Are you carrying a knife for self defense purposes, or are you considering carrying one? Knives for self defense present a lot more factors to consider than other items such as pepper spray or firearms, including lawful use of force, popular opinion involving knives, and supporting skill sets.
Lawful use of force
In 2004, a martial artist named Isias Umali saw a friend in a New York City bar being choked by a bouncer. He decided to come to his friend's aid with the use of a knife. He stabbed the bouncer in the leg, puncturing the femoral artery. The man died. Umali was convicted of first degree manslaughter. This story leads us to our first bit of advice when it comes to employing a knife in self defense: it had better be self defense. Understand that if you need to use a knife to protect yourself, the threat to you or someone else must be grave. What qualifies? How about someone who pulls a gun on you and is intent on shooting you (keep in mind this assumes that you have in front of you someone who has a reason to shoot you). How about several people who are bent on doing you harm, a situation involving multiple assailants? Perform your due diligence, research your local laws involving self defense and weapons.
Popular opinion of knives
No matter what system of knife use you practice, in the eyes of the public, the knife is a lethal force instrument. Unlike an impact weapon such as a expandable baton, it doesn't carry the same lethal air as an edged instrument. So-called biomechanical cutting, or cutting to disable limbs, will more than likely be considered as lethal force by the prosecution. No matter how clean your record may be, a knife will always be considered a thug's weapon. It also does no good to choose a knife with deadly sounding names like "Commando Special" or "Thugmaster 2000" or something similar. Such a knife would be carried by a soldier on patrol in the Korengal Valley; you, as a civilian would do well to steer clear of such items.
Supporting skill sets
Many martial arts or self defense systems that teach the use of knives dispense skill sets such as drawing, weapon retention, and of course targeting and methods of thrusting and cutting. There are other skills that you need to cultivate as an armed citizen, that often are put to the side or ignored. Awareness, good decision making, responsible behavior and verbal skills do not disappear from your obligations as a law abiding citizen just because you decided to carry a knife. Can you make good judgement calls, like leaving the bar because some tough looking young men are staring you down? Can you deescalate a hulking behemoth who's mad because you took "his" parking space? There are also skills in the areas of emptyhand defense; if you carry a knife for self defense, it is highly likely that you will be carrying a pocket knife of some type, and therefore will be technically unarmed in the event of a criminal assault. Can you weather the storm and fight to get to your weapon? Can you prevent someone from disarming you?
Summary
Carrying a knife, or any other weapon for self defense carries with it additional responsibilities expected of a law abiding citizen. The second amendment does give us the right to bear arms. This does not free us of our responsibility to be aware of the law, to be aware of lethal force discretion, to be aware that criminal assault tends to happen to people who do stupid things in stupid places with stupid people. This does not free us of our need for skill sets that support weapons use, such as verbalization, awareness, and good decision making.
Heaven and hell
There is a story about a warrior in Japan who paid a visit to a Zen monk. The young man asked, "Is there a heaven and hell?" The monk replied, "What a stupid thing to ask!" The warrior grew angry and began to draw his sword. The monk continued, "So you have a sword, big deal. Probably couldn't cut a cucumber with it!" As the warrior stood poised, about to end the monk's life, the monk said, "This is Hell." The warrior paused, realized the lesson being taught, and sheathed his sword, upon which the monk said, "And this, is Heaven." The warrior bowed deeply and left in peace.
DISCLAIMER: Eric Taimanglo and www.examiner.com are not responsible for any and all results stemming from the information contained in this article. It is the reader's responsibility to research and comprehend any and all laws pertaining to self defense and weapons.
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