Gunfighter

rharvey · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Victoria, Texas

First off, I think there should be an "unconventional weapons" subforum in the weapon talk forums. Here's why.

I just spent the weekend in New York City (touts itself as the "safest city in the world). They have a lot of police when you don't need them and very few when you need them.

As you all are aware, NYC has strict anti-gun laws and does not have reciprocity with Texas for CHL.

That sort of reduces your options to three out of four (Hoffner Doctrine). What's aggravating is that you cannot go to Ellis Island with any knife of any kind. Add to that your leatherman tool or anything else that would be prohibited when flying on commercial air carriers. I was in line to get on the ferry to the island and saw some signs that stated you could not have a knife. I figured they were just signs until we got to a building that we had to go through to get to the boat. Inside the building was a regular security checkpoint, just like at the airport. Procedures were the same as well. Off with the shoes, belt, cell phone, etc. Everything through the Xray machine and you through the magnetometer.

Needless to say, I exited the line and went back to the hotel with my gear and the gear of two of my friends in my pockets.

They said it was a crumby tour and I didn't miss anything.

That night I was in line with my wife and friends at a pizza by the slice deli when a huge ruckus broke out between the female cashier and this disheveled homeless guy. She was standing face to face with him while he shouted "I'm gonna slap the sh*t out of you, b*tch" over and over. One block down the street were four uniformed police officers protecting the traffic lights. Did we have one closeby? Uh Uh.

About this time, I had my hand on my Surefire and was preparing to blind him and take his knee out if he made any threatening gestures.

Just then out walks Rafael, the cook. Rafael was about six two and looked to weigh about 310. Our rude boy lost all interest in any more verbal abuse of our young lady and left.

My point is that I had three weapons at my disposal: Surefire, Benchmade Osborne, and a telephone. Things were happening very fast. Way too fast for a telephone call. I didn't want to knife the guy, and didn't have to. I was in his blind side and if he attacked the waitress, I could have blinded him with my Surefire long enough to disable him.

So, flashlights are weapons. Has anyone had experience using this "low tech" weapon?

Semper_Fi · Last edited by Semper_Fi on Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:29 am; edited 1 time in total

RHarvey,
When traveling in highly restrictive jurisdictions, consider ceramic or carbon-fiber tools of the trade.

DEMON · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 192 Location: Houston,Texas

One of the many hats that I wear is head of security for a couple of night clubs. The flashlight is by far something that has saved my a-ss on more ocassions then I can count. I have been put in situations involving any where from one guy with an attitude to as many as 50 plus people fighting at the same time. These maylays usually involves bottles,ashtrays , chairs and anything else that can be used or thrown. Not to mention knives and guns. My flashlight has evolved over the past 20 years.I used to be a 6 dcell Maglight kind of guy.This baseball bat of a flashlight served me well,and I still have it to this day.Now however I tend to be a little more discreet. I carry a Surefire Z2 combat light with a GG&G serated bezel. I also added a hand grenade ring to help keep it in my hand and also to move it out of the way if going to a two handed grip on my pistol.This system has served me well.However the GG&G bezel is not allowed on airlines.Surefire makes a model called an E2D,it has serations on both top and bottom of the flashlight which are not as sharp as the GG&G.Last I checked this model was allowed on airlines.I dont know if that has changed.Surefire makes some outstanding products,I recomend them highly. Twisted Evil

zyx5432 · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Houston, TX

I travel all the time with a Surefire E2D on airlines. Thus far (flying 50-100,000 miles per year) no problems!

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 526 Location: Warrior Nirvana

It's amazing what you can carry and what you can find that will work well as a weapon in a crunch. Next time you fly, even though you have your flashlight and your flying pen look around on the plane and make mental notes. You will find some pretty heavy duty beating tools, remember "One Warrior All Weapons" even if you have to McGiver them. Also remember, "if you have not planned in advance, you don't have a plan!"
Hoff

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

AMEN!
I just returned from a trip to Florida with the family and was eyeing potential weapons as we went through the airport. I, of course, had my pen and flashlight (as did Tammy) but I noticed a couple of other winners that the airline employees did not give a second thought to: my mother's big-a$$ knitting needles (these were 8-10" solid wood with sharp points, but are usually what, some kind of aluminum tube?) and then there were the chopsticks that I grabbed to go with my chicken bowl. I asked the woman at the register if I would be able to carry the leftovers onto the plane or if I would have to throw them away; her response was "whatever you purchase on this side of the security checkpoint, you are allowed to take on the plane". Now, that is not 100% true, as the stewardess on the plane took my empty Heineken bottle and told me I was not supposed to have been able to bring it on the plane. But, as I pointed out to my brother and Tammy, we had some serious sticks to punch holes and leak fluids if the need arose.
Just more thoughts to chew on.

M.W. · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 136 Location: inside the loop

Wow, so that's where the saying "stick a needle in your eye" comes from,huh Spec?