What weapon should I get for self-defense?

[silver 2039]

Recently there have been a series of muggings and robberies on college students in my area. 2-3 guys go and overpower someone beat him over the head and steal his cash and cellphone as he goes back to the dorms. It usually happens around 2-3 am.

Now I can easily see myself in such a situation. I live on campus so buying a gun is out of the question. But pepper spray, or a taser might be an option. What do you think?

The XXX Police Department is currently investigating a strong
arm robbery which occurred in the area of XXXXX. The incident took place on Thursday October 2,
2008 at approximately 12:30 a.m.

The victim reported that he was walking on the sidewalk when he was
approached by two males. One of the males hit the victim behind his
head with an open hand, knocking the victim to the ground and removed
his wallet and cell phone. The victim was not physically injured.

The XXXX Police Department is currently investigating the
reported robbery of a student in the area of XXXX

The incident occurred on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at approximately
3:30 am while the student was walking back to his residence hall.

The victim reported being approached from behind by two subjects between
the driveway of XXX and the Health Center. Subject #1
punched the victim once in the face, while subject # 2 demanded money
from the victim. The victim told the subjects he had no money, the
subjects then fled the area in the direction of XXX. The victim
reported seeing a third subject standing in the courtyard area who may
have possibly been a lookout. The victim sustained minor injuries, but
declined medical attention.

The XXX Police Department is currently investigating the
reported robbery of three students in the area of XXX

The incident occurred on Friday, August 15, 2008 at approximately 03:43
am while the students were walking from XXX to a parking lot.

The victims report being confronted by a male subject who displayed a
handgun. The subject demanded money. The subject obtained money and cell
phones. The subject fled on foot towards XXX

These things have been happening earlier and earlier. It's somewhat concerning.

 

[CaptainF]

What college do you attend?

Me personally I'd pickup a big ass bowie or butterfly knife. Either that or a mean pair of brass knuckles. Either one will do some SERIOUS damage.

Pepper spray would also work, but a Taser wouldn't be the best option methinks.

 

[Bigfoot3814]

Pepper spray isn't a bad idea, but it's usually associated with women who don't want their purses stolen. Tasers can be expensive.

If I were you I would either get a knife or brass knuckles. Just brandishing a knife would probably scare anybody who was going to rob you. Brass knuckles are something you might actually wind up hitting somebody with if you were in that kind of situation. It really hurts them. Although it wouldn't be good if it was 2-3 against just you. Brass knuckles also aren't legal in all areas so you should probably check that out before looking to get some.

 

[JollyRoger]

Walk across campus with three easier targets than yourself.

 

[woody60707]

Recently there have been a series of muggings and robberies on college students in my area. 2-3 guys go and overpower someone beat him over the head and steal his cash and cellphone as he goes back to the dorms. It usually happens around 2-3 am.

Now I can easily see myself in such a situation. I live on campus so buying a gun is out of the question. But pepper spray, or a taser might be an option. What do you think?

I would go for the pepper spray. Cheaper and can be used multiple times. As long as you don't give them any warning, it would be much more effect then a taser.

And if they have friends, the yelling and screaming from the 1st guy that got sprayed will spook the other two.

 

[Gooblah]

Bleach and/or pepper spray.

Believe me, getting bleached in the face would convince any wannabe mugger otherwise.

 

[silver 2039]

Brass knuckles also aren't legal in all areas so you should probably check that out before looking to get some.

Their illegal in New Jersey, and they have crazy strict gun laws too. I think pepper spray may be a better option. A knife fight isn't something I really want to be part of.

 

[Bigfoot3814]

Their illegal in New Jersey, and they have crazy strict gun laws too. I think pepper spray may be a better option. A knife fight isn't something I really want to be part of.

OK. If you go mace, I suggest that you not get one of the small keychain bottles and go for the larger size, especially since it might be more than one person coming after you.

If you want to be really sneaky, you could get some steel-toe shoes.

 

[woody60707]

What college do you attend?

Me personally I'd pickup a big ass bowie or butterfly knife. Either that or a mean pair of brass knuckles. Either one will do some SERIOUS damage.

Pepper spray would also work, but a Taser wouldn't be the best option methinks.

Getting a knife would very much increase the chances of death or serious bodily harm. If you pull out a knife or even a taser gun on someone, it stops being a fight for some easy cash. You're backing someone(s) in a corner where now there life is at stake. These people are already mugging you for a little cash, so they won't think twice about killing you to save there own lives.

Pepper spray is non-lethal, so it still just a fight for cash. When you get hit in the face with pepper spray, the money stops being wroth it. And if they still do over power you, you don't have to worry about them killing you with your pepper spray.

And again, the pepper spray is the better defensive weapon. Longer range, lighter, and more effective.

The goal isn't to harm your attacker, but to make sure they can't harm you.

 

[Bigfoot3814]

You could also make a point of not walking around late at night.

 

[silver 2039]

You could also make a point of not walking around late at night.

The most recent one was 12:30 and its happening on the main campus where everything happens like parties, and events and such. So that's not exactly possible.

 

[luiz]

Get a knife. There are several knifes specifically made for self defense.

Edit: reading the reports you posted, seems like in one of the cases the criminal had a handgun. In which case I obviously would not recommend trying to confront him with a knife (or spray or taser). Dealing with criminals with guns requires guns and skill. In the other two cases a knife would have worked perfectly and beautifully, though.

 

[Felix Luce]

Pepper spray would be the most (and, indeed, only effective) humanitarian option. Hurts like hell, but you don't want to get into a knife fight, and you could even end up hurting yourself.

 

[Mulholland]

The last story alluded to the fact that the robber had a gun. I don't know about you but I would not pull a knife,a taser or pepper spray on a man with a gun.

 

[silver 2039]

NEW JERSEY: Legal with restrictions. Any non-felon 18 or over may possess for your protection “one pocket-sized device which contains and releases not more than three-quarters of an ounce of chemical substance not capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury, but rather is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air”.

Looks like it. Where would I buy it? Apparently its not legal to buy over internet or mail in New Jersey for some reason...

 

[QuoVadisNation]

Can this be a problem solved with the old saying, "don't go out at night that late, stupid"? It works well in New Orleans and New Brunswick (NJ) anyway.

 

[silver 2039]

Can this be a problem solved with the old saying, "don't go out at night that late, stupid"? It works well in New Orleans and New Brunswick (NJ) anyway.

12:30 is not late. I only sleep around 3 or 4. Its not reasonable to not go out.

 

[dannyshenanigan]

Get a halberd, it was one of the most effective weapons of the middle ages.

 

[Bigfoot3814]

Looks like it. Where would I buy it? Apparently its not legal to buy over internet or mail in New Jersey for some reason...

This website says they'll mail to all states except NY, Massachusetts, or Michigan. If you really wanted to I think you could open up a P.O. Box in another state that they would mail it to you.

 

[QuoVadisNation]

12:30 is not late. I only sleep around 3 or 4. Its not reasonable to not go out.

Don't you feel that it's not so much a matter of being 'too late,' as it's a more of a matter of when all the crimes to students occur?