Self defense and related stuff poll.

Anysunrise · July 2012

So, I've got a couple night classes and will be walking around campus at 10:00pm, and that kind of got me thinking. I'm definitely going to get pepper spray at the least, although now that I found out I can actually own a taser, I kind of want one of those too =P So, answer me this!

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun?

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?

3. Where'd you get it?

4. Do you feel safer having it with you?

5. Why'd you get it in the first place?

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?

Aaaand go.

J&K10910 · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? Pepper Spray and we have several guns.

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above? Not in self defense. I was trained with OC spray (and sprayed, gah) when I carried as a PO, and I've target shot with all of our guns many times.

3. Where'd you get it? The spray is from Cabelas, and the guns are from various local gun shops.

4. Do you feel safer having it with you? I rarely carry my spray, and I don't carry a handgun, but when I was a PO and then later when I carried my personal spray, yes I felt safer.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place? I had to carry when I was a PO. And the neighborhood I worked in was sketchtastic. We got our guns because guns are fun, and for home defense.

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses? I have several hours of officer safety training under my belt, but never a typical open to the public self defense.

crash2729 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_self-defense-and-related-stuff-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f5493caf-6eac-4f1a-88e8-af1855654e15Post:c3b5d7f2-f238-49e8-859b-0c610346cc8a">Self defense and related stuff poll.</a>:
[QUOTE]So, I've got a couple night classes and will be walking around campus at 10:00pm, and that kind of got me thinking. I'm definitely going to get pepper spray at the least, although now that I found out I can actually own a taser, I kind of want one of those too =P So, answer me this! 1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? <strong>I have pepper Spray</strong><div> 2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?<strong> I've never had to use it</strong></div><div> 3. Where'd you get it? <strong>My stepmom got it for me, but I would have gotten it at The Academy (Sports store) </strong></div><div>4. Do you feel safer having it with you?<strong> Most of the time</strong></div><div> 5. Why'd you get it in the first place? <strong>I got confronted in the parking garage at school. A couple of guys wanting to get a ride. They were quite persistent</strong></div><div>6. Have you taken physical self defense courses? <strong>No. But I probably should.</strong></div><div> Aaaand go.
Posted by Anysunrise[/QUOTE]

</div>

Anysunrise · July 2012

Academy sells pepper spray? Sweet. There's one right down the road.

melb2013 · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun?Pepper spray
2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?Nope
3. Where'd you get it?A local gun shop
4. Do you feel safer having it with you?Yup
5. Why'd you get it in the first place?I have to walk quite a few very dark, deserted, blocks in a downtown area past 9 pm.
6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?I have a 3rd degree black belt in a mixed style of martial arts

Anysunrise · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_self-defense-and-related-stuff-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f5493caf-6eac-4f1a-88e8-af1855654e15Post:25c9d3a4-3f88-4f47-9f3d-6d7f4be5a5b6">Re: Self defense and related stuff poll.</a>:
[QUOTE]1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? Pepper spray 2. Have you ever had to use any of the above? Nope 3. Where'd you get it? A local gun shop 4. Do you feel safer having it with you? Yup 5. Why'd you get it in the first place? I have to walk quite a few very dark, deserted, blocks in a downtown area past 9 pm. 6. Have you taken physical self defense courses? <strong>I have a 3rd degree black belt in a mixed style of martial arts</strong>
Posted by melb2013[/QUOTE]

<div>That's really cool. I wanted to take karate for years, but my mom had to work so much, she never had time to take me.</div>

ZombieNates · July 2012

Tasers are illegal here, but if they weren't, I'd definitely get one. Nowadays, I'm usually not out alone late enough or in an environment where I'd feel it's necessary to carry (although, yeah, anything could happen anywhere), but when I worked at the mall I did want to carry pepper spray. It was really scary in the parking lot after closing.

texasgurly13 · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun?

I had pepper spray at one time. It was on my keychain, but I had to take it off because I was flying, and I don't remember where I put it.

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?

Thankfully, no.

3. Where'd you get it?

My FI bought it at Academy.

4. Do you feel safer having it with you?

Yeah.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place?

FI bought it for me because I was on campus alot at night by myself.

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?

I never have, but I really want to.

J&K10910 · July 2012

The problem with tasers is that for most of them (especially the ones you can carry legally in many places, which are actually stun guns, not actual tasers), you have to be so close to your attacker for them to be effective. If I were shopping for personal defense, I'd prefer something that didn't require close physical proximity.

Anysunrise · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_self-defense-and-related-stuff-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f5493caf-6eac-4f1a-88e8-af1855654e15Post:cfc4b6be-1dba-4d08-9b0b-3b35a7b1faaf">Re: Self defense and related stuff poll.</a>:
[QUOTE]The problem with tasers is that for most of them (especially the ones you can carry legally in many places, which are actually stun guns, not actual tasers), you have to be so close to your attacker for them to be effective. If I were shopping for personal defense, I'd prefer something that didn't require close physical proximity.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

<div>Yeah, see I was looking at Taser.com (lol) and they had one that was one of the ones you shoot too, it was 15 feet and incapacitating, or up close and personal, which is painful but not completely incapacitating. Buuuut, I'm not about to pay $400 bucks for it. (<a href="http://www.taser.com/products/self-defense-products/taser-c2" rel="nofollow">http://www.taser.com/products/self-defense-products/taser-c2</a>)</div>

VeggieLove1022 · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? I carry pepper spray and a handgun.

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above? No

3. Where'd you get it? Academy or Sports Authority. Can't remember, but both should carry the pepper spray.

4. Do you feel safer having it with you? Absolutely.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place? A girl at my college was parked beside me and got murdered. They still haven't caught the murderer and as far as I know, have no clues.

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses? No, but I should.

sbc2013 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_self-defense-and-related-stuff-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f5493caf-6eac-4f1a-88e8-af1855654e15Post:d31fbe9a-479b-4fd0-aa70-1face7bccec4">Re: Self defense and related stuff poll.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Self defense and related stuff poll. : Yeah, see I was looking at Taser.com (lol) and they had one that was one of the ones you shoot too, <strong>it was 15 feet and incapacitating, or up close and personal, which is painful but not completely incapacitating. Buuuut, I'm not about to pay $400 bucks for it.</strong> ( <a href="http://www.taser.com/products/self-defense-products/taser-c2" rel="nofollow">http://www.taser.com/products/self-defense-products/taser-c2</a> )
Posted by Anysunrise[/QUOTE]

<div>Totally go for the pepper spray. There is a type where you put the canister into this plastic gun-like device and that particular one sprays 40 feet. I think it costs only a little more than the regular pepper spray, since you'd have to get the shooting device, as well. Having said that, if an attacker is super close, I've always heard that you are just supposed to give them what they want (assuming that is your purse and not your life, or something similar, of course). I work at a medical school in a shady-ish area and there are armed robberies a couple times a month on campus. The emails they send out to us after attacks always insist that you should just cooperate. Obviously if you have the chance to incapacitate an attacker, you should, but the self-defense classes might be a good idea, as well. Or a CCW license, if your area allows them. </div>

specialk84 · July 2012

I've taken a few self-defense classes. Our local PD teaches it in small groups (and it's free).

H carries pepper spray. He works in some dangerous neighborhoods, and people are always lurking near his work van (they think it's full of drugs or power tools).

We have pepper spray and a baseball bat in the bedroom. When we move, we've discussed getting a gun, but we want to be more comfortable around them first.

We also carry pepper spray when we walk the dog. I'm not looking to pull a Steffi, but my dad was attacked by a dog while running, and Cooper and I have been charged by a loose dog. H managed to get it away from us before it hurt Coop too badly, but it scared me (and the dog).

When I have night classes that go way into the evening, I have campus police drive me to my car.

Anysunrise · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_self-defense-and-related-stuff-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f5493caf-6eac-4f1a-88e8-af1855654e15Post:39635ebc-f441-4101-b9fc-a4b9ecdf2349">Re: Self defense and related stuff poll.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Self defense and related stuff poll. : Totally go for the pepper spray. There is a type where you put the canister into this plastic gun-like device and that particular one sprays 40 feet. I think it costs only a little more than the regular pepper spray, since you'd have to get the shooting device, as well. Having said that, if an attacker is super close, I've always heard that you are just supposed to give them what they want (assuming that is your purse and not your life, or something similar, of course). I work at a medical school in a shady-ish area and there are armed robberies a couple times a month on campus. The emails they send out to us after attacks always insist that you should just cooperate. Obviously if you have the chance to incapacitate an attacker, you should, but the self-defense classes might be a good idea, as well. Or a CCW license, if your area allows them.
Posted by sbc2013[/QUOTE]

<div>Yeah, I work at a bank and we get e-mails every time a bank in the area has been robbed, which has been a lot lately. Kind of scary. </div><div>
</div><div>I definitely want to take some classes too, I know my school has offered them before, I'm hoping they'll have them again. And that's good to know about the pepper spray. I'm definitely leaning towards that just because of cost/ease of use/etc.</div>

melb2013 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_self-defense-and-related-stuff-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f5493caf-6eac-4f1a-88e8-af1855654e15Post:39635ebc-f441-4101-b9fc-a4b9ecdf2349">Re: Self defense and related stuff poll.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Self defense and related stuff poll. : Totally go for the pepper spray. <strong>There is a type where you put the canister into this plastic gun-like device and that particular one sprays 40 feet. </strong>I think it costs only a little more than the regular pepper spray, since you'd have to get the shooting device, as well. Having said that, if an attacker is super close, I've always heard that you are just supposed to give them what they want (assuming that is your purse and not your life, or something similar, of course). I work at a medical school in a shady-ish area and there are armed robberies a couple times a month on campus. The emails they send out to us after attacks always insist that you should just cooperate. Obviously if you have the chance to incapacitate an attacker, you should, but the self-defense classes might be a good idea, as well. Or a CCW license, if your area allows them.
Posted by sbc2013[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>That's what I carry. I also have a small one that looks like a pen that I keep in the cup holder next to the driver's seat of my car. I have to park in a dark-sih parking garage and often I'm one of the only cars left in it when I leave. Creepy stuff.</div><div>
</div><div>I'd recommend looking at local martial arts schools. Most offer free women's self defense seminars. I worked as a martial arts instructor for a few years and we offered them every 6 months or so.

</div>

specialk84 · July 2012

Oh, and when I worked in an urban area during HS, a mentally ill man started following me. A few years before, a girl from my HS was abducted, raped, beaten, and held for five days while leaving this same building. Because of that, the organization I worked for really stepped up security.

For a few months, I had an off-duty police officer with me whenever I left the building. Several of them taught me some basic self-defense moves, and they impressed upon me that I should never, ever get in a vehicle with someone who was trying to abduct me. Fight like hell, do whatever it takes, but do not get in the vehicle.

Anysunrise · July 2012

Thanks for all the tips guys!

sbc2013 · July 2012

Another nice feature of the pepper spray + plastic gun canister version is that if your target is not very close to you, it totally looks like a handgun. Might deter someone from getting any closer.

tpender13 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_self-defense-and-related-stuff-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f5493caf-6eac-4f1a-88e8-af1855654e15Post:022235ac-231a-4dac-be97-203794187f68">Re: Self defense and related stuff poll.</a>:
[QUOTE]I've taken a few self-defense classes. Our local PD teaches it in small groups (and it's free). H carries pepper spray. He works in some dangerous neighborhoods, and people are always lurking near his work van (they think it's full of drugs or power tools). We have pepper spray and a baseball bat in the bedroom. When we move, we've discussed getting a gun, but we want to be more comfortable around them first. We also carry pepper spray when we walk the dog.<strong> I'm not looking to pull a Steffi</strong>, but my dad was attacked by a dog while running, and Cooper and I have been charged by a loose dog. H managed to get it away from us before it hurt Coop too badly, but it scared me (and the dog). When I have night classes that go way into the evening, I have campus police drive me to my car.
Posted by specialk84[/QUOTE]

Okay, I lurk a lot and post a little. I missed Steffigate, and I'm curious. Anyone mind sharing CN?

To answer the original question...

<div>1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? </div><div><strong>No. I'm getting into guns though, and would like a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun.</strong>
</div><div>2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?</div><div><strong>NA</strong>
</div><div>3. Where'd you get it?</div><div><strong>NA</strong>
</div><div>4. Do you feel safer having it with you?</div><div><strong>NA</strong>
</div><div>5. Why'd you get it in the first place?</div><div><strong>I would get one partially because H and I had an assload of fun with my dad at the gun range on Father's Day -- he's been into guns for decades and used to shoot competitively. Once we have a house, I would like to have one for protection.</strong>
</div><div>6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?</div><strong>No</strong>

specialk84 · July 2012

Tpender, read FFF for all the details. The story is kind of long, and it makes me want to punch someone.

VeggieLove1022 · July 2012

Tpender- There's a golden retriever in Steffi's neighborhood and his owners let him wander around her yard. He sometimes chases her horses and has torn up her porch. Instead of calling the authorities to report the matter- she uses bear mace on the puppy and wishes the dog would get run over.

StefffiC · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun?

I have pepper spray in my truck, on my keychain, and next to the bed. We have two handguns in a gun safe at the other house.

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?

Not on people.

3. Where'd you get it?

Pepper Spray - two were gifts from family, one I bought at a hunting supply up here. The guns my DH aquired before I met him, they were from a gun shop.

4. Do you feel safer having it with you?

I am not comfortable enough with a gun at this point in my life to even consider using them for defense. Statistically you are more likely to be harmed with your own gun than you are to harm your attacker. If I were going to remain living in the boonies I would become more proficient and probably look into getting my concealed carry. The response time at our house is pretty long due to the area and roads out here.

My father was a police officer for 10 years and my uncle just retired. Unless I were a very good shot I don't believe I would carry a weapon. In a home invasion, my uncle told me to go for a frying pan or other large kitchen item, they're easier to do damage with if you don't know what you're doing.

My dad made me learn to shoot as a teenager and we did target practice consistently for a while. He wanted me to be able to shoot, if I needed to, and respect the responsibility carrying a weapon comes with. He also made me learn to clean the gun I shot and care for it. I shot both rifles and handguns, but it's been 10 years since I've done much shooting. DH and I have gone target shooting twice in 5 years. It's not a cheap endeavor.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place?

I travel a lot and end up being on the road at odd hours. I've worked nights and had delivered newspapers for a while a few years back. I bought the pepperspray when I started running a Charlotte delivery route. I also trail ride, hike, run, and spend time out in the wilderness alone.

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?

Yes, I took a free women's self defense course from our local PD about 10 years ago. I intend to take martial arts, but it keeps getting put on a back burner.

A friend of mine took some training in Krav Maga after she had a break in and she found it very helpful (http://www.kravmaga.com/about-us/).

starrynight84 · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? I own pepper spray and am currently looking into the other two.
2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?Nope.
3. Where'd you get it?My parents gave it to me.
4. Do you feel safer having it with you?Yes.
5. Why'd you get it in the first place?I got it when I went to college. I am considering the other two because I am a small woman working in an urban, high crime area.
6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?No, but I really want to and have looked into it. Unless elementary school karate counts? Does that count? If so, then YES!

LDYGTR13 · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun?

No - I used to have mace, but when I went to change my name at the SS office the stupid federal building took it from me. I never replaced it.

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?

Nope

3. Where'd you get it?

Ex boyfriend

4. Do you feel safer having it with you?

Not really, I was always paranoid I'd accidentally spray it.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place?

Night classes and my ex boyfriend thought I'd get raped. He forgot I'm too big to take easily.

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?

Tae Kwon Do as a 3rd grader count?

saacjw · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun?

I have pepper spray- somewhere...

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?

Nope

3. Where'd you get it?

My step mother

4. Do you feel safer having it with you?

I never once carried it. I feel like if I ever tried to use it, I'd probably have a mishap and spray myself.

The funny thing is, to get to work, I have to travel through a rather unsavory part of town, like not the worst Chicago has to offer, but I've definately had some run ins on the CTA. Pepper spray wouldn't make me feel any safer because I'm always in such close quarters that it would be really ineffective.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place?

My step-mom got it as a going to college present, because aparently she thought the school I went to was sketchy (it wasn't).

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?

No, but I would like to.

midgetthemighty · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? Nope, but I used to have pepper spray in my purse.

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above? Nope.

3. Where'd you get it? My mom ordered it online when the parking garage she always used to park in had several instances of attacks in it. She used to get into work at 4am. I was taking night classes at the time so she bought me one too.

4. Do you feel safer having it with you? Yes.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place? See #3.

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses? Nope.

jessicabessica · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? No. We may be getting a gun in the near future, although probably a shotgun, which would be more forDH's rec use and potentially home defense.

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above? No.

3. Where'd you get it? n/a

4. Do you feel safer having it with you? I have a rigging knife that I have carried on occasion while walking my dog (worried about the two-leggeds), and we usually carry a big stick when we walk her in the park near our house now (plenty of dogs off-leash, which isn't allowed, and not under any kind of voice control). Those things do make me feel safer. Once we came across two guys hiking with a handgun and a machete, and we had nothing. It was a really scary experience because something about them seemed a little off, and we would have been fairly powerless if they'd wanted to cause us harm.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place? n/a

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses? Yes. I took a course for college PE credit, and then I taught courses to 8-18 year old girls for about 5 years. I haven't done it lately, though.

Aaaand go.

AdeleDazeem · July 2012

1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? I own pepper spray, but haven't carried it in years.

2. Have you ever had to use any of the above? Nope.

3. Where'd you get it? Online. When I moved to Boston there was a rapist in neighboring area. Only the people who lived in that section were allowed pepper spray so I got some myself a different way. Whatever, Boston - your rules were ridiculous. You didn't advertise the rapist, only those living in the section could have pepper spray (because said rapist couldn't cross lines?) and your news reports didn't cover it so people walked around clueless. It pissed me off to no end and contributes to my dislike of that city. Help your residents be safe, don't just sweep it under the rug and put on an innocent face of "Boston is THE BEST!!!!!" You have the same problems as any other city.

4. Do you feel safer having it with you? A bit, yes.

5. Why'd you get it in the first place? see above

6. Have you taken physical self defense courses? No. I've lived in major cities now for the past ten years. I like to think I'm rather street smart and know little things to help in situations, but anything can happen. Pepper spray would make me feel a bit better. I was always terrified of spraying myself, though...

KatWAG · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_self-defense-and-related-stuff-poll?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:f5493caf-6eac-4f1a-88e8-af1855654e15Post:c3b5d7f2-f238-49e8-859b-0c610346cc8a">Self defense and related stuff poll.</a>:
[QUOTE]So, I've got a couple night classes and will be walking around campus at 10:00pm, and that kind of got me thinking. I'm definitely going to get pepper spray at the least, although now that I found out I can actually own a taser, I kind of want one of those too =P So, answer me this!
1. Do you own a taser, pepper spray, or a handgun? <strong> Yes, pepper spray and guns.
</strong>2. Have you ever had to use any of the above?<strong>Not because I was being attacked. Yes I have shot the guns on several occasions. IL is the only state in the Union that doesn't have the right to conceal and carry. so I cant carry a gun for my protection even if I wanted to. I really wish that law would change
</strong>3. Where'd you get it? <strong>Pepper spray online, guns H got them
</strong>4. Do you feel safer having it with you? <strong>yes.
</strong>5. Why'd you get it in the first place? <strong>Pepper spray, I got when I moved to DC because I didn't know the city and didn't feel safe walking home at night. We got the guns because we like to shot.
</strong> 6. Have you taken physical self defense courses?<strong> no
</strong>Aaaand go.
Posted by Anysunrise[/QUOTE]

awolkenhauer · July 2012

Just keep wind direction in mind if you ever need to use pepper spray. Definitely a downer if you manage to get yourself instead.

Self defense and related stuff poll.

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