Home defense in non-permissive environments...

[MarkD]

Regarding wasp sprays, I had some a few years ago that sent a stream a good ten feet, it wasn't a fog but an actual stream. Killed the wasps immediately too. I don't think I'd want it in my eyes.

I don't know about swords unless she's going to go for training in their use. Swords take training and practice to use effectively (note that the advent of pistols meant that a person could, with minimal training, learn to defend himself against an expert swordsman, gaining that level of ability with a sword was out of the question for the average person who didn't have time to devote his life to it). Also hard to maneuver one in the confines of an apartment.

Hmmm, what are the laws in NYC governing bows? A compound bow should deter most goblins, and even with a target point (so you can claim you have it for target shooting, rather than hunting) it'll leave a mark.

I hate to belabor the point I made above, but with a hardened, alarmed exterior, a secondary alarm/intruder attacker (aka dog), and the proper mindset the actual weapon in use is nearly irrelevant. I'd much rather take on a hesitant, timid person with a 12 gauge than a solid, confident person armed with a hammer.

Bear in mind that, as far as I can recall from living there, in NYC it's legal to use deadly force to stop a burglary/robbery/home invasion. They just prevent you from owning the most effective tools for application of that force.

[SoupOrMan]

I thought it was the neurotoxic effect of the wasp killer that made it so useful.

[HTRN]

Bear in mind that, as far as I can recall from living there, in NYC it's legal to use deadly force to stop a burglary/robbery/home invasion.

Nope. You can legally defend yourself in fear for life, or the lives of others, or to stop a rape.

[Windy Wilson]

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

If she's sure she has the will to use it if the time comes, I would recommend something on the order of an 8 ounce hammer with a straight claw, not a curved one, and some sort of cap on the butt end to keep it from slipping out of the hand. Not spiked. Metal would be ideal, but whatever the hardware store has will have to do.
And roach spray, something that sprays a tight stream.
These have the advantage of not being out of place in an apartment in NYFC.

[Erik]

Bear in mind that, as far as I can recall from living there, in NYC it's legal to use deadly force to stop a burglary/robbery/home invasion.

Nope. You can legally defend yourself in fear for life, or the lives of others, or to stop a rape.

If you're the victim of a robbery/home invasion it would be understandable to be in fear of your life.

That aside, in every country I can think of, self defense is legal. The problem isn't the laws, but how the courts interpret "fear of life" and "self defense", and in too many places they seem to interpret it as if you're still alive now there was never any need to defend your life. And that "self defense" means taking the gun away from the 300lbs berzerk without even causing him hurt feelings.

[Termite]

Standard bug sprays generally use pyrethrins.
However, the "instant knockdown" wasp specific sprays operate much like gasoline or pure ethanol/methanol on insects. In fact, IIRC, it is HIGHLY flammable.
Which brings up a nasty idea: spray the attacker with wasp spray, then toss your lit Zippo on him.

[Yogimus]

As I keep saying... unless you train yourself to hit people, you will not be able to do it when the time comes.

[Termite]

As I keep saying... unless you train yourself to hit people, you will not be able to do it when the time comes.

Sounds like boxing/MMA lessons would be a good idea for the young lady.

[Netpackrat]

Standard bug sprays generally use pyrethrins.
However, the "instant knockdown" wasp specific sprays operate much like gasoline or pure ethanol/methanol on insects. In fact, IIRC, it is HIGHLY flammable.
Which brings up a nasty idea: spray the attacker with wasp spray, then toss your lit Zippo on him.

On another forum, a guy described a robbery attempt as he was fueling his vehicle at the gas station. He said that he pulled the fuel nozzle out of his car, and sprayed the bad guy down with gas. Then pulled a lighter out of his pocket and grinned. Robber took off running, screaming. He didn't even have to use the lighter.

[Aglifter]

Well, she'd have the reach (she's every bit of 6')...