Non-gun friendly company...what would you suggest for SD?

[10-Ring]

I work for a HUGE company in non gun friendly California. I routinely find myself in questionable parts of town, confronting very unhappy customers and in a company vehicle that screams out what company I work for.
So, I'm wondering, what weapon should I carry for SD? I was originally thinking snubby, but then I realize I'm more likely to be caught w/ it and losing my job over it than winning the lottery Now I'm thinking Taser but w/ the $1000 price tag, it might be a while before I am able to afford one...So, what to do???

 

[Geronimo45]

I'd say to go for a cane. It's good to use when you have to do a lot of walking, or when you've smashed a toe someplace. Not a bad defensive weapon, and it's pretty innocuous.
Some folks will say a knife - but I'd prefer to have a cane to keep folks further off, and to avoid trouble with g-men. Don't get a sword cane, it's probably illegal.
Maybe you should suggest that your company provide you with body armor, since they don't want you to be able to defend yourself.

 

[10-Ring]

A cane might be all that practical because when I'm in the field, I will have a laptop computer in my hands...held w/ one arm & typing w/ the other hand
Oh, I already have pepper spray on the strap of my computer bag so I'm not totally w/o the ability to defend myself.

 

[carpediem]

Any really effective SD implement is either impractical or illegal:

gun (illegal w/out CCW) + against your company's policy
baton - majorly illegal (more than a concealed handgun )
cane - impractical
large flashlight - impractical
taser - some restrictions, impractical (bulky), $$$

less than ideal:
oc
stun gun
small hard objects

If you're in good shape and practice, a mini-mag or other small hard object can be useful.

You seem to exclude knives, which can be very effective in trained hands. A 3.5-4" folding knife (especially good ones like Spyderco, Buck, etc.) is worth considering, esp. if your line of work gives you an excuse for having cutting tools (any sort of technician comes to mind). Watch out for local laws - some places don't like > 2.5/3" knives.

YMMV

 

[dpote]

I'm going to sound like an ass here...

Move.

I'm serious. The more posts I read here about California, the more I get depressed. The cost of living is high, and the elected officials don't care about their subjects.
Every post is the same. "I live in California, I cannot protect myself or those that I love, what do you recommend?"
My brother lived for five years in California. I hated going out there to visit him. He finally moved to Michigan. For the same reasons I listed above.
What is it about California I don't understand?

Dave

 

[Geronimo45]

Hmmm... body armor and running shoes is about all I can suggest.

 

[Bjg0082]

The answer.

http://www.personalarms.com/mace_pepper_spray/mcaebearspray.htm

That'd diffuse the situation.

...then again I'm mostly joking.

 

[SuperNaut]

Pretend like you want to buy drugs. I'm dead serious. I was recently in a very bad part of San Francisco late at night and some homeys jumped out of their whip and confronted me. I asked them if they knew where I could buy some rock and they helpfully pointed me down the street. I caught a cab on the next through street.

We all know that more often than not, strategies and tactics don't involve weapons.

 

[carpediem]

SuperNaut - LOL. I'm going to have to remember that one.

 

[progunner1957]

Move.

I'm serious. The more posts I read here about California, the more I get depressed. The cost of living is high, and the elected officials don't care about their subjects.
Every post is the same. "I live in California, I cannot protect myself or those that I love, what do you recommend?"

+1000 on moving.

No matter how nice California is, no matter how much money you make, what will it matter if you end up dead or in a wheel chair because some thug put a beat-down on you while you were working, making money for a company that refuses to allow you to have the means to protect yourself while doing their dirty work??

Think about it, my friend - and be safe.

 

[10-Ring]

Moving isn't an option - I have set roots here, I have family & friend here, I have my favorite toy store here...not...NOT MOVING!
I may be going w/ the Taser or taking a risk & carry a snubby wheelgun...don't know yet. WHY? IMO, the problem w/ a knife or even a kabutan is giving up that personal space I like keeping around people. I had someone once tell me that once you have to touch your opponent, you've made things 100X harder to win. I don't wanna have to get close enough to touch that assailant.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Company Vehicle?

Large flashlight in the truck/van. Useful for finding street numbers at night. Among other uses. 5-6 cell maglite or equivalent.

Keep your toll money handy in a sock. Just like Paul Kersey.

Dry chemical fire extinguisher -- don't spray it in someone's face, it may well blind them, and they certainly won't be able to breathe.

Computer bag needs a lock, right? A large, very heavy padlock on a cable or chain. Locks are legal, unlike slungshots.....

 

[vmfrantz]

I wouldnt carry any weapon with out a ccw. I think that is a bad mistake. If you have one great. If so, tell your company you would like to carry for protection or you want them to buy you a vest. Just like a good guy should protect his family he also has to put food on the table for them. Dont do something stupid and lose your job or due time in prison until the court date because of carring w/o a permit. Plus it just gives the anti 2a people ammo to go after the 2a. Beings you are intent on staying in a socialist state you have to try and change things by being active and win by voting. I dont think the time is right for you law abiding citizens to unite and over through the state gov. Why do that when all the illegals will creat a shtf sometime any way. I also heard people say the state const. allows the north to secede from the south. I'd say go for it. That would be the best wake up call for the rest of the U.S.A.

 

[mountainclmbr]

I would check to see if your company prohibits carrying weapons. I was at a security briefing at a large company in Colorado that my company has a contract with. I knew they prohibited firearms on company property. But, in the security briefing they stated that they prohibit weapons even in cars in the parking lot. They stated that weapons included pepper spray and knives with a blade that is too long. I happened to be carrying a knife and pepper spray in my pocket and had my CCW gun locked in my car which was parked on the street, not in the parking lot. This company routinely searches briefcases and any packages entering the building, but I never saw persons or cars searched. I took the pepper spray to the car afterwards. I continued to park on the street and keep the gun and pepper spray locked there, but continued to carry the knife since it was pretty plain and non-threatening in appearance.

I have to travel to LA a few times per month and have had more confrontations with thugs there than in the rest of my life combined. I really have a feeling of dread when I travel there and see no hope that things will change away from all the socialism and backward "left-think". It is like a mental psychosis happens when people live in overcrowded conditions.

 

[10-Ring]

mountainclmbr - you're not helping :banghead: But I know I can stay w/in the law & still be secure.

Funny thing - we're not gun friendly, but CA is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) market in the country go figure

 

[hso]

10-ring,

What's your general health like? Good enough to take some self defense classes?

You mention laptops and vehicles. You don't have to say who you work for, but please describe the work you do. Where does it take you? How much time in a vehicle? What type of vehicle?

If you're not comfortable providing these specifics neede to provide any real help you can always search this forum for "self defense" and read all the threads where we've discussed SD without a gun.

 

[Grape Ape]

Sounds like an exciting job.

Wow, distracted, hands full and obviously worth robbing in “questionable parts of town”.

I wouldn’t worry too much about your customers since most of them will know that your dispatcher knows where you are. I’d worry about everyone else. A stolen laptop will buy an awful lot of your favorite intoxicant.

If you won’t leave CA, at least consider a job change.

 

[ACP]

1. Fox Labs pepper spray -- in your offhand pocket

2. Most any pocket clip folding knife (i.e. Benchmade AFCK, SOG Vision, etc.) -- in your strong side pocket

3. Surefire or similar flashlight (i.e. Surefire 9P -- just large enough to use as an impact weapon) -- on a belt or in a back/jacket pocket

 

[dasmi]

Let me guess....SDG&E?

 

[Technosavant]

Uniball Micro 0.2mm rollerball pen. Pick your choice of color- red, black, blue, it doesn't matter.

Take a look at one in the office supply store sometime- if that thing can't be used for some stabbing action, nothing can. Yes, it's not as effective as other things, but I have yet to see any kind of security checkpoint that would confiscate it.

 

[ndh87]

There is no ammount of money you could pay me, and nothing you could offer me that could ever convince me to live in California. But then again, Im from (and still in) Virginia...thank god

 

[JShirley]

I'd carry your keys on a long lanyard to give you at least a little stand-off reach.

Moving, though would be your first option, with changing jobs being next. If you are often exposed to danger, and can't have the means to effectively defend yourself, you have to ask yourself what your life is worth? Is this job important enough to you to continuously risk your life?

John

 

[LanEvo`]

So, I'm wondering, what weapon should I carry for SD? I was originally thinking snubby, but then I realize I'm more likely to be caught w/ it and losing my job over it than winning the lottery.

Hmmm. If you have a CCW, a S&W Airweight snubbie in a nice pocket holster wouldn't be a bad choice. I really don't see how your employer would ever know you've got it on you. Do they pat you down every morning or do random body-cavity searches? How would they know? If you ever needed to use it to defend your life, I don't think losing your job would seem like such a big deal to you.

If you don't have a CCW (or simply don't want to violate your company's policy), then I guess your stuck with the usual toolkit:

(1) One-hand opening, locking, folding knife. Emerson, Microtech, Spyderco, Benchmade, and many others offer nice choices. You'll need to invest in some training to really make use of it.
(2) OC spray. Not a bad idea even if you do carry a firearm. Good at keeping people away while you make a hasty retreat.
(3) Kubotan, walking stick, or other striking instrument. These are legal just about everywhere. Takes some skill to use properly.
(4) High-intensity flashlight. Always a good idea. Can use it to disorient an attacker. Can help you maintain awareness of your surroundings. Some of them make reasonable striking tools in a pinch.

 

[hso]

I don't wanna have to get close enough to touch that assailant.

I don't know how to say this without sounding rude, but here goes.

The idea that you'll be able to keep everyone at a distance that allows you to use a handgun is a false one. You would need to keep a 30 ft "personal space" bubble around you and maintain a solid condition yellow all the time to depend upon it. That isn't likely to happen so please think about the fact that even a fat old man like me can cover 20 feet most of the time and reach an unsuspecting "victim" before they can react.

If you're not locked in your vehicle or secure in a building you are subject to being attacked before you can get a gun out. Because of this the best advice I can give is to conclude all your business before you leave or head back to the vehicle so that you can be effectively aware of your surroundings while in the transition zone between doors. Anything you carry on your hands should be able to be used to defend yourself. Metal clipboard, mag light, etc. Everything that can't be used to defend yourself with should be in a shoulder bag that you can dump as bait. It's not your property anyway so dump it so the BG can take it instead of fighting you for it. If the truck/van doesn't have a remote so that you can unlock it then consider having one installed on your own and trigger it just before you get to the vehicle, not 100 ft. away.

 

[Vermonter]

Careful of the remote unlocking, it should only do the driver's side. A year or two ago a young lady in Burlington was raped and killed in her car. The perp hopped in the passenger seat right after she unlocked it