Self-Defense Tools and Methods

Self-Defense Tools

Self-defense tools are generally non-lethal. They are used to fend off an attack by rendering the attacker ineffective. You can use everyday objects, such as baseball bats or keys. But these may not be as effective as tools designed for your protection.

Resources

• Mace and pepper spray can be sprayed into an attacker’s face to give you time to get away.
• Hand-held stun guns deliver a large electrical shock to stun the attacker.
• Taser devices shoot two small probes a distance of up to 15 feet that transmit an electrical charge to the attacker.
• Sonic alarms create a loud noise to let others know that you are in trouble.

Self-Defense Training

• Different types of martial arts can help different types of bodies. For example akido and judo are all about using an opponents weight and size against them which is especially useful for smaller people.
• Sign up for RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) System based classes in your area.

Weapons for Self-Defense

Weapons can be used for either self-defense or for hunting. There are a variety of types of weapons that come with their pros and cons for different purposes.

• A crossbow is easy to shoot and aim. It’s also quiet, so it doesn’t alert people or animals to your presence.
• A long-range rifle allows you to hunt game from a distance. A machete can clear brush or fend off a dangerous animal.
• A slingshot is good for hunting small animals. Have pistols on hand and teach others to shoot, reload, shoot from cover and work as a team for protection.

Reminder: If you plan to have lethal weapons, be sure to train everyone who has access to them in the proper use of these weapons.

Pink Pistols

This is a shooting group that honors diversity and helps educate new shooters. They advocate the use of lawfully-owned, lawfully-concealed firearms for the self-defense of the sexual minority community.

Find your local chapter

Picking the Right Firearm

So You Want to Buy a Gun Helpful quick guide on finding the right firearm for you.

Helpful Hints from Gun Owners

All quotes are anonymous contributors unless listed contact info is given.

Before you buy anything, make a list of 4-5 guns that sound good, and see if you can rent them at your local range. I would never buy something I haven't shot, because you just won't know how it feels.

1911s are cool, but they're pricey usually. They come in .45 which is a big fucking round, or 9mm, which is the most common self defense. You can probably find a 1911 for cheap (sub 1k) if you shop around. Otherwise you will probably want to look at "micro compact" 9mms, something like the Glock 18 or the S&W Shield, both are small and made mostly out of polymer which is a very light but durable plastic. However, the downside to a small gun (and one made of polymer) is that the weight of the gun helps fight the recoil when you fire it, the smaller your platform the higher the felt recoil. so you'd need to practice with it to learn how to manage that

Hand/grip strength is important for recoil control when firing, but as you practice you'll get better. a fully loaded handgun is usually a little over a pound, and you're generally not gonna hold it at a ready stance long enough for your arms to get tired anyway. there's something to be said about getting something with an arm brace or stock, but some people are afraid of anything that looks like an AR-15

Every person is different so they're gonna like/want different stuff from their handguns. the things you dont want to compromise on are reliability and comfort; the former because if you're putting your life in the hands of this object, it needs to work all the time, every time. the latter, because a gun is useless if you aren't confident and knowledgeable enough to use it, and if it sucks to shoot, you won't go to the range