Posts Tagged ‘weapon’

Lancaster police learn a lesson on Tasers

Would be criminals might want to think twice about trying to resist arrest in Lancaster.  Armed with one of the newest law enforcement tool, police are able to subdue suspects with out the use of baton, guns, or the tricky pepper spray.  They now carry a stun gun called the Taser.

As 31 year old Daniel Wood recently found out, however, they don’t always work as advertised when certain guidelines are ignored.  When police interrupted him inhaling an aerosol, Wood made a run for it. After darting though traffic he was caught and as the officers tried to subdue him he began to resist arrest.  That is when another officer Tasered him, causing a small fire to ignite on his chest.  The fire was quickly patted out and the suspect was treated and released.

This unfortunate injury should not have happened.  The Tasers had just recently been issued, meaning all of the officers had just been trained in its use and on the polices regarding appropriate situations for its use.  One of the Lancaster’s polices forbid the use of the Taser when flammable substances, in this case the aerosol, might be involved.  The department has launched an investigation into the matter but it would be a good guess that the Lancaster police have a new found respect for the policies having seen what can happen when they are not followed.

Lancaster police Chief Dave Bailey is still a propionate of the Taser, quick to point out that incidents like this are uncommon.  He also points out that most injuries. Both to police and suspects occur at the time of arrest.  The Taser, when used properly, is a lot safer to the suspect that being subdued by a baton and he would most certainly rather be shot with a Taser, however unpleasant, to being shot with a gun. And for the officers it is even safer than Mace. A strong gust of wind can blow it right back into the officer’s face.

The internal investigation will shed some light on just what happened.  Did the officer just decide to ignore the policy because he did not think it was dangerous to do so, or did he just get caught up in the moment and it slip his mind?  It would be a good guess that other officers have learned from this so it seems unlikely to happen again.

When the smoke has cleared around this incident, however, the public will look back over the track record for the Taser and see that it can be used as a safe and efficient law enforcement tool.

Top 10 Ninja Facts You’ve Never Heard of Until Now

Everyone knows that ninjas are extremely good at martial arts. It’s also common knowledge that ninjas are so good at hiding themselves and moving in stealth that they practically appear and disappear in plain sight. And of course, everyone knows that ninjas wear cool black uniforms…or they sometimes take the guise of teenage mutant turtles. As for the rest about ninjas, it’s been shrouded in mystery…until now.

The Breeding Place of Ninja
In the early days, the provinces of Koga and Ida, now known as Mie, were the top “producers” of Ninja.

Unemployment Turns Ninjas into Teachers
During periods of peace, services of ninjas are not much in demand. But ninjas have to eat, too, so they earn money by putting up martial arts schools.

Why Ninjas Wear Black
Surprisingly, it’s not because those flimsy black uniforms make them blend in the dark. Rather, that famous black uniform of ninjas was derived from the emergence of ninja roles in Kabuki theater.

Ninjas are Related to Spiderman
That’s because they can climb walls! Of course, they haven’t been bitten by mutant spiders. Instead, they use a weapon called shuko, which mean “tiger’s claws” in English.

Weapons Hidden in Plain Sight
Back then, only samurais were allowed to carry weapons. As a result, ninjas made use of “kama” or sickle, which was basically a farming tool, and turned them into weapons. Resourceful, aren’t they?

Ninjas Win by Becoming Pests
Ninjas can win a victory without inflicting physical damage. All they have to do is pester their enemy. They use disguise to sneak into the enemy’s camp, steal their banners then display it next day as proof of the other party’s weakness. They also use darkness to frighten and harass the enemies, keeping them on their toes the whole night. As a result, they’ll have to fight the battle the next day without 100% energy.

The Origin of the Word Ninja
When a kid wants to be a ninja, he wants to learn about the impressive kicks and twists but he doesn’t care about the origins of ninjas. That’s why until now, only a few are even aware of the etymology of the word ‘ninja’.

Ninja is actually a combination of two words: “nin”, which means ‘person’, and “shin”, which means concealment. Combine that and you basically have the definition for ninjas: individuals who are masters of the art of hiding.

Remembering this little bit of knowledge will make you a more impressive ninja because it proves that you’re not only strong and powerful but smart as well!

The Myths about Ninjas
Did you know that people in the old days used to believe ninjas were seven feet tall, three-headed, and able to do extraordinary stuff like walk through walls, fly, and shape shift? It’s not true, of course, but even in those days, ninjas were able to do incredible things, leading people to believe that they were “superhuman”. Of course, ninjas being ninjas, they allowed people to believe what they wanted to since it made them easier to keep their identities secret.

Ninjas Could Be Stupid
If you want to be a ninja, you wouldn’t want to know about this. In 1182, Heike Monogatari tells the story of the war between Minamoto and Taira Clans. In one incident, ninjas were able to sneak into the enemy’s camp. So far so good, right? But when they got there, instead of launching a sneaky attack, what they do is to make their presence known by shouting. Rather than winning, they end up dead.

How Ninjas Turn Invisible
No, it’s not because of extraordinary speed or stealth. Instead, they use special, explosive concoctions hidden in nut and egg shells. Throw them out and they work just like pepper spray. One blink and they’re gone!

5 Tips on How to NOT Use a Pepper Spray

Can you make a mistake when using a pepper spray?  After all, it seems quite straightforward and instructions do come with every purchase.  But for the same reason that warnings of ‘Do not swallow’ are printed on labels of products such as shampoos, rubber slippers and toy trains, manufacturers of pepper sprays want you — the consumer — to know that there are indeed some strange ways your trusted can of pepper spray could turn against you.  Here are 5 ways on how to NOT use a pepper spray (and don’t say you weren’t warned):

Do NOT point the nozzle in your direction
This is akin to taking a gun and shooting your foot with it.  Pepper spray can sting — a LOT.  So much so that it even stops those tough police officers during training.  Have a good tactile memory of your weapon so you know exactly where the nozzle is facing when you whip it out to protect yourself.  Otherwise, you’ll risk becoming the butt of jokes at the office water cooler and during family reunions… for years to come.

Do NOT use on an attacker that’s more than 20 feet away
Most pepper sprays do not work at certain distances.  If the situation calls for you to spray, wait till an attacker is at a much closer range.  Otherwise, the air will simply disperse the spray and render it ineffective.  Spraying someone from a good distance away is like spraying someone who’s behind a glass partition — it simply won’t work and will only make you look silly.

Do NOT spray when the wind is blowing in your direction
The wind can be your friend but it can sometimes play tricks on you.  When using the pepper spray, try to be at the more advantageous spot and that’s with the wind on your back.

Do NOT use on yourself just to prove that it works
It does.  It really does.  Pepper sprays are formulated to register their stopping power in SHUs.  That’s short for Scoville Heat Units, which is the unit of measurement used to rate the level of pungency of the substance contained in certain types of pepper sprays.

Furthermore, what you’ll be up against is a substance that, although manipulated and manufacture by man, is made by Nature.  And you know what happens when man battles against Nature… Nature eventually wins.

Don’t be influenced by those grainy night-vision videos of episodes of ‘Cops’ that you saw on TV where some guy got sprayed but merely blinked off the irritant like it were raindrops on his cheeks.  For your own sake, do not believe everything you see on TV.  Pepper sprays are very irritating, so take our word for it and spray it on someone else, like that guy who’s about to rob you or give you a black eye.

Running out of pepper spray?  Don’t pry open your can
Whatever you do, do not attempt to open your pepper spray can.  It could explode or the substance could leak and cause irritation on your skin.  Don’t think you could save more by using your pepper spray to the last drop because you won’t.

Laws About Carrying Knives: What You Should Know

Carrying a knife would be considered common if you lived in medieval Japan but in this day and age, there are certain legal restrictions that you must keep in mind.  This is so that you not only avoid violating any laws, you also help ensure safety and security in your community.  There are indeed laws that cover carrying of knives that you should be aware of.  So does the right to bear arms still stands?

Are you dangerous or is it just your knife?
When it comes to carrying knives, the United States has been generally tolerant with its citizens, although there are a few restrictions depending on your place of residence.  In majority of states, people are allowed to carry a knife in their person.  That means that if you wish to carry a knife with you, you’re probably not breaking any rules.

There are certain restrictions, however.  First, there is the knife itself.  A knife is a potential lethal weapon, regardless of its size and shape.  In the right hands, it could be a tool to create, build, cook or even protect a life but in the wrong hands, it can be a deadly weapon.  A butcher’s knife, for example, that can be used to cut meat to make stew can also cut or maim an individual.

To help prevent, minimize or at least discourage any crimes or accidents involving knives, people are only allowed to carry one if it is single-edged.  The person carrying the knife should also not make it appear that the knife can be a threat.  If a knife has been proven to be carried with intent to harm another person, for example, it will be considered illegal.  This explains why people may be allowed to carry small knives such as pen knives if they can prove that their intention is for self-defense.

The location where the knives are carried into also matter.  If you carry knives around in your own home or backyard, you will not be doing anything illegal.  But if you enter the premises of another person’s property or business establishment, you may be breaking certain laws.  There are also laws that discourage people from carrying knives if they will be entering a government building.  If you have a knife with you, it might be construed as a security threat or even a terrorist one.

There are also states that have laws about carrying knives that prohibit people from carrying one in plain sight in a public setting.  If the knife is concealed, though, there should be no problem.

Pepper Spray: Tips on How to Use and How to Buy

Pepper spray may seem to be a very simple product but it can really save lives! It can be a reliable self defense against bears, dogs and human attackers. Though pepper spray cannot kill anyone, it can stop the attacker through burning their whole face. The active ingredient, oleoresin capsicum or simply termed chile pepper can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skin. The eyes can swell up and shut thus making the attacker temporarily blind. The irritation on the mucous membrane can make the attacker choke and cough. The irritation can last several minutes thus allowing the victim to get away.

Although using pepper spray does not require permits and it can be as easy as 1, 2, 3, some general tips will come handy especially for those who will acquire it for the first time. This article will give you some practical tips in using pepper sprays.

1.Hold your peeper spray right side up. Similar to a hairspray which will not work if you’re holding it upside down, your pepper spray will not also work on this angle. Practice your aim. On actual usage, make sure that you spray it directly on the assailant’s eyes and dodge away if you can to avoid being sprayed yourself. If you caught some mists, you can use baking soda paste, honey, sour cream or milk as antidotes.

2.It is not recommended to use your pepper spray if it’s windy. It will not advisable particularly when the wind is blowing on your direction since you may get sprayed back.

3.There are many types of pepper sprays and you can choose from gels, aerosols, foggers, and streams. But the best pepper spray to get maybe the Pepper Foam. This spray works best because it is very thick and sticky it can saturate the face of the attacker. Similar to all the pepper sprays, Pepper Foam come with identifying UV dye which can be evidence and identify the attacker.

4.Examine the pepper spray before buying it. Look for one that has a higher can pressure to have an effective spray. The best pressure range is 100psi. The can color is also essential since it can add surprise; choose navy blue, dark green or black. The spray nozzle and valves should also be looked upon. Choose a forced cone nozzle since this can facilitate a forceful spray pattern but what comes out is a fine mist. Last important feature is the shelf life, a common pepper spray will last 3 to 4 years.

5.Since pepper sprays have a lot of shapes and sizes, you may pick one which is unnoticeable. You may acquire pepper sprays with holsters molded into a pen, ring, pager, key chains and even lipsticks!

Presence of mind will always be the best defense on horrifying times where there are attackers. The use of pepper spray only makes it easier to get rid of any assailants. You can effectively use your pepper spray with the practical tips above. Follow these 5 tips and save your life now!

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Safety Tips for Using the Butterfly Knife

Many people prefer the butterfly knife as a self-defense weapon because it is lightweight, easy to carry and efficient to use. However, for the uninitiated, the butterfly knife can prove to be a daunting weapon to use. And in a worst case scenario, it can be very dangerous indeed.  To make sure that no one turns your butterfly knife as a weapon against you, here are some important safety reminders:

Familiarize yourself with how the butterfly knife is built
A butterfly knife is so-called because of the way it is designed.  It is actually a folding knife that when closed, hides the blade between the grooves found in the two handles.  Opening and closing these handles mimics the movements of a butterfly’s wings, hence the name.

A butterfly knife is a pocket knife, around 5″ in length when closed.  When opened, it could extend up to 9″ or 9.5″, depending on the length of the blade.

Learn to open the knife efficiently
A butterfly knife can only be considered a weapon of self-defense if it is opened.  For beginners, opening the butterfly knife means using both hands.  For more experienced users, it is only a one-handed approach.  In an emergency, the most efficient and effective way to use a butterfly knife is of course, to open and close it using only one hand.  This is an important skill you should learn, something you cannot do properly unless you use the most basic safety steps.

First, find the safe handle of the butterfly knife. This is the handle that the blade does not touch.  The other handle is called the free handle because it is the one that makes most of the movements during opening and closing of the weapon.

You will be using the knife by grasping the safe handle and allowing the free handle to swing clockwise. The free handle should then be flipped up to join the safe handle cradled in your palm.  This will reveal the blade in full and allow you to begin using it.  Closing the knife simply requires that same movements – releasing the free handle and letting it swing clockwise, to be flipped to enclose the blade completely.

Practice
A butterfly knife can only be used safely for self-protection if you can open it quickly and without harming yourself.  If you’ve never handled a butterfly knife before, it’s important that you learn how to open and use it as soon as possible.  Spend half an hour to an hour’s worth of practice daily.  Once you’ve familiarize yourself with how the weapon feels and how it behaves, you should be able to use it efficiently, safely and confidently within just a week or so.

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Practical Tips for Choosing a Survival Knife

If you think a knife is a knife is a knife, then explain how you could use a butcher’s knife to perform the job of a fillet knife, or vice versa. If you frequently go camping, go on trips or like the outdoors, you might want to invest in a good survival knife. Here are tips on choosing one:

Know what it looks like
It can range in length from 4 to 6 in or can even be longer. It is frequently manufactured as a fixed blade, which means it cannot be folded. It is sturdy, made of strong materials, has a sharp edge (some survival knives are designed to have two sharp edges) and a sharp tip.

Choose a good size
Most people have this idea that since a knife will be used for survival, it has to be big. It doesn’t have to be. Survival knives come in different sizes, so choose one that will offer you the most function at the size that will be convenient for you to carry, conceal or use. If it’s too small, it might not do a good job for cutting or chopping. If it’s too big, it might be too heavy and cumbersome, so choose one that will fit your purpose and capability to handle.

Check the tang
The tang refers to that part of the knife that secures the blade to its handle. Look for a full tang. If it’s full, you can rely on it for heavy duty use. Should you hit a hard object, you won’t worry about your knife snapping off.

Look for a solid handle
A good tang should be wide enough. If you choose a survival knife with a narrower tang, just make sure that the handle is well designed and built solidly. It should be fitted and must either be welded or bolted securely in place. The handle should feel secure and comfortable in your hand. If it doesn’t, you might find it difficult to use the knife.

The blade must be solid
No matter the length of the blade of the survival knife you choose, just make sure that it is sturdy. It should move as one metal and should not bend. Look for a sturdy tip as well because this is usually the part where the blade is weakest. Remember that a survival knife isn’t flexible so check for strength.

One edge or two edges?
If you’re a beginner, best stick with a survival knife that has a single-edged blade. It’s safer for you to use and will be sufficient. If you’re not experienced in using a survival knife, a double-edged knife might prove too difficult to handle.

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