| shortie |
alright, here's an interesting question.
lately I have been feeling a bit nervous running so much on the trails of the river valley, and the outskirts of them where there is no one else within the area really. Sure I could stick to well travelled paths, blahblahblah, but i hate running those... anyways, here's the point... If I carry either a small knife (you know, like one of those hunting style folding blades) or bear spray or something like that, would I get in shit if I was somehow stopped and searched (while running hahah or in my car on the way home or whatever) for carrying it as a self defense mechanism? I know a bunch of gals who carry spray at least, but a knife seems more useful as a scare tactict... I assume both could be considered concealed weapons though really
It's just an option I have been considering lately... there are times that I feel pretty sketched out, out in the bush, especially when some weird person crosses my path now and then.
I likely would never use a knife, just as a threat device, unless, of course, there was a reasonable and proportional fear of threat on my life... etcetc...
just wondering...
I will probably end up carrying one or the other either way :p |
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| Graphicdude |
| I say do it, the chances of you getting searched seems very unlikely. And I agree that most woman should be protecting themselves while running in the valley or in remote areas. Too many sick fucks out there. |
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| XtraX |
| I would recommend the spray over a knife. Realistically it's more useful. |
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| EDISKRAD EHT |
quote: Originally posted by XtraX
I would recommend the spray over a knife. Realistically it's more useful.
X2 |
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| jzz30tt |
Additionally don't bring anything to a fight that can be taken from you and used against you.
Do you know how to use a knife? Do you know how to keep someone from taking it from you? You say the knife for intimidation? Any weapon is absolutely useless as a threat unless you are willing, and able to use it.
I would say spray over the knife as well. |
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| Ayeso |
Spray over Knife any day...
BUT...
quote:
90. (1) Every person commits an offence
who carries a weapon, a prohibited device or
any prohibited ammunition concealed, unless
the person is authorized under the Firearms
Act to carry it concealed.
(2) Every person who commits an offence
under subsection (1)
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and
liable to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding five years; or
(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on
summary conviction.
A prohibited device is any of the following..
quote:
"nunchaku" and any similar instrument or device, being hard non-flexible sticks, clubs, pipes or rods linked by a length or lengths of rope, cord, wire or chain;
"shuriken", being a hard non-flexible plate having three or more radiating points with one or more sharp edges in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond or other geometric shape;
"manrikigusari" or "kusari", and any similar instrument or device, being hexagonal or other geometrically shaped hard weights or hand grips linked by a length or lengths of rope, cord, wire or chain;
any finger ring that has one or more blades or sharp objects that are capable of being projected from the surface of the ring.
"crossbow", with a stock of 400 mm or less
"Constant Companion", being a belt containing a blade capable of being withdrawn from the belt, with the buckle of the belt forming a handle for the blade
any knife commonly known as a "push-dagger" that is designed in such a fashion that the handle is placed perpendicular to the main cutting edge of the blade; and any other similar device but not including the aboriginal "ulu" knife.
"Spiked Wristband", being a wristband to which a spike or blade is affixed; and any other similar device
"Yaqua Blowgun", being a tube or pipe designed for the purpose of shooting arrows or darts by the breath; and any other similar device
"Kiyoga Baton" or "Steel Cobra" and any similar device consisting of a manually-triggered telescoping spring-loaded steel whip terminated in a heavy calibre striking tip;
"Morning Star" and any similar device consisting of a ball of metal or other heavy material, studded with spikes and connected to a handle by a length of chain, rope or other flexible material.
"Brass Knuckles" and any similar device consisting of a band of metal with finger holes designed to fit over the root knuckles of the hand.
Any device designed to be used for the purpose of injuring, immobilising or otherwise incapacitating any person by the discharge therefrom of
(a) tear gas, Mace or other gas, or
(b) any liquid, spray, powder or other substance that is capable of injuring, immobilising or otherwise incapacitating any person,
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| AudiInProgress |
That's fucking hilarious.
ps- when do you go running?
;) |
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| cupcake |
Didn't law school cover that? :p
I would go for the spray over the knife any day since if they're going to attack you, chances are, they will have a weapon, like a knife. And to effectively use a knife, you need to get close, which is dangerous.
But isn't bear spray illegal unless you use it for camping and isn't pepper spray just illegal in general?
Get one of those rape horn things and just blast it. |
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| Prudz_lude |
:lol: rape horns never work. I swear if i heard one i would look around and wonder where the parade is at.
All jokes aside, mace ftmfw! That shit stings the eyes like no other. If you mace him/her you can beat the living shit out of them. Just make sure you don't spray it close to your face or you will be blind as well. |
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| STiPWR |
quote: Originally posted by jzz30tt
Additionally don't bring anything to a fight that can be taken from you and used against you.
Do you know how to use a knife? Do you know how to keep someone from taking it from you? You say the knife for intimidation? Any weapon is absolutely useless as a threat unless you are willing, and able to use it.
I would say spray over the knife as well.
exactly what I was going to say.
:thumbup:
Only thing I would add, is that if you bring a knife or a weapon of some sort and dont have the balls to use it.....Likely the attacker is going to be even more pissed off and fuck you up worse.
Best way to avoid trouble is to stay away from it. IE: stay on common public trails. |
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| jzz30tt |
quote: Originally posted by STiPWR
Only thing I would add, is that if you bring a knife or a weapon of some sort and dont have the balls to use it.....Likely the attacker is going to be even more pissed off and fuck you up worse.
QFT :thumbup: |
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| GOT BOOST |
quote: Originally posted by STiPWR
exactly what I was going to say.
:thumbup:
Only thing I would add, is that if you bring a knife or a weapon of some sort and dont have the balls to use it.....Likely the attacker is going to be even more pissed off and fuck you up worse.
Best way to avoid trouble is to stay away from it. IE: stay on common public trails.
Agreed. Strike first. Ask questions later.
It is easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. :D |
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| shortie |
VERY valid point guys, i didnt think at all about that aspect of it... unfortunately I am not a trained knife fighter! I guess someone who is going to attack you is sick enough not to be scared of a knife. If only I was as skilled as McGiver, I could just carry some paper clips, elastic bands and some empty pens and be able to fend off an attacker and escape...
perhaps I should carry nunchuks, although they too are apparently a concealed weapon LOL
I only recently started bringing my cell with me... Im from victoria, we dont really have issues at all there with attacks on runners... when I first moved here and went running in the river valley at night or early mornings I had no clue it was considered a bad idea hahah people looked at me like I had a death wish
definitely safer to stay on well used trails, I agree, but I prefer to be alone and 'remote' when running... so I admit I am taking a chance with that, but hence the weapon plan. I am a pretty tough cookie as it is, and have no problem attempting to beat the shit outta someone in defence, however a little help is good too.
quote: ps- when do you go running?
lol, if I tell you, you are going to stalk me, arent you :blink: :p
good tips!
either way, I guess I will live with the possibility of a weapons charge if it means I feel a bit safer on the trails. hah I would highly doubt It be found out or charged for it, but it be kinda funny to watch a police bust on all the runners out there |
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| jzz30tt |
quote: Originally posted by shortie
lol, if I tell you, you are going to stalk me, arent you :blink: :p
Yes... Yes he is. And he's a little big to 'intimidate' too. |
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| XtraX |
| Here is an idea, don't conceal it. Run around with a big fucking samurai sword. Just don't hide it. I wouldn't fuck with you... |
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| AudiInProgress |
quote: Originally posted by shortie
lol, if I tell you, you are going to stalk me, arent you :blink: :p
edit: nevermind |
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| cupcake |
quote: Originally posted by Prudz_lude
:lol: rape horns never work. I swear if i heard one i would look around and wonder where the parade is at.
Not if you get blasted directly in the ear. Isn't it supposed to hurt like a mofo when your ear drums break? Or have I seen She's All That too many times? |
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| Geofux |
| have both... bear spray first, knife if the bear spray doesn't have intended effects... |
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| JoshP2002 |
Ive heard a friends rape alarm go off, we pulled the pin as a joke. It really was nothing too serious, annoying, but nobody even gave a second look as it was in a bit more public of an area.
I agree with the sprays, although that would be tough to carry around. If they're blind, you can at least kick them to stay down, and/or run away. It would be nice to catch them all, but I certainly wouldnt want to be around when they start swinging.
I never knew the river valley was so dangerous, do things happen there often? |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
I remember a number of years ago there was a ride by groper.. he would ride a bike or something and as he passed women he would take a little squeeze.. I think he was caught...
'nother option would be to find a running partner...
ORRRRR carry a stiletto(sp?) a nice 6" one heh.. "But officer.. it's not a weapon... I just used what I had available, honestly!" :P |
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| Stainless |
quote: Originally posted by shortie
I only recently started bringing my cell with me... Im from victoria, we dont really have issues at all there with attacks on runners... when I first moved here and went running in the river valley at night or early mornings I had no clue it was considered a bad idea hahah people looked at me like I had a death wish
I have to stick up for my city, and say that I've never heard of a runner being attacked (and I used to run a lot), and I hear on Vancouver Island and the Vancouver coast, they have a little problem with feet wearing running shoes washing up on the shore! :lol:
I'd go with the bear spray though, you never know when you may come across a cougar or a rabid dog/coyote :fingersx: |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote: Originally posted by Stainless
I have to stick up for my city, and say that I've never heard of a runner being attacked (and I used to run a lot), and I hear on Vancouver Island and the Vancouver coast, they have a little problem with feet wearing running shoes washing up on the shore! :lol:
I'd go with the bear spray though, you never know when you may come across a cougar or a rabid dog/coyote :fingersx:
It's only the right feet that show up... never a left... or so I read..
If you get bear spray, and if asked you say you only bought it to use on agressive animals while running you'd probably get away with it.. but you'll get a nasty finger waggin' if you use it on a person... so make sure you have a mark on you from an "attacker" before you spray them... |
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| midnite |
quote: Originally posted by XtraX
I would recommend the spray over a knife. Realistically it's more useful.
Definitely, unless you are trained in knife/stick fighting, you shouldn't carry one for self defense.
Also remember that you shouldn't carry a weapon that you don't at least know a few disarming moves against in case it is taken from you from an attacker.
Bear spray a much more practical tool for your situation. |
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| beeb |
| hey I have an even better solution... stay in your car and just drive around... no one is going to rape you in your car.. |
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| shortie |
quote: Originally posted by Stainless
I have to stick up for my city, and say that I've never heard of a runner being attacked (and I used to run a lot), and I hear on Vancouver Island and the Vancouver coast, they have a little problem with feet wearing running shoes washing up on the shore! :lol:
I'd go with the bear spray though, you never know when you may come across a cougar or a rabid dog/coyote :fingersx:
actually there was a runner attacked like last week on the paths, more northside though not surprisingly, but I guess its more a comfort feature for me to feel a bit better, I feel slightly vaulnerable out on the trails sometimes, especially when you go by a couple guys or some creepy looking people and realize you are all alone in virtually the middle of no where, where no one could hear you... (if I was a psychopath, thats where I would wait lol) I don't really feel really scared for my safety, more just wanting to be prepared for anything... sadly the world is like that these days
I heard of the grope-and-go guy too on the bike, that was a year or so ago I think... I enjoy edmonton itself for running and am not really scared of that at all, it is more where I run (which I bring on myself, of course)
lol @ the feet... they are found in their shoe... apparently, from what I have heard, they were seperated from "natural causes" and not sawed off HAHA how gross is that, but awesomely CSI
good point - at least with bear spray if ever questioned for whatever reason, it can be said it is because one is out in the wild.
the knife 'points' (harhar pun intended) are good points - it could probably just be used against me, as I don't have any training... gonna stick with the spray... probably wouldnt be as huge of a concealed weapon issue (not sure why that concerns me at all really anyways) |
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| kevito_ |
| I have bear spray in my car. I don't carry it on me, just in my car. I used to work in the bush and I just sorta turned into a habit to carry it with me everywhere I go. I've come pretty close (not face-to-face, but less than 15 feet) with a bear twice, but I've never used it. I hear it's a lot stronger than the human sized pepper sprays and can definitely bring someone down: Just hope they aren't attacking you from upwind, because then you are fucked. |
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| BLOCKER |
quote: Originally posted by shortie
alright, here's an interesting question.
lately I have been feeling a bit nervous running so much on the trails of the river valley, and the outskirts of them where there is no one else within the area really. Sure I could stick to well travelled paths, blahblahblah, but i hate running those... anyways, here's the point... If I carry either a small knife (you know, like one of those hunting style folding blades) or bear spray or something like that, would I get in shit if I was somehow stopped and searched (while running hahah or in my car on the way home or whatever) for carrying it as a self defense mechanism? I know a bunch of gals who carry spray at least, but a knife seems more useful as a scare tactict... I assume both could be considered concealed weapons though really
It's just an option I have been considering lately... there are times that I feel pretty sketched out, out in the bush, especially when some weird person crosses my path now and then.
I likely would never use a knife, just as a threat device, unless, of course, there was a reasonable and proportional fear of threat on my life... etcetc...
just wondering...
I will probably end up carrying one or the other either way :p
If you are carrying a knife (providing it does not meet the specification to be considered prohibited), in an area on your body the would reasonable place to store (ie// pocket, belt) it would not be considered "carrying a concealed weapon" only if that was the intent, to hide the knife.... in regard to the carrying the knife while on a run for a scare tactic, like it has been said on this forum, don't threaten to use it if you can not deffend against it.
With respect to Bear Spray or mase or Dog Repelent, It is unlawfull to use it on humans, if used you may be charged with using a prohibited weapon... Keep in mind MAY... however if it is carried to protect againt "wild dogs" while running in the river valley... if stoped by police while running in the rivervalley, you may get a lecture, but there would be no grounds for seizure, maybe only a "lecture" |
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| Dan_Gyoba |
I used to teach a womens' self defence course, and would give the following advise when asked similar questions.
1. (As has been stated and re-stated) Don't bring a weapon that you don't know how to use, and use well.
2. (ditto) Don't bring a weapon that you're not 100% certain that you want to use. If you don't want to kill someone, don't bring something that will kill someone.
3. The best defence is to avoid the situation. Always is, always will be. If you're not sure that the paths where you go running are safe, then maybe choosing different paths is the best course of action. Staying in relatively public, well-lit areas may not be the best place for quiet introspection and "getting away from it all" but it is indisputably safer.
4. Attackers will most often observe for a while to establish patterns. Though it's not the best for running, you could vary the times and routes that you take, so as to make yourself a harder target to predict. So it's hard to gauge the distance that you're running with differnet routes, or compare times, it's a safer bet.
5. Attackers don't just jump out from the bush. They will "test" you to see if you're an easy victim. If approached, be assertive, don't let them into your personal space, and above all, listen to your instincts. If something is telling you that things are going bad, they probably are. That's the time to be somewhere else. Be aware if the person is trying to be between you and your easiest way out, and don't let it happen.
6. If you feel that you must carry a weapon, don't carry it concealed. Carry it where it is either in your hand, or can be in your hand in an instant. If things do turn ugly, the attacker isn't going to give you time to dig through your fanny pack, purse, or pockets. You will be able to use what is in your hands at the time, and nothing more. If you have that can of "bear spray" to protect you from "wild dogs" keep it on a belt clip, or in your hand. If you have it and can't use it, that will only serve to increase your own sense of guilt later. (I've talked to enough victims to know this, sadly.)
That's the best advise that I can give you, though it doesn't answer the law enforcement part of it all. |
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| Inzane |
| Great advice Dan! :thumbup: |
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| shortie |
great advice, thanks! you definitely seem to know your stuff
I'm not too concerned about being attacked per se, just want to be prepared should I need to.
gonna go with the bear spray and keep it easily accessible. and even if I hopefully never have to use it on a person, at least it is handy should I come across cranky wildlife.... those squirrels can be vicious lol |
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| 4thGenLude |
Although it is somewhat useful and definitely better than nothing,
spray is not a primary defence against an edged weapon.
People think spray immobilizes people when really it doesn't. I've seen some pretty damn good fights being put up by someone who had been sprayed. |
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| bboybean |
Dan has some great points. I carry a small 5" blade on a belt clip on my pant pocket (visable). Im a big guy and I dont feel safe being in this city without one even though (thank god) I have never had to use it.
Confidence will be your best weapon if you ever get into a harry situation but theres also alot of crackhead/methheads in the river area and they are wicked unpredictable.
I know its been said tons here already but dont carry it if your not trained/ready to use it, but also be prepared that they probably have a knife too. |
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| Inzane |
| How about a TAZER? :p |
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| Jizmo |
Trust me, besides for a gun, nothing makes thugs run away faster then bear spray, if they know what it is. It's also better cause a knife might not scare a GROUP of attackers (which is commom, maybe moreso then just 1 attacker), whereas bear spray will take a platoon of attackers out. It can blind them, burn your skin, omg that stuff is dirty.
I don't care if your a 90 year old lady, if I'm a thug wanting your purse and you pull out some bear spray, I am now your bitch.
Just remember this stuff is made to take out BEARS. Grizzleys. Not the 20 year old crackhead robbing you. |
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