Ever Flashed/Used Yours for Self-Defense?

[gbelleh]

Yep, many things have gone horribly wrong in my life. I have a .38 slug a half inch from my heart that says so. But some things have gone right too. :D

That's why I carry guns (and a suitable SD knife). I don't expect to have to use them, but if things do go wrong, they're there. I also carry a AAA card, wear seatbelts, and have insurance.

[chuck_roxas45]

That's why I carry guns (and a suitable SD knife). I don't expect to have to use them, but if things do go wrong, they're there. I also carry a AAA card, wear seatbelts, and have insurance.

That's why I carry now. :D

[quattrokid73]

There's been a lot of random violence in Philadelphia lately, meaning assaults and murders that were not the result of an altercation. The worst part is they are creeping out of the hood and into gentrified and upper class areas.

Anything can happen anywhere.

In the event that I run into problems, I intend on remaining neutral as long as possible and/or sprinting like Usain Bolt in the opposite direction. If that won't work, I'd be willing to deploy a sharp knife or my Glock. But only if that's the proper escalation.

[JD Spydo]

Coming up this May it will be 2 years ago I had an incident and I even told about here on the Spyderco Forum on the Off Topic section. I was in between homes at the time and was sleeping in my truck in a very well lit up area of a commercial parking lot.

All of a sudden at about 3:00am I had a guy wake me up and demand my money. He and his partner in crime had a gun which was pointed directly at me. At that point I thought it was all over but the funeral expenses But GOD was with me on that one.

I thought at the time if I was going to be killed I was going down fighting. I at least wanted my Nephews and Nieces to have a good memory of me and know that I didn't go down like a coward.

The one weapon I had on me was a Cold STeel Gurkha Kukri, Carbon V model. I went out of the truck after those 2 dirtbags thinking I was going to be shot and it blew my mind that the guy with the gun ran from me :rolleyes: :D >> the other guy then tried to come up behind me but I immediately turned around and took a Barry Bonds swing at the idiot thinking I was going to score a nice hit on him. I couldn't have missed him more than 2 inches at the most. His eyes got as big as saucers and he and his partner both backed up fast. I then woke up my friend who was also sleeping in a van parked next to my truck. He came out like gangbusters with a weapon of his own and the 2 coward scumbags ran like the scared chickens they actually were.

I credit GOD almightly for giving me the courage to act quick and decisively. And now I'm sort of thankful I didn't really have to hurt or kill one of them. It made me thankful for each day I awaken every morning>> because every day is truly a gift from GOD and we all need to treat it that way. I hope none of you ever have to deal with a situation like that. I took me almost a week before I could really sleep good after that. But it showed me that being armed and prepared is top priority in today's sick world. Thank you all for your time. >> JD :spyder: O

[chuck_roxas45]

I remember that JD, and I thought at that time, this guy is either very brave or very stupid. Awesome story and thanks for sharing that.

[Blerv]

Speaking of "flashing" I would rather use this on someone than my knife. Shame it's about as comfortable to carry as a small shoe =p



Given that almost anyone can learn to throw non-telegraphed serious strikes my knife defense stance has changed a bit. With a little practice you can knock someone out with a slap and people don't get felonies charges for those (typically).

[wvguy8258]

Blerv,

What is that? It doesn't look like a flashlight or a baton or a blackjack. Just curious.

[rg02]

I hope to God i never have to use my Glock or any of my spydies for self defense. The only time I would pull my Glock or a spydie(assuming i wasnt carrying my glock) is if I was fearful for mine, my wife's, or my daughter's life. I think of my Glock as my protector and my spydies as my tools as well as one of my many hobbies :D .

BTW, Chuck------that must be one heck of a story having a .38 slug 1/2" from your heart!

[Blerv]

Blerv,

What is that? It doesn't look like a flashlight or a baton or a blackjack. Just curious.

It's Elektrolumen's "Big Bruiser" which is 3x Cree XM-L's in a fairly small package (despite the picture). 1 mode twist or momentary tail-click, 3k lumens.

[golddot370]

About a year ago I was getting gas late at night in a not so good part of town, and while waiting for the attendent to come to the window I had two dudes wearing sweaters with the Hood over their head get uncomfortably close to me, So I pulled out my military which they saw and I cut a lose string hanging off my sweater looked at the two dudes and smiled. They walked away with out purchasing a thing, I then filled up my car and got the **** out of there.

[Blerv]

^--- Ok...that's pretty **** awesome. :D

[thog94]

16 years ago this summer I was arrested for Brandishing a Weapon. Long story short we were jumped going out of the bar because we refused to pay someones tab, this certain someone just happened to be the son of a cop in town who was pretty high up in the force. Anyway we had 2 of them on the ground and the other 2 took off running, as I had my knee in one of the kids back I noticed the he had a knife in his back pocket. Not taking any chances until the cops came, I took it out and threw it about 30-40 feet away. Cops came, stories were exchanged and since "dad" was there 2 of us were caught up in a lie. We were cuffed, stuffed, and spent the night in jail. It took about 4 days to sort stuff out and a few nice patrons at the bar told the truth about the entire situation.

It took a while for me to get a few things back and it was a hassle such as gun permits, hunting license, and I had to explain to the CG when I went for a renewal. All of this because I was arrested and wrongfully accused. It's slightly gratifying but sad to know that this person has been in and out of rehab for heroine and meth which essentially ruined his fathers career and forced him to retire just after he made chief.

That being said, I don't show anyone what I carry nor is it their business. The only time that they will know what I have is if I feel that I or my family is being threatened.

[SolidState]

About six years back I was working in a movie theater in northern Wisconsin, and was in the bathroom in the basement during a Harry Potter movie. A guy who had obvious psychological issues pretended like he had a weapon in his coat, and he tried to force me over the sink to either rob or rape me. It happened really fast and was exceedingly awkward. Anyway, I pulled my Delica 3 and spun around with a large sweeping motion of my left arm, catching the arm he was using at the back of my neck/shoulder. I took a couple of swings (1 and 3 angles) and got him to wheel back. When he ran out of room to back up, I pinned him in the corner of a stall and started screaming bloody murder about how I was going to kill him until my coworkers came to assist in restraining him.

The cops came and gave me a warning for brandishing a weapon, took my knife and filed a report. The guy had some warrants for sexual assault against a minor, so he was arrested. My boss was suspended based upon the incident and I was fired. I got my knife back a few weeks later from the arresting officer. He was nice enough to bring it to my home while he was on patrol. The whole incident still gives me the creeps, and some of my friends still give me crap about it. I have never ever felt such hatred in my life as when that happened. I'm usually a passive guy, but I really wanted to murder that guy. Even weeks if not years afterward, it bothers me to know how deeply I wanted to kill him in that moment.

The weirdest part was what he said to me while I was screaming at him that I was going to kill him if he went anywhere. He just kept saying "You can wash your hands, it's okay, you can wash your hands," over and over.

[gbelleh]

That is a creepy story. :eek:

[chuck_roxas45]

I hope to God i never have to use my Glock or any of my spydies for self defense. The only time I would pull my Glock or a spydie(assuming i wasnt carrying my glock) is if I was fearful for mine, my wife's, or my daughter's life. I think of my Glock as my protector and my spydies as my tools as well as one of my many hobbies :D .

BTW, Chuck------that must be one heck of a story having a .38 slug 1/2" from your heart!

Well, talk about things going wrong RG. I was in an outdoor spot for a couple beers and I took a table near the rear. Three people(two guys and a girl) come to the table and tell me it's their spot. Never taking **** at that time, I stood my ground and when things got a bit hairy I decked one guy with a full beer bottle and faced the other guy. Turned out the decked guy had a gun and started shooting I started jumping and rolling on the ground while this guy is letting go. I remember thinking "boy, it's taking a long time for the bullets to run out". Anyway he let off all 6 rounds and got me twice. Once in the groin and once through the arm and into the side of the chest. After which he ran away when I started after him with a chair.

I still managed to make it home(a block away). When we got to the ER the GSW had really started to sting and I couldn't breathe because I had a punctured lung. Took a while for the doc to get there and by the time I was floating toward a bright light already(saw myself on the ER table from above too). A sharp pain in the side of the chest brought me back(it was a thoracotomy) and I was able to breathe again. Spent my birthday that year in the hospital with a pretty doctor dressing the wounds near my genitals. That was pretty effing bad, I can tell you that. :p

The slug from the groin was taken out the next day but the one in the chest was left inside because the doc deemed the benefits to risk ratio as unfavorable. I have to get a chest X-ray once a year to find out if the slug is migrating.

[Drkknight614]

Its a sad world we live in that if we defend ourselves or even show off a defensive weapon during a confrontation we can be arrested, thrown in jail and prosecuted. So pretty much if you show off your defensive knife or whatever, be prepared to not only use it and have it used against you, but also have it used against you in the court of law. Because if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time and some guy tries to rob you lets say, if you injure him he could come around and sue you. After all if you are succesful in defending yourself he probably didnt complete the crime. Then its your word against his. And if the guy doesnt have a record and or a weapon of his own, your probably screwed.

Best defensive edc to carry is a flashlight. Theres no laws against them, they can be used as a kubaton, and you can momentarily blind your attacker and make a run. You probably cant walk around with a D cell mag though.

[xceptnl]

I have been in several situations (before I received my CCW license) where I had my hand in my pocket and noticed an uncomfortable situation brewing and immediately changed my direction while grabbing hold of whatever folding blade I had clipped to my pocket at the time. It was either my BM710 or an older CRKT. I do feel that in some cases, showing the weapon can thwart a confrontation before it comes to shots being fired or slashes being made. If need be, scare him if that doesn't work, go to plan B.

[Drkknight614]

I have been in several situations (before I received my CCW license) where I had my hand in my pocket and noticed an uncomfortable situation brewing and immediately changed my direction while grabbing hold of whatever folding blade I had clipped to my pocket at the time. It was either my BM710 or an older CRKT. I do feel that in some cases, showing the weapon can thwart a confrontation before it comes to shots being fired or slashes being made. If need be, scare him if that doesn't work, go to plan B.

Most thugs and theives are no different then every other predator in the animal kingdom...unless desperate, if there is a possibilty they will be injured, its a no go. Weak, easy targets are prey. The first step to self defense is to not allow yourself to look week or an easy target. If you are weak, dont put yourself in an easy spot to be picked off. Walk down a lite street, down a busy block whether its busy with people or cars, and do most errands during the day. Sometimes all it takes is to walk across the street instead of right past someone to avoid a confrontation.

[chuck_roxas45]

Its a sad world we live in that if we defend ourselves or even show off a defensive weapon during a confrontation we can be arrested, thrown in jail and prosecuted. So pretty much if you show off your defensive knife or whatever, be prepared to not only use it and have it used against you, but also have it used against you in the court of law. Because if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time and some guy tries to rob you lets say, if you injure him he could come around and sue you. After all if you are succesful in defending yourself he probably didnt complete the crime. Then its your word against his. And if the guy doesnt have a record and or a weapon of his own, your probably screwed.

Best defensive edc to carry is a flashlight. Theres no laws against them, they can be used as a kubaton, and you can momentarily blind your attacker and make a run. You probably cant walk around with a D cell mag though.

I have a friend who's very accomplished at eskrima and arnis who has really made a study out of belt fighting. I haven't yet seen a checkpoint that makes you check your belt. He can deploy it fast if needed and he can also make a stealthy deployment even in a crowd and if you don't watch him closely, you wouldn't know he already has it in hand. Just looks like he's untucking heis shirt.

[SolidState]

I have a friend who's very accomplished at eskrima and arnis who has really made a study out of belt fighting. I haven't yet seen a checkpoint that makes you check your belt. He can deploy it fast if needed and he can also make a stealthy deployment even in a crowd and if you don't watch him closely, you wouldn't know he already has it in hand. Just looks like he's untucking heis shirt.

And here I was spending my time learning to make shivs out of things that can be found on the other side of checkpoints :rolleyes: