Objects with self-defense capability for weapons-restricted areas?

[pak29]

Hello all,

If this is more appropriately posted in Strategies and Tactics, please advise.

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for alternative weapons that one would not have to leave behind when entering weapons-restricted areas.
I am an attorney who is in and out of courthouses fairly frequently, where guns, knives, etc., are forbidden.

I have not made the decision to carry a firearm generally, but do carry a leatherman or pocketknife most of the time. Even these I cannot bring to the courthouse. I am not trained in any of the fighting, grappling, or boxing arts, and would appreciate having some means of self-defense when I am there.

I once saw a mini-kubuton style rod that attached to one's keys, as a keychain, but could be used as a striking object. This is more of an under the radar weapon, and I'm not sure if that would pass muster at security, but it's along the lines of the kind of thing I'm thinking about.

I also recall seeing a thread somewhere here about objects that could be purchased on the airline gate side of security, such as a fist-stized brass Sears Tower replica, which could be used once on the plane if a situation developed. This is the kind of alternative suggestion I am looking for. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

Is my best option just an empty hand self-defense class, and a creative view to the objects in my vicinity? Fire extinguishers, for instance, always struck me as having significant usefulness to fend off an attack.

 

[hso]

NFW is the right place.

We've had extensive discussions on this here over the years with the short summary being that realizing that we're surrounded by improvised weapons much of the time is vitally important and that we can carry far more functional versions of those every day items if we apply a little thought.

Pens specifically selected to use as fist loads, spikes or kubatons. A simple Bic stick style pen has startling penetration power. I carry a LCP with me through airports all the time.

Flashlights specifically selected to use as batons or smaller lights to use as fist loads and kubatons. The old multicell Mag flashlight is well recognized for it's head knocking power, but min Mags can be used a kubatons and fist loads. I carry an Inova that projects just enough from the fist to make for easier striking.

Wallet/coin purses to use as saps.

Canes and various types of "sticks" make great striking tools.

 

[mfcmb]

Pretty much the only kind of object that an untrained person can use with a reasonable degree of effectiveness is a heavy hitting object; say a heavy walking stick or a sap.

With a modest amount of the right kind of self defense training your options open up significantly, but you do need a modicum of training and practice for this to happen.

For example, you've got a pointed stick attached to your keychain, or you realize that a pen can serve, but where on your assailant do you use it and what moves do you use? Do you slash or jab? To the chest (no), neck (yes), eyes (yes), back of the hand (if possible)? How would you know without training? How could you execute without practice? You can't.

Then there's the whole subject of how do you keep an assailant off you? Is it primary in your consciousness that distance is your friend, and that a chair, potted plant, briefcase, etc. can be used as an obstacle to keep an assailant away? Have you practiced moves so that your body knows how to move available objects into the assailant's path?

And when an assailant's striking or grabbing for you, what moves do you make to dodge, twist out of the way, break a handhold? In a courthouse most encounters will come when the assailant's already within striking/grabbing distance.

All these can and should be learned prior to the next stage of self defense training: techniques you can use against an assailant. Punches, kicks, joint locks, throws, pressure points, etc. that are used when you have no option but to engage, even if briefly.

So carry something heavy you can hit with, then get some training, and definitely do a lot of practice; because in a real encounter it doesn't matter what your mind knows, what matters is what your body knows.

 

[pak29]

Thanks for the excellent input. Any particular books you recommend with more tips on this kind of thing?

 

[Ron James]

You might also think of a bar of soap in a sock. Having once worked in a Juvie correction center, I know that combination makes a powerful weapon.

 

[Beelzy]

Cross Pens. ;-)

 

[Pax Jordana]

Having served jury duty exactly once in my life (and having made two ten-minute visits to the courthouse otherwise for application and receiving of my permit), I have to say that the one around here does a pretty sufficient job of making you feel safe. Not everyone has this philosophy, but as "a guy that plays by the rules" I'm alright with going partially* unarmed if somebody else I can trust (that's the police) goes armed and they're like everywhere.

*I have been to hospitals, and to court houses, and to locked psych units, and airports, and never to jail, and have made all of these trips with a couple of Bic pens or a big Sharpie or a 2aa maglite on board.

I feel there is an inverse relationship between technological complexity and savagery involved in the employment of any device. I assume it's terrible to injure or kill another human being, but if I had to I'd rather press a button to fire a missile than, say, fight to the death with claw hammers. So mindset is tops, then skills, then training, then gear (whose sig line is this?) and before you know it there's lots of weapons just lying around. Most won't stand up to that end-of-the-movie boss battle type fight, but it's completely valid to chuck a napkin dispenser at someone to cover your retreat.

You're an attorney? Get non-slip suit shoes. Those leather soles may look luxurious and spendy, but if you've gotta haul somewhere they're your worst enemy. Especially in a place like a courthouse, which should be crawling with security, self-defense may well just mean staying out of arm's reach for long enough.

 

[mfcmb]

pak29: Don't have any books to recommend, but here's a good website to start at: http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/

pax Jordana: Excellent tip about the value of non-slip shoe soles!

 

[Carl Levitian]

You're an attorney entering a court house.

By that very act you already have brought not only a decent impact weapon, but a shield as well. What kind of briefcase do you carry?

If you have a hard attache style case with a nice sturdy handle, you have a shield that will stop fists and knives, the later I doubt you will run into inside a court house. Either way, it's a nice sturdy barrier between you and an attacker. If you swing it and connect with the narrow edge, especially on a forearm or kneecap, it's going to get their attention. If it's an old fashioned leather briefcase, it's still a good object to put between you both to distract and deflect incoming blows. While it's blocking, and maybe in his line of sight, use it to mask an incoming strike with a pen in your right hand. Make a habit of carrying the case left handed.

A briefcase is a great object to mask counter attacks. If you are attacked, and raise the case between you as a shield, maybe he'll be dumb enough to try to grab it away from you. Good, you want him to grab it. Thats a nice time for a swift kick in the cajones while he's distracted by the briefcase in his face.

The Cross pen was mentioned.

Attending police academy in the late 70's, we had an instructor who showed us many ways a Cross pen could be used to really get their attention. Jabbed into the front of the throat, just under the ear where the mastoid gland is, will inflict some very painful attention getting injuries.

An attorney with a briefcase and Cross pen is a well armed person if those items are used in a creative way.

Of course a AA minimag hammerfisted into somebodys temple or collar bone is attention getting too.

 

[glistam]

I've seen more than one case of defendants in courthouse using pens to lethal effect when they hear something they don't like.

It's good to keep multiple strategies in mind, so that you don't limit your thinking to one object. Besides pens, CDs can be snapped in two to make a sharp edge (use with caution; if time allows, put it between sheets of paper first). Dense objects like paper-weights, thicker water glasses, even a full coffee pot can be used as a club or thrown. Hot coffee in the face is something to consider, though how long it's still hot enough makes this less effective for self-defense. That fancy leather belt makes a good flail.

Don't forget chairs. A chair can act as shield to keep someone out of grabbing/stabbing distance (hopefully long enough for the bailiffs/orderlies to pile on).

EDIT: +1 on the briefcase, very good thinking.

 

[armsmaster270]

They even make panels to fit your briefcase out of bullet proof vest material.

 

[Speedo66]

Doesn't have to be a knife to cut you in a courthouse.

I've seen a deft. come out of the correction pen, sit through a hearing, and then remove a razor blade from his mouth and cut his attorney's face when the ruling went against him.

Many more razor blades, in mouth, hair, hat, etc. than knives. These on defts. who are supposedly searched by corrections every time they leave and enter the correction facility.

Wrap yourself like The Mummy in kevlar.

 

[drjoker]

Surefire is the answer....

Surefire Pen

Surefire Small Flashlight

Bulletproofme bullet "proof" briefcase

 

[MillCreek]

I have the same issue as the OP, going in and out of courthouses frequently to attend hearings and trials.

In my jurisdiction, courthouse security (and the airport) will not allow a kubotan past screening. I used to be a kubotan instructor. So I had to come up with a kubotan replacement that would pass muster at the screening checkpoint.

I have used pens and flashlights for this purpose. I have settled on a pen and a flashlight that are both very tough and always pass security. I use a Sharpie stainless steel marker: http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Product/Sharpie_Stainless_Steel_Permanent_Marker.html which costs $ 5 at the local Wal-Mart and a Garrity stainless steel penlight: http://www.flashlightz.com/product.php?product=164542 which costs $ 6 at the local Fred Meyer.

Both of these ride in my dress shirt pocket, are inconspicuous, and work very well as a marker and a penlight. The important thing to me is that they are also lightweight. I usually carry one or the other. Most often, I carry the penlight since I have other pens, and a flashlight is always handy. It is an excellent flashlight with a very bright Nichia LED and lasts for a long time on common AAA batteries. They do trigger the magnetometer at the courthouse and airport, so I put them in the tray, where they never get a second glance.

As was mentioned upthread, some training would be an excellent idea.

 

[JShirley]

Good suggestions. Read Stick Fighting by Hatsumi and Chambers. It has a variety of fighting techniques, ranging from very small stick-like objects to longer ones, up to 6'.

 

[karlsmith]

may be you can take batons to no weapon zones. there is a baton type called black jack weapon, it is the baton used by police officers.

But some areas are really restricted to any kind of weapon, at that time you'll have to use what's around you.

may be this book will help

 

[geologist]

A hickory heart cane. I use a Canemaster. Legal anywhere, even on an airplane.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Vermont

Well, if I lived in Vermont (which I don't), I might note that we get a bit of weather now and then. Snow and stuff in the winter, probably a bit of wet in the summer.

In an environment like that, one would think an umbrella wouldn't be out of place.

Thanks to the Xmas fairy, I now have one of these (by all means, watch the video):

It's not exactly cheap, but it's got real nice heft. It would serve as a support cane.

If you've never routinely carried a brolly before, it can be a bit awkward at first but, during my years in England, I became so attached to one -- even in summer -- that I felt naked without it. Of course, in England an umbrella is almost an article of clothing.

Silly as it sounds, I'm happy I now live far enough north that a brolly is practical.

 

[ozarkgunner]

A standard kuboton or key ring kuboton may not pass security, but I think one of the defensive pens would. There is a large Sharpie defensive marker that is made for self defense. And i think it is Cold Steel and possibly a couple others that make defensive pens that are made of thick aluminum with blunt tips while capped. Correction, it's the Cold Steel Sharkie pen, which looks like a large Sharpie. and Schrade makes the Tactical pen.
http://www.swordsswords.com/defense-weapons.aspx?page=2

 

[hso]

may be you can take batons to no weapon zones. there is a baton type called black jack weapon, it is the baton used by police officers.

These are purpose built weapons and wouldn't be considered "dual use" camouflaged tools. Most jurisdictions don't permit civilians to carry blackjacks/saps and most police agencies no longer permit their officers to carry them. It is best to actually verify whether possession and carry are legal in your jurisdiction.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

The cane is my favorite. Thanks to the ADA, you can't even be asked about why you have it.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

That briefcase is nuts, heheh

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Cross pen , cane and a good minmag AA flashlite will help get you home.

 

[agent slice]

insted of a briefcase I like to use a clipbord (the kind that has an internel compartment for papers and stuf).

agent slice signing out !


ps:I love this wed site !

 

[conw]

Best you can do is have a few pieces of gear that work well...umbrella, good clipboard, and I like the Stylus Kubotan...and mentally prepare to overwhelm the other guy with brutality. Someone who has the audacity to attack you with items they, too, got through security probably is going to be counting on you to be timid and weak. So surprising and overcoming is your best bet.

This assumes you realize the important of things like non-slick shoes, and the fact that you should have escape/action plans for really bad situations, and that force is a last resort.