Best tool for self defense.

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VERY bright flashlight - wave and flicker to disorient - throw it. Wasp & hornet killer - the 20 ft liquid stream - aim at eyelevel and empty the can. The Cold Steel Gladius machete - two sharp edges, very sharp point. If you are inside a room or hallway - no room to swing a mass weapon. Stab and slice with gladius. IF you can't/won't get a firearm.

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lizardladder@reddit

Atlatl + Bolas combo is the new meta

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Mrzaax@reddit

You win the internet for using the word atlatl.

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Federal_Refrigerator@reddit

Dude they patched it we have to do nuclear bomb sent via slingshot that’s the meta now.

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InterviewThick2660@reddit

Okay, how would that work without everything ending up in a knot?

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Highlifetallboy@reddit

40 watt plasma rifle

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Federal_Refrigerator@reddit

Only 40 watts? Yuh must go portable version. Me prefer mi 1kW plasma rifle dat has to stay plugged in to a wall outlet. Let mi tell yuh, di home intruders never expect vaporization.

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Historical-State-275@reddit

A plasma rifle in the 40 watt will go through any t series terminator. Unless you’re dealing with an HK, 50 watts is just overkill, and has a much slower regen rate.

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Federal_Refrigerator@reddit

I’m not blasting terminators. These are a different breed. They need proper “enemies that direction! Roger that removing that direction” treatment.

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Historical-State-275@reddit

Ah, managed democracy then. (Music rises) for super earth!

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Federal_Refrigerator@reddit

I don’t get involved in politics, just point where the bugs are and I’ll eliminate them.

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Extreme-Book4730@reddit

I like my 55 watt though. 40 is a solid starting point though.

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HajjiBalls@reddit

Fiskars ax. You should have one anyway.

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93brunocardoso@reddit

Anything that goes pew pew and you know how to make it go pew pew

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ERTHLNG@reddit (OP)

Im still looking for a sword and shield just because. But I got a 12g shotgun. Its not really a pew pew. Its almost dangerous to fire it's so loud. Definitely not without earmuffs. Im glad I got one with a rubber buttpad.

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93brunocardoso@reddit

Yea sure. Thats 100% good for defense. If shit happens, shotgun is the best because you can get multiple targets cuz spread. Pew pew is also nice just because easy to carry and most of the time doesn't require anything else (ex earmuffs) but ammo

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Mountain_Answer_9096@reddit

Not in the US, I don't own a firearm

If OP is leaning away from firearms and it seems like they are here are my recommendations.

Inside the home - try to avoid weapons that must be swung. In an emergency situation the chances of you being aware of your surroundings will be almost 0. Furniture, walls, even doorways can really get in the way. Look for something like an asegai or short spear/ long knife. If you can combine it with a shield, even better.

If you are able, get a police riot shield. Those things are immensely tough, give you good visibility and good coverage. Indoors, a long riot shield can effectively block a hallway.

In times where law still prevails, the above may get you arrested if used outside the home and possibly scrutinized for your mental well-being. Just saying, the police tend to take a skeptical view of anyone walking around with a spear and shield.

Pepper gel pistols are a good idea as a non lethal option. They're accurate and do not cause the cloud that traditional sprays can.

All this said, if you are in a place where firearms are common, your best bet is to not be there. Use melee weapons only as a last resort and do your best to get some form of training in them before you need them.

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Eazy12345678@reddit

ar15 . its 2025

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ERTHLNG@reddit (OP)

What fo you think of 12g? I haven't really shot any AR or AK platforms but I hunted with a shotgun a lot. I think I should stick to the old trusty 12g pump.

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mono_699@reddit

dont walk around with a weapon you cant handle, because if someone who knows what they are doing fights you, your weapon will PROBABLY be the one taking your life

get some proper training. no hammers or anything like that, and absolutely not a sword. if you have no experience with swords, then stay away. you are better off not having a sword than having one in 90% of cases if you cant actually use it

i guess you can get a speargun. legal basically everywhere, cheap, pretty accessible, pretty primitive, and pretty fucking lethal

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panicswing@reddit

Gun is the only answer

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Tytoalba2@reddit

Depends on the country, it can be a terrible answer...

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Eazy12345678@reddit

only terrible if you get caught. good peppers don't get caught. hence the word prepper

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Tytoalba2@reddit

Ho we're back to LARPing? Alright

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Eredani@reddit

Baseball bat

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Eazy12345678@reddit

baseball bat with a sock so if they grab it the sock slides off.

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akaxd123@reddit

Piss on them

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qbg@reddit

Flashlight

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Onaru@reddit

Obvious troll post.

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JRHLowdown3@reddit

That or he's young or in some place like England where they have already been taken over.

I'm surprised Archery clubs haven't become popular in England....

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Onaru@reddit

Please go look at his other posts. That will answer your questions.

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ERTHLNG@reddit (OP)

Im not a troll.

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Onaru@reddit

Well let me know how a weed eater and sword work out for ya.

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Pando5280@reddit

This isnt the movies. Most real criminals have gone against people armed with knives or bludgeoning weapons in jail or prison. Plus it takes more skill to kill with a knife or bludgeoning weapon than most people think. And they're really messy and prosecutors will pounce all over anything that even seems like overkill. Kind of like how juries dont like headshots. Short version is get some firearms training and work with a reputable gun shop to find a suitable firearm and ammo for self & home defense. 38 caliber revolvers are a good starting point and what I tend to recommend for first time gun owners but its all about your comfort and skill level.

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JRHLowdown3@reddit

I sit here reading this covered in multiple bruises originating from tiny spots all over my abdomen area. They are from working against multiple attackers both armed with knives while unarmed at class this weekend. Each one is a knife poke or a punch. Kinda like a worst case scenario to train in and work backwards from, but nevertheless good training.

Even when the training involves accessing and using a handgun (FOF) you will usually get cut or poked also. Talking in common working around/moving around in public ranges.

We find very few folks truly interested in learning the knife. It's something psychological I think. People carry them but don't really learn to utilize them, very similar to handguns really. The three hour state mandated class to get your CCW is not what I'm talking about..

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greedybanker3@reddit

god made man. smith and wesson made them equal.

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Ok-Secretary455@reddit

Alright heres something no a lot of people thing about.

Have a friend who has metal baseball bats staged in weird places all over his house. But all the bats have tube socks on them. I couldn't figure it out for the life of me, so I had to ask. Well so far as he sees it. If he tries to swing on someone and they catch the bat. Now he just pulls back and they have a hand full of sock while he gets another swing at them.

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JRHLowdown3@reddit

OMG wow, I have literally now heard everything. I can die in peace...

Wish folks from my combatives could read this, be funny to have a sock on the end of a training pistol next time we work disarms.

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KCaScTiVaCri@reddit

A 30 lb weight exercise bar...it works wonders when dropped from the second floor to the assailant on the first floor, you need to practice to get your aim right lol 😆 joke aside, I agree with the previous poster on using a Byrna as first tool for self defense, fitted with a laser, it certainly intimidates and packs a punch plus it's non lethal and they get to live to tell their story, badly damaged though

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michaelyup@reddit

Take training classes and learn how to use a firearm. Don’t have a gun accessible unless you are completely confident to use it. High probability it could get used against you. Knifes, swords, hammers, lead pipe, candlestick, rope, wrench, those are just props for a game of Clue and very rare that they would be useful in a real life scenario.

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ERTHLNG@reddit (OP)

What about spears? I think ths slingshot might be able to pelt a dude kicking i n the ddoor?

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doidie@reddit

If you want to Home Alone Intruders then you are on the right track.

If you are looking for non gun options then pepper spray or a stun gun would probably be your best options.

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michaelyup@reddit

Have you ever used a spear or a slingshot? I’ve been spear fishing. It’s not easy. Grandpa used to use a slingshot to scare a squirrel or raccoon out of a tree to get it in shot range. They are not easy to use or master. Grandpa said it took 50 years to master the slingshot. Even then, it was only useful for popping a squirrel in the butt to make him move.

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my_arms_are_on_fire@reddit

slingshot no go through door. Are you a prohibited possessor or in a country where everyone is?

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InterviewThick2660@reddit

I keep a variety. A bayonet and my dad's WWII USN machete he carried as a Corpsman w/ the USMC. Another bayonet by the front door. My dad's WWII Japanease NCO's katana by the bedroom door. Various ax handles throughout the house. And my SCA live steel which I know how to fight with.

Also considering getting a Byrna. Yes, I know how to handle a firearm, I don't want to get one at this time. <20+ yr ret Army vet>

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AndersDreth@reddit

All the Americans here forgetting countries outside the U.S exists.

Ideally you want a weapon with range that doesn't care about the physical prowess of whatever or whomever is attacking you, that only leaves you with only a few options.

A gun would be perfect, but ammo is somewhat hard to come by if you 3D-printed your own illegally. A taser gun would be a close contender and a great LTL option, however those are also typically considered illegal firearms in the same places were guns are.

Crossbows and bows are your best option for ranged weapons that don't require a license, there's even quick-loading assault crossbows on the market and not all types of crossbows require a license. Other than that we're pretty much down to pepper spray and spears, but even pepper spray is illegal in a lot of places.

So yeah if you're going to obey the law in a country with strict laws; I'd say keep something around that works like a spear but is legally distinct from being a spear, practice how to actually use the thing and don't try to be offensive with it, just make it seem like the opportunity cost of getting in your space is too high to bother with. Keep a solid knife you're very comfortable with for back-up in case you slip up and accidently let them yoink your spear away.

And get a crossbow if you really insist, just make sure that the version you're getting doesn't require a license, and if it does, acquire the license (although at that point you may as well attempt to get a license for a proper firearm)

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616c@reddit

Maybe the Americans can read, and saw the OP's other posts about living near a Walgreens in a town in West Virginia?

(just kidding, we can't read.)

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Computer says hatchet or heavy cleaver.

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xxdestiny115@reddit

Gun.