Self Defense Weapons For Women

06/05/2017
Self Defense Weapons

When you hear women talking about fighting back against the slow but steady rise of violent sexual assault and robbery, the first statement you usually hear is "I'm going to go buy a gun!"

It only makes sense for women to be concerned, because while violent gun crime is actually down in most places, assault -- sexual and otherwise -- is slowly creeping up year by year. The number of rape incidents in the US reached 90,000 in 2015. That breaks down to 10 - 12 occurrences of rape every hour of every day, all year long. In the next hour, twice that many American women will face some sort of sexual assault. It's important to carry self defense weapons, not just at home but while you're out and about.

Non-Lethal Self Defense Weapons That Work

Here's the problem with buying a gun. Guns don't work very well up close in hand-to-hand combat, and you're just as likely to injure yourself or someone else in that situation. Guns are also easy to spot and easy to steal: statistics show you're much more likely to have your gun taken away than use it to stop a violent crime. Even a stranger can get the drop on you and take your gun away. Worse yet, if you have a home with children, guns are just a little bit too easy to cause injury and death. Suicides also tend to go up with a gun in the home.

Think Differently About Your Self Defense Weapons!

The only sure way to protect yourself at all times, up close and in hand-to-hand physical combat, is to weaponize the items in your purse or pocket. It's easier than ever to conceal non-lethal self defense weapons that aren't detected until you're already striking. Yelling for help doesn't do much good. And you still may be overpowered no matter how physical you are. There's almost no item you can't carry around with you that can be weaponized to leave your assailant not just injured, but incapacitated. Remember, your number one goal is to survive. Let's look at 10 excellent ways to catch your attacker off guard.

1. Tactical Knife.

What's the difference between a tactical knife and any old garden-variety knife? For one thing, they don't look like knives.

Tactical Hair Comb Knife

Only at the last second will your attacker realize that your hairbrush or pen is actually concealing a sharp weapon. Stabbing your attacker at close range is actually more damaging than a bullet because you have more control over the placement of the injury and its severity; a penknife can literally attack with the surgical precision of a scalpel.

Most tactical knives can also clip onto your belt, or clothing, or the inside of a purse so that you can place it on your person for maximum effect and grab it quickly when something goes down. Follow the 3/3 rule when selecting a blade: 3mm thick and 3 inches long.

That'll keep your knife light enough but sturdy enough to inflict damage. These knives are also much easier to get through unnoticed than a gun is, so you can bring it just about anywhere.

2. Tactical Pen.

Like a tactical knife, an attack pen is easily concealed. In fact, tactical pens work perfectly fine as writing instruments, meaning that for all your attacker knows, you don't have anything worse to come at him with than a ballpoint.

Attack Pen

 

However, a good tactical pen has not only a good heft but a point that can easily punch a hole in a sturdy cardboard box. Ever seen someone opening a shipping container like this? It makes a deep hole, and when you pull back will rip right open. If you are in an extremely close range this is the one to go with. It will almost disappear inside your hand until the moment you need it!

3. Pepper Spray / Mace.

This is the classic personification of female self defense weapons, easily able to blind your attacker long enough to get away. The even better news is that technology has improved the delivery output quite a bit: they're inexpensive, easily portable, and long-lasting, and they can also be camouflaged as a normal item in your purse -- say, a lipstick case.

Pepper Spray/Mace

A large pepper spray will give you nearly 20 shots with a range of 10 to 12 feet, but some can go as far as 18 feet. They'll have a shelf life of about three to five years, making it a real bargain. It's important to remember that neither pepper spray nor mace will debilitate your attacker for a long time; just long enough for you to get away. Like hot sauce, these items only get more potent with each passing year: 2 to 5 million Scoville units, which basically means 2 to 5 weaponized Ghost Chili peppers right in the eyes.

4. Stun Gun.

Stun guns are low-cost self defense weapons. They work best at very close range. The electrical shock only lasts as long as you maintain contact, however. Their design also makes them easier to hide out in your purse as a seemingly everyday item.

The Lipstick Stun Gun Surprise

And they're still pretty potent: a stun gun for women masquerading as a lipstick case can deliver millions of volts into your assailant, whereas a larger one that looks like a cell phone can deliver even more. Be sure to check your state's laws on stun guns, though, because they're not always legal to use.

5. TASER Devices.

Like the baton, mace, and stun gun, the TASER weapon is a technology developed in police and security forces and eventually allowed to go public.

Taser Self Defense Weapon

The sheer power of one is hard to deny: unlike a stun gun, which merely causes intense pain, the TASER device has the capacity to shut down the nervous system entirely, completely incapacitating your attacker. TASER devices also have a better range of 15 feet in most cases. All of this makes TASER weapons more expensive, but they also are the best self defense weapons available.

6. Tactical Keychain.

They can sometimes look cute and harmless, but a tactical keychain is really just a revisitation of the old brass knuckles concept. Modern technology takes the heavy weight of brass out of the equation, however, leaving you with a durable plastic keychain with holes to fit your fingers through and sharp spikes on the outside.

Tactical Keychain

Walk around with one wrapped around your fist as you go to your car and you'll be ready for whatever happens. They also come in a variety of colors!

7. Alarm.

Speaking of weaponized keychains. Personal alarms weren't usually thought of as effective deterrence to physical assault, but technology has stepped up to save the day. They can be as loud as 130 decibels. It'll definitely get everyone's attention in the area!

Attack Alarm

Personal protection has also made its way into your app store, and while the alarms on those aren't as loud, they come with the added ability to notify everyone on social media about what's happening, so you can instantly mobilize an entire community of friends if need be.

8. Flashlight.

Flashlights don't seem like much of a deterrent either -- until you realize that a modern handheld flashlight that can fit in the palm of your hand is capable of delivering up to 500 lumens of powerful light. That's 6 times the normal level of what is considered temporarily blinding! Again, police use these powerful flashlights to illuminate an entire area while keeping themselves unseen. The process can work much the same for you.

9. Spikes.

The high-tension plastics used to create tactical keychains can also apply that brass knuckle effect to just about anywhere on your body. That ring on your finger could flip up with just one quick motion to reveal a potentially damaging spike, or the concealed spikes in your shoelaces could be used to deliver a swift and debilitating kick to anyone foolish enough to try and overpower you. Or conceal your ninja throwing spikes on your arm for quick and easy access.

10. Monkey Ball.

If you're still thinking about weaponizing that keychain, look into this: a long nylon cord with a seemingly innocuous ball of yarn at the end. It looks like the kind of thing your cat would love to play with. In reality, the Monkey Ball, as it's known, is an inch thick and made of pure steel perfectly capable of knocking an attacker unconscious with the flick of a wrist. These can go anywhere you like, inexpensive and effective and in a variety of colors. Loop one to your belt or your keychain and stun your assailant before he knows what's hit him.

Go on the Offense with Your Self Defense Weapons!

For anyone in a situation where they could be easily overpowered, these unique self defense weapons and others like them evolving every day are a great way to take the ordinary and transform it into a powerful attack tool. Go on the offensive with your assailant while maintaining the element of surprise and not weighing yourself down in your day-to-day travels! Check the laws in your state and county and grab some of these non-lethal self defense weapons that can give you the advantage... not just physically, but tactically.

Comments

I have read your comments and came to the conclusion that the comments you make are best for you. I agree if you are going to carry any type of weapon (whether it be lethal or non-lethal) to protect yourself or others, then you need to understand what it can do, learn how to use it, and then train, and then more and more. I carry a gun, and I train others to use firearms, but I also discuss other weapons or tools that can be used in a bad situation. Above all, you have to know now that if the situation came, would you be able and willing to use that weapon of choice? Are you ready and capable to shoot someone? Stab, beat with a bat, smother someone in OC spray? If not then you do not need to carry that or any weapon, because it will be taken from you and used against you. Do I think people should engage in self defense classes, yes I do. Should they train with their firearm as much as possible, yes. But you also need to engage in Situational Awareness, where hopefully you can avoid being in a situation having to make a moment's decision to engage in deadly force. I introduce to women and everyone for that matter, that they should be carrying a Tactical Pen, placed on their person, for easy access, if attacked. We do not carry a gun in the hand, nor do many people carry other types of weapons, which means those weapons are in a purse, or a pocket, not accessible to the intended victim. A tactical pen, if placed properly, can be grabbed and used. Stab a would-be adversary with a tactical pen, HARD, and it will hurt severely! The opportunity to back away, run, or engage a different weapon. I also feel that if you are going to carry any type of weapon, you need to train on gripping that weapon and drawing it out to use. The weapon has to be in a static position, meaning it has to be where you be able to get it as fast as possible. If you have it loose in a purse, it will take you forever to find it. It would be too late. You have to engage in Mental training as well as physical training. Are you financially prepared if you engage, even though you are legally correct in your actions, are you financially prepared for the legal costs of being arrested?? Remember, even if you draw your firearm, the bad guy, may run for the hills. Good, let him. You have a description. Call the cops. Everyone has the right to defend themselves, and others. How you do it is up to you. You have to decide what means you are willing to take to save your life, or your kids. Once you decide, then you have to get the right weapon, as in a gun. Not all guns are made for all people. Size, weight, trigger, but mostly, can you properly manipulate the gun. You have to train and train, practice, mentally and physically. You have to do the right thing for you. We all have opinions and comments. What's right what's wrong. I know best or he knows best. Good for them. You decide what's best for you. Just remember, there are people who love you and expect you to come home every day and night. Thinking you are not important is an issue you need to discuss with yourself. Because you are. Take all these comments and decide for you. Do not let anyone destroy what you have. Thanks!

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I read the article and all the comments. The truth is people making the comments have never been in a real world life and death issue that would make you use any kind of force to defend yourself, I am not talking about a class or training. All that goes out the window in real world life and death issue. Truth is you should have training in every aspect of self defense(i.e. weapons all types lethal and non lethal, hand to hand and not just one style). To choice one over the other is stupid in all aspects because not one thing solves all. Just remember this being aware of your surroundings at all times is the best defense that you can have. If your being abused by someone call 911 for help then leave and seek help there are places that will help. Be smart and use your head and think for yourself not what others tell you to think or do. Be safe and stay aware.

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omg chill. guns arent the best option since that would make you no less of a murderer if you kill your violator. we should prevent the attack rather than provoke it

I can tell most of the commenters here have never had real self defense training, because they talk about things like "doing more damage" as a reason a gun is superior. Anyone who has done training knows that your primary goal is preventing an attack, and your secondary goal is stopping an attack in progress. "Doing damage" is waaaay down the list of things you need to be concerned about.

Hey, Canadian here! Maybe you all should also consider the fact that some countries we CANT get guns and/or walk around carrying!!! WOW crazy right! (Sarcasm). I thought this article provided great options for self defence. Especially as a young college girl going to school in the city, I know I would feel much safer carrying around some pepper spray and an alarm if someone were to attack me. I could never even consider bringing a gun on my college campus for a wide array of reasons that I am not going to go into in a comment section. These are great products that would give me the confidence to feel safer walking around.

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Being a single female, I agree with Denny. His statements were spot on. Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks Denny

What a dumb, ignorant post. Women are most likely to be killed by men they know. The most dangerous time is when they're pregnant. Buying a gun (and training to use it) is the most feasible option for self protection.

If you can't do that, don't want to, or live with an abuser then self defense/martial arts is the best second choice. If that's not realistic look into an extendable baton or long blade weapon that puts distance between you and the attacker and can resist oncoming blows.

Or just get your little lipstick out ... that'll stop the next serial killer/rapist/psycho at 4 AM ...

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I agree with B, guns are not always an option. And many women have not had gun training or exposure. It is good to have non-lethal options.

You lot commenting must be republican and ignorant as hell. The author is quite correct in stating that women are often overpowered with a gun. That being said, the list gave great options. I appreciate that they're non lethal because I would only want to maim, never kill, someone. Even if they're coming for me, I would rather they stay alive so the judicial system can give them due process and proper punishment.

I agree guns aren't always the best just because they are dangerous and can be taken from you. Do not carry one unless you are thoroughly trained on how to use them and skilled enough to do so effectively.

Very good article....once I got past the anti gun propaganda crap that you were spewing in the beginning. The reality is that any one or a combination of the products mentioned (including firearms) would be viable options depending on the individual's circumstances. There are only 2 reason that someone would take the position that you have: 1. Complete and utter ignorance. Most anti gunners don't take the time to educate themselves about responsible gun owners. They just assume that we're all uneducated, untrained knuckleheads. That would result in all of your misguided anti gun comments. 2. Intentional deception. Putting prsonal gain before the wellbeing of your readers. Convincing people that one type of product is superior to another could increase sales that you might get a kickback from certain manufacturers and you do it even though you know it could cost someone their life. Evil. I'm not sure which of these caused this author to take this position but neither is acceptable or ethical. The reality is that all of these products will have value to some people and should be presented in an open and honest way. By making it clear that using any and all of these products will require different levels of training, will have different levels of effectiveness and come with different levels of consequences if not used responsibly. Instead of mentioning that most of these products could be taken away from someone and used against them, you only mentioned that fact about a firearm and insinuated that it was likely to happen. Complete ignorance or pure evil? I'm not going to judge your motivation but I will suggest getting some help. You should be ashamed of yourself either way. Thank you for your time

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Sorry, but there is no style on earth that can protect a 98 lbs woman from a 170 lbs man on a mission. Enter Col. Colts equalizer God made man, Col. Colt made them equal. Go buy a gun, it's a better investment.

Is the writer of this article on crack? There is absolutely no feasibil substitute for a firearm for self defense. Anything else is a pipe dream. Tactical pens, tactical keychains...? You might as well drop your drawers and let them in. Show me one knife wound that does more damage than a 9mm in the same location. All this article does is get the reader in over their head even faster.

I love that weapons exist to protect rapists. I say this because of how to use the descriptions of the weapons, with the life of an attacker in mind.

Women must not depend upon the protection of man , but must be taught to protect herself. Every women must know martial arts so that she don’t have to live with fear anymore.
martial arts

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