What to carry where guns are prohibited?

[bac0nfat]

Not sure which forum to post this in, but anyway...

I had to work at the Eagles game yesterday, and could not bring a firearm onto the facility. I had my leatherman (with outside-accessible blade) but thats it. I had a very long walk back to my car after the game and there were a lot of shady looking (and drunk) people hanging out in the parking lots, and hardly any lighting. Also nearly non-existent security anywhere further than 100 feet away from the stadium. Luckily nothing happened but I was very uncomfortable being completely defenseless in that situation.

So my question is, what should I carry when I can't carry a gun? Pepper spray comes to mind, and I do have some, but I have very little faith in it. I've heard many stories about it not being effective against cracked out junkies. I know surefire makes some defensive type flashlights with striker-bezels, but how effective are they in real life? I was also looking at a Ka-bar TDI knife. Is that a good option for someone who has zero training in hand-to-hand combat?

Just throw some ideas out there, thanks.

[ehidle]

When I delivered pizza in college, obviously I could not carry, but we could have a flashlight for helping to find house numbers.

A 4-D Cell MagLight makes a very nice defensive instrument for close-in combat.

[rkrcpa]

When I have to travel to D.C. I always bring my pepper spray. It's not the same as having my 44 but it beats the hell out of hand to hand combat.

[Fraggle09027]

Cane. Great defense weapon and you can take it everywhere!

[F16vipers]

Is that a good option for someone who has zero training in hand-to-hand combat?

I would suggest taking a few self defense classes. Deadly force is always a last resort. If you don't have any hand to hand skills how do you get out of those sticky situations where deadly force may not be warranted?

Keep in mind if someone gets the jump on you it's likely you won't have time to draw your weapon. Police officers have been killed when a suspect attacks with a knife and the officer reaches for their sidearm instead of blocking the knife attack. Going hand to hand against a knife isn't like in the movies but with some practice you can learn how to survive.

Anything can be a weapon depending on how you use it.

If your only means of defense is your firearm I think you're setting yourself up for failure. Just my 2 cents...

[ehidle]

Anything can be a weapon depending on how you use it.

If your only means of defense is your firearm I think you're setting yourself up for failure. Just my 2 cents...

And, you would be right.

[gnbrotz]

When I have to travel to D.C. I always bring my pepper spray. It's not the same as having my 44 but it beats the hell out of hand to hand combat.

Also illegal there, unless you have "registered" your possession of it with the local P.D.

[acosenza2]

A pocket knife or pepper spray are both good options when firearms are not allowed and while pepper spray may not stop an attacker it could buy you enough time to either get out of dodge or follow up to disable to attacker. When there is a no "weapons" policy you could try a pen that has a metal body. While this really is not ideal, anything you can use to stab at soft body parts (in the eye for example) will also buy you some time and hopefully allow you to get out of the situation.

As was already suggested, get some basic training in self defense at least, and it will go a long way.

[Azzy]

http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Wesson-T.../dp/B0026W4ZW4

Option... with some classes.

[bac0nfat]

I agree training is critical. But who seriously has time for classes? Don't you guys have jobs and children?