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Hi all,
we'll be traveling over the holidays to California and want some advise on other alternative for self defense while we are there.

i'll be buying a pocket knife and pepper spray to add to my EDC. any other suggestions as an alternative since i won't have my glock ?!


thanks!

Fixed blade knife. If need be, it will be much faster to deploy than a folder sitting in your pocket. California knife laws are surprisingly relaxed.

If laws allow, I would suggest a spring assist opening knife. I believe Schrade sells one for a reasonable price which has garnered acceptable reviews.

Buy a 10 round mag for your Glock? I travel to California about once every 12-18 months on average, and I usually bring a .357 snubbie.

The best advise for self defense in California is just don't go there.

If you are flying, they do not allow pepper spray even in checked luggage. Take a cane, one designed for self defense (not a sword cane). Depending on where you are going, prepared to be bombarded for handouts. (that was my experience in LA, Anaheim, San Bernardino, San Diego and Hollywood) I even had one follow me into a restroom. It didn't take long for him to figure out he did not really want anything from me. I was kinda worried that swat (j/k) would be waiting for me when my business was done but I guess he didn't make the call.

Other than that, I agree with Ed 4032.

Wear a "Hillary for Prison" tee shirt

First allow me to send my condolence. I am sorry that you have to go there. Once you land go to the hardware store and buy some wasp killer.

thanks for the condolences LOL !! to top it off - i am visiting my in laws !!! and we 're flying...
i am planning to buy a spring assisted knife - but really no pepper spray in checked bags?

I will add my condolences. The last time I went to California it was for my daughter's wedding at Camp Pendleton. I felt pretty safe there.

Ed4032 wrote:The best advise for self defense in California is just don't go there.

It is obvious their legislature has no concern for the personal safety of their residents.

Lynyrd wrote:I will add my condolences. The last time I went to California it was for my daughter's wedding at Camp Pendleton. I felt pretty safe there.

Well, safety of personnel on military bases has been suspect at best in the last few years.

chl-dawg wrote:thanks for the condolences LOL !! to top it off - i am visiting my in laws !!! and we 're flying...
i am planning to buy a spring assisted knife - but really no pepper spray in checked bags?

buy some pepper-spray online and have it delivered to your in-laws house.

Your best option is don't go. I will never go to California until things change...so never.

I second the walking cane. I carry an old-school wooden cane in any situation where I may have my tools removed from me (I'm never "disarmed").

Keep a can of wasp/hornet spray in the car...it's cheap enough, easy to come by at a grocery store, and it's effective. It's not pepper spray...but well, it's not pepper spray (i.e. nobody can say anything about you having it.)

Those are the basics of what I do when I'm in those locations where I can't carry, or my more traditional tools aren't available to me. I've never found a situation where my walking cane wasn't allowed, and frankly, if anyone makes an issue of it, it can turn into an ADA question real quick.

I feel a little guilty about it, and I've never asked for it, but I've more than once been "escorted" to the front of a line while carrying my cane...