Can never be to safe...

[dscrn]

I don't have any mace or pepper spray, although I have been considering the purchase of a handgun for quite some time. I could make an interesting hobby out of going to the gun range every now and then to learn how to use it with proficiency.

I'm also a single female, and the gun range might be one of many places where I can meet interesting men with prospects.

If you do consider getting a handgun, I HIGHLY recommend that you become proficient at handling, otherwise, you might just as well not have one...

[dscrn]

not exactly portabe, but maybe nice to keep in the car or in the house...insect spray-for wasps-has the long straw atatched...

[Peetz, BSN]

5 ml syring of Vecuronium, 1" 18g needle. Can't wait to see the look in his eyes.

OMGosh that is to funny!

[Peetz, BSN]

I used to carry mace, yes, in the small handheld key chain type. It got so old I was afraid it would explode if I ever tryed to use it. Now that I am over 40 I just carry a really bad attitude.

[brownbook]

There are lies, dammed lies, and statistics. Yes this has to do with carrying weapons for self defense. I believe statistics would prove more people are sexually asualted, maimed, and killed by people they know than the stranger lurking under the bed! What are you all so afraid of, or do you plan to use your weapons on your significant others? Of course the newspaper's and TV news make big stories of women attacked by stranger, then maybe a small article on page 8 about husband kills wife. Sure some good basic self defense classes are great, but I know I forget 90% of what I learn within a few weeks! (Kind of like ACLS, ha ha.) And I guess I live a blessed life because I never get to practice what I learn!

[CrufflerJJ, RN]

What are you all so afraid of, or do you plan to use your weapons on your significant others? Of course the newspaper's and TV news make big stories of women attacked by stranger, then maybe a small article on page 8 about husband kills wife. Sure some good basic self defense classes are great, but I know I forget 90% of what I learn within a few weeks! (Kind of like ACLS, ha ha.) And I guess I live a blessed life because I never get to practice what I learn!

"Afraid of"? No. Prepared for, just in case...yes.

I see weapons as a tool designed to offer the user the ability to solve or prevent/mitigate a problem, just like a seat belt or car insurance. I don't plan to use them, don't want to use them, but want to have them as an option if needed to protect my life or the lives of my loved ones.

If you just take a "basic self defense class", and do nothing else, you may gain little benefit from it. Many self defense skills (unarmed or armed with a weapon of any type) usually require muscle memory in order for the skills to work when you're under stress. Those who practice a lot will find themselves clearing a malfunction with no conscious thought. Those who practice a lot will tend to incorporate common body movements into their weapon handling (use or preparation for use), whether the weapon is open hands, a blade, a stick, a canister of OC, or a pistol.

By "a lot", I mean thousands of repetitions (done CORRECTLY - not just done for the sake of doing) of a draw, a cut, a block, or sight alignment & trigger press. It's all part of the same reality, seen from different viewpoints.

[Sparrow23]

I despise pepper spray. Merely tested one of those things for a friend and still managed to burn my eyes like heck hours and hours, and several hand-washings later. Nooo thank you. I'd probably end up down-wind of the stuff and spray myself instead. Much rather fight back like crazy than use some weapon that could be easily turned on me.

[leslie :-D]

Now that I am over 40 I just carry a really bad attitude.

yep, nothing deadlier than a woman who's pms'ing.

leslie

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

I have my concealed carry license and have my 1911 with me almost everywhere I go. When I can't carry the gun, I usually have a knife. There ain't much that a 185gr .45 ACP hollow point won't drop.

For a female shooter, I'd recommend something small (ie fits in a purse) but still packs a punch, like a .38spl snub nosed. I don't trust the stopping power of those little .22 and .25 pocket guns. If someone is coming at you you want to stop them. Also a revolver may be a better choice as some women ain't strong enough the pull the slide back on a semi-auto. (on the other hand, I know some women who are just as good with a gun as I am so...)

On a side note, when I took my concealed carry class, our instructor gave us a good bit of info. He was a retired DPS officer and told us that IF we ever have to use deadly force, that you never say you "shot to kill", you say you "shot to stop". The judicial system has a wonderful way of turning things around on you.

Last I heard hollow points were against the law. I use to use hollow points but when I heard they were against the law, I changed out my bullets. I don't know if this is still true, as it's been years ago that I heard this.

I agree with a revolver. That's all I've ever used. It'd be terrible if my life was on the line and my gun jammed! I hate those, never could get use to them.

[CrufflerJJ, RN]

Last I heard hollow points were against the law. I use to use hollow points but when I heard they were against the law, I changed out my bullets. I don't know if this is still true, as it's been years ago that I heard this.

That may still be the case with certain freedom-impaired localities. In most parts of the country, however, hollowpoint or other expanding ammo is just fine. You might want to check with a local CCW instructor, or (if you're so inclined) the local county/city prostituting attorney. Expanding ammo is generally more effective at solving problems than non-expanding ammo.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I work in an area where more gunshots come into our ICU that are self-inflicted.

Does the weapon really make you safer, or is safety an illusion?

[diane227, LPN, RN]

I carry a gun.