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

[Beffudled Sheep]

No, and yes I am an American (shock)

This can not be! You must be in possession of at least one firearm!
If you wish I will send you my spare Saiga.

 

[LaughingTarget]

I have the ability to control pigeons with my mind... so let me ask you this, Do YOU think I need anything else?
Why are there the same amount of votes for "Always" as "Never"? Whats that about? Some seriously paranoid people out there, I mean the only thing you are ever going to need those weapons for will be other people like yourself attacking you... or maybe a dragon, but they dont exist so stop being ridiculous.

It's always for me because it's just a habit. I put on pants every day without thinking about it and it isn't because I'm paranoid about people seeing my Superman boxer shorts. I don't even think about it, I put on pants, shirt, IWB holster, SpringfieldXD, slip the knife sheath for the SEAL knife on my belt under my shirt, hand the HideAway knife around my neck then head out the door.

As I said above, which is the philosophy held by the vast majority of martialists, it isn't because we go out afraid of the world or expecting trouble, it's there in the off-chance something may happen. The folks at VA-Tech would have loved to have me in their class when that nutjob burst in, they thought it could never happen to them, but it did.

1 in a million still has a 1 in it. I'm ready for the 1 but know that the other 999,999 is what will most likely happen.

Its just not in my nature to hurt people, I dont really care for being stabbed up but I cant imagine anyone making the conscious decision to do so as I am never armed... what would be the point? Also, I live in Britain. Fire Arms are illegal and I can probably get away unscathed from a knife attack, I have lived 19 years here in some pretty rough areas and never been mugged or attacked... I must be lucky or something.

I don't like it either, but when push comes to shove, survival is the top priority. I won't charge into a battle when I can get away, but I won't get caught in that situation where I can't escape or where I could stop a lunatic from doing something the pieces of paper our legislative bodies generate never stop. Bullets go through paper, no law protects anyone, only those that who wouldn't do that sort of thing in the first place.

I'm a non-interventionist, right libertarian. My political philosophy is "I leave you alone, you leave me alone". Still, I recognize that there are those out there who simply chose to not leave me alone and, instead of living life as a victim of others, I'll hit back and hit back with the biggest thing I have with me at the time.

You can't face down thugs and villains with nice words and appealing to their good sides, they don't have them. They're bad people for a reason and appealing to their civility or pointing at a law is outright pointless to this class of individual.

I grew up in East Los Angeles, which is not exactly a nice place either. I've got the street smarts and know enough about criminal behavior to outright avoid it. It all falls down to motive, opportunity and desire. I can't do anything about the motive, but I can impact the other two. Opportunity by avoiding certain places at certain times (or just certain places) and making myself an undesirable target, both by being armed and other things like not flashing signs of wealth.

Paranoia? Nah, I don't go around afraid. I'm comfortable and for the most part don't think about anything horrible happening and enjoy life. These skills and thinking patterns are just ingrained into me from an early age. Minimize your exposure to crime, minimize your appeal to criminals and maximize your ability to keep yourself safe.

Ultimately, my personal safety trumps everything else. I will kill if I have to, I will maim if I have to and I won't lose any sleep over it if I do. It is something that may be necessary to ensure I can continue my life in the same capacity as before the altercation.

Not everything can be solved by diplomacy. I will paraphrase America's 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, "Walk softly but carry a big gun."

My goal is to go to my grave without having to pull a weapon in anger, I've already managed 28 years and am still going strong.

 

[LaughingTarget]

I use to carry a small pocket knife with me. Now I sometimes carry a lighter and one of those pocket cans of Axe deodorant. It makes a good flame thrower!

You need to legally change your name to Rorschach.

 

[[Gavo]]

Nothing, I'm 6'4 and well built, no one fucks with me.
But if I did, I guess I would have a switchblade or butterfly knife, or some kind of dagger.

 

[MagicShroom]

I don't need to because I am Admiral Awesome, That's why.

 

[UsefulPlayer 1]

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

Genius, I'ma write that down.

Though I don't carry any weapons. I always figured I would sooner accidentally injure myself then any attacker. Besides, I still got these wonderful hands and hopefully that's all I'll ever need.

 

[r4ndom]

Used to carry a small bowie knife as protection, for no other reason than my living in a rough area that was going through a patch of increased random violence.

Don't need it now though. Thankfully I grew to 6ft 2, big enough to ward off any would-be attackers.

Plus I do a real good "You so much as come near me and i'll kill you and your family" look. Imagine if you will this face - >:| - only much more real, and possibly snarling slightly.

 

[nokelso]

I used to carry pepper spray with me when I lived in a shady area and I had to walk to and from school. I didn't want to get raped :C
I actually should get some more and my mom's extra knife... I'm paranoid.

 

[Silverookami]

I carry around a wrench and a utility knife in my purse at all times, but they're also part of my equipment set for work, so it's not really just a self defense issue. It's more like I am coincidentally prepared in case of sudden outbreak of violent intentions. Up until a child abduction a month and a half ago I used to be able to just go and say my city was really safe and nothing ever happened there, but now it's nice to know I have something sharp in my bag just in case.

 

[devildog1170]

I don't carry a weapon, but I have this paranoid sense around me, and whenever I go into a different environment, I quickly scan for items that could be used as possible weapons.

 

[DrDeath3191]

I've considered it. Maybe a small caliber pistol, and a knife for close quarters.

 

[Scarecrow38]

No and I wouldn't. I'm not American but even if I did live there I wouldn't.

Better to have my wallet taken then my life, after I tried to be a hero.

 

[Gaz_mcMillan]

Yes, because I work in the bloody British army, Often its a Browning HP(only when I am on duty which is not now)

 

[xXsumthingXx]

Yes a butterfly knife or switchblade never had to use em though

 

[zacaron]

I bring a knife or to if Im going outside for long periods of time...usualy a surivial knife (flint,knife,whistle) or a swis army knife

 

[ultimatechance]

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

I'd rather be judged by 12 than be carried by 6.

Oh man, you just made my day with those two lines.

 

[theSovietConnection]

I've got a knife, and though its not a weapon per se, I do carry a Stanley FUBAR with me as well.

 

[Dantes Alaska]

I live in Las Vegas, 4th most dangerous city in the US. And as I said I have personal experiance.

Vegas is harsh, i dont even go down to the strip without a knife, i usually go with others, but im the biggest guy usually, so people assume i would take the attacker down

 

[Agayek]

I occasionally carry a knife around with me when I go to the seedier parts of town. Wouldn't do much in a fight as I'm not very good at using it, but wearing it in a fairly obvious place helps as a deterrent.

 

[Christemo]

if it were legal to carry weapons in denmark, id get my self a butterfly knife.