What's the self defence weapon of choice these days for women to put in their handbag?

UberTiger · 18 Dec 2014 at 08:51

I'd like to pick something up for a friend who regularly walks on remote streets in the evening after work to access their car.

What's suggestions do people have as to what they can easily keep in their handbag and hold onto while walking?

Audible rape alarm?
Paper spray?
Taser?

I'm thinking pepper spray is the best option these days, as you don't want something that can easily be taken away from you and used against you.

Any links to recommended products would be nice. Thanks

MookJong · 18 Dec 2014 at 08:54

Are you in the UK? If so you appear to SERIOUSLY need a check of the law....

Xordium · 18 Dec 2014 at 08:56

UberTiger said:
Audible rape alarm?
Paper spray?
Taser?

1/ Would that work on remote streets with no-one to hear.
2/ I am not so sure spraying them with paper will have the desired effect.
3/ Would be classed as assault with a weapon.

The most often thing taught in self-defence is not to place yourself in such a situation so I would question why this women is having to walk by herself on remote streets. Surely the solution revolves around other people or a better sort access to her transportation than an action that will most likely place her in more danger with a potential assailant.

Halestorm · 18 Dec 2014 at 08:58

Blast Knuckles Not legal in any way though

ConTRo13R · 18 Dec 2014 at 08:59

Your thread sounds ominous at best... i question the real motive behind you asking??

tom_e · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:00

So 2 section 5 firearms offences and something which is of no use if there's no one to hear it, top choices my friend.

Also please explain how you think getting pepper spray out of someones hand wouldn't be difficult, in fact there's just as much chance of them pepper spraying themselves as there is whoever is attacking them.

Efour · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:03

Its a little cumbersome to start with but after a few days in the handbag you wont notice it.

The IPB · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:07

Have her keep a big dog in her bag, sorted.

*Not Westwood.

OhEsEcks · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:08

Neither tasers nor pepper spray are legal for civilian use in the UK. You can get a dye / paint alternative to pepper spray, which is about as much use as a chocolate tea pot, since all it does is mark the individual, not produce anything that would stop them in their tracks. Tasers have no legal alternative. I have heard of people getting tasers from China that look like mobile phones though.

hughtrimble · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:09

Carry an apple with intent to use it in the manner you describe, and you are carrying an offensive weapon.

As said above, you need to read-up on the law.

Zatoichi.uK · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:10

Boxing stance.

Uther · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:14

Pens are useful, in all sorts of ways.

UberTiger · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:14

Okay, I wasn't serious about the taser, but I was about the other 2.

I am in the UK, and this is serious. I've not done any googling yet, all I did was search Amazon for pepper spray and saw that the first result had 73 ratings at an average of 5 stars, then I made this post to see what was recommended.

Upon closer inspection I see now that it's not actually pepper spray it's

Gel self defence spray - The UK legal equivalent of Mace/Pepper Spray. 100% UK Legal!

I'm quite surprised that it's illegal over here, I didn't realise...

Svack · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:16

Kubotan? Could be considered an offensive weapon though and requires a bit of knowledge on how to use it.

Orionaut · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:17

I would imagine that the best form of self defence is training and mindset. Weapons are worse than useless if you do not have the competence/confidence to use them.

Bare hands can be very effective indeed if you do!

If you are really concerned for her safety, get her to go on some suitable courses.

Quite apart from anything else, it will boost her self confidence and in the main "Predators" tend to go for people who look weak and uncomfortable.

tom_e · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:20

Svack said:
Kubotan? Could be considered an offensive weapon though and requires a bit of knowledge on how to use it.

Definitely is an offensive weapon, as has been said even carrying a pen with the intent to use it in a similar manor to a kubotan makes it an offensive weapon.

OhEsEcks · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:22

tom_e said:
Definitely is an offensive weapon, as has been said even carrying a pen with the intent to use it in a similar manor to a kubotan makes it an offensive weapon.

Yup. Kubotan is even listed on the government website on knife law.

https://www.gov.uk/find-out-if-i-can-buy-or-carry-a-knife

Yaayuh! · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:24

I would suggest taking some martial arts/self defence classes. Can be very effective and less likely to have issues defending your case with police.

UberTiger · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:26

I agree that self defence training and mindset would ideally the best thing.

It's actually for an older person, late 50's.

They're not often in vulnerable situations, but their parking at work is usually one of only about 6 spaces a dead end alley behind the office building. It's the only decent non-charging off street parking.

The other nearest place being a multi-storey car park, which is very quiet in the evenings and probably potentially more dangerous than the small alley as once your enter you're more cut off from getting help from a passer by on the main street should something happen.

It's more for piece of mind, something to hold onto for the last 100ft to the car when it's dark out at night.

AtaRo · 18 Dec 2014 at 09:28

How about a walking stick .

But if a police sees you, they're going to taser you instead.