Sean Martin
September 22nd, 2004, 06:26 PM
Highly populated cities present a hindrance to self defense. According to the laws of highly populated areas a gun or knife cannot be carried in plain sight, this hindrance is also a problem for undercover operatives who for obvious reasons cannot wear their weapon in open view. Concealed weapons are the only way to aid self defense tactics without attracting any unpleasant attention.
The Principles
What are the important principles of carrying a concealed weapon ? The first is that the weapon should not be detected by anyone in plain sight, it should also be very comfortable to wear, it should be carried at all times and be capable of exacting a stopping power on an assailant. Finally it should also be very quick to use, i.e. quick on the draw.
Size and Comfort
The smaller a weapon is the better. Larger weapons although usually always more effective are uncomfortable to carry and can be detected by onlookers. The more comfortable a weapon is the higher its repeated carry. An uncomfortable device is more likely to be left at home on odd days leaving its owner helpless in time of danger. A smaller comfortable weapon has to be suitable to be carried 100% at all times. Smaller devices do have the problem of having less stopping power but that is better than not having a weapon at all during a dangerous situation.
Surprise and Quick Draw
The best factors aiding self defense are surprise and quick draw. In a dangerous situation requiring self defense the weapon should be drawn and used without hesitation taking an assailant/attacker by total surprise and thus aiding a quick escape. In hostile situations the time taken to use a weapon should not exceed 2 seconds. Weapons such as knives designed for this type of carry usually have built in special features to aid utilization within the 2 second barrier. The weapons carry system is just as important as the weapon itself and should be capable of being worn inconspicuously throughout the year in both winter and summer. It is a bad idea to wear a weapon in different ways from time to time, it is better to be trained on one wear, variations would cause confusion of the draw process in a tense situation.
Concealed Handguns
Guns are usually the first choice of proponents although usually not always the best choice. The smaller size of a handgun usually means that a smaller bullet caliber is used, therefore a smaller gun is usually not so good for knockdown power. An assailant being shot with the minimal .22 caliber pistol can take many shots in the chest before being knocked down. This issue can be solved by using a single or double shot pistol loaded with a high caliber magnum shell such as commonly done with the small well known Derringer pistol. The disadvantage of this being that there is only one chance for its use. How is this caliber size problem solved ? A smaller caliber such as .32 loaded into a multishot pistol can be effective as long as it is directed to specific areas of the body. An attacker shot in the forehead or at the base of the kneck will definitely be stopped. This is not easy to do in a tense situation therefore the concealed carry proponent should be well trained in the use of the smaller handgun. A smaller revolver or double action pistol should be chosen due to their simpler operation, they only require that the trigger be pulled unlike single action pistols which require the gun to be cocked manually before firing. A gun's holster is just as important as the gun itself and should be available for wear year round in both winter and summer and a special fast draw system should be chosen in order to keep as close as possible to the 2 second barrier.
Concealed Knives
Knives are a very good choice for this type of carry; they are inexpensive, do not require a license to buy and are generally viewed less critically by local law enforcement. Folding knives are usually selected by gentlemen as they can be hidden in the trouser pocket. The draw of such a knife would simply involve drawing it out of the pocket and opening the knife single handedly. With folding knives it is important to choose very wisely, a cheap knife could collapse when hitting a hard object and will probably not last very long, a high quality knife will last forever even with use and can sustain a direct strike on a hard object without closing on the user's fingers. Quality manufacturers also take the time to create knives that are extremely light in weight and are very fast to draw. The 'Spyderco Delica' for example is very light in weight, is made of very strong steel, built robustly and has a single handed quick draw system for that 2 second barrier. Other alternatives to folding knives are small full tang blades with a holster. A full tang blade is a blade and handle as one piece, the normal kind of knife found everywhere, with a quick draw holster for this knife the 2 second barrier can easily be achieved.
Pepper Spray
This well known device is basically a chemical weapon that causes severe agitation when applied. A pepper spray does not necessarily have to be applied directly to the face, it can also be sprayed on the skin such as on the back of the neck being just as effective. They usually come in the form of a tiny spray bottle attached to a keychain and do not arouse any unwanted attention. If carried by hand they can be deployed very quickly. A pepper spray is a perishable product though and has to be replaced even if not used at least once a year. The best brand is 'Fox' which is extremely powerfull causing extreme agitation even on slight contact.
Stun Guns
Stun guns produce extremely high voltages by using a normal battery. An assailant in contact with the nodes producing these voltages is temporarily incapacitated aiding a quick getaway. Even with a normal 9Volt Battery the device can be reused without significant drop in knockdown effect. The nodes from where the high voltage is generated should come into contact with an attackers body at points where there is a large concentration of nerves, such the lower side of the hip connecting to either leg or on the neck for the best stopping power. A disadvantage of this device is that it is larger than the alternative concealed weapons and is more suited for carry in a lady's handbag. Prolonged use of the high voltages for testing can cause the electronics running the device to wear down so testing the device's nodes in open air should be done very briefly. An exciting new type of stun gun is the Myotron. This uses voltages at specific frequencies to interrupt the flow of control signals from the brain to the body therefore totally paralyzing an assailant for a minimum of 10-20 minutes until the effects wear off. This device is extremely small in size and it's built in battery lasts for many years.
Applicability with the Law
Laws vary on the carry of concealed weapons from region to region. Handgun laws are very specific as they are concidered lethal and there can be a jail sentence involved for the unlicensed carry of a handgun if the authorities decide to prosecute. Laws on knives are more lax and they can usually be carried as 'gentlemen's tools' without the worry of prosecution. However there are laws for carrying knives, a police officer would usually confiscate a knife on its discovery but further prosecution is usually less common. Pepper spray and Stun Guns have very specific laws on the ban of their carry especially in specific cities in the U.S. and western europe. However a lot of other countries do not have any laws outlawing the import of such devices. The practical reality is that the proponent of concealed carry would rather risk being prosecuted on minor charges such as carrying pepper spray, a knife or a stun gun rather than risk his life not having a tool for self defense.
How To Choose A Handgun (http://www.vnnforum.com/showthread.php?p=124122#post124122)
Introduction to Handguns (http://www.vnnforum.com/showthread.php?p=124121#post124121)
The Principles
What are the important principles of carrying a concealed weapon ? The first is that the weapon should not be detected by anyone in plain sight, it should also be very comfortable to wear, it should be carried at all times and be capable of exacting a stopping power on an assailant. Finally it should also be very quick to use, i.e. quick on the draw.
Size and Comfort
The smaller a weapon is the better. Larger weapons although usually always more effective are uncomfortable to carry and can be detected by onlookers. The more comfortable a weapon is the higher its repeated carry. An uncomfortable device is more likely to be left at home on odd days leaving its owner helpless in time of danger. A smaller comfortable weapon has to be suitable to be carried 100% at all times. Smaller devices do have the problem of having less stopping power but that is better than not having a weapon at all during a dangerous situation.
Surprise and Quick Draw
The best factors aiding self defense are surprise and quick draw. In a dangerous situation requiring self defense the weapon should be drawn and used without hesitation taking an assailant/attacker by total surprise and thus aiding a quick escape. In hostile situations the time taken to use a weapon should not exceed 2 seconds. Weapons such as knives designed for this type of carry usually have built in special features to aid utilization within the 2 second barrier. The weapons carry system is just as important as the weapon itself and should be capable of being worn inconspicuously throughout the year in both winter and summer. It is a bad idea to wear a weapon in different ways from time to time, it is better to be trained on one wear, variations would cause confusion of the draw process in a tense situation.
Concealed Handguns
Guns are usually the first choice of proponents although usually not always the best choice. The smaller size of a handgun usually means that a smaller bullet caliber is used, therefore a smaller gun is usually not so good for knockdown power. An assailant being shot with the minimal .22 caliber pistol can take many shots in the chest before being knocked down. This issue can be solved by using a single or double shot pistol loaded with a high caliber magnum shell such as commonly done with the small well known Derringer pistol. The disadvantage of this being that there is only one chance for its use. How is this caliber size problem solved ? A smaller caliber such as .32 loaded into a multishot pistol can be effective as long as it is directed to specific areas of the body. An attacker shot in the forehead or at the base of the kneck will definitely be stopped. This is not easy to do in a tense situation therefore the concealed carry proponent should be well trained in the use of the smaller handgun. A smaller revolver or double action pistol should be chosen due to their simpler operation, they only require that the trigger be pulled unlike single action pistols which require the gun to be cocked manually before firing. A gun's holster is just as important as the gun itself and should be available for wear year round in both winter and summer and a special fast draw system should be chosen in order to keep as close as possible to the 2 second barrier.
Concealed Knives
Knives are a very good choice for this type of carry; they are inexpensive, do not require a license to buy and are generally viewed less critically by local law enforcement. Folding knives are usually selected by gentlemen as they can be hidden in the trouser pocket. The draw of such a knife would simply involve drawing it out of the pocket and opening the knife single handedly. With folding knives it is important to choose very wisely, a cheap knife could collapse when hitting a hard object and will probably not last very long, a high quality knife will last forever even with use and can sustain a direct strike on a hard object without closing on the user's fingers. Quality manufacturers also take the time to create knives that are extremely light in weight and are very fast to draw. The 'Spyderco Delica' for example is very light in weight, is made of very strong steel, built robustly and has a single handed quick draw system for that 2 second barrier. Other alternatives to folding knives are small full tang blades with a holster. A full tang blade is a blade and handle as one piece, the normal kind of knife found everywhere, with a quick draw holster for this knife the 2 second barrier can easily be achieved.
Pepper Spray
This well known device is basically a chemical weapon that causes severe agitation when applied. A pepper spray does not necessarily have to be applied directly to the face, it can also be sprayed on the skin such as on the back of the neck being just as effective. They usually come in the form of a tiny spray bottle attached to a keychain and do not arouse any unwanted attention. If carried by hand they can be deployed very quickly. A pepper spray is a perishable product though and has to be replaced even if not used at least once a year. The best brand is 'Fox' which is extremely powerfull causing extreme agitation even on slight contact.
Stun Guns
Stun guns produce extremely high voltages by using a normal battery. An assailant in contact with the nodes producing these voltages is temporarily incapacitated aiding a quick getaway. Even with a normal 9Volt Battery the device can be reused without significant drop in knockdown effect. The nodes from where the high voltage is generated should come into contact with an attackers body at points where there is a large concentration of nerves, such the lower side of the hip connecting to either leg or on the neck for the best stopping power. A disadvantage of this device is that it is larger than the alternative concealed weapons and is more suited for carry in a lady's handbag. Prolonged use of the high voltages for testing can cause the electronics running the device to wear down so testing the device's nodes in open air should be done very briefly. An exciting new type of stun gun is the Myotron. This uses voltages at specific frequencies to interrupt the flow of control signals from the brain to the body therefore totally paralyzing an assailant for a minimum of 10-20 minutes until the effects wear off. This device is extremely small in size and it's built in battery lasts for many years.
Applicability with the Law
Laws vary on the carry of concealed weapons from region to region. Handgun laws are very specific as they are concidered lethal and there can be a jail sentence involved for the unlicensed carry of a handgun if the authorities decide to prosecute. Laws on knives are more lax and they can usually be carried as 'gentlemen's tools' without the worry of prosecution. However there are laws for carrying knives, a police officer would usually confiscate a knife on its discovery but further prosecution is usually less common. Pepper spray and Stun Guns have very specific laws on the ban of their carry especially in specific cities in the U.S. and western europe. However a lot of other countries do not have any laws outlawing the import of such devices. The practical reality is that the proponent of concealed carry would rather risk being prosecuted on minor charges such as carrying pepper spray, a knife or a stun gun rather than risk his life not having a tool for self defense.
How To Choose A Handgun (http://www.vnnforum.com/showthread.php?p=124122#post124122)
Introduction to Handguns (http://www.vnnforum.com/showthread.php?p=124121#post124121)