Home defense in non-permissive environments...

[HTRN]

OK, so as a self-defense item in NYC, to be used by a slender young woman what would be suggested?

Pepper spray, although she's got to find somebody who sells it, and then fill out a form. Also Pepperspray bought out of state is not legal here.

[Highspeed]

OK, so as a self-defense item in NYC, to be used by a slender young woman what would be suggested?

Pepper spray, although she's got to find somebody who sells it, and then fill out a form. Also Pepperspray bought out of state is not legal here.

I had pepper spray in the UK ( it's classed as a weapon of mass destruction there, or similar bullshit ) incorporated into a Kubaton ( whatever the fuck one of those things is )

I gave it to a good buddy when I emigrated.

I can't say how I sourced it, but it must be an order of magnitude easier in the USA

[HTRN]

In most of the country, it's a cash and carry proposition.

[Termite]

OK, so as a self-defense item in NYC, to be used by a slender young woman what would be suggested?

Pepper spray, although she's got to find somebody who sells it, and then fill out a form. Also Pepperspray bought out of state is not legal here.

What about bear spray?

For in-house use only, what about a wakizashi or O-tanto?

[MarkD]

In NYC? Home use only, since she'd look silly carrying a fire extinguisher everywhere? Lever action carbine in 357 magnum, use 38s if the 357 is too brisk.

Edited because it originally looked weird, smartphone did odd things to some words.

[Aglifter]

She doesn't want to go through the registration junk, and she's in NYC part time, so not a resident. (Not sure if she can get a permit to keep a long gun, unless she is a resident of NYC.)

[Erik]

For in-house use only, what about a wakizashi or O-tanto?

For inhouse use, I'd rather get a meatcleaver or any sturdy kitchen knife. Or a hammer or screwdriver. Easy to leave in places around the house, and easy to explain if worst comes to worst. And pretty useful to have around for less critical use as well.

[MarkD]

She doesn't want to go through the registration junk, and she's in NYC part time, so not a resident. (Not sure if she can get a permit to keep a long gun, unless she is a resident of NYC.)

Oh, ok, didn't realize the lady would be a non-resident (I don't believe non-residents can get firearm licenses).

I've banged this drum before too: First step is to harden the perimeter as much as possible, make her place as unattractive as possible to a would-be invader. Make him decide the place across the hall is easier pickings. Second, how about a dog? A big enough one to be a deterrent of course, not just a furry alarm. Third, if the SOB gets past the door and dog, then a nice claw hammer makes an imposing weapon in the hands of someone who's determined to use it.

That last half-sentence is probably most important, mind-set. If the perp detects hesitation or unwillingness to bash his head in, she's going to be in a world of hurt. If she projects an attitude of "Any of your body parts that get within reach are going to be damaged or detached" she'll likely prevail.

[skb12172]

A Little League bat is a perfect sized bludgeon.

We call them 'rounders bats' in the UK. Pretty much useless in untrained hands, you also need a wide arc to swing them in to get any force behind the blow. If the threat has their back or side to you then no problemo.

If I had a dollar for every time I saw someone attempt to win a fight with one of those things and instead get it taken off them on the second or third missed swing....I'd have about 12 dollars

Good point. I'll bet some of those potential users were drunk, too. However, if you played baseball for several years, you would qualify as "trained." "Over Here," many of the girls also grow up playing baseball/softball too, so I maintain it would be a good option in the right hands. Plus, the Little League size is smaller, more like a large club, as opposed to a full-sized, Major League bat.

[skb12172]

Lots of other good advice here, too. Ditto on the Bear Spray (about $50 at Bass Pro or Sportsman's Warehouse), screwdriver, or claw hammer. Between the last two, I'd go with the screwdriver.

And as has already been written: Mindset! Mindset! Mindset!