travelling in europe

[LAK]

I would be careful being a foreigner and packing certain gear, especially since you will travel around to different countries. I think improvising normal gear for self defense might be easier to go around with, and of course more situational awareness.

I would second this approach. Walking stick, strong leather belt with large metal buckle, a leather change bag with a long strong/strongly attached strap handle (for all those phonecalls and vending machines you know ) ... ETC.

There is not any country in the New Europa that one can say stands out as an especially safe place to live or visit. And as to visiting, as others have pointed out, it really depends on exactly where in those countries you are speaking of whether it is higher or lower risk.

In larger towns or cities especially though; watch out for pickpockets, muggers, camera and bag snatchers, opportunistic thieves and con artists - both male and female. My personal advice is to stay away from all nightclubs and bars - and instead stick to "pub" type drink establishments or better still, restaurants, theatres for evening relaxation and entertainment.
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[The Viking]

Or a well-trained dog.

Even in Sweden, I found I could walk around with a stout walking stick.

On the hostels, I used them frequently as a youth, and never left anything unlocked in them. They were fine. There were, however, a number of sad stories of wallets, cameras and such being removed from bags when left.

How long ago was that? I might have to check up on laws...
Also, I used to wear steelcapped Doc Martens

 

[The Viking]

Definitely not in Germany. You can carry all types of weapons without any kind of permit (except for firearms) as long as they're not prohibited items according to the Weapons Act.

Non-flexible batons, the above-mentioned "animal defense" OC products, CS/CN gas and most knives are legal to own and carry as long as you're over 18 years old.

Just stay away from knives whose blade shoots straight out of the handle (either spring-powered or gravity-powered). Spring-powered folders are okay as long as the blade is not longer than 8,5 cm, its width measures at least 20% of its length and it is not double-edged.

Note: don't carry any kind of weapon while attending a public event (such as a sports match, carnival, demonstration, political rally or concert). It's illegal and will result in criminal charges is you're caught.


Trooper

You are better of than us then. From what I've understood, its harder to get a license for pepperspray here than for a permit to carry a gun :banghead:
Batons counts as knifes here, butterflys, and springpowered knifes are harder controlled too. "Weapons designed for use against life and limb".

 

[carlrodd]

i was stationed in germany for a few years, and travelled in other european countries a bit. if you don't make a show of yourself, as americans frequently do, you should be fine. stear clear of rallies in bigger cities, as they are frequently organized and populated with miscreants and ne'er do wells from distant lands. uk seems to have more dangerous cities than the continent. as far as being robbed....hey cities are cities, and in the larger ones it's a way of life for many people....a cultural tradition if you will. so keep everything on a short leash.

 

[Flyboy]

How about a good, stout walking stick with a 1/4" bolt at the top end. The bolt makes it a plausible camera monopod--I was just carrying it as a walking stick, and to take better pictures?

(Note: a camera will make this excuse more believable.)

 

[Nick_90]

I am a European, even if -thank God- Switzerland is not a member of the EU.
Mostly, Europe is quite safe except for certain city suburbs which, like in the US, are dangerous. I would advise you to be especially careful in the South of France where many criminal gangs operate and, naturally, in Italy where petty crime is a national tradition.
As a rule of thumb, keep most of your cash in a belt and just have around USD 30 (plus out of date credit cards) in your wallet so that you can give them up if you are attacked.
As to weapons, firearms are prohibited, but most countries accept OC sprays.
If you want any details, do not hesitate to e-mail me, I will gladly give you more information on the exact countries you intend to visit.

Best regards,

Nick

 

[rudolf]

How about a good, stout walking stick with a 1/4" bolt at the top end. The bolt makes it a plausible camera monopod--I was just carrying it as a walking stick, and to take better pictures?

(Note: a camera will make this excuse more believable.)

At least in Germany, you've successfully built a weapon. Go to the Oktoberfest, and you've broken the law. They have their little own Police station just for you on the Oktoberfest, BTW.

Again folks, either have a plain real walking stick, cause our cops also have Cold Steel catalogues, and if the catalogue says it's to be used as a weapon, then IT IS a weapon over here. Take that to a public event and you could be in trouble. And here lot's of places can be public events.

Go to a local shop, buy something there after asking whether it's legal to carry. Keep the receipt. Then you can always tell any cop what you did to stay legal!

 

[jlbraun]

Try a koppo or yawara stick, or a Mini-Maglite.

 

[LAK]

Get an iron bamboo stick between 4 and 5 feet long. Cap the toe with a rubber cap. Lash a leather grip or similar; cap the top with a nice germanic or tyrolean wandern (hiking) medallion. You ight want a strap attached as well. Paint some pretty alpine flowers below and maybe a band above the grip. Little white edelwiess etc on a green background perhaps. Get a few wandern badges and tack them around for good measure (if you like hiking/climbing make the collection a genuine history of your own conquests). Have this with you in everywhere when on the move, and use it for wandern.

Search the evilBay for an old Zorki or similar 1950s camera in barely working condition. You can pick these up sometimes for as little as the trivial starting bid. It can be a cosmetic piece of junk; because it is only going to be your "back-up camera to shoot a little black and white film now and then". Make sure the case strap mounts are very tough - if necessary re-do them with leather, rivets and a tough leather strap attached with solid steel or brass "D" rings. Load it with film and use it to take some pictures inbetween shots with your other camera now and then.

These old 1950s cameras are heavy chunks of metal. Carry it in the city or urban areas - by the strap around the wrist if/when desired.
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