Conference quark::mennotes-v1

    As I understand it, the major problem with all of these "devices"
    is that they are more often than not turned against the victim.
    Also, if a woman depends on a device for "protection", she may be
    less likely to be aware of her surroundings and may have a sense
    of false confidence.
    
    The WOMANNOTES conference on MOSAIC:: has several discussions of
    self-defense programs for women.  One that has been getting rave
    reviews is called "Model Mugging" - I'd suggest checking out the
    notes there.  That conference would also be a good place to
    inquire since many of the participants have had actual experiences
    with assaults.
    
    				Steve

    Mace is only useful if you get it in their eyes.  
    
    The stun guns were outlawed (in some, in part, in all, I'm not sure
    of the specifics) in the UK somewhere at some point, because criminals
    started using them to disable their prey!  I doubt this affected
    their use in the US, but again - you have to have them charged and
    ready in your hand, and be prepared to use them, if they are to
    be of any use.
    
    Take a self-defense course - and if you want to take the Model Mugging
    course, sign up now, because the wait list in Massachusetts is probably
    several hundred people long by now (although they're developing
    new branches as fast as they can, they are Dedicated to Quality,
    so it may take a while for them to catch up with the demand).
    
    -Jody
    

         I second that vote for a self-defense course.  Relying on your
    own abilities is far better that relying on a weapon which COULD
    be taken from you.
    
                                        Greg

       I would also read cerefully any information about the different
    types of mace as there are apparently more than one. My sister did
    a study on this for a womans group in Colorado Springs, and found
    that some types actually enrage the person being dosed, rather than
    subdue or repel them. Not good pissing off someone who already intends
    to harm your loved one.
    
    Bob

    both my daughters have been attacked, both sucessfully defended
    thenselves. Both currently carry stun guns and have been trained
    in their use. They are both also excellant shots with a varity
    of handguns. You need to have all options available when thinking
    of self defense. By the way they will confiscate mace or similar
    products at the airport if you have them on your person. 

    
    Eastern Weargaurd , a Boston based company, and also a mail order
    firm has spray devises you can order by mail.  I'm not sure of chemical
    the use but since they are a Boston based company and you live in
    Mass? I would think you'd be save if a family member carried one.
    
    I bought one for a friend who was concerned about parking in dark
    lots at the school she attended in the evenings.
    
    This devise looks very lethal.  It is packaged as if it were intended
    for police use and has several safety devises on it so it doen't
    go off accidentally.  They had two sizes.  One fits in a purse the
    other is larger.  Both shot 20 feet and at a high rate of speed.
    
    The magazine is geared toward blue collar and uniformed workers.
    They carry things like outdoor clothing, boots, flashlights, etc.
    
    I don't get the magazine anymore but I'll bet a call to Boston info
    might help.
    
    Bill

    
    I have a copy of a newspaper article on the Model Mugging course--
    what it includes, what the course is like, etc. I'll send copies
    to anyone who wants one.
    
    Ed Eck

    I think the most important thing is to decide, *really* decide,
    to hurt the assailant, as much as possible, as fast as possible.
    A self-defense course would be good for this.  The mugger is
    accustomed to hurting people (one assumes); most of us aren't,
    and in fact are in effect trained not to hurt people.  When you're
    mugged, all that civilized training has to be switched off, instantly.
    If you carry a weapon, be sure you know how to use it, be prepared
    to use it, and *USE* it; waving it around to frighten somebody
    most likely won't work, they'll just take it away from you.
    
    I heard about a situation in which some guy was annoyed by a bunch
    of rowdy partyers; these were some tough people.  The guy made the
    mistake of confronting one of them with a knife, I guess expecting
    the thug to back off because he had a knife.  The thug calmly allowed
    the guy to cut him on the arm, then proceeded to take the knife
    away (self-defense now, right?) and carve him up.