Weapons of Opportunity

[ltorlo64]

I have been thinking about this since I read about the guy getting knifed on a DC Metro. Actually, I have thought about it since before then but I have become more serious about it since that happened. Then, during another thread on this site someone brought up self-defense when in places where law abiding citizens are denied their Second Amendment rights and I thought this would be a good place to discuss this.

What are some good weapons of opportunity that are found almost anywhere? So, since the guy was knifed on the Metro I have looked around and I know where the emergency stop switches are in the cars (thinking this could throw the guy off balance) and I know where the fire extinguishers are (enabling me to shoot the extinguishing agent at the threat to momentarily blind/choke them, and then use the extinguisher as a club).

What are some other things that are commonly found that can be used to defend yourself and others if attacked?

[Altarboy]

Sadly, there are seldom weapons of opportunity available unlike in the movies. I think the key is to grow accustomed to taking one with you.

[ltorlo64]

Here in DC, and in most major cities for that matter, that is not always an option. I guess it is if you don't want to see anything but if you do want to see things, museums and the like, it is not.

[Dan Morris]

Sharp pencils, metal ball point pins, metal belt buckles, hard sole shoes/boots just for starters....close in stuff but effective.
Dan

[alismith]

A fist full of car keys, spread between the fingers so the keys stick out is one option. Another one is to carry a set of detachable scissors in a belt case (I bought a set like I'm thinking about in an upscale, urban clothing/camping store [can't remember the name of that store...something like American Outfitters, maybe, but they sold camping supplies for kayakers, canoeists, and bicyclists, too]).

The scissors are designed to come apart at the pivot point and separate into two knives. And, yes, they're pretty sharp. Cut my finger just feeling the edge. I've had them for years and carried them all over the place. And, they cut paper, too.

A Cold Steel City Cane is a good weapon, too, but I'm not sure if you would be allowed to take that into a museum. You might get away with a regular cane, though.

A rolled up newspaper, or magazine, can be used like an escrima stick. You can hit pretty hard with that and if rolled tightly, it won't bend very easily.

[skorpion]

EVERYTHING is a weapon.

Broken plastic hair comb, CD broken in half, padlock attached to end of belt or lanyard, leather belt by itself, rolled up magazine as Ali said, heavy object in a sock, shoe/boot laces for choking, flammable aerosol and a lighter for mini flame thrower, corner of cell phone shoved into throat/soft spots, sand/dirt thrown into eyes, broken glass bottle.

[rci2950]

just shit and piss yourself. Didn't the Dems say that would work?

[ltorlo64]

just shit and piss yourself. Didn't the Dems say that would work?

That was apparently what the people on the Metro did and that ended up with one person dead, knifed to death by someone who didn't listen to the laws that 1) you can't carry a weapon DC, and 2) that you can't kill someone with that weapon.

The real problem, but Democrats and some Republicans won't acknowledge it, is in violating the Second Amendment so that we the people are prevented from having the tools to defend ourselves.

I like the other ideas though. I always have keys on me and when in uniform I have a pen and a pencil. I also generally have a knife on me and though it is small it is better than nothing.

[5.56NATO]

An asp and kubotan are decent concealable weapons, as well as the mighty fist of death made with keys. And of course there's the pepper spray, small cans of wich fit nicely into most any pocket, good on man and beast. Then there's always a foot or fist to the crotch or neck. A guy I know was thrown in the can for carrying in a small Tx town, he was a bounty hunter at the time. The cops put him in a cell with a huge guy and laughed as they walked away. The huge guy came up and got a bear hug on him and so he reached up behind his head and plucked out on of his eyes. The cops heard the screaming and yelling and let it continue until things got quiet, then they made their way to the cell. They freaked when the saw the guy I know sitting there cleaning his fingernails while the huge fucker they figured was going to rape him was sitting up against the back wall with one of his eyes hanging down his cheek, crying. Get creative when pressed and don't be afraid to be nasty.

[Woogiebear]

Maybe not a weapon of opportunity, but I know that there are many public places, like train and subway stations, that have AEDs mounted on the walls. Most of the ones that I have come across have alarms over them and are also attached to an alert system that will bring emergency personnel. Worst case you could beat the assailant with the AED (they weigh about 7-10 pounds) until more people arrive. If all goes well a cop will show up. Not ideal, but an option.

[rci2950]

can of wasp spray... there is always an excuse to be transiting with one of those. It might be a bit big tho

[alismith]

can of wasp spray... there is always an excuse to be transiting with one of those. It might be a bit big tho

Someone needs to make a small aerosol can of skunk scent. That will turn almost anyone, or anything, away and leave a lasting scent trail for the police to follow.... and the perp will have to find somewhere else to bed down because I doubt his homeys will want him around smelling like that....can't go home smelling like a skunk.

[skorpion]

Someone needs to make a small aerosol can of skunk scent. That will turn almost anyone, or anything, away and leave a lasting scent trail for the police to follow.... and the perp will have to find somewhere else to bed down because I doubt his homeys will want him around smelling like that....can't go home smelling like a skunk.

Might be onto something there.

[Gunner1558]

A heavy leather belt wrapped around the hand with 18" left with buckle dangling to be used as a whip, a can of oven cleaner. One guy I know always carried a baggie with plain black pepper in his pocket. The pepper to be thrown in the face, hopefully to get in the eyes and nose of the attacker.

Remove your jacket and wrap around your off arm to used as defense from the knife, and the toe of a heavy work boot in the crotch.

A soft hat (cap) with a couple of heavy 3/4" nuts sewn into the overhang, to be held by the brim side and swung like a blackjack or slapper.

Even a roll of dimes helps a fist be more effective when a punch is thrown.

[Schuetzenman]

Metal detectors pick up metal objects. There are glass filled Nylon dagger like devices out there, seen them at gun shows. Only good for stabbing naturally but they will poke a bigger hole than a Pen.

[ltorlo64]

Metal detectors pick up metal objects. There are glass filled Nylon dagger like devices out there, seen them at gun shows. Only good for stabbing naturally but they will poke a bigger hole than a Pen.

That is interesting.

[rci2950]

That is interesting.

Cold Steel makes them. They sell here for about $15 for a boot knife sized dagger.

[skorpion]

Metal detectors pick up metal objects. There are glass filled Nylon dagger like devices out there, seen them at gun shows. Only good for stabbing naturally but they will poke a bigger hole than a Pen.

I have a couple of these for the inevitable family trip to Disney World some day. For being plastic, the pointed end is sharp!

[alismith]

Metal detectors pick up metal objects. There are glass filled Nylon dagger like devices out there, seen them at gun shows. Only good for stabbing naturally but they will poke a bigger hole than a Pen.

I think that, now, some body scanners are able to pick them up. Plus, they do look like a weapon and might be a little hard to explain if you're caught with one. I have one and it is sharp, and light-weight, but I don't think I've ever carried it, especially to DC.

Some ink pens have small knife blades inside that are available when you remove the cap. I've carried those and no one really notices anything when it's mixed in with a few other pens and mechanical pencils in your shirt pocket.

[Full Otto]

Had to do some digging through my old books
Here's a couple of ideas that may be what you have in mind