The Problem with Armed Attackers

Generally, when my father came up with the tier system he based it on the level of threat. The highest was lv3 which meant that the person was out for serious harm. In recent weeks I have considered whether or not a fourth level should be added for when you are dealing with armed attackers. The main reason for this is you do not want to fight an armed person unarmed. If they have a knife, a gun, a club or anything of the sort it can be severely difficult to defend yourself. This is not even taking into account of multiple attackers.

Makeshift Solutions

There are many things environmentally that can help you deal with attackers. One such item is a magazine. When rolled up to a point it may not stab like a knife but it will hurt like mad when you hit with it. You can use purses and bookbags to knock them upside the head. There are mops and brooms that you can use like a staff and whack them with. Or you could pick up a chair and bash them with it. The possibilities are endless.

The Eye for an Eye Solution

I call this the eye for an eye solution because it’s based around having another weapon of your own just in case the situation escalates. It is here that I reinforce intelligent disguising or hiding of the weapon. My father’s favorite weapon is the cane. Almost no one suspects it is a weapon but it’s essentially a big stick that goes thump–thump with a convenient hook on one end that just so happens to be useful for assisting with issues walking. A lot of people favor large carbiner clips. These are things your attacker may not think are weapons and can be hidden in plain sight.

On the other hand if you choose to use something like a knife or a firearm you have to keep make it accessible enough for you to use but hidden enough that they can’t steal it and use it against you. Not only that there can be serious legal charges if you use it when the situation does not call for it. I would advise extreme caution if you choose to use these kinds of weapons.

The Best Solution

There’s an old Celtic saying, “a good run is better than a bad stand.” The entire goal of self–defense is to avoid as much harm to you and whoever you are protecting. The easiest way to prevent harm to yourself or others is to evacuate the premises of the violent fool. Don’t hang around for the sake of your own pride; just GET OUT.