog for protection.

But I wouldn't underestimate a good pepper spray. Yes, some people can work through it, but those people probably also will disarm any but the most proficient at knifework.
 
if cash is an issue, then entry level training class, would be very questionable....the use of a knife, is not taught to anyone in an entry level class, you learn enough to get yourself hurt...and little more. A dog might work, but remember after the bark, it's your job, to handle the security. If the money is there to buy a dog, or consider training classes.... buy a used shotgun....you will get more of what your looking for, with the bucks.
 
Balog,
I think you should relook OC as an option. Edged weapons are good, but they will require your wife to close with her attacker. Think about that for a bit. You're asking a lot of her. Think of the hours of training and practice that go into being competent in H to H.

OC gives her a standoff capability and even if the attacker is stoned out of his mind, and it's somewhat less then optimally effective, she still has the element of surprise which will probably give her the opportunity to escape.

A good dog and an inexpensive single shot shotgun can handle the home defense chores.

Jeff
 
Semper Fi, Balog!

Check with the family services center about self-defense classes for your wife. I've been to the stumps many times, and my oldest son was stationed there 94-99. The crime rate there is pretty low compared to more populated parts of SOCAL, since it's so far off the beaten path.

If she shops aboard base at the commissary/PX (saves lots of $) her safety will be enhanced.

I also vote for a large dog and a single shot/SxS shottie for HD.

She'll be OK, my daughter-in-law lived there for 5 yrs while my son was in the field/TAD 270+ days per year without incident.

The other best thing she can do is develop a support system among the other wives of folks deployed with your unit. If she's connected and involved with friends then there's a greater chance she won't be alone to be "singled out" as a potential tgt.

Try to remember...you're the one headed to the war zone.

Keep your head down and best of luck to you!
 
Friends
Dog
Bear mace
Any firearm she is comfortable with

Lots of friends, classes, hobbies, etc. will not only keep her safer, but will keep her occupied while you are gone. Staying busy is a good way to stay sane.

IMHO - Skip the knife training for reasons already mentioned. I once read that every knife fight has a loser, but not every one has a winner. I.e. the loser bleeds out first and the "winner" hopes to make it to the ER before he does too. Messy and no one comes out unhurt. And of course there is the old maxim about not bringing a knife to a gun fight...

Another approach the two of you may want to talk about is suggesting she stay with family while you are deployed.
 
Cheers,

I'm going to step WAY off the "thought stream" mentioned so far.

There's a "wasp" spray that's sold at lawn and garden shops that's accurate out to 15-25'. Go to the nearest auto parts store and buy one of those snap-on plastice triggers for "rattle cans". Then buy the smallest "wasp" spray can that the trigger will fit. This becomes her "self defense" weapon.

According to one "trucker" web site, it's legal in all 50 states, is not considered a weapon in any of them, and will take out an attacker out to the range of 25'. It's supposeably(sp?) able to totally disable, where pepper spray, bear spray, or any other "self defense" spray, is marginal when used on someone "tanked" up.

I, personally don't know if it works "as advertised" - but it's worth a try.

By the way, I won't volunteer to have this tested on my person.

The spray is a combination of ether and a pesticide, so I'd assume (there's that word again) that even an upper body hit would have an effect if he breathes even once.

"Lady, why are you carring this?" "I'm allergic to bee stings." Conversation ended.

Gentle winds,
cr
 
Hell, if I knew you a bit better I'd loan ya a shooter, but if she isn't going to carry it then a shotty at home and that wasp stuff sounds like a good idea.

Drive On

FG
 
I think we should limit our suggestions to items intended for defensive use. It's one thing to grab wasp spray or ammonia in the heat of battle and it's quite another to carry it intending to us it on someone. Could leave Balog's wife (or anyone else for that matter) in a bad legal position both criminally and in civil court.

Jeff
 
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