Nobody wants to be a crime statistic, yet being the victim of some type of crime is a much higher risk than suffering through most major disasters. While not all situations are preventable—a bank robbery, for example—there are things you can do to stay safer and increase the odds of surviving.
ASSAULT
Whether you are jumped by thugs on the street or the victim of a sexual attack, an assault comes out of nowhere with little to no warning. We don’t have time even to process what is happening, let alone react to it in the most desirable way. The best way to diminish the odds of being hurt or raped in an assault is to take a self-defense course and know what to do in a variety of situations, because no amount of reading and watching instructional videos can compare to hands-on practice. Many self-defense courses are cheap and local, and some are geared towards women or children or entire families.
But if you are the victim of an assault, you must act fast and on instinct. Most assaults occur as a part of a robbery attempt. If someone jumps you for your purse or wallet, give it to them. It’s not worth losing your life over. If you can scream to attract attention, do so.
A good self-defense class will teach you some basic skills that can stop an attacker and incapacitate them long enough for you to get away. Invest in a class.
If you are walking alone and live in an area that allows open carry, keep your weapon in your hand or visible to anyone who might attempt to attack you. But make sure you are abiding by local laws or you could be the one who ends up in jail.
Never walk or run alone at night. Go with a buddy. A large dog can act as a deterrent. Keep valuables in a pouch or sack close to the body.
Try to get a good look at your attacker without them being aware of it. When they run off, call police or get help quickly so you can better describe the person to police.
Immediately call and cancel bank cards and credit cards, and contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and Social Security office if you were carrying ID and your wallet or purse was stolen.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
No one wants to think about it, but sexual assault is rampant. Usually the attacker is male and the victim is female, but not always. The elderly and children can also end up victims of sexual assault.
It is critical that women think about never being out alone at night, whether driving or walking or running. It isn’t fair, but the world we live in dictates that women think about carrying some type of weapon, which we will discuss later in this chapter. Do not walk or run alone at night or early in the morning. Do not walk into underground parking garages alone at any time if you can get someone to walk with you. If you must be alone in a dangerous situation, exercise situational awareness, and hold your head up high. Criminals are much more likely to attack someone who looks weak, scared, and distracted than someone who appears to be on the lookout and ready to react.
If you are the victim of sexual assault, the choice is yours as to whether you feel you can fight off your attacker or should do as they say. No one, including the author of this book, can tell you which choice might be better in what circumstances. Unfortunately, it may come down to instinct. You must do what you believe is necessary to survive the attack.
If you have been assaulted, call 911 or get to the hospital immediately. Do not bathe or clean off any part of your body. Do not change your clothes. Keep the scene of the assault intact. If you choose to file a police report, do so immediately. Police will need every clue they can get to help find your attacker and bring them to justice.
At the hospital, ask for a SANE, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, to assist you and administer a rape kit if the assault involved intercourse or any form of rape (oral, anal). Often hospitals have rape crisis counselors on hand to help you.
Get counseling or therapy immediately, even if you feel good about surviving the assault, because post-traumatic stress disorder will occur. Rape is a violent crime, and even if the victim is accepting the situation on the surface, the damage runs deep and must be addressed.
Know that it is never your fault. If anyone shames you or disrespects you, remove them from your life. If you have a doctor or counselor who shames or guilts you in any way, fire them. Rape is never the fault of the victim. Ever.
If it is someone you know, do not be afraid to turn them in. Get a restraining order if you feel it might help. Tell close friends so they can watch out for you.
Talk about the assault/rape to close loved ones and trusted friends, but do not continue to dwell on it and go deeper into depression. Take steps, however small, to begin to take back control of your life and your thoughts and move forward. If you are not able to stop ruminating, get professional help. You deserve to heal, and there is no shame in asking for help to do so.
Consider carrying a weapon in the future to give you confidence, but be sure to learn how to use the weapon and what the laws are in your state.
Often rape and assault victims find some healing in helping other victims get through what they have dealt with. If you feel this might be something that would help you, offer to volunteer at a rape crisis center.
The most important thing to remember in any crime, and especially in rape, is that you are not at fault. Do not try to “go it alone,” and get the help you need to begin the healing process.
RIDER SAFETY
Today people can call a taxi if they need a ride somewhere, but they also have new options such as Uber and Lyft, companies that provide fast and often cheap transportation where you need it, when you need it. But with these new options come new potentials for crime. There are definitely some things you can do to protect yourself when using one of these services.
Do not stand alone outside waiting for your ride. Wait indoors or with others until your car has arrived.
Make sure it is the exact same car you ordered on the app or service, and do not get into a car that looks different, even if the driver claims they are with the company. When you use the apps to order a car, you will be given the driver’s first name, a photo, a copy of their driver’s license, and a picture of the vehicle with license plate number. You can also see the driver’s rating. Make sure it all matches perfectly, or refuse the ride. Many college students have reported “imposter drivers” when using these services, so be careful, because a fake driver will have only one thing on their mind: committing a crime against you.
If you are riding alone with the driver, sit in the back seat. This way you can get out of the vehicle on either side if you need to. If you can get a friend to accompany you on the ride, do so, and both sit in the back seat.
Keep your cell phone in your hand, and have 911 on speed dial.
Let others know where you are going and how you are getting there. These apps allow you to share your status while you are en route so that others know exactly where the car is and what it looks like too.
Do not give your phone number or other personal information to the driver. They don’t need it! The apps will actually make your phone number anonymous when you order the car to protect your privacy.
Use your judgment and gut instinct. If you don’t feel right, don’t get in the car. If you are being aggressively flirted with or bothered by the driver, call 911.
STALKING
If you suspect someone is stalking you, keep a record of every email, text, phone call, message, photograph, or conversation. Document everything, including times and dates.
If a stalker is nearby, either walking by your home or workplace, sitting in a car watching you, or following you at a distance, get video evidence.
Do not ignore emails and letters, as they may contain actual threats you can go to the police with.
File a restraining order, and let law enforcement know you are being stalked. They may not be able to act unless there is a viable threat, but they will have your report on file.
Consider carrying a weapon, and beef up the security in your home or apartment.
Alter daily routines to keep stalkers off guard. If you are going away on business or a vacation, let others know your plans, and ask them to check on you regularly.
Tell people. Even neighbors you are friends with can be extra pairs of eyes and ears.
Do not confront or engage the stalker in any circumstance.
CARJACKING
Cars can be hijacked just as a plane or semitruck can. Often carjackings are perpetrated by an organized ring of criminals or gangs that steal cars and resell parts for a profit. While you can look up the criminal “value” of your car online or in your Consumer Reports magazine, it can happen to anyone at any time. Carjackers don’t usually work alone and often drive up to a victim at a stoplight, and one gets out and holds a gun to the victim’s head. The victim may be dragged out of the car and left on the pavement or shot in the head to prevent them from identifying the attackers. It is a terrifying crime that happens fast, and the best advice is to let them have your car without a fight.
The smart thing to do when someone is trying to carjack you is to get out of the car and let the thief take it. A car is not worth your life.
They may also take your purse or wallet. Let them. You can always call and cancel cards and notify the Department of Motor Vehicles and Social Security. The key is to survive.
The best way to avoid a carjacking is to be aware of your surroundings. Lock your doors, and if a car pulls up beside you and you feel anxious, move. Even through a stoplight if it is safe. Get to a populous, lighted area, or lean on your horn as you drive.
Always wear a seat belt. It may sound crazy, but carjackers are all about getting your car fast and getting out of Dodge. A seat belt complicates matters.
At any stoplight, keep enough room between the front of your car and the rear of the car in front of you to be able to speed away quickly if something looks wrong.
Never open your door or even roll down your window to talk to anyone. The person you think just needs directions could be a carjacker. Don’t take chances!
If you are told to get out of the car, you can choose to throw your keys as far as you can and run. Some believe the carjackers will go for the keys, as the car is their main goal.
Have proper car insurance that covers theft, and think about investing in a car tracking device that police can use to find the car if it is stolen, such as the LoJack system.
Above all else, give up your car and your belongings instead of your life. One can be replaced, the other cannot.
If you have a loud car alarm installed, trigger it manually if you can. Noise can deter a crime, especially when there may be witnesses around.
If a vehicle bumps you in the rear of your car, do not get out. Call 911 immediately. Drive away fast if you can.
Keep car keys separate from house keys so that, if they grab your wallet and car keys, they at least don’t have easy access to your home too.
You can try throwing keys and cash or jewelry out of the car, then exit the vehicle and run away.
If you have children in the car, reach back and get your child, and exit the car together. Never assume that if you get out, the carjacker will be nice and let your child out the back door while you stand there.
If you have your cell phone near you, try to dial 911 (which should be on speed dial) without the carjacker noticing as you try to get out of the car, throw your keys, or speed away. This will enable the 911 process to begin as the crime happens.
KIDNAPPING
Whether a stranger grabs you in a local shopping center parking lot or you are held hostage by a group of terrorists, kidnapping happens all over the world and in many different situations. Sometimes gender makes a difference, as in men kidnapping women for sexual assault and rape. Other times, it is adults kidnapping children for sexual purposes. Often it might be for money, especially if you are known to come from a wealthy or important family. Whatever the reason, being kidnapped is an absolutely terrifying situation that would cause the bravest among us to freeze.
Kidnappings occur abroad and can then be especially dangerous because often the victim doesn’t have the ability even to communicate with the attackers. But assume that most kidnappings occur close to home, and start there to protect yourself. If you work late and come home at night, or jog in the evening, you must be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you come into your garage, do you close the door before you get out of the locked car? Anyone can slip into the garage while you are unloading bags or your work items.
When shopping, do you park away from the entrance? Try to park close to the main entrance and in a well-lit area, and go to your car with others. If you are alone, ask the store manager if they can have security accompany you to your car. Look inside your back seat before you get in!
When driving, day or night, know where you are going. Kidnappers and criminals can tell when someone is lost and will prey on them. Use your phone’s GPS, and if you miss a stop, try to know an alternative route ahead of time to avoid having to stop and ask someone, which could lead to trouble. If you do need to ask for directions, go to a well-lit gas station, and ask the attendant.
In a hostile environment, you want to become somewhat invisible and have your phone in your hand ready to dial 911. If you suspect someone is following you, have your hand on your mace, pepper spray, or alarm whistle if you have one, and be ready to use it. If you live in an open carry state, show that you are armed and it may deter the attacker.
Preventing a kidnapping is your number one choice. Yell, scream, kick, run, use your weapon if you have one. Just get away and get to safety. But if it does happen, and you are kidnapped, you can survive. You have to quell the panic first and foremost. The rush of adrenaline and panic won’t help you. Try to be as observant as possible, and look for any chance there might be to escape. You want to observe:
•How many people there are
•If they are armed, and with what types of weapons
•Where you are being held and if there are exits visible
•Are they young, old, foreign?
•Do they speak your language?
•What is their emotional state?
•Do they show any kind of respect or compassion, or are they cruel?
•If they have not covered your eyes, try to remember visuals along the way to where you are being taken. If you can later get to a phone, this will help rescuers.
•What type of security is there around the facility you are being held in?
•Is it a home, building, warehouse, garage?
•Are you injured?
Ideally, if you can find out their motivation for kidnapping you, it will give you an advantage in keeping tensions lower. You want to be strong and positive, but also keep the attackers at ease and not lead them to believe you are a threat to them at any time.
You can choose to try to establish some kind of rapport with your kidnappers. This is a matter of instinct and discernment. But at the very least, do not insult or threaten them. They have the advantage now, not you.
Listen to their conversations, and identify what their plans are for you.
Keep track of time and behavior patterns and who leaves which exit when.
If there are other people being held captive, try to engage them in conversation, and look out for each other. When trust is established, you can devise a possible plan of escape. Try to blend in with other captives, though, as you don’t want to stand out and be thought of as “difficult.”
If you have children or loved ones, you can try to appeal to the attackers’ own feelings of love for their families.
Keep your mind sharp and alert, and gradually begin to try to communicate by asking for water or a bathroom to use.
If you are restrained, don’t visibly struggle to free yourself. Test the restraint and try to loosen it when you are not being observed.
If they bind your wrists with duct tape, you can escape by raising your arms over your head and bringing them down with extreme force while pulling your wrists apart. The tape will split if you use enough force.
Don’t make it too obvious that you are watching and listening to their plans.
If you see a potential weapon, try to take it and hide it from their view.
If and when an opportunity for escape presents itself, take it and run for it. You may be better off waiting through negotiations and rescue, but you must use your discernment, especially if you sense you will not be kept alive even after any ransom is paid. If you do escape, make sure you can get away for good, because if they capture you again, they probably won’t keep you alive for long.
If rescue is imminent, stay out of the way of gunfire, and follow the rescuers’ instructions to avoid being mistaken for another kidnapper and fired upon.
Once you are free, don’t think the ordeal is over. You will experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and need someone to talk to. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to get help.
If they hold you in the trunk of a car, you can escape! Try to pull the trunk release if there is one. Pull it up or down accordingly. It might even have a glow-in-the-dark handle to find it by. Not all cars will have this, so you may have to try to pull the trunk release cable instead. Pull up the floor carpet beneath you and feel for a cable. It may be beneath a piece of heavy cardboard. It also may be along the side of the trunk. Find it and pull it to open the trunk.
If you can escape via the backseat area, wait until the driver is out of the car. Push or kick the seat down, and crawl out into the back seat, then make a dash out the door.
Maybe you can reach the tire iron or car jack inside the trunk and use that to pry open the door or push out the brake lights so they drop down outside the car. This way you can attempt to signal to motorists that you need help. If you hear noises indicating you are in a populated area, kick and scream and bang on the door with all your might to try to draw attention to anyone who might hear you and call 911 on your behalf.
The minute you are free and clear, if you can call 911, do it right away while you still have descriptions and observations fresh in your mind. The trauma and fear of the situation could make your memory fuzzy if you hold off too long. If you don’t have your cell phone, find a business or store that is open, and go inside. Tell them what happened, and ask to use their phone. Remain inside until the police arrive.
If Your Purse or Wallet Is Stolen
Having your personal items stolen can be more frustrating and debilitating than having your car stolen. When someone takes your wallet, they now have your money and identity in their hands. Once you know your wallet or purse has been stolen or gone missing, there are steps you can take to reduce the damage:
•Contact your bank immediately to have your ATM card disabled and replaced with a new account number. The same applies to your checking account if your checkbook was taken.
•Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to let them know your driver’s license was taken and to take steps towards getting it replaced.
•Contact your credit card companies to let them know your cards were stolen and have them frozen or have account numbers changed. Have them also put a fraud alert on the cards and watch for suspicious activity.
•Contact the credit reporting agencies to let them know your identity and financial accounts have been compromised and to put a fraud alert on your accounts and freeze new activity.
File a police report if you notice money has been stolen from any of your accounts. The author of this book did just that when her checkbook was stolen, and it resulted in the arrest of a career identity-theft criminal. Do not trivialize your wallet or purse theft as unimportant. The police want to know, as the person who stole it may be someone wanted for other crimes, and reporting helps build a case.
If your keys were also stolen, have home locks replaced immediately. Car keys are a bit trickier, but you can go to your mechanic or your local car dealer and ask for their help in getting the lock mechanisms changed.
Contact the Social Security Department in your area to let them know if your card was stolen.
Contact your cell phone provider if your phone was taken, and have them assist you in rectifying the situation.
Never carry PINs or account numbers and passwords in your wallet or purse. If you do, and you are a victim of theft, change them immediately!
Document everything in your wallet, and make a physical copy of any important papers you carry with you.
If you are traveling abroad and your passport is stolen, and you don’t have a clean color copy of the main page, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy for assistance.
Obviously, the best way not to lose a wallet or purse is to keep your eyes on it at all times, but theft happens, and thieves can be tricky. All it takes is looking away for five seconds for them to nab and grab. If they do, just don’t let them get anything out of it other than the contents.
If you are gagged and chained, your options for escape might be zero. Then it comes down to doing whatever you can to stay alive and survive and possibly escape from the location you are being taken to. Kidnapping is a horrific situation with few options, but they are there if you can keep calm enough to be observant of them.
If your child is kidnapped, call 911 immediately, and do what you can to observe the kidnappers, what gender they are, how they are dressed, how tall they are and their build, any identifying tattoos, the make and color of the car, and the license plate number. The sooner an AMBER Alert or other type of child abduction alert can be put out to the public, the better. Also observe what direction the car was heading and any other identifiable marks. If you can follow the car on your own, you must consider that they may be armed and shoot not just at you, but at the child if they feel the situation puts them in danger of being caught. Most parents would instinctively want to chase down their child’s abductors. If you do so, be well aware of the risks.
Avoiding kidnapping comes down to situational awareness and trusting your gut not to take chances with your safety and override a concern just because it “probably is nothing.” Act as if it is something.
ROBBERY
A robbery can occur in your home, while you are at the bank, or at your workplace. Anywhere there are money and valuables to be had, a robbery is a possibility. You can be jogging in the park and become a victim of robbery. Situational awareness is a huge factor here. If you go into your local bank and see two big, burly guys in overcoats looking nervous, stay away and alert a security guard. If you are home, lock windows and doors, and consider a home alarm system. If you are working where robberies may occur, such as a retail shop, be aware of customers and watch them carefully.
If a robbery happens, rule number one is do as they say. If they tell you to get on the floor, get on the floor. If they tell you to face the wall, face the wall. Do not say anything or make any sudden moves. Do not try to talk the robbers out of it or try to disarm them. Often the robbers want to get what they can in the way of valuables and not add murder to their list of crimes. Stay quiet, don’t panic, and don’t be stupid.
Never stare at a robber. They will think you are trying to memorize their appearance to tell police later.
If you can hide, hide. Call 911 and stay quiet.
Once robbers have what they came for, they will usually leave fast without incident. Call 911 and set off the store alarm after they are gone.
Keep all witnesses there until police arrive. Do not touch anything the robbers touched, and leave the crime scene intact.
Do not speak to the media after a crime. You could botch the case.
Robbers may take hostages. If you have a medical condition that is life-threatening, you can try to reason with them, but don’t expect compassion. If they decide to spare you, it will be because they don’t want a murder on their rap sheet. You can try things such as letting go of bodily functions or using extreme emotion to show the robbers you would make a terrible hostage, but be aware that these techniques may also backfire on you and anger them. Hostage situations tend to be rarer because they put more pressure on the criminals to keep people under control. It is far easier for them to grab and dash.
During a robbery, it is not wise to try to keep your possessions when the thief has a gun or knife. Let them take your purse or wallet and get away with your life.
If anyone is injured during the robbery, help them after the robbers leave and 911 has been called. Treat the most severe injuries first, using the ABCs.
After a robbery, go home and rest. You will need to be on the lookout for possible symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Many robbery victims report horrible nightmares and a constant state of hypervigilance. Get help if you need it. Find a counselor or therapist skilled in PTSD who can help keep you from ruminating and playing the “what if they had done this or that” tapes over and over again in your mind.
There is a lot of discussion nowadays about being the “good guy with the gun” in the event of a crime. This book and this author do not attempt to make a judgment call on whether or not pulling a weapon on a robber or robbers will work, or result in your death. Every situation is different, and there is no blanket answer to the question of whether being armed or not would stop a crime or add to it. Use your judgment, but be very aware of the gun laws in your state and how you might be held liable for pulling a weapon.
If robbers enter your home, let them have what they want. Do what they say. If you see them enter the home before they see you, hide and call 911.
Do not try to call 911 if the robbers can see or hear you. They will choose to protect their own lives by taking yours.
Listen to their orders and follow their commands. Let them have anything they want, and if they ask you where valuables are kept, tell them. If they ask for something you don’t understand or have, state simply that you don’t understand or do not have the items in the house they want. Tell them they can take whatever they want in the house.
Do not stare at them to get a good visible description. When they are looking for valuables, you can mentally create visuals to tell the police. Do try to take notice of anything the robbers touch, especially if they are not wearing gloves, to tell police later.
Keep your hands visible at all times. Fast movements may cause a robber to react with gunfire.
If there are others in the house, tell the robbers. It is better they know which rooms to avoid than to have them enter by surprise and kill a family member.
Do not call 911 or anyone else if the robbers might hear you when they are inside your home.
Do not put up an argument or try to resist. Remember, robbers want things, not dead bodies.
If you feel your life is in danger and you can get to a weapon, it’s your call. Again, be aware of gun and self-defense laws in your state. Often, firing a warning shot is enough to send them on their way fast. If there is one robber and you can disable them without risk to your own life, do so.
Call police after the robbers have left and you have locked all doors and windows.
If you are selling something online or via a phone app, make sure you meet the buyer in a common area with other people around, and be careful when going back to your car if you did not make the sale. If you have valuables, have a friend go with you to the meeting place.
Do not give a buyer any personal information, and do not allow them to make a direct deposit into your bank account. Get cash or a cashier’s or bank check for payment, or if your phone allows a credit card, use that instead. Cash is always best for the cleanest transaction.
Never invite a stranger into your home if selling something online, even if they appear nice and harmless. They could be working with others in a crime ring. This is a warning especially for seniors, who tend to be more trusting of people coming to their door. Do not open the door for a child, teenager, or adult unless it is someone you are expecting and know!
If you are having a garage or yard sale, try to have others with you, and do not leave a door open leading into your home. Keep the cash in a cashbox away from the main action of the sale, and have one person designated to retrieve change while others watch the customers.
If someone pulls a gun, give them your money and whatever they want to take. Usually garage sale crime involves people stealing items or trying to get to the cashbox when you are not looking, so stay aware of the situation at all times.
The truth is, it always comes down to survival. Do what you must to survive and keep your loved ones alive. Sometimes that means doing nothing. Sometimes it means fighting back. No one can tell you what will work in any and all situations.
SELF-DEFENSE BASICS
Yes, take a self-defense course, and sign up your loved ones while you are at it! The more you can do to help yourself during a crime, the better. There are some basic techniques you can learn by reading or by watching a video, but nothing beats good old-fashioned hands-on training. There are a variety of courses in different techniques, but some take a long time to master. Taking a karate or martial arts class may be fun, but a class designed specifically for defending yourself in a crime will be the most helpful.
Self-defense doesn’t have to be rocket science. It is about doing something to hurt, distract, or disable another person quickly so that you can get away. During a crime, you will be experiencing panic and fear, but knowing some techniques that you can use to get away or buy yourself some extra time will give you an edge on the panic. Your mind and memory may be muddied with the immediate need to survive. But if your body is relaxed and ready, you can deter an attacker long enough to run and call for help.
Some of the basics are:
Chop/Smash—Flatten one hand with the palm facing downward. Strike the person’s throat or nose with the edge of your hand in a quick thrust.
Jab—Use the heel of your hand to jap upward at the attacker’s chin. Do this at as close range as possible. Use as much strength as you can muster to hurt their jaw area.
Stab—Use your hand, stiffened with fingers together, as a “knife,” and strike at the side of the neck where the carotid artery and jugular vein are located.
Poke/Thrust—Use your fingers to thrust into the attacker’s eyes or nostrils. The harder the better.
Box—Take the edge of the palms of both hands, and box the attacker in the ears as hard as you can.
Groin Impact—Kick in the groin, hard and fast. If they grab you from behind, raise one knee, then back the leg foot-first into the groin area. If you are facing the attacker, try to kick or raise your knee up hard and fast into their groin.
Side Kick—If you can, raise one leg to knee height, then snap it outward fast and hard into the attacker. Go for the kneecap, groin, or stomach.
Whack—If you have the space between you and the attacker, you can try whacking them in the face with a purse or other object you may have (umbrella, laptop in case, etc.), including your own elbow.
Stomp—Yes, stomp as hard as you can on the attacker’s foot.
Go for the feet, knees, stomach, groin, face, eyes, ears, and nose. These are areas sensitive to pain. Leverage your weight by throwing your body forward. If you are tall enough and strong enough, you can also employ things like chokeholds, bear hugs, and grabbing the attacker’s wrists to bring them behind their body in a hold, while kicking their legs out from underneath them.
If the attacker has you pinned on the ground, you can try to knee him in the groin to wiggle out from under, or pivot to the side or on top of him.
Ultimately, though, getting good training is best, because it will show you exactly how these moves feel to perform them and will perfect your technique. Look for classes at local colleges, women’s and men’s clubs, private companies, even many gyms. In the meantime, there are many great videos online that can show you tips such as how to get out of zip ties and ropes, how to free your hands from duct tape, and even how to memorize pressure points on the body to disable another person.
WEAPONS
Sometimes you feel like you need to have a weapon to secure your safety inside and outside of the home. Women especially are learning how to use guns properly to protect them from assaults. A weapon can be anything from a whistle to a shotgun. You alone must decide what your needs are. The most important thing to remember is this: if you choose to buy a gun, learn how to use it, keep it locked and away from children, and know what the gun carry and operating laws are in your state.
Anyone can carry a whistle, noise alarm, or even a small air horn in a purse or pocket to deter an attacker. Noise tends to attract attention and will also alert a police officer in the area of a problem. But if you need something more, consider getting a canister of Mace, pepper spray, or a Taser gun if legal in your state. Some states do not allow possession of self-defense sprays. Don’t just assume yours does and buy one online, only to find yourself behind bars for using it.
Mace or pepper spray may be effective in fending off a robber in some circumstances; of the two sprays, pepper is often preferred as more effective.
Often Mace or pepper spray will also be permissible as reasonable force for self-defense. It cannot be used to punish someone or to deter a flirtation at a local bar! Mace is a chemical that is a classified irritant, similar to tear gas used by police. Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent that can incapacitate someone when sprayed in the eyes. Mace may not stop someone who is under the influence of certain drugs or alcohol, but pepper spray will affect anyone it comes in contact with. Only pepper spray will cause someone to be temporarily blinded with intense burning. It can also cause extreme nausea. Because of this, pepper spray may be the more effective choice.
“Mace” is actually a trademarked name of a tear gas and is not to be confused for the cooking spice of the same name!
Contact your local law enforcement to see what is legal and recommended in your state and area, as local laws may also be different. Stun guns and Tasers may be completely illegal, or particular types may be allowed. People under eighteen are not permitted to carry a stun gun. Some states may require a background check to carry either one. Other states outlaw both for use by private citizens. Don’t buy one online without first making sure that it is legal, as some online sellers may tell you it is just to make the sale.
Also beware when buying from a third party or an individual. They may not have purchased the item legally, and as the new owner, you will be responsible if caught using it.
KNIVES AND GUNS
A knife is an option, but is it something that can be easily used? Obviously you cannot carry around a huge knife, but does a smaller pocket knife provide any protection? In some cases it might, but keep in mind state laws as to what you can and cannot carry. Using a knife to deter an attacker may depend on how much time you actually have to retrieve the knife and extend the blade. Remember, a knife is more of an “up close and personal” tool for fighting and protecting yourself. Unless you know how to throw one like a ninja master, it won’t help unless you are close enough to use it.
If you are at home, even a heavy frying pan can be used as a weapon. Don’t forget to look around at what you already have on hand, such as crowbars, heavy fire extinguishers, and pots and pans. A butcher knife or pair of sharp scissors is better than having no weapon at all, but use with discernment and only if doing so doesn’t put your own life in danger.
For many people, a gun will be a better option. Firing a single bullet at an oncoming attacker, if you have good aim, will do the trick in keeping the attacker away. But if the gun gets knocked out of your hands and into the hands of the attacker, what then? This book in no way attempts to decide whether you should purchase and carry any kind of gun. This is a hugely personal choice and one that must comply with state laws. People are choosing to keep guns in the home for security purposes, and many states now have open carry laws that make it easy to show a potential attacker you are armed.
The best way to be comfortable with owning and using a gun is to buy one from a professional store, sign up for lessons on how to use it, and keep it locked and away from children to avoid unnecessary harm and suffering. If you go to a gun store, you can ask the store employees or owner what type of gun might be best for you, based again on the carry laws in your state. Some people opt for a small handgun. Women may like the idea of keeping a handgun or pistol in their purse at all times, as long as it is locked so that it does not fire at the wrong times. There are plenty of gun ranges around that can allow you to get your hands on a particular size and style of gun to see what works best and what you can use with ease and accuracy.
For out and about, some states do allow larger guns such as shotguns, rifles, and even assault weapons to be carried. The reality is, you do not need to carry anything extreme. The goal is self-protection. If you choose to buy a shotgun or rifle, get good advice, and get trained in how to properly use, clean, and store the weapon. A conceal-carry gun usually means a length of 4.5–6 inches and is generally light and small, also known as a “compact” or “snub-nosed” pistol. Larger pistols are often called “duty” or “combat” pistols.
There are two basic types of handguns: double-action revolvers like the .38 special shown at top and semi-automatic pistols such as the .45 at bottom.
Keep in mind your physical size and strength too. This comes into play when choosing a particular gauge of, say, a shotgun. The gauge is the bore diameter of a shotgun (called the “caliber” for handguns and rifles: the larger the number, the smaller the bore diameter). When choosing which gauge shotgun, you must consider the powerful recoil and how easy it will be to handle if you are of a smaller build. Know the difference between a rifle, shotgun, and semi-automatic shotgun and the types of ammunition and how to load it before you commit to buying anything, and make sure what you choose makes sense for you. When you walk into a gun retailer, they will often have guns displayed by type, and in the case of handguns, by caliber. Ask—don’t just read a few reviews online and think you know which gun is best for your specific needs. Even the area where the trigger finger goes can vary in length and work for or against your finger size! You also want to make sure a gun fits your grip so you can have the most control while using it, and know what capacity the ammunition has in case you need to use more than a few bullets to take down a threat.
Guns and knives can be taken from you and used against you. They can also save your life. Get educated before you buy, and learn the proper way to use the gun you are investing in. No matter the type or size or style, those basics never change.
Being prepared for any crime is a plus. Deciding whether or not to take a class or buy a weapon is a personal choice that requires a bit of research, but it can be a great decision that may save your life or the lives of your loved ones. Ideally, we want to do whatever we can to avoid attracting a crime in the first place, but that’s in a perfect world. Many families are choosing to take survival classes together. It is not only fun but incredibly empowering and can ensure that everyone knows exactly how to handle themselves and any weapons in the home if needed.
A final suggestion is to join a neighborhood watch program, even if you live in a condo complex or apartment building. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors and have everyone on the same page when it comes to potential threats.
