You should be OK then, but still its probably best to hand over the wallet if the BG has the drop on you, even while CCW. So, avoid that! Also do start lifting, you will like the results anyway. Then, your strategy is probably spray the OC to the face then repeated blows with the maglight until the BG is no longer a threat. Lifting=fewer blows Also IMO a knife is a weapon of last resort, just carrying one could land you in trouble, at school and elsewhere, and using one looks bad on you, whereas OC is pretty much defensive only(in the eyes of the law, and IMO)