Poll: Have you ever carried a weapon for self defense ?

[AntiAntagonist]

When I was young and afraid of mountain lions I carried a bat.

 

[WildManBill]

Even though I enjoy having a gun, I have found amazing ways of conceling very large knives on myself. A U.S.N. Mark 1 in my boot and a 9" bayonet across my back, that is nearly invisable, Crocadile Dundee style. "That's not a knife..." Oh yea, a small varity of folding knives (pocket and lock-blades) go with me everywhere too. As well as one throwing knife, that works much better as a thrusting knife than a thowing knife, is always at my side.

 

[The_ModeRazor]

Never carried a weapon.
Don't really need it around here.
Anyway, if they really want to beat me up, they will. Not that it hurts. ( because you know, when you're attacked, your adrenaline goes up and you don't really feel pain. also helps with running)

 

[Darth Caelum]

Well, the Philippines is a dangerous place!
I have never brought a gun anywhere for private protection. But i did bring a nice blade perfect for cutting someone's jugular........

 

[JupiterBase]

I used to carry all sorts of crap when i was wandering about town. Tools and random stuff plus a pocket knife and but i always made sure i had something for useful intimidation like a good sized knife. so far never had to use anything. Oh yeah the mini bats you can get are great

 

[Arawn.Chernobog]

My fists...

 

[BlankZero]

If I'm walking through a seedy neighborhood at night, I'll make sure I've got my keys at hand. That, coupled with eight or so years of tae kwon do, means I feel reasonably secure even in situations that might be deemed threatening. There is no practical reason to tote a deadly weapon with me to the grocery store in the middle of the day.

There's preparedness, then there's paranoia.

 

[Undercover]

CHL holder, carry a .45 SpringfieldXD pistol

Also:

Ceramic SEAL knife
Hideaway Knife
Thai Kick Boxing training

My motto: if you're in a fair fight, you didn't prepare well enough.

Basically, this is just another form of insurance. I have auto insurance, but I don't expect to run into another car on the highway. I have health insurance, but I don't expect to end up in the hospital for weeks on end and run up huge bills. I have homeowners insurance, but I don't expect to have it burned down when I come home from work. Weapons are merely a form of insurance. Never had to use any of them and hope I never will, but I will not be caught with my pants down.

Criminals don't follow laws, so I can't expect some legislature or police force to be able to keep me safe. I'd rather be judged by 12 than be carried by 6.

There really is nothing I can say to this. You have managed to dredge up every cliche' imaginable, including the whole "Judged by 12" crap. You're on your own, because its obvious that talking any sense into someone like you is impossible. You are more likely to shoot/stab someone you know or someone who was asking you the time than you are an actual criminal.

I'm an ex-Police contractor, Private Investigator and Security Consultant in case you were wondering "what the hell do I know?" And this post just sounds like more macho posturing than common sense. You can go ahead and flame me now, I've said my peace.

 

[JDog888]

I'm only 13 I have nothing not even a martial art

 

[Dogstile]

I have my fists. Someone attacks me i'll hit em hard and if that's not enough then I'm screwed. But after having knives pulled out on me multiple times and with the other guy always coming off worse than me I'm pretty confident that i'll be fine where I currently am.

 

[Tharwen]

Errm... I occasionally have a Swiss Army Knife on me, but that's usually for utility, not security. I'd love to get some martial arts training though (one that's genuinely useful, not just for the title).

 

[HerrBobo]

I used to collect knives, ect, so I have loads of stuff at home.

The only thing I ever carried on the street was brass knuckles, and that was only when I was working. I never had to use them. Dont carry them anynore.

 

[Tekrae]

Since the British government seems to believe that they can solve crime by taking weapons from civilians rather than actually putting money into the police force instead of Doley McChav's new spoiler for his GTI, I unfortunately am not allowed to.

If it was legal I definitely would, but I can't so...

 

[notyouraveragejoe]

I carried a switch-blade once since I had to walk through Vieux-Nice which isn't a safe place at all.

 

[Exocet]

Lead pipe and gardening tools in the car.Had to use hedge clippers to scare off groups of assholes looking for trouble on 2 occasions,although I didn't use any weapon,I instead opted for the "I'm a big sunavabitch screaming for blood like a crazed berserker running next to my smaller,yet still intimidating friend armed with a giant pair of scissors" technique.

Also carried a small crossbow(legal) when we went camping in a forest where there are wild boars other potential dangerous animals you don't want to defend yourself against from close.

 

[fyrsten]

I'm over six feet (187 for civilized people) and a almost meter across my shoulders, so i never bothered.
Also, i live in denmark, the risks are rather small

 

[Hussmann54]

wow..... I get the distinct (and I know there will be at least one troll on my case for saying this)feeling that there are some paranoid people here.

Seriously i have a three inch Victorinox sailors knife, I use it as a multi tool, but its the only thing I have on me close to self defense. I happen to have more resourceful means to avoid harm (ie several years of various self defense technique training including Eastern martial arts and Western (yes, western) martial art,

 

[hazabaza1]

I once thought I heard someone upstairs when I was alone, a bought a kitchen knife upstairs with me. Does that count?

 

[Radu889]

Of course. I carry my fists