carpmart
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 09:36 AM |
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Opinions please
My daughter has just started work as an estate agent now that she has completed her A levels (bar exams) - I know this is not everyone's cup of
tea, and we all love to hate them but its something she has always wanted to do since she was 14 years old.
Anyway, she has been given the idea by her Aunt that she needs some mace or pepper spray for her handbag for when she goes out on viewings, which she
is already doing. I have checked this out and it appears to be illegal in the UK? I am also worried that if she were to carry this is could always
be used against her. The other side is that it is very effective and should she feel the need to use it, then it could just 'save' her on
that one occasion. She is very responsible and I am certain would not use it unless she felt it absolutely necessary. Should she use it then to my
mind, illegal or not, she is using 'reasonable force' to defend herself.
Anyway, views and opinions are sought?
Thanks
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack 
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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nitram38
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 09:39 AM |
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She can be arrested for carrying an offensive weapon.
Why not carry a can of hairspray or a gif lemon (squeezy). These are not illegal.
An alarm is also a good idea.
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indykid
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 09:44 AM |
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i imagine it's illegal for a reason. police carry CS so it's most likely that they want to have the most powerful weapon and if you use it
back against them, it's you that's breaking the law. istr CS is actually classed as a firearm. i wasn't aware pepper spray was too
though.
i understand your predicament, but equally, she could carry a knife or a gun. it'd still be illegal if she used it, and the british legal system
would take a dim view.
istr you can only use a weapon against someoone as self defence if they're attacking you with a weapon of the same or greater ability.
i guess all she can do legally is be vigilant.
tom
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omega 24 v6
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 09:45 AM |
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Mmm it's a tricky one and given some of crimewatches past reports it can be a problem, a very small problem. I think youd find that some of the
prfumes that a woman carries would be just as effective sprayed in the eyes as mace would. Then again in my ideal world a 357 magnum for these wasters
would be better.
I'm sure she'll be fine but it doesn't stop you worrying about them.
If it looks wrong it probably is wrong.
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andybod
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 09:59 AM |
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any bottle of perfume sprayed into the eyes should do the trick  and totally innocent to carry in hand bag
must learn to read previous posts before replying
[Edited on 18/5/08 by andybod]
[Edited on 18/5/08 by andybod]
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stevec
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 10:20 AM |
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What about a sock full of 2 pence coins? you can't be arrested for carrying a money bag.
Steve.
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Trev D
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 10:29 AM |
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If you contact your local police station they will issue a personal alarm that lets out a high pitch whistle. We got one for our daughter who had to
walk across parklkand from school. Very reassuring and made her feel more at ease. Hers cost about £5 from Maplins but fairly sure police giving for
free.
Regards Trev
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Dusty
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 10:31 AM |
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You can legally carry a rape alarm which gives an incredibly loud noise when triggered. This has an effect a bit like a stun grenade. Difficult to
think and an urge to get away from the noise. Might even be safer for her than pepper spray as it's said to provoke a less agressive response. I
know how you feel. My youngest daughter is joining the Army!
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Neil P
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 10:31 AM |
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CS / pepper spray - section 5 firearms, Prohibited weapons. That 's the same offence as carrying a stun gun, hand gun, grenade, mortar etc etc.
Probably not worthwhile taking the risk. Apart from anything else, the people using these sprays usually get a dose themselves, particularly if they
don't think about the wind direction.
If you think she needs to be able to look after herself get her on a self defence course. There are loads of people do them. One I have heard of is I
believe Keysi fighting method which is about using everyday objects such as pens, perfumes, mobile phones etc. as weapons in self defence.
Neil
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001Ben
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 10:35 AM |
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Perfume is the one . I would hate to be sprayed in the eyes with that. It doesnt weigh as much as coins either.
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BenB
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 10:52 AM |
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Wot about an atomizer full of tabasco sauce???
She could always say the local kebab shop doesn't do a spicy enough doner
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RazMan
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 11:17 AM |
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The best form of defence is .... defence
A course in self defence is far more sensible than carrying a weapon imo. Apart from the legality side of things, a weapon has to be found (handbag,
pockets etc) before use and can often be turned against you by an attacker. Some quick moves can avert the problem before it starts.
[Edited on 18-5-08 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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carpmart
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 11:56 AM |
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Some interesting comments from everyone!
I guess better than all these is learning to read situations well and extricate oneself from them before they become too difficult. Trouble is this
skill comes with age and experience! I think I will try to persuade her to take a self defense course - particularly like the idea of the everyday
objects one.
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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MikeR
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 01:16 PM |
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I'd recommend either Kali Escrema (probably wrong spelling) designed to be taught originally to farmers who had to learn to defend their land
QUICK! very effective and covers using open or closed hand (ie with or without weapons).
The other one is the Israel army martial art - its based on the idea if the person is dead they can't hurt you. Its supposed to be one of the
most 'effective' martial arts. Met a pharmacist in Glasgow who taught this. His side line is vulnerable people how to defend themselves in
a knife / gun situation.
Having said that a friend teaches European Martial Arts (ie traditional swords, walking canes, bar room brawls (chairs, tea towels etc)) and he
believes that Asian martial arts are only just now coming up to the standard of the European martial arts - but he would say that so i don't
know if that is true or not & there are very few places that teach what he does.
G/f does Thai boxing and carries a kubixon. Its a small stick that allows you to punch with out breaking your knuckles / inflict more pain & can
be used to hit pressure points. Looks incredibly innocent in her handbag (which weighs what a sock with 2p's in it would!) Another friend
teaches Thai and studies Kali. I still fight the urge when their is trouble to "be a man" and "protect the women" - despite
the fact they can both look after themselves far more effectively than i can.
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andyd
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 01:51 PM |
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I'll stick my 2p in at this point...
Being a trained martial artist and holder of a blackbelt in freestyle karate I would highly recommend some basic self defense tuition.
Both my young daughters take karate classes and I hope they never have to use what they are taught. In fact that pretty much goes for me too.
The best form of defense is to run away! It's the times that you are unable to run easily which are the problems. Under those circumstance
applying pressure to sensitive areas to disable your attacker then running is the way to go.
There are lots of websites which will give you all sorts of "self-teach" defense moves which may help. The most effective however are
things that you practice regulary. Knowing that some people can be disabled by jamming your fingers up into their armpit is one thing... being
confident enough to use that in a panic situation is another.
Also remind her that a swift knee to the bits and pieces will generally floor any attacker regardless of size and gender! Yes, do that to a female and
it'll hurt her too. Maybe not as much though! 
Andy
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02GF74
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 04:25 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by stevec
What about a sock full of 2 pence coins? you can't be arrested for carrying a money bag.
Steve.
probably not arrested but there is a limit on the number of coins of same denomination that are legal tender:
Coins are legal tender throughout the United Kingdom for the following amount:
50p - for any amount not exceeding £10
20p - for any amount not exceeding £10
10p - for any amount not exceeding £5
5p - for any amount not exceeding £5
2p - for any amount not exceeding 20p
1p - for any amount not exceeding 20p
the solution would be to carry a mixture of coins.
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LBMEFM
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 04:58 PM |
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Definately personal attack alarm and some courses in self defence
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Mole
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 06:44 PM |
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quote:
The other one is the Israel army martial art
Krav Maga
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JoelP
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| posted on 18/5/08 at 08:02 PM |
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just to add that pepper and cs do fall under the firearms act, as the deliver a noxious substance over a distance, but they do not carry the mandatory
5 year sentence of other weapons. Id agree they are as dangerous to the user as the target, as police with training often get it wrong. Stick to
personal attack alarms and defense training.
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Benzine
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| posted on 19/5/08 at 08:56 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
The other one is the Israel army martial art
would that involve building walls around the attacker and then oppressing him/taking away his human rights for 60 years?
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JoelP
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| posted on 19/5/08 at 05:59 PM |
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sounds about right!
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kipper
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| posted on 19/5/08 at 09:23 PM |
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Sef defence
I have spoken to some of the students living around my area and they swear by keeping an aerosol oven cleaner can near the front door for late night
intruders.
I wouldn't like to come up against that.
BTW I am not recomending the above
Regards Kipper.
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