Alternatives for home/self defense?

I put this in the BarberShop because I didn't think that it belonged in the Shooting Sports thread; if it belongs there then please feel free to move it.

I've been following various threads about guns and personal/home safety. Personally, I believe that I don't have the training to use a firearm responsibly. Having said that, I also don't want to be unprepared in case of disaster. I'm wondering what alternatives exist for other methods of home and self defense, preferably nonlethal.

A quick internet search brought up several choices that seem like they would be potentially useful-

1) pepper spray (apparently, the Kimber PepperBlaster is well regarded and isn't as affected by wind/etc)

2) Stun gun (apparently Taser makes a civilian version called the C2 that doesn't require direct contact)

3) Metal baton/heavy duty flashlight/baseball bat (with self defense course). I actually carry a short solid steel crowbar in my car (closely accessible) both to bash window glass out in case of an accident as well as a weapon of sorts. I've only ever gotten it out once, when a large dog was running at my car while parked outside a friend's place. It turned out that the dog was friendly and I felt rather silly, as I was about to brain this dog who ended up just wanting to play.

4) Tactical flashlight - small bright ones for disorienting attackers

5) Dog (not practical for my housing situation currently, but definitely an idea that has legs, if you'll pardon the pun )

6) Not weapons, but home deterrents - alarm signs, alarm system, dog dish etc even if you don't have a dog, . . .

7) Personal alarm - no clue how effective these would be in real life

8) Miscellaneous - tactical pens (onder if they have an unmarked one, as a pen that says "Smith & Wesson" on it isn't inobtrusive), steel tipped boots, etc

Now that I think about it, a good self defense course doesn't seem like a bad idea regardless.

I'm wondering what would be the most useful for home defense, or personal if it came to that. The Kimber PepperBlaster seems like it'd fit my criteria - useful at range, nonlethal (so I think that I'd have the willingness to use it), small/concealable for personal use. A self defense course, a tactical flashlight while out and a baton/large heavy clublike flashlight at home would round that out. I should also talk to a friend who is a police officer about this . . .

Any thoughts or recommendations? Thanks in advance!

I would recommend some weapons training if you can afford it. I have 2 shotguns strategically placed in my residence and additional weapons within arms reach in other key points of the house. Nothing has a round in the chamber but the sound of a shotgun racking will make most men wet themselves!!

First, there is no gun alternative that I can think of.
Second, get some training if you think you need it, and everybody needs it.
Outside of that, home alarm, a few dogs and a Kukri wouldn't hurt

Strategically placed trap doors over pits full of hungry sharks, alligators, or good old acid or boiling oil. Mix and match. Intruder walks in, you engage him in smirky conversation like a villain in a James Bond movie, then go "BWAAAAA-hahahahahaha!!!!" as you spring the trap door under the intruder's feet. I really like that idea. I like a large caliber pistol or a shotgun better, though, since the bad guy MIGHT be similarly equipped. To paraphrase, don't bring pepper spray to a gunfight.

Good home security starts with deterrence. Sturdy bars, extra deadbolt, solid doors, visible alarm installation and appropriate signs, etc. Motion activated floodlights. You need warning of an intruder, too. video surveillance is another good tool. Be able to control the lighting to your advantage. Have safe exits planned in the event you choose to flee rather than fight. I don't favor that approach just on principle, but as a practical matter there are times when it might seem advisable.

Practice with whatever weapons you choose to have on hand, particularly retention. Don't be zapped or sprayed or shot by your own weapon!!!!!!!!! Check on the legality in your area of various means of home defense use.

I really do think that if you are concerned, a firearm and appropriate training and practice are the way to go, though I do understand that there are people who are dead set against them or live where gun ownership is complex and difficult.

Step one would be to remain anonymous on internet forums and to not publicly divulge what arsenal and surprises you have in store for unwanted guests. On some forums I see people post pictures of their arms collections and of their intruder defenses. I see a lot of overkill capacity when it comes to arms, but more lack of common sense.

You could hire a home defense specialist and ask for professional advice.

Living in a country where I cannot own firearms, stun guns, pepper spray, many knives, batons, bad language....

Invest in training. Keep yourself fit and able. Learn to fight if needed. Use improvised "weapons". By that I mean, there are many legitimate objects that can turn a bad situation to your favour, and if the bad guy gets messed up in the process, well he broke into your home. Cracking an intruder with a knife over the noggin with a field hockey stick (one of my recommendations for home defence) is going to cause you a lot less legal problems than shooting them in the face. Plus, if you have other people in the house, particularly small ones, I would be quite reluctant to get into a situation where you were potentially firing through walls in the dark. But YMMV.

The point is, train for bad things. If nothing else, martial arts keep you fit.

PS. As a last resort, I second the recommendation of a Kukri in post #3. That is an excellent weapon indoors, and less likely to be lethal than a stabbing weapon. And it is handy in the garden, which makes it a little more legit if it "comes to hand" in an emergency.

Large, loud dogs; trouble will visit the neighbors instead. I am also (mostly) fit and have had some martial arts training; which if things continue the way they've been, I will happily never use.

Lmarkow said:

Large, loud dogs; trouble will visit the neighbors instead. I am also (mostly) fit and have had some martial arts training; which if things continue the way they've been, I will happily never use.

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+1. Fingers crossed. And big dogs are great to own anyway. But an issue if you live in an inner city apartment...

I've opted for the dogs and guns approach. A 180 pound dog that can rattle the window glass with his bark and most likely fit a whole human head in his mouth. Figure if they make it past him, then I'll deal with it in a more direct way.

Looks like you're geographically in the same area as me, I live up in the NW section of WA state. There are several places near me that offer training, and I am a member at a local shooting range. Like others have said, get the training even if you decide not to go with a firearm, the training still has value. If you're in the Seattle(ish) area I think there's a range/gun shop that will let you try any gun you'd like before you have to purchase.

How to:

I think you must first clarify exactly WHAT you are trying to defend yourself from:

-light burglary
-a visit from your mother in law
-armed home invasion
-global jihad
-zombie apocalyse
-Armageddon

Each requires a unique set of defensive weapons and strategies.

Get a dog that barks. Then get training to use a weapon responsibly.

It's interesting that in the training they said just the sound of a shotgun being loaded will scare of 90% of home invaders. The other 10%--you will have to shoot them. And there's no such thing as shoot to maim or disable.

I have kids, so no loaded guns around the house, but I do have a Tactical Warhammer near my bed.

Mostly for looks, but I can use it in a pinch against the oncoming zombie apocalypse.

I have a friend who has a couple of cop friends that work for a large city PD in Norcal who say they now keep pepper spray beside the bed. The reason is they have experience responding to calls where a parent accidentally shoots a child or a spouse accidentally shoots their partner.

I have a two shot pepper spray pistol that will shoot accurately over 12 feet. Everything else stays under lock and key.

Easy!
Step 1
Poison frog.
Step 2
Dart
Step 3
Shoot Will Farrell to practice on.

Guaranteed to work. Although the lower the IQ of the intruder the more poison one has to use. Fact.

Seriously, all the options you listed involved you in a direct encounter with the intruder. Word of advice.

Don't.

Use deterrents as much as possible to deter intruders. A VERY thorny clustered rose bush in front of first story windows. Infrared motion lights outside all around the home.
A security system NOT dependent on the home phone.

If appropriate practice safe escape measures with the family like fire drills. This I have done with my kids and they know what to do. They'll get neighbors help. My kids come first before trying to be Superman. Which I'm not. Just buying time.

Look into cameras as technology has brought it down to VERY affordable levels. No excuse for you not to have one outside the patio doors, front doors and all wirelessly tied to your phone.

Put SIMPLE dowels into windows. Makes it that much tougher tonopen windows. Especially ones you normally don't open.

Pressure sensors on the first stair or under strategic areas. Nothing complicated something simple as air squeekers like dogs get like to chew on or peizo electric noise makers under the carpet directly under windows. In case they somehow come through a window. They have to step down...

I also have a dog. Bottom line, both my neighbors on either side of me have been broken into as well as across the street. Call it luck(knock on wood) or having done something right.

Good luck.

Over here guns are not an option.
Personally I would go for a good self defence course, and deterrents. Deadbolt, security cameras, motion activated floodlights, secured windows, so on so forth.
If you don't feel comfortable with a firearm there is no point having one.

Buy a castle.


With moat.

If you have a backyard an alligator helps as well. Knew someone in Texas that had one. Also opened the door gripping a S&W revolver loaded with hollow points but I digress.

Inari7 said:

I have kids, so no loaded guns around the house, but I do have a Tactical Warhammer near my bed.

Mostly for looks, but I can use it in a pinch against the oncoming zombie apocalypse.

Click to expand...

Nothing says "hello ladies" like a tactical warhammer.

Land shark.