Self defence weapons UK

[AugustL]

What do you do to protect yourself when out, especially in the dark? Is there something you carry? Steps you take to be safe or prepared for an attack? Do you carry an alarm? Would you like weapons for Self defence to be legal in the U.K.. I just mean something like pepper spray, or a taser (not a strong one that could kill). I would. We are not even allowed pepper spray, I wish we were. We are not even allowed to be in possession of anything which we intend to use as a weapon for self defence, even hair spray apparently, or anything next to your bed (like a baseball bat )in case someone breaks into your home. I am left feeling very vulnerable...

Anything that a woman might use in self defence, could also be used to attack a woman, so I don’t think legalising tasers is the way to go.

If the law doesn't protect you, protect yourself.

You can still buy pepper spray, you are not supposed to use it on humans but you'll feel a lot safer with it.

@CaptainKirksSpikeyGhost can you? From what I read its illegal to be in possession of it

Anything that a woman might use in self defence, could also be used to attack a woman

This. Any weapon can be taken from you and used against you, and that advice goes for men as much as women.

It is better to learn a few techniques to help you escape, such as always turn against the thumb if someone grabs your wrist, knee to the groin, heel of hand sharply to underside of nose cause pain/distraction without needing much force.

Your best defence though is always going to be awareness, but as a woman I'm sure you already know that.

Learn some self-defence tactics and carry a personal alarm.

Metal hair forks are awesome and completely legal

They are 2 pronged curved pointy things that you push through your hair if you have a ponytail

They usually have little bells or decorations on the curved end and are used as hair decorartions and to help secure the ponytail

I would not advide using them as a pointy weapon, their use is defensive if an attacker attempts to grab a woman's ponytail.

Apparently ponytails are attractive to rapists as they are effectively a handle on the back of the head that can be used to control a woman.

If a woman has hair forks in her hair the attacker will and up stabbing his own hand when he attempts to grab :)

Other than that, I would advise boxing / martial arts training and running away skills

I would bever advise anyone to carry a knife or bladed weapon as it can very easily be used against you. Plus you might end up in jail

In a state of suicidal despair at the state of women's rights, I wondered in another thread whether women should carry labryses painted in suffragette colours, after all the Most Oppressed People Ever carry trans flag baseball bats.

When I'm not suicidal with despair, I advise against arming yourself. The weapon can be used against you, you could be charged for carrying it at all, and if you used it you could find yourself up for manslaughter, where you would find that "s/he was asking for it" is only a defence for men who strangle women during sex, not women who stab would-be rapists.

you could find yourself up for manslaughter, where you would find that "s/he was asking for it" is only a defence for men who strangle women during sex, not women who stab would-be rapists.

Not that it's completely a case of one rule for women and another rule for men, you understand.

My Nan used to carry a chisel that she'd meant to return to her friends who she borrowed it from for 30 years she had to use it once on a mugger.
(She didn't whittle bits off him she just clonked him over the head)

You are allowed to use whatever you want to defend yourself so long as your attacker is equally/more armed. Subject to the regular restrictions as the what you may carry/possess (e.g. you can’t own a gun without a license).

They are 2 pronged curved pointy things that you push through your hair if you have a ponytail

Or a bun. My sister has loads of them for her buns and had a wooden one confiscated when boarding a flight.

@bd67th so lo has your rapist has pulled a knife on you and you stab him with something you are carrying legally it’s not going to be an issue. The real issue is where you have very strong attackers in question. At what point does a disparity in strength allow a victim to use a weapon?

From what I read its illegal to be in possession of it

Maybe, you can buy it though.

At what point does a disparity in strength allow a victim to use a weapon?

That is a legal question that depends on circumstances and doesn't have a simple answer.

More jmportantly a stronger person is more able to disarm you and use your weapon against you. This is why we have a mini baseball bat lurking in a cupboard. My partner took it off a lad who attacked him with it. And the disparity in strength between grown men and 15 year old boys is not as great as that between grown men and women.

I am strongly against encouraging the carrying of weapons.

You're better off running than trying to stand and fight. Rather than carry a weapon, just make sure you're wearing sensible shoes - it'll stand you in much better stead.

You can get a tactical torch which is extremely bright with strobe mode. Google the subject

I would very strongly advise anyone considering carrying an item specifically for self-defence to do their own, very careful research on the legalities first.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/judge-brands-county-durham-dad-7623053.amp

This bloke got three years in prison for bringing flick knives etc in. This was reduced from a usual five year minimum because the judge - and everyone else in the case - was absolutely convinced that he was just really really stupid, and not planning on using the stuff. Three years.

Are you writing a piece of journalism, op?

UK police officer here - both CS/pava (pepper spray) and taser are firearms and illegal to possess in UK.

Please do not buy these!

I have a spray, it's called Red Stoppa and dispenses red dye at high velocity. It is described as 'mildly irritant' but I think the idea is more the shock factor of the sudden spray/momentary blindness giving you time to escape and making the attacker easier for police to identify because their face is covered in red dye. No idea how effective it is in practice but it's legal and makes me feel a bit safer.

Another vote for trainers to run in, a friend to walk with and a well-lit path with plenty of CCTV. We have more of it than anywhere.

We are an unarmed society and much safer for that.

A robber wants your phone and money etc. You might want to give it to them.

And all the guns in the world aren't going to protect you from the vanishingly small prospect of a Levi Bellfield whose M.O. is to creep up on you from behind. It is not the Wild West. Violent criminals do not stand in front of you and demand that you "draw."

beta.northumbria.police.uk/advice-and-info/

This is a pretty good resource for anyone who would like advice on how to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.

When I used to work in nightclubs and was often coming home after dark I was taught a trick where you have your bunch of keys in your hand, but put the actual keys between your fingers. They should stick out like wolverine claws. That way if you're grabbed you can punch/ swipe and hopefully do enough damage to deter a would be attacker. Useless if they are taken from you though so no worries about them being used against you. I always do this in my pocket when walking alone so I'm ready. Also have 999 ready to dial on my mobile.

When I used to work in nightclubs and was often coming home after dark I was taught a trick where you have your bunch of keys in your hand, but put the actual keys between your fingers. They should stick out like wolverine claws. That way if you're grabbed you can punch/ swipe and hopefully do enough damage to deter a would be attacker. Useless if they are taken from you though so no worries about them being used against you. I always do this in my pocket when walking alone so I'm ready.

Have you experimented with this? Just asking as I have (not in a real fight - with a compliant friend and a pad) and it is very hard to keep the keys in place as you strike and there is a very real chance of injuring the delicate skin between your fingers.

There are various items that women carry on them that can be used as weapons, however, as someone who has trained in using weapons and disarming weapons I would strongly advise any woman against using weapons.

Unless you are extremely skilled you are at extremely high risk of injuring yourself with your weapon or, if you have a go at your attacker and they are trained they will get your weapon off you and use it against you.