Self defense for the "defenseless".

SigArms coat

SigArms makes concealment jackets with built in holster pockets. If your weather is cold enough (jackets are heavy barn types), they might be an option while you are on crutches.
 
:) You need to develop superior powers of observation and personal alertness. The most dangerous thing for you is to fail to be aware - to fail to be one step ahead of the other guy.

('Orange' should become your favorite color!) :D

Proximity to your body becomes a liability; and, one of the first weapons an attacker will use against you is your own personal instability and lack of balance. Simply put: You can no longer afford to let the other guy get that close to you. With crutches (or a cane) in hand, you are going to be, 'preoccupied'; and all forms of preoccupation are primary target identifiers!

Someone who becomes unexpectedly handicapped soon discovers that life has - just as suddenly - changed in many subtle ways. What used to be normal reaction time and distance for you is now, at least, doubled.

If the attack is definitely on and coming in, you've got to be able to let go of your crutches, get your back against something solid, and (maybe) do some good floor shooting just like that Cruise guy did in, 'Collateral'. Trying to remain standing on your feet ('like a man') is a disadvantage; and, it is an especial disadvantage against multiple assailants, too.

Instead: Teach yourself how to fall backwards along one side of your body. Don't try to fall straight back; that's going to hurt! Rather learn how to fold one knee or the other and, 'roll' down and backwards along the edge of your body. Get down, get comfortable, and guard your back.

Personally, I have found nothing faster than a good shoulder rig; just remember that you need to use a tie-down to your belt on both sides. In your present situation, I'd recommend a reasonably priced Galco or Gould and Goodrich shoulder holster as your best carry option.

Use your head: Stay out of bad neighborhoods and don't go out at night anymore than you really have to. Try to move around with others and avoid solo adventures whenever possible. The facts that pepper spray or a TASER might be effective weapons for normal healthy people are non-sequiturs.

You are handicapped; and, the sooner you learn how to effectively live with this reality, the better! So what if pepper spray is like hot sauce to many of the wrong people? So what if TASERS don't work all of the time? The important point you have to recognize is that any attempted use of these devices violates the paramount requirement for you to be able to keep an attacker as far away from your body as possible. If an attacker is already within 20 or 25 feet of you - YOU'RE SCREWED! :eek:

A normal healthy person is barely able to successfully handle a physical attack from such close range. Unless the other guy either trips or otherwise hesitates, you positively will not be! On the other hand, in spite of your handicap, giving yourself a little additional time or distance might very well save you; and, no matter what, 3 or 4 rounds of 45 acp always works - Just put 'um COM between the head and pelvic girdle!

Your own everyday personal attitude has a lot to do with the extent to which others perceive how vulnerable you are to successful attack. Being a little bit more alert, being one step ahead of the other guy, and being completely ready and willing to commit yourself to whatever has to be done is - I am certain - the best way to dissuade any thug from, either, initiating or following through with an attack.

One of the most useful self-defense techniques I know of - and one I've actually seen save a couple of lives - is a ready willingness to forcefully command; 'STOP!' 'DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!' 'I'M AFRAID OF YOU!' 'I'VE GOT A GUN; AND, I KNOW HOW TO USE IT!' 'GO AWAY!' 'GO AWAY, NOW!'

(I don't believe there's a police officer on the planet who would fault a handicapped person from the early display of a firearm. I really don't!)

It, also, helps to practice a lot and be a very good - albeit one legged - combat pistol marksman! In my experience, you're only a potential victim until the moment that they either hear your voice or look directly into your eyes. No matter how badly you limp, or how much trouble you may have getting around, that's when the men quickly get separated from the boys! :eek:






Oh, yeah, if you've got a large dog that helps, too! ;)
 
"What do I do for self defense?"

Folks with temporary, or permanent, mobility issues such as you're experiencing may want to explore impact and edged weapon potentials in case the contact you'll find harder to avoid occurs.
 
Excellent post Night Watch. New update: I am off the crutches and into the Robo-Boot. It is a vile contraption but I am back on two wheels now :). On the bright side, the boot, while cumbersome, provides excellent concealment for a weapon.
 
I have the same type of temporary problem with my shoulder. I had surgery on my strong-side shoulder about 1.5 months ago, but I'm still not strong enough to pull the slide on my pistol. Thanks to the advice I read on these forums, I learned that hooking the rear sights on your belt is a very effective way to rack the slide :D. Also, learned that I need to practice quite a bit on my weak arm shooting, as it is sorely lacking...

I don't have my carry permit (yet), so the carry issue wasn't huge for me. What got to me was the huge feeling of vulnerability when walking around. Getting in and out of the car took quite awhile - I would have made a very easy target for someone wanting a free car.
 
However, you have to be able to stand up and move well enough to use it.

I would prefer the crutch which breaks down to a .454 Casul. :D :eek: :D

Pops
 
Sword canes are cool

Too bad they are way not leagal here . ARE they anywear ?? Still a stout stick is preferable to the empty hand Remember the bayonett drill works the same way . Thrust, butt stroke, Butt smash downward slash , repeat.
 
Now I have the urge to travel to England.

Feral children wandering the street victimizing the lame, the blind, and the aged.:mad:

I have an overwhelming desire to travel to England wander around the fair *cough* cities wearing sunglasses and carrying a white cane made out solid steel. Teach those little bastard to screw with the weak and disabled.:mad:

Seriously a stout cane made out of a heavy, dense wood topped with a brass head and a solid steel tip (cover with that rubber thingy), sounds better than nothing. I still prefer a 1911.

thmsmgnm
 
On a different note about disabled people aside from carry, you would think someone would amend the law for the use of deadly force for these people I know a guy who has severe spinal problems, doctors have told him just someone hitting him could paralize him for life if not kill him. So this guy doesn't need someone to shoot him just some bully nut job to smack him upside his head and he's a gonener, so when should he shoot to defend himself?
 
ok guys, I am one of the guys you are talking about. I`m in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I`m parilized from the ribs down, and have lost one leg. I am in a motorized wheel chair. not because I cant use a regular one but because I like to be outside most of the time. and in the dirt around here I aint going very far, it is real sandy.

now as to handleing a gun I am quite good at it and dont worry about that part of the game. but I still have to be careful when getting in and out of the van.

I have it a lot better than some of the people out there. I have good upper body strength. that gives me an edge on most. but still you are right in the fact that I cant get in action as fast as I could before I was put in this chair.

I ead with interest what you all have been talking about. I still like the idea of one of my guns over about anything. It is just me. I dont have a problem with useing it if the need arises.
 
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