insights, please, on most effectual means of self protection?

Okay ... I have this conversation with MANY women. Often times it is at a shelter where I volunteer.

About me: I am licensed to carry and I am issued a sidearm by my employer (the federal government). It's a 9mm Sig Sauer. I'm also a third degree black belt in taekwondo. And I teach self defense to women both at the shelter and at my old taekwondo studio.

I've been in many situations where self defense was needed. I've never once reached for my sidearm in those situations. In fact, most of the time I don't even have it with me. My hands and my feet are always with me.

So, if you are going to invest your time and money into some kind of self-defence skill, I STRONGLY recommend martial arts over a pew pew (and I'm a strong second amendment supporter). Once you've become proficient in some hand-to-hand self defense skill, then maybe up your game and add knife skills or a sidearm to your repetoir. But starting with a firearm is asking for trouble in my not-so-humble opinion.

I do not often invite people to message me privately. I've read your About Me and, like you, I do not have time for or interest in banal useless banter. But if you want to discuss self defense or different martial arts styles, I would be happy to discuss with you. I've been studying martial arts since I was seven years old.

I do carry, because of my circumstances.

But for all the reasons you mention, I agree that may not be your best option.

Consider this, or something similar instead :

Affordabable, non lethal, legal in most areas without all the hassle, effective, and it's not going to blast through your bedroom wall & kill a neighbor's kid a block away.

Good luck ✌

The stats on woman using fire arms as a means to commit suicide is low it' s mostly a male way out.🤗Be safe. And we love you so don't ever hurt yourself and if you know who is bothering you just message me and I'll take care of them. I've had problems with people messing with me also and I'd love to take my frustrations out on someone that deserves it.

This is a hard one for me to give advice on swmama. This month marks the one year that i lost my nephew to taking his life with one. If you ever have those feelings. A hand gun shouldn't be an option i don't think. There's other ways to protect yourself

Something like bear spray or a taser. Effective, but not lethal.

Doesn’t seem wise.

I can't help much on the self defense method end of this, but just wanted to remind you that if you ever have those thoughts you can always reach out to me.

Pew pew is not protection, it's for killing people. Are you ok with doing that? Be honest with yourself about wether or not you think you could pull the trigger in the moment. Getting a gun isn't adding safety into your life, it's adding an additional element of danger. You'd probably be better off getting a large dog.

Who is stalking you? Is it that food truck guy?

the advice I've seen is often along the lines of 'something that can be taken away from you and used against you is worse than nothing', combine that with your #3 point and most any sort of firearm is probably not the best option.
I think you'd likely do well with a dog and training for the same (it's not fast or cheap, but they are effective most of the time). probably a taser/ll equipment paired with a defensive dog.

All comments given are excellent advise for you and your situation.
Huge love and prayers to you. ❤🤗🙏🙏
Nobody should have to live in fear.

I have, myself, unadopted personal carry, as I hardly go out anywhere as of late. Truth is, I simply don't fear being attacked by anyone.
I don't know why.

My carry weapons:
Kimber 45 ACP
Beretta 9mm
Beretta. 380 ACP (Good choice for women)

These links cover basic skills, equipment, and lethal vs. non lethal options.

https://armedcitizensnetwork.org/index.php/use-of-lethal-and-non-lethal-force


Self defense courses

https://www.umfacademy.com.au/4-best-martial-art-for-women-s-self-defence/

https://womenleadingtravelandhospitality.com/video/self-defense-expert-jennifer-cassetta-on-equipping-your-team-with-tools-to-stay-safe/

Pschology and training
https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/11/07/feminist-self-defense-teaching-women-how-to-defend-themselves-all-wrong/


Less vs. non lethal
https://hero.us.com/2024/05/16/non-lethal-vs-less-lethal-guns/

[media=https://www.youtubecom/watch?v=oVPcN1K0zaY]

https://novicedefense.com/


Home defense

Firearms
https://sporting-systems.com/blog/10-best-home-defense-guns-protect-your-family-and-property/

Personally, I rely on a switchblade knife for self defense. (Which can't be longer than 3 inches in my state)

Or maybe you could use mace. that won't be fatal but hurts like hell... right?

If you went with an actual firearm, I think Chief on here is pretty knowledgeable about them.
I do not know if you and him are in touch but you could tag him and hopefully he could give some input.

....i wouldn't place much certitude behind peeps here being capable of even packing lunch for their own viability or that of someone else's, let alone manage handing out advice on having ballistic personal protection implements within grasp out of any twisted sense of due cause they're wanting to portray.

wrong forum, eh.