Self defense in college

[LkWinnipesaukee]

I am a Freshman at a school in Baltimore, MD ("The Greatest City in the World"), where I live on campus.

Today on the way back from the airport on a small city train (the "Light Rail" if anyone knows B-more), I had an encounter that could have ended very badly. Long story short I lost a $5 in my pocket.

But it got me thinking. All I had was a small can of pepper spray on me, which I "stupidly" had in my jeans out of access.

Obviously for several reasons I can't have a handgun with me. And I generally don't just hold pepper spray in my hand openly. Perhaps there is some self defense device that I can have in my hands that doesn't draw attention? Any suggestions?

 

[uh-oh]

Take a hand-to-hand combat class and start carrying a cane or walking stick in addition to some bear spray.

 

[hmphargh]

A pen, a mini-maglite, pocket knife. Pen is probably least noticeable, the mini-maglite might raise some eyebrows, and a pocket knife is pretty readily seen as a weapon. Each can have their ups and downs, if it was me, I would get a strong, well built pen, and not a "tactical pen". Something like a metal Parker, Waterman, Mont Blanc, etc.

 

[John Wayne]

The people at flea markets and gun shows selling tasers are always claiming that you can take them just about anywhere, and without a permit. Look into your local laws, I'd rather have one of these than a can of pepper spray.

 

[Claude Clay]

uh-oh +1

a walking stick with a leather wrist strap and
6 months of any martial class.....even kick boxing.

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

Electronic devices are illegal to possess in Baltimore...I am not sure what the penalty is. If it isn't much, I will perhaps just get one...

 

[chaim]

The light rail between the airport and the city can be kind of shady even in the middle of the business day (next time I go to a conference or meeting in the city I think I'm going to deal with finding a parking space and paying $10 or more for a garage space instead of taking my life in my hands on that train). I've been on public transportation where I feel fairly comfortable- the light rail in the other direction, the DC metro, even the NYC subway all are OK, but I don't like that leg of the Balt. light rail. So, your best defense is probably avoiding potential dangers as much as possible and don't ride the light rail that direction.

For self defense, a variety of options is usually best. Before I worked at the psychiatric hospital and now teach in school (i.e. not allowed to have any weapon, in the old job it would be dangerous if a patient got it and I could be fired, in the new job I could go to jail if caught with one on school grounds) I didn't leave home without pepper spray and a knife. Today, my weapons are usually limited to a sturdy pen (as mentioned, a heavy metal Waterman or other higher end pen can make a great expedient weapon if needed, and it gives the added benefit of being VERY comfortable to write with). When the weather is bad a sturdy cane style umbrella (not a folding umbrella) can also make a decent weapon. Add some self defense training (Krav Maga, knife training, Judo, etc) and the combo of self defense training, a knife in your pocket, pepper spray, and a pen in your shirt/coat pocket and you will be pretty well covered (as good as possible in a non-CCW state like MD).

 

[Carl Levitian]

"a walking stick with a leather wrist strap and
6 months of any martial class.....even kick boxing."

__


What he said!

A stout stick in hand beats pepper spray in pocket.

Being a lifelong resident of The People Repubik Of Maryland, and not about to go unarmed, I've carried an Irish blackthorn stick for the last 30 years. Being the first step in a layed defense, it's worked in a couple of times to defuse a situation, one of which was between the Inner Harbor and Little Italy. Find a martial arts studio in your area that teaches stick use. Short of a firearm, a stick can be a most devastating tool to both block and thrust. It buys you distance.

Most preditors don't like the look of an otherwise healthy looking person with a rough looking stick that they don't look like they need. Plus, the walking stick can be taken anyplace. I've walked right onto airlines and into government buildings in Washington D.C. with it.


An AA minimag fits in a pocket easy, and as it gets dark every night, is low profile in appearence. A sturdy metal pen clipped in a pocket is also good. A Cross pen can do a respectable amount of damage.

But nothing replaces situational awareness. Look who is around you at any one time, and if you don't like the looks of someone, don't hesitate to change your location.

 

[chaim]

I missed something, a few people have suggested a mini-mag. I'm not sure I'd want to go that way. They aren't that big and heavy, a sturdy pen will be almost as good for pressure points, add in the knife and pepper spray and I don't see what you get from the mini-mag other than using it as a tactical light (it isn't really bright enough for that). However, at night when it is dark a good tactical light may be a good addition- a bright tactical light may disorient your attacker and destroy his night vision, and I can see plenty of situations in which a flashlight might come in handy outside a self defense situation (one of the reasons I've always loved knives so much also, there are plenty of non-self defense situations where they come in handy, I use them all the time).

 

[John Wayne]

Don't know who suggested a Mont Blanc as a weapon, but I for one ain't bettin' my life on their "precious resin." I've seen it crack when the pen fell off the table, you'd be better off with a cheap metal pen.

And how does Baltimore ban "electronic devices?" They don't allow cell phones or radios?

 

[Cards81fan]

Bodymore, Mudrerland? May I suggest an espantoon

Or perhaps a samurai sword of you're so inclined. The sword in fact is not illegal

In all seriousness, if the penaly on a tazer or stun-gun device is minimal, that would be the way I'd go. Otherwise I'd go with some severely potent OC spray.

I like Baltimore as a city for the culture, climate, topography of it and all. I always found awesome seafood, and the harbor and Fells Point was pretty cool. It's a shame such a crime-ridden city won't allow citizens to adequately defend themselves.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Um the pen ain't for pressure points
The pen replaces the knife, much less conspicuous.
The mag light goes in your hand and you use it to strike or similar to brass knuckles to fill out your fist.

 

[chaim]

Well, if I'm using such a lightweight striking weapon as a mini-mag light or such a blunt stabbing weapon as a pen I'm going for pressure points. I'd still prefer a bright tactical light to disorient an attacker (if he isn't armed with a gun) and a variety of other MD legal weapon choices. A mini-mag is a convenient flashlight, but I don't consider it worthy as anything but the most stop-gap defensive weapon (it isn't something that would be part of my self-defense plan).

 

[RS14]

Or perhaps a samurai sword of you're so inclined. The sword in fact is not illegal

Note that the student in question lived off campus. It's probably not legal to carry a sword on campus.

 

[Hank Dodge]

Kimber makes a high quality 2-shot OC product called the "Life Act". It's nice because it fits in a pocket or on your belt and has a good effective range against an attacker. I'm a believer in trying to gain distance in an altercation. I carry one of these and a SureFire 6PLED lite daily along with a Benchmade folder. In this state it's all perfectly legal, whereas a firearm generally is not.

 

[luigi]

What is the legality of discharging pepper spray in an enclosed area, such as a train, where innocent bystanders may be affected?

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

Not sure about the legality of discharging pepper spray on a train, but it is legal to carry in Baltimore, so I assume that it is legal to discharge if truly needed.

I just have old "Mace" brand stuff and am going to pick up some Fox. Can anyone suggest an online retailer?

Thank you for all the previous responses.

 

[sidheshooter]

Don't carry anything illegal. Even a misdemeanor is nothing to fool with. Also don't want anything getting in the way of your carry permit down the road (or your vote, or grad school etc...).

I like the stick and class idea. Don't have to take it everywhere, just when out in the city and train, etc.

What you can take almost everywhere is a knife of *some* sort. What type is dependant upon local laws; i'd post in the non-firearm forum and ask if there is anyone who lives in Baltimore who has a handle on that.

You can get the state regs with a google search, the city might be harder to dig up, but someone here will know how to do it.

Stay aware.

Read Jeff Cooper's "principles of personal defense" (about 11 bucks on Amazon).

Good luck!

 

[Carl Levitian]

From Maryland law 4-101

"(1) A person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon of any kind concealed on or about the person.

(2) A person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon, chemical mace, pepper mace, or a tear gas device openly with the intent or purpose of injuring an individual in an unlawful manner.

(3) (i) This paragraph applies in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Caroline County, Cecil County, Harford County, Kent County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, St. Mary's County, Talbot County, Washington County, and Worcester County. "
-------------------------------------------

As you can see, pepper spray or any chemical spray is a grey area. What the heck is intent, to be defined by some over eager DA?

Forget the spray and just carry a good sturdy walking stick. If anyone says anything tell them; 1. There's no law against canes or walking sticks, or 2. Tell them it was a rough rugby match last weekend, and you buggered your knee up. Plus a stick can go where even a small knife can't.

 

[highorder]

I don't see what you get from the mini-mag other than using it as a tactical light

The Mini-maglite was designed as a Kubotan.

Use accordingly.

 

[mcdonl]

Or perhaps a samurai sword of you're so inclined. The sword in fact is not illegal

Perhaps a swordfish. If you make it back to campus safely, you can have a feast.

 

[hmphargh]

Don't know who suggested a Mont Blanc as a weapon, but I for one ain't bettin' my life on their "precious resin." I've seen it crack when the pen fell off the table, you'd be better off with a cheap metal pen.

And how does Baltimore ban "electronic devices?" They don't allow cell phones or radios?

Funny, because I use a Mont Blanc Meisterstruck, in stainless, with a stainless cap almost every day, and have a Meisterstruck in sterling with gold trim that gets used on occasion.

 

[FourNineFoxtrot]

Self-defense where your defense options are limited is always tricky. Lots of good suggestions in the thread so far, I'd advise picking from among them for what seems most useful and comfortable for you to use.

When considering the possibility of self-defense on a train, it also pays to consider your surroundings and use them to your advantage. For instance, try to sit or stand somewhere you can see anyone coming toward you. Consider sticking to either the first or last car, so you can only be approached from one direction. But don't do that if it means you don't have anywhere to run. The problem with defensible positions is that they can be as hard to get out of as to get into. Alternatively, pick a middle car so that if you see trouble coming, you can run in either direction and buy time for the train to stop so you can bolt. If there aren't many people on the train, find a car where there are other people, don't sit by yourself out of sight from potential witnesses. Stay near a door so you can bolt when the train stops if you need to, but not so close you can be surprised by someone coming aboard. Basically, use situational awareness to find a position where you are difficult to approach and attack, and/or have good escape routes.

 

[CWL]

LkWinnipesaukee, can you please share a little more detail about what happened to you?

Personally I feel that no one can really give you any advice if they don't know your predicament. I think that general advice such as "Take a hand-to-hand combat class and start carrying a cane or walking stick in addition to some bear spray." is totally useless since none of that takes into account your situation, local laws, if you have a backpack full of books, a bag of groceries, or the simple need for a college student not to look like an idiot on campus with a walking stick and a container of bear spray.

If you encountered BGs with knives or guns, no pen or stick may be useful, etc...

I'd like to understand more what happened.

 

[Averageman]

Screwdriver? It can easily be explained, I was working on my stereo, car, skateboard etc. before I left the house and left it in my pocket.... large book? great shield,...both??