So What Classifies A Weapon?
When I worked in law enforcement I was trained that anything that could cause you or someone else bodily harm was considered a weapon. Firearms, bladed weapons, explosives, and vehicles are among those weapons the use of which can cause bodily harm or death. The use of nontraditional-weapons in an offensive manner, such as a baseball bat, brick, beer bottle, scissors, tire iron or other, can also cause bodily harm or death. Someone could literally pick up a rock and try to kill you with it. So basicly anything can be used as a weapon depending on the intent.
Less Than Lethal Weapons
Less-than-lethal weapons, non-deadly weapons, compliance weapons, or pain-inducing weapons are weapons intended to be less likely to kill a living target than conventional weapons. It is often understood that accidental, incidental, and correlative casualties are risked wherever force is applied, but non-lethal weapons try to minimise the risk as much as possible. Non-lethal weapons are used in combat situations to limit the escalation of conflict where employment of lethal force is prohibited or undesirable, where rules of engagement require minimum casualties, or where policy restricts the use of conventional force.
Training
As with anything in life we learn through training. How to drive, how to do algebra etc. The same goes for learning how to use a weapon. If you were lucky enough to participate in military, law enforcement or private security training then your a step ahead, but if not you may be in the dark. Most everyday people don’t get the opportunity to train using weapons and have a huge disadvantage in a SHTF scenario. There are critical do’s and don’ts that a lot of times get people in bad situations because they don’t know the correct ways of how things are properly done. Basicly get good training whether its handgun training, hunter safety, martial arts classes, contractor courses etc. Owning a weapon is one thing knowing how to safely and proficiently operate it to your advantage is another regardless if its a knife, firearm or even your own hands.
Classes
Get in on some weapon training classes for firearms, knife fighting, martial art etc. Their fun and allow you to gain some new skills and confidence that will help you every day or during a SHTF scenario. And practice regularly to keep those skills top notch and a second nature.
Stand Your Ground Law
In the United States, stand-your-ground law states that an individual has no duty to retreat from any place they have lawful right to be and may use any level of force, including lethal, if they reasonably believe they face an imminent and immediate threat of serious bodily harm or death.
OTS Preparedness 