WEAPONS

WEAPONS are designed to do one thing and one thing only - to cause significant damage to others. Weapons can take many different forms. For example, a human's clenched fist can be a very potent weapon while at the same time a weapon can take the shape of a military weapon such as ballistic missile. It has been determined that some of the earliest or ancient weapons (sticks and spears) were created approximately 400,000 years ago. Weapons were used for a variety of purposes such as waging war, hunting for food and for individual protection.

"Weapons were created to do one thing.....to injure or kill another living creature."

Weapons are used by the military, law enforcement, security specialists, criminals, terrorists, hunters, self defense practitioners, martial artists and well as your everyday layperson. Depending on who is using the weapon, it can be used for both good and evil purposes!

Weapons are certainly a controversial subject. They are a hot button topic in government, politics, religion as well as the local and national media. Weapons are embraced by some people and detested by others. Regardless, of your personal opinion, weapons will exist as long as mankind occupies this tumultuous planet.

"Regardless, of your opinion, weapons will exist as long as mankind occupies this tumultuous planet."

WEAPONS FOR SELF DEFENSE

Weapons are very common in the martial arts world and they also play an essential role in personal self defense. For example, a loaded firearm in the hands of a trained homeowner can immediately change the outcome of a home invasion. As you can imagine, there's a wide variety of hand held weapons available to the average law abiding citizen who wants to protect himself or his family from danger and crime. However, not all weapons are created equal for self defense.

It's important to point out that some weapons are much better than others for self defense. As a mater of fact, a weapons effectiveness is predicated on the specific situation or circumstances you are faced with at that particular moment. Since all self defense situations will vary, so will the weapons used. For example, if you were attacked in a phone booth, would you use a grenade to fight your adversary or would a knife be a more appropriate weapon for the situation? I am sure you get my point.

"When it comes to self defense, not all weapons are created equal. Some are much better than others!"

WEAPON REQUIREMENTS

If a weapon is to be used specifically for self defense purposes, it must fulfill three essential requirements or attributes or the user will be at great risk. For all intents and purposes, the weapon must be efficient, effective and safe. If just one of these criterion is missing, the hand held weapon is not a viable personal protection tool.

• Weapon Efficiency
• Weapon Effectiveness
• Weapon Safety

"For any weapon to be considered for personal self defense it must be efficient, effective and safe."

OWNING A WEAPON

Weapon ownership is a big decision requiring considerable thought, however if you do decide to own a weapon, it's extremely important that you understand your state and federal laws regarding possession and ownership of various weapons. Moreover, its also your social responsibility to seek weapons training from a qualified weapons instructor who specializes in reality based self defense.

Here are a few important questions you need to ask yourself before you decide to own any weapon.

1. Are you willing to take the necessary amount of time to learn how to use the weapon?
2. Are you willing to practice with the weapon on a regular basis?
3. Do children or teenagers live in your home.
4. Do you or any member of your household suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction or depression.
5. Are you a hot tempered person?
6. Will you be able to safely secure the weapon when its in your home?
7. Are you willing to learn the laws regarding the use of your weapon in a self defense situation?
8. Exactly why do you want to own a weapon?
9. What type of weapon do you want to own?

WEAPONS LIST

The following list of weapons will provide you with an analytical breakdown of various weapons used for self defense and personal protection. Let's begin with the gun.

Weapon Name: Gun or Firearm
Weapon Type: Ballistic
Weapons Range: Long, Intermediate, Close Quarter Distance.
Weapon Law: Yes
Weapon Training Recommended: Yes
Weapon Storage Safety Requirement: Yes
Weapons Cost: Expensive
Weapon Summary: The gun or firearm is a very efficient and effective weapon for self defense and personal protection. It represents the "ultimate use of force option" and it's one of the best weapons for personal security. Guns and firearms do require training and practice to become proficient in their use. To learn more about using this weapon for self defense, see my article Buying a Gun for Self Defense.

Weapon Name: Knife
Weapon Type: Cutting
Weapons Range: Intermediate, Close Quarter Distance.
Weapons Law: Yes
Weapon Training Recommended: Yes
Weapon Storage Safety Requirement:No
Weapons Cost: Inexpensive
Weapon Summary: The knife can also be an effective weapon for self defense. Just like the gun, the knife also requires considerable training and practice to master so you will have to seek out professional training from a qualified knife fighting instructor. The unfortunate fact is that finding a qualified or competent knife fighting instructor is not such an easy task. The truth is they are few and far between. To learn more about using a knife as a weapon for self defense, see my War Blade: Knife Fighting Program.

"Finding a qualified knife fighting instructor is not an easy task. They are few and far between."

Weapon Name: Sticks, Bludgeons, Clubs, Batons, Baseball Bats
Weapon Type: Striking
Weapons Range: Long, Intermediate, Close Quarter.
Weapon Law: Yes
Weapon Training Recommended: Yes
Weapon Storage Safety Requirement:No
Weapons Cost: Inexpensive
Weapon Summary: Sticks, clubs, bludgeons and baseball bats are moderately effective weapons for self defense. While the stick or club lacks the destructive capacity of a gun or knife, it can still be an effective weapon under certain combat conditions. Once again, you will have to find a qualified instructor who can teach you stick fighting skills.

Weapon Name: Kubotan or Yawara
Weapon Type: Striking
Weapons Range: Intermediate, Close Quarter Distance.
Weapon Law: Yes
Weapon Training Recommended: Yes
Weapon Storage Safety Requirement:No
Weapons Cost: Inexpensive
Weapon Summary: The kubotan is a mini stick held in your hand and when used correctly it can can be used for striking vital target areas as well as for compliant holds. This hand held weapon is used by law enforcement, security guards and men and women of all ages. To learn more about the Kubotan, see my Kubotans & Yawaras DVD.

Weapon Name: Pepper Spray
Weapon Type: Aerosol
Weapons Range: Long, Intermediate.
Weapon Law: Yes
Weapon Training Recommended: Yes
Weapon Storage Safety Requirement:No
Weapons Cost: Inexpensive
Weapon Summary: Pepper Spray (oleoresin capsicum), is an effective weapon for self defense. When pepper spray is sprayed into the criminal's face he will immediately experience closing of the eyes, excessive tearing, severe burning, difficulty breathing, runny nose and excessive coughing. Pepper spray is widely used by police, military, security guards, bounces, doormen, and men and women of all ages. See my Pepper Spray DVD to learn about this very effective weapon.

Weapon Name: Taser
Weapon Type:Ballistic, Electric Current
Weapons Range: Long, Intermediate, Close Quarter Distance.
Weapon Law: Yes
Weapon Training Recommended: Yes
Weapon Storage Safety Requirement:Yes
Weapons Cost: Expensive
Weapon Summary: The Taser is an electroshock weapon that produces neuromuscular incapacitation. Tasers are classified as non lethal weapons that generates an electrical current that produces pain as well as involuntary muscular contractions. Tasers are generally used by trained law enforcement and security personnel.

Weapon Name: The Human Body
Weapon Type: Striking, Crushing
Weapons Range: Long, Intermediate, Close Quarter Distance.
Weapon Law: No
Weapon Training Recommended: Yes
Weapon Storage Safety Requirement:No
Weapons Cost: Inexpensive
Weapon Summary: Believe it or not but the human body can be a very effective weapon. Unlike the gun, knife or club, your body is are available to you all the time. In my Contemporary Fighting Arts system of self defense we have defined 14 natural body weapons or street fighting techniques that you have at your immediate disposal.

Weapon Name: Improvised Weapons
Weapon Type:Striking, Cutting
Weapons Range: Long, Intermediate, Close Quarter Distance.
Weapon Law: No
Weapon Training Recommended: Yes
Weapon Storage Safety Requirement:No
Weapons Cost: Inexpensive
Weapon Summary: Makeshift or "improvised weapons" are common, everyday objects that can be immediately used and converted into offensive and defensive tools for self defense. Like a barrier, a makeshift weapon must be appropriate to the function you have assigned to it. You will not be able to knock your assailant out with a car antenna, but you could whip it across his eyes and temporarily blind him. While you could knock your assailant unconscious with a good, heavy flashlight, you could not use it to shield yourself in a knife defense situation.

Makeshift weapons can be broken down into the following four types:

• Striking improvised weapons
• Distracting improvised weapons
• Shielding improvised weapons
• Cutting improvised weapons

Please see my book When Seconds Count: Everyone's Guide to Self Defense, for more information about using makeshift or improvised weapons for self defense and personal safety.

Sammy Franco Founder & President Contemporary Fighting Arts

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