What If You CAN'T Carry?

So you train, you train and you train. You test, you sit through the ten hour class, and you get your plastic. You find the right handgun, the right holster, the right accessories. You take self-defense classes, knife classes, and the right knife, tactical gear and more. You observe all of the social rites of passion, and more. Then it happens, you get a new job. You are perfect for this job, you work for this job, you are stoked about this job....but.....the handbook states that you cannot carry a firearm or knife. What do you do?

Can you carry a pen? I thought so. Can a pen be a self-defense tool? It can if it's one of these

This right here is a Schrade Tactical Pen. It doubles as a Kubotan. Okay, okay, I hear ya asking, "Hey Lady, what the heck is a Kubotan?"                                                   

Here's what Wikipedia has to say: The Kubotan (sometimes erroneously spelled as Kubaton or Kobutan) self-defense keychain is a close-quarter self-defense weapon developed by Takayuki Kubota. It is essentially a derivation of the yawara (柔^?) stick, usually 5.5 inches (14 cm) long and 0.56 inch (1.5 cm) in diameter, slightly thicker or the same size as a marker pen. Attached with a keyring for convenience and concealment, the Kubotan appears as an innocuous key fob to the untrained eye, although it may be considered an offensive weapon in some jurisdictions.  Its popularity began in the mid-1970s when Kubota first brought the weapon to the attention of the LAPD and began schooling female officers in its application. It is often touted as extremely effective in breaking the will of unruly suspects with painful locks and pressure point strikes. Because of that the Kubotan is also sometimes dubbed the 'instrument of attitude adjustment'. In some law enforcement and security circles it is known as "The Persuader".

Another source states:

You can never go wrong with any strike using the kubotan. You simply need to hit as hard as you can because the material used in creating the kubotan is sufficient to aid your every blow. Furthermore, if you have attached keys at one end of the kubotan then you can also swing it to the face of the opponent which can scrape into his flesh resulting in extreme pain.

There are tons of videos out there that show you different ways to use a Kubotan. This isn't the typical Kubotan, as it is not a keychain, but an actual, working, writing pen. It's purple too!! I have also ordered this one (two, actually, one for Cowboy and one for me)

It is from Colt and has a built-in LED flashlight. Multi-function tools make my heart happy. When I can find a willing participant for a video, I hope to show you some of the uses for a tactical pen. Until then, know that you don't have to be completely unarmed if you have to go to a place, or work in a place where guns and knives are not allowed.  As long as you have your pen, you have a defensive tool. Just don't loan this one out. Clip it to your lanyard or in your pocket when you're not using it. You don't want this one walking off.

Be safe, be strong, and remember YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Lady