When I can't carry...

[Guest mds3d]

...what do you suggest?

I am in Pharmacy School and at the point of doing month long clinical rotations. Many of these are in hospitals that are posted properly (or are the VA). These are not things I can avoid, but they do cause me to be walking back to my care sometimes very late at night. My current rotation doesn't end until 12:30am.

What is my best option for self defense that would be legal even on federal property? Bear in mind, it also has to keep me from getting asked to leave the property (at least foreseeably), because it is a school requirement that I am there.

I wanted to see what ideas I could get here, since I can't think of a more trustworthy source.

Any Ideas?

[Jonnin]

Aggravate the crap out of the security. Tell them you want them to walk you to and from your car every day due to you having to be unarmed due to policy. This provides you defense: you have a personal armed guard, and it gets the message across to the administration. If everyone did this the powers that be would eventually be covered with complaints from the aggravated security staff, and who knows, you might get a common sense ball rolling.

[Guest NashvegasMatt]

Aggravate the crap out of the security. Tell them you want them to walk you to and from your car every day due to you having to be unarmed due to policy. This provides you defense: you have a personal armed guard, and it gets the message across to the administration. If everyone did this the powers that be would eventually be covered with complaints from the aggravated security staff, and who knows, you might get a common sense ball rolling.

plus, with armed security everyday people would think you were famous.

[Guest BenderBendingRodriguez]

Perhaps something along the lines of a collapsible baton would do the trick? Not sure of the legal issues for carrying them, but it's possible that they may require a permit.

[Guest clownsdd]

Aggravate the crap out of the security. Tell them you want them to walk you to and from your car every day due to you having to be unarmed due to policy. This provides you defense: you have a personal armed guard, and it gets the message across to the administration. If everyone did this the powers that be would eventually be covered with complaints from the aggravated security staff, and who knows, you might get a common sense ball rolling.

Don't think so, yes asking to be escorted is proper, but being a jerk while doing it is not going to accomplish anything. Also you might ask security what additional measures you could take as in pepper spray or a baton. If nothing else is acceptable, get you a walking cane.

I believe you are there at your request for the opportunity to further your education. They did not ask for you.

You need them more than they need you.

[Guest don_m]

A four D-cell Maglite.

[Guest Red5]

Perhaps something along the lines of a collapsible baton would do the trick? Not sure of the legal issues for carrying them, but it's possible that they may require a permit.

I think they are legal but you have to carry proof of proper training. For defense, I think a knife is a better option.

[Guest mds3d]

So, it seems like my choices are Pepper spray, a baton, or a knife.

Does anyone know how these would fair (legally) on school or federal property?

[Jonnin]

So, it seems like my choices are Pepper spray, a baton, or a knife.

Does anyone know how these would fair (legally) on school or federal property?

Knife is fine if its under legal limit, which is fine, as a 2 inch blade is enough to work someone over, you being a med student, ask yourself where some major blood vessles are that are less than 2 inches deep, there are several to choose from...

Pepper spray is always legal everywhere. Its not regulated anywhere that I know of, maybe on an airplane at the most.

A baton, I don't know. I think that could be considered a weapon & create some problems. The knife you can pass off as a tool that you improvised with; any baton is going to be questioned unless its a walking cane.

A taser might work as well, I dont know what rules you need for those, I suspect it is like pepper spray and legal in most places as its nonlethal.

-------------------

I didnt mean for you to be a jerk. Be nice, but I still say to ask for that escort daily. Nice as can be, its still an aggravation to the staff, and if everyone did it, it would lead to something. If every person (employee or client) asked for an escort due to being disarmed, they would go nuts no matter how nice everyone was about it. I never advocate being a jerk. If and when I ever shoot someone in the head for busting into my house, its very likely I will say excuse me as I do it...

[raydog1]

Be careful at school with any weapon. For example, Vanderbilt prohibits the possession of any weapon on campus including blades or batons. Check with campus security for any rules like that.

Sent from my HTC Incredible using Tapatalk Pro

[Guest tnfireman]

In situations like you are describing I will carry a metal ink pen. One of the heaver aluminum models with the "tail" being very blunt. It's not a weapon but it would do some serious damage if used as one. It's may not be the best solution but it works for me.

[Caster]

Kimber's Pepper Spray.

[peejman]

Pepper spray and have security escort you.

[Fallguy]

Well since pretty much any weapon is illegal on school property, your best defense is probably going to be situational awarness. If something doesn't look/feel right as security for an escort.

You might consider a Kubotan keychain....it can usually pass as just an unique key chain.

[Guest TnRebel]

So, it seems like my choices are Pepper spray, a baton, or a knife.

Does anyone know how these would fair (legally) on school or federal property?

NO knifes on VA or school grounds

[Guest rsgillmd]

I carry pepper spray. I am not aware of any laws prohibiting me from carrying it. I got it after a range session at Rangemaster. Tom Givens happened to be there, and he thought it would be fine. I'm sure he's more of a legal expert than I am.

As Fallguy said, also situational awareness. The situation that led me to get the pepper spray was when I suspected a suspicious looking individual was trying to approach me. I walked away from him at an angle, and eventually he walked away. It could have been nothing, but at least my mind recognized it as a potential problem.

[Guest mds3d]

So... Pepper Spray, then. Any advice on kind or brand?

[Jonnin]

My bad on the knife, I thought you were talking about a hospital with a posted door, not the campus.

[Caster]

Kimber's Pepper Spray.

So... Pepper Spray, then. Any advice on kind or brand?

[Guest Sprowse]

Fox Labs is some of the best OC on the market.

[Guest rt_steve]

My sister-in-law did some rotations at the Med in Memphis and she was told that they considered pepper spray to be a weapon and was prohibited on their campus. I have personally worked at JMCGH in Jackson and JCMC in Johnson City and this rule is not in effect at these facilities.

I would reiterate Fallguy in saying stay aware of your surroundings. Your most powerful weapon is holstered between your ears.

Try to leave with a group. Try to never leave by yourself at night. I have been asked on many occasions to walk females to their cars when they got off work during late hours and I have never minded. Make friends with a few big guys and ask them if they care to walk out with you. They may break your balls a little but they'll be flattered that you asked them.

(Sorry about the corny ,holstered-between-your-ears, line . . . I couldn't resist)

[beartooth]

Pepper spray is always legal everywhere. Its not regulated anywhere that I know of, maybe on an airplane at the most.

Pepper spray was not allowed at the VA where I worked for 35 years......but it was a mental hospital.....maybe different at a GM&S hospital...but I don't think so.

[Will Carry]

"The best weapon you can carry is between your ears." I went 54 years before I started carrying. I sometimes wonder if carrying a handgun has dulled my instincts for survival. Of course I can't run any more (plantar faciitis), can fight anymore (facets disease) the only good thing is I still look tough. I'm 6'3" and 225lbs and I don't look like a victim.

Edited March 5, 2011 by Will Carry

[analog_kidd]

Find a copy of Jeff Cooper's "Principals of Personal Defense". It's a short read (maybe an hour), but has a lot of great info on situational awareness.

Also, finding ordinary objects to carry that could be used as a weapon is ideal in your case. Some have mentioned a flashlight or cane. Find something you can carry that nobody would even give a second look at.

[Guest rsgillmd]

My sister-in-law did some rotations at the Med in Memphis and she was told that they considered pepper spray to be a weapon and was prohibited on their campus.....

The problem with hearsay is it is just that. I searched the MED's intranet and couldn't find anything barring pepper spray.

I would never encourage anyone to break the rules, but just saying that pepper spray is incredibly easy to conceal, and the sidewalk on the street is a public sidewalk to my knowledge.