What is the best (NYC legal) weapon for riding the subway at night? (construction, dangerous)
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My uncle has been a construction worker in the city for a number of years and carries a 4 inch knife. My thought is that attacking a thug with a tiny knife is as dangerous to yourself as to your opponent. I've read that many times when investigating knife attacks, police look for the perpetrator's DNA in blood on the scene.
So I'm thinking something like maybe a bicycle chain or pepper spray. My concern with pepper spray is that it is not very intimidating and I would prefer not to escalate a confrontation. I just want something to make Petey Pablo think twice about ganking my iPhone 5S.
Since NYC has long prohibited concealed carry except for the very rich and important, I would expect there to be numerous "success stories" of citizens using unconventional weapons to defend their life and property on the streets and in the subway.
My uncle has been a construction worker in the city for a number of years and carries a 4 inch knife. My thought is that attacking a thug with a tiny knife is as dangerous to yourself as to your opponent. I've read that many times when investigating knife attacks, police look for the perpetrator's DNA in blood on the scene.
So I'm thinking something like maybe a bicycle chain or pepper spray. My concern with pepper spray is that it is not very intimidating and I would prefer not to escalate a confrontation. I just want something to make Petey Pablo think twice about ganking my iPhone 5S.
Since NYC has long prohibited concealed carry except for the very rich and important, I would expect there to be numerous "success stories" of citizens using unconventional weapons to defend their life and property on the streets and in the subway.
Yeah, that's one of the reasons I am reticent to carry pepper spray. I have heard about Bernie Goetz, and I would not like to get imprisoned for months and sued as a result of getting robbed.
A pocket knife is your best option. Learn how to use one. Always remember if you take a weapon out, you better be ready to use it not taunt someone with it.
My tip to you would be:
Assess yourself. Can you scare a perp? Ie: are you 6'5 a hulking 280 lbs or are you 5'7 130 lbs? If your are the 5'7 dude, then hit the gym.
Stay alert! Keep the volume on your iPhone low. Do away with the white earbuds as this is a giveaway that you have an iPhone.
If you are going to a rough area or it's late in the night just put your valuables away.
Possessions are things and things can be replaced. Your life can't.
If you stab someone who is looking to rob you on the train, you might go to jail. Even if the knife blade is under 3 inches, in accordance with the law.
Baseball bats are legal too, but if you hit someone with one in self-defense, you're putting your life in the hands of the legal system.
The best NYC legal weapon for riding the subway at night is situation awareness, second best weapon is
your legs to run away from danger. If you are trapped and can't run away, hand over your wallet and
don't resist, your life is worth a lot more than the wallet or the thug's life. Let the police deal with thugs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LifeSurfer
My tip to you would be:
Assess yourself. Can you scare a perp? Ie: are you 6'5 a hulking 280 lbs or are you 5'7 130 lbs? If your are the 5'7 dude, then hit the gym.
I'm 5'9" and run like forrest gump! I'm not going to fight a thug unless I'm able to carry a gun legally.
Don't want to get hurt and don't want to go to jail for shooting the thugs while defending myself.
Last edited by Jaydata; 12-10-2013 at 09:34 PM..
Reason: add
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I'm not going to fight a thug unless I'm able to carry a gun legally.
