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Old 10-18-06, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by San Rensho
I beg to differ. He would have avoided getting his head bashed in. The little punk was willing to kill the guy. The kid was charged as an adult for aggravated battery. In most states, you can use deadly force to repel forcible felonies, like agg battery. Screw the kid.

In this case, the only thing to really worry about is whether you will be charged criminally for using excessive force in self defense, which according to the facts, would be pretty unlikely. Civil lawsuits against people using self defense are few and far between.

x2.

If the little bastard is willing to kill someone, he deserves whatever comes back at him.
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Old 10-18-06, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by FlatFender
x2.

If the little bastard is willing to kill someone, he deserves whatever comes back at him.
I don't have a problem with that...it's just that "packing heat" on your bike rides, and being able to successfully deploy it, seems like, well "overkill".

In terms of risk reduction, you'd probably reduce your chances of injury more by mounting a 10' tall lightning rod on your bike.
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Old 10-18-06, 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by SSP
In terms of risk reduction, you'd probably reduce your chances of injury more by mounting a 10' tall lightning rod on your bike.
Except for those pesky overhead powerlines.
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Old 10-18-06, 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by rajman
hmm,

If I am confronting a wild animal (dog or cat) I put the bike between me and the carnivore.

hey! i am a vegan--get it straight!
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Old 10-19-06, 12:20 AM
  #80  
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I actually got jumped and had my bike stolen about a month ago on my ride home from work. I was only about 1 1/2 blocks from my apartment, 2 blocks from the college campus. Totaly random. It was like 7:30 on a tuesday night.
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Old 10-19-06, 11:28 AM
  #81  
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Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice. Shoot and Move, Shoot and Move, Shoot and Move. Run Drills........Run Drills, Run Drills, Run Drills, Run Drills, Run Drills. And not just punching paper, but on a practical shooting course with silhouettes.
I used to do this, partly for work, partly for competition, to the tune of >12K rounds per year. It builds skills and gunhandling, but don't ever confuse drills with having any similarity to a real gunfight. There is also a question as to the quality if training. Learn and practice stupid habits and you will perform them in the non-forgiving arena of a real life encounter. The same goes for your martial art of choice.

I own guns, have a CWP, and have no problem with the idea of persons being legally armed. I do have a problem with people who fire a few rounds per year/month and feel that they are now gunfighters (this includes LEOs who do the minimum qualification).
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Old 10-19-06, 04:26 PM
  #82  
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I'm with Paranurse on this one... I ride though neighborhoods I'd never walk through. On a bike, I become one of two things: invisible, or a spectacle, depending on the neighborhood, and time of day. I roll through Carver homes in the middle of the night, no one is messing with me. Why? Because I'm on a bike. I guess it's the stigma attached to them, whatever that is.

I don't know why bikes have this effect on people, but I'm never worried riding around in ANY neighborhood at night. Now, I also don't talk smack to people in cars who almost hit me (it's funny though, that almost NEVER happens in the ghetto, as lots of people either ride bikes, or know people who ride bikes), or really to anyone, but I'll stop at a stoplight, get some odd looks, but other than that, it's totally chill.

I find the most aggressive people towards me so far have been college students. Go figure. Again, no idea why, I don't start crap, don't look hard, but I have had em' jump into the road in front of me, just looking for a fight. THAT one resulted in me telling him "shouldn't you be shopping at the Gap or something dude?", slow witted laugh, which followed a really original comeback (I think he got it from The Terminator) "fark you, arsehoe". I think I said something about "Please tell your mom to stop calling my house, it's over" and rode off. Idiot. I shoulda Ortiz'd the guy, and made him buy me a sandwich, but hey, I'm a nice guy.

Numerous other encounters, as I ride through the GaTech campus every day, too and from work. I think it might be because their not from here, so they error on acting "hard", rather than just relax? I don't know, but that kind of behavior, at least where I grew up (um, ya know, Georgia, specifically Stone Mountain), will get you only so far before you get beat down like a snare drum. Nothing, I repeat NOTHING I'd shoot someone over though. That's a bit radical.

Just make them buy you a sandwich. It's funny, you get a free sandwich, and he learns a lesson not to mess with people unless he feels like getting tore up, and purchasing a sandwich for them.
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Old 10-19-06, 08:53 PM
  #83  
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Originally Posted by ActionJeans
I shoulda Ortiz'd the guy, and made him buy me a sandwich, but hey, I'm a nice guy.
Umm... What's Ortiz'd mean and does the sandwich have to be a certain type? Nothing with ketchup right?
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Old 10-20-06, 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Cyclaholic
I have about 10 years of martial arts, mostly korean styles. It has saved me on 3 occasions. One time I was cornered by 2 men one of which was armed with a knife. They appeared to be after my laptop and I would have gladly handed it over except they didn't give me a chance, I only ended up with a superficial gash on one leg.

The best self defence is to be aware of your surroundings, think and plan ahead, avoid conflict - run early and fast. If you're cornered by a mugger and he only wants your stuff like wallet or laptop just hand it over, they're totally replaceable.

If you can't get away and are commited to physical conflict then there are no rules except you hit as soon and as hard as you can, as often as you can, with whatever you have at hand. A pen is a stabbing weapon, in a grapple try to bite into your opponent untill you're tearing flesh, in a grapple go hard for the eyes and genitals. Anything you can lift with one hand you can swing hard with two. If you can, strike the first blow and keep on striking untill you're absolutely positive the threat is neutralised sufficiently to make a run for it. Basically its a matter of wanting it, be as viscious as you can. Its nothing like the movies, its more like dogs fighting in the street, the most viscious one usually comes out on top.

+1

It's been a long time since I was in a fight, but Cyclaholic nailed it -- you have want to it. What it is is survival! To survive in a fight, you have to be angry, vent this anger and at the same time, be under control and aware of your surroundings.

Anyone remember the old Kenny Rogers song -- Coward of the County?
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Old 10-20-06, 01:37 PM
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Ortiz'd

Referring to Tito Ortiz, UFC fighter. He usually likes to take guys to the ground, and beat the crap out of them.

But no, I hate ketchup.

I'm thinking about a reuben now though, mmm... Off to Jason's deli I go. Hey, it's okay, I already put a pretty good workout in today. I think corned beef has protein too right? So really, it's pretty healthy, as long as I don't think about it at all, and how bad it is for me.
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Old 10-20-06, 01:40 PM
  #86  
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re: woody

Anger will get you in trouble in a fight, me friend. Wears you out, and makes you do stupid things.

Best advice I ever heard in a normal, average fight? Watch the guys right hand. 99% of shmoes you'll meet on the street will lead with a right hook. Catch that, underhook, spin w/leg trip, and the aforementioned Ortiz method of submission. Should be over pretty quick. Works well for us short guys too (5' 6" )

And if he's got a knife or a gun, just give em whatever he wants.
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Old 10-20-06, 10:23 PM
  #87  
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I really don't do anything except try to be alert to my surroundings. What more can you do really?

BTW-I'm a gun owner and have never entertained the idea of carrying a weapon with me on a ride.
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Old 08-21-12, 06:57 PM
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This Biologic Postpump 2.0 would make a fine albeit somewhat heavy 718g baton/seatpost/pump, 580mm long. At 33.9mm diameter a big large for small hands though.

If you cut off the seat clamps it'd be an awesome personal carry. Would still be a legitimate personal carry perhaps even in the UK if you're cycling.

https://www.thinkbiologic.com/products/postpump-seatpost

Recreating it as a frame pump might require creating some custom pegs for your frame, and modifying the sawed-off (ex-seat clamp) end of the pump.

Just ordered one, so I'll soon know all. Might have a machine ship create some knurling at the end under the seat clamp, the handling end for defense purposes.

Biologic also makes some short ones (eg 350mm) in other diameters like 27.2mm and 31.6mm. Bit short to call a baton at that length though.

Last edited by Drakonchik; 08-21-12 at 07:08 PM.
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Old 08-21-12, 08:20 PM
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Just act crazy. Totally, bizarre a$$ crazy, screaming and ranting about how the aliens probed you last night. People will stay far away from you. I promise.
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Old 08-21-12, 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by demo9
what about those retractable batons, I saw one at a online store that sells police and EMT equipment.
A 26" telescopic baton is a practical bit of blunt force trauma inducing kit but surprisingly weighty, too weighty to pack along once I've loaded everything I actually need for work. It comes along only on the potentially squirreliest of night shifts: full moons, pagan/Xian/civic holidays (long weekends in general), highly anticipated sporting events.

The best defense really is being aware of your surroundings, follow your instincts and apply a healthy dose of common sense.
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Old 08-21-12, 09:25 PM
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This is my personal opinion:

I try to avoid any and all dangerous situations. If I get that certain feeling in the pit of my stomach I turn around and take a different route. Unfortunately there have been reports of ambushes along the trail I ride on (rarely), so, I really have no defense against that sort of an attack. However, I will be getting a conceal carry permit at 21, which means I will be armed. I doubt I will ever need to use it, but if I do I will only use it when it is 100% necessary and my life is in immediate danger. If I draw my gun, I shoot to kill; center mass. I'd never ever want to take another human beings life, but it's always good to have protection.
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Old 08-22-12, 12:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Cyclaholic
I have about 10 years of martial arts, mostly korean styles. It has saved me on 3 occasions. One time I was cornered by 2 men one of which was armed with a knife. They appeared to be after my laptop and I would have gladly handed it over except they didn't give me a chance, I only ended up with a superficial gash on one leg.

The best self defence is to be aware of your surroundings, think and plan ahead, avoid conflict - run early and fast. If you're cornered by a mugger and he only wants your stuff like wallet or laptop just hand it over, they're totally replaceable.

If you can't get away and are commited to physical conflict then there are no rules except you hit as soon and as hard as you can, as often as you can, with whatever you have at hand. A pen is a stabbing weapon, in a grapple try to bite into your opponent untill you're tearing flesh, in a grapple go hard for the eyes and genitals. Anything you can lift with one hand you can swing hard with two. If you can, strike the first blow and keep on striking untill you're absolutely positive the threat is neutralised sufficiently to make a run for it. Basically its a matter of wanting it, be as viscious as you can. Its nothing like the movies, its more like dogs fighting in the street, the most viscious one usually comes out on top.
I agree with what your saying. Speaking of Martial Arts, I'm seriously thinking about learning Tae Kwon Do. A martial arts forum I am on told me it's a great one so now I'm looking for the right place to go.
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Old 08-22-12, 01:18 AM
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2-step plan

1. i employ common sense such that i avoid situations where self-defense is required.
2. ABUS Bordo folding lock with the heavy end extending outward.
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Old 08-22-12, 06:08 AM
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The ABUS Bordo is a fine folding lock. But I'd hate to use it as a crude flail. Better to use it as a simple block for hand strikes.
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Old 08-23-12, 09:38 PM
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I am a Judo player, and I still compete for fun. I also box and will usually punch a heavy bag for fitness training...

With that said, I'll most likely run/ride away or give them what they want....but....If they clinch with me, I'm going to give them a quick Judo 101 intro to falling.
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Old 08-23-12, 10:33 PM
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I offer no apologies for it, I carry an American Derringer in .40S&W everywhere and always. I sincerely hope that I never have to use it. Firing it is equal to your own private earthquake and hurts your palm and wrist like you wouldn't believe.

Beats pulling a prayer book outta your pocket.

I don't know about the size of the can and accessible mounting on a bike but, my wife carries a can of wasp and hornet spray between the driver's seat and the door. It beats any civilian "pepper spray" junk in sudden stopping power and has a range of somewhere around 20 feet. It's as legal a weapon as you could wish to carry.
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Old 08-27-12, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Cyclaholic
I have about 10 years of martial arts, mostly korean styles. It has saved me on 3 occasions. One time I was cornered by 2 men one of which was armed with a knife. They appeared to be after my laptop and I would have gladly handed it over except they didn't give me a chance, I only ended up with a superficial gash on one leg.

The best self defence is to be aware of your surroundings, think and plan ahead, avoid conflict - run early and fast. If you're cornered by a mugger and he only wants your stuff like wallet or laptop just hand it over, they're totally replaceable.

If you can't get away and are commited to physical conflict then there are no rules except you hit as soon and as hard as you can, as often as you can, with whatever you have at hand. A pen is a stabbing weapon, in a grapple try to bite into your opponent untill you're tearing flesh, in a grapple go hard for the eyes and genitals. Anything you can lift with one hand you can swing hard with two. If you can, strike the first blow and keep on striking untill you're absolutely positive the threat is neutralised sufficiently to make a run for it. Basically its a matter of wanting it, be as viscious as you can. Its nothing like the movies, its more like dogs fighting in the street, the most viscious one usually comes out on top.
No, it's not the movies at all. I was recently attacked by two guys who chased me on my bike in two cars, finally cornering me. Even a gun wouldn't have helped - they were all over me in a second, intending to harm as much as possible. I fought as much as I could, but it was 2 against 1 old guy. Much smarter to have avoided the confrontation by not cursing them when they cut me off within inches.
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Old 08-28-12, 12:04 PM
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Don't laugh, but I am thinking about carrying a combat knife!!
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Old 08-28-12, 12:41 PM
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Avoid areas and situations in which you feel you are not safe. that will take care of most of it.
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Old 08-28-12, 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Axiom
... I doubt I will ever need to use it, but if I do I will only use it when it is 100% necessary and my life is in immediate danger. If I draw my gun, I shoot to kill; center mass. ...
That's why I never have and probably never will carry. Different perspectives are valid for other people in different situations so that's not a recommendation but it is my perspective.

IMO the main purpose of a handgun boils down to shoot someone, and if I carry then I'm preparing to do that. To me any non-lethal method is better, and if there's more risk I'll accept that. But I'm also not convinced it's riskier to be unarmed than to carry a handgun.
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