Legal weapons for new york?

Question

I am planning a trip to new york in the next few months. I know that pistols are illegal in new york so I am considering alternative weapons(ie; extendable batons, knives, etc) that would be legal for self defense purposes.

Answer 1

New York City?

What do you plan to defend yourself from? Did you get brainwashed by the movie "The Brave One"?

NYers might be jerks, but it is one of the safest large cities in the world. You would have a much worse time in a place like Camden, NJ, or Newburgh, NY.

As far as weapons go,  I wouldn't bring anything you are not proficient with. No mugger is gonna wait for you to pull a folding knife out of your pocket, all clumsy-like. Or an expandable baton. These items are really better for offense than defense. Unless you are proficient in their use, you might wind up making matters worse for yourself.

If you must bring a knife, a blade length below 4" and single sided, is the best way to go. I prefer fixed blades to folders, but whatever.

Answer 2

A clock with a bell.  When confronted with an assailant, you pull out the clock and say "Don't be alarmed."

Then you bash him in the face with it while he still looks puzzled.

Just kidding.  But seriously:  Expandable batons and knives are out.  Well, not knives explicitly because they are legal if under 4 inches, folding and not "weapon-like," but you're a fool if you think a folding knife is good for defense (http://www.hertao.com/selfdefense/knife-...

Pepper Spray is a great standby.  It is ranged, it's easy to use, and it flippin hurts!  People overlook this stuff too much because they hear whispers that it "may not work on everybody."  Guess what, nothing works perfectly on everybody!  Even bullets.  Use your head, and always have a back-up plan for when something doesn't work.

Another standby I always keep handy is a walking stick.  Nothing remarkable about it, just a cane with a rubber tip, except that it's solid hardwood.  I can even take in on airplanes.  Mind, I have some training in stick-fighting.  I'm not disabled, but when questioned I just casually remark "Yeah, I'm ok now, just my equilibrium still goes wonky sometimes."  Never ever say it's for defense.

Hope something I've said will prove useful.