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A long time ago, I used to carry less lethal alternatives. On patrol, it started with just a night stick, then progressed to adding some type of gas spray, and then a TASER. Off duty, I always recommended carrying spray and being prepared to fight before drawing the weapon, if justified. As recently as 2006 (when I left law enforcement), I was confident in my abilities to defend myself physically if necessary.

I have grown a little since then. My arthritis and old injuries keep me from doing a lot, including making a proper fist with my right hand. I have reached the stage where I think I am an example of the old meme about my pride saying I can do something and the body saying yeah, just go ahead and try it. I know I am no longer the biggest or baddest person on the street. I also no longer have the flexibility to reach a lot of the area on my belt where I would carry other alternatives (though there is more area to reach now too). The bright side is my knowledge of how to write a report has just kept on improving over the years. My judgement on where to go and not go has also improved.

So, my primary less lethal weapon in my brain and avoiding known trouble spots. After that, I might use my hands if I really had to, but I know I can use the disparity of force argument to justify using my firearm. It is a shocking affront to my pride to admit I will most likely lose the fist fights I used to win, but I did admit it and no longer carry less lethal weapons other than my hands with me.

Yes, i carry a knife, but as a tool, not as a weapon. It is not something I can easily access.