what do you use?

I'm paranoid. Really paranoid. I'm always afraid there is someone out to get me, even in the comforts of home. I keep a metal bat by the door. I have a knife upstairs. I have an emergency plan in case someone breaks into my apartment while I'm at home. Psycho am I? Probably. Too many movies. Nonetheless.... But, I'm not prepared on the streets. Today, I was walking home from the bus stop and three cars stopped to oggle at me. The only thing I can think of to semi-protect myself in case someone decides to approach me is to grip my keys so that my longest key is sticking out from my fist, hopefully to puncture them. I don't know where to find pepper spray (any suggestions?) and can't legally carry a gun. So, what do you do (or carry) to protect yourself?

my body is a lethal weapon! I'm a kung-fu fighting machine!

Bruce Lee was a bitch.

Rely on what I was born with. Got a mean left foot.

mace?

I don't carry weapons, I don't need them. That said, I do sleep with two swords under my bed and I sleep very well for it. Anyone that tries breaking into my place is getting cut up...
Spike

PS If you're looking for mace or pepper spray, I think you can order things like that online. Hope that's of help
Spike

I carry all 325 lbs of me.


and that is pretty much all I need.

Ditto. I have one in my apt and one in my car. Just like the cops use to beat people's heads in.

I have two Pitbulls in my house, if you get past them(ya right) then you deserve to steal all my stuff

you live in texas, i think, that means you can do whatever you want as long as you don't kill an innocent person--they frown on that--and kill you for it too--i am pretty sure anyone can carry a gun in texas

sounds to me like you suffer from that thing where you are afraid alot

mace is great. you can use it from a distance--you just have to have it ready to roll should trouble arise and don't mace yourself

whatever you do, do not watch the movie IRREVERSIBLE with monica bellucci

i'm glad to hear i'm not the only one. i guess it's just too many close calls, you know? i need to find some spray that won't have any back spray on me (being pregnant, i don't want to risk inhaling anything that might hurt the baby).

Come to Minnesota, conceal and carry! You can kill all the mofos out to get you!

I carry a sharp sense of my surroundings and know that things like keys and my bag can be used as weapons, if needed.

When I delivered pizzas, I had a mag lite. Additionally, those two-liter bottles of Coke I carried to almost every doorstep would have made excellent weapons when swung at an attacker's head.

My appearance is usually enough to make sucka MC's think twice 'bout steppin'.

Admitedly, I've never used mace or pepper spray, but I'd think any kind of aerosol has the risk of blowing back on you You could always get a tazer or something like that...

Spike

Those things hurt like a motherfucker. I dropped one off the shelf in my cupboard once and brained myself. It was really really not cool.

oooh...a tazer. i wonder how much those go for?

Also...nothing says painful like spiked bracelets and a fistfull of quarters. Or those huge ass belt buckles you folks in Texas have. If you've ever had one of those beat against your body, you know what I mean.

after you deliver your wonderful baby, assuming you'll have time, I'd suggest you practise self defence/karate/kungfu, anything that builds up some muscles and train you to react and gives you self confidence. it's all in the training, your nerves learn the techniques and even against a stronger opponent some unexpected kick could give you few precious seconds to run away/call for help/get the spray.

after I trained, I felt much more confident even without weapons.

if you do get weapons,like pepper spray and stuff, the nerves training is still valid, get a friend or a self defence instructor to help you training in their use. a trained nerve is a much faster nerve
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[Edited on Nov 05, 2003 by StarsJuggler]

[Edited on Nov 05, 2003 by StarsJuggler]

My ex military husband makes me feel safe, but when I'm alone I hold my keys and am constantly looking around like a scared bunny especially when I'm alone with my daughter.

My loyal band of hell-spawn will protect their master to the last....mwahhahahhhahhahahhah.

I have a huge ass belt buckle and I don't live in Texas . Although as heavy as my belt is I am sure I could use it as a weapon.

Either that or I'll just use some Hampster Style fighting on them.

Jizzikah it is better to be paranoid then to be a victim. I have heard some horror stories which truly break my heart. I am 6'6" 220 pounds and I still walk around with some sort of weapon on me at all time. What I usually have is some sort of tactical folding knife, sometimes I carry two. When working I usually carry a surefire flashlight with a attached impact device which is small enough that you can keep it on you with out to much attention.
Best advice though is be aware at all times and if something does happen fight like hell and scream to attract anyones attention.