Concealed and improvised weapons
Small and concealed weapons raise many issues. They are not unique to any culture or country, and certainly the martial arts are filled with examples of small and concealable weapons.
There are concerns we now face with terrorism where law enforcement have to content with concealed weapons in situations which in the past were uncommon. Concealed weapons among civilians are nothing new, especially in crime infested areas where weapons such as guns might be prohibited. People will carry such weapons to at least give themselves a fighting chance. In other cases they will carry these weapons not only for self-defense but also to perpetrate crimes against others. Either or any of these scenarios raise questions about whether a person should carry concealed weapons in the first place and how should they handle a situation where they encounter another armed individual equipped with such a weapon. Beyond that we should inquire into the psychology of the choices we are apt to make in the event we are armed versus when we are not. In many respects we find the subject is particularly timely.
As people interested in martial arts we are usually by extension also interested in issues of security and self-defense. The vast majority of those who identify themselves as martial artists, consider issues of ethics in combat and defense of self and loved ones as one of the main justifications for training in the arts, especially when there is a combative focus. This is because most martial arts have in their curricula teachings about conduct and an underlying philosophy. I personally do not know, but wonder how often such considerations actually come to mind in self-defense and how they affect the way we respond to a dangerous confrontation. I remember hearing martial arts instructors where I grew up in Toronto talking about using concealed weapons as cowardly, and admonishing students to develop their skills to the point where they can beat someone armed with such weapons when they are not. Not only do I now feel that they were perpetuating a fantasy, they were depriving us of an essential analysis on issues of self-defense very relevant to what we might encounter in the streets. I still wonder retrospectively if they even knew how to handle such situations. That is a digression that is no longer relevant.
Analyzing this topic in a way that does justice to its complexities while maintaining relevance is really important if we are truly concerned about self-defense.
Small and concealed weapons offer multiple and obvious advantages, not the least of which is the element of surprise. Surprise, is considered by many as the most important advantage to be achieved in combat. These weapons sometimes offer this needed edge by being designed to appear and sometimes even function as mundane personal and household objects. The more innocuous and common it appears, the better. Their size and portability make them easy to carry into places where weapons might be forbidden and where potential enemies might not be armed. Naturally, this makes such devices appealing to terrorists and criminals, the former of whom I imagine train specifically for this kind of situation. In cases of regular civilians concerned primarily with self-defense and where concealed weapons are illegal, the bearer may place a higher priority on security than on compliance with the law. They also might escape the attention of the authorities while being able to present a counter threat to an anticipated attacker. Some might argue that such weapons also require little training to learn and use. In some cases that is true, but I would argue otherwise, and training in these skills is certainly helpful and necessary, which will be expanded upon below.
Small and concealed weapons have qualities that are especially important for self-defense. They are not assault weapons, as they typically engage in close quarters to be used effectively and require a level of expertise and understanding that most assault weapons don’t. Interestingly these same qualities have also made them historically apt for use in assassination. It needs to be clear that actual weaponsare designed to inflict pain, injury or death on others. This is why most weapons, concealed or not are illegal. Concealed weapons are illegal in most states, provinces and countries. They can be a real danger to law enforcement and would be potential civilian victims, when in the wrong hands.
In general, it isadvantageous to be in compliance with the law and be able to exercise the edge afforded by concealed weapons in the event of being faced with a potentially disadvantageous combative situation. Why should we have to choose between our own personal security and risking arrest and fines on a weapons charge with the record that accompanies it?
The challenge, is to change what we consider a weapon. Thus we move from the subject of concealed weapons to that of improvised weapons. Taking it a step further, we consider the subject of concealable improvised weapons. In this text we will be looking at this topic and its concepts including reflections on the disadvantages of concealed improvised weapons. Conceiving of objects that can act in this capacity is not an issue for most of us. Kitchen knives, keys, belts and bottles are common examples of improvised weapons.
Technically these objects are not true weapons, because they are not designed or adapted for use as weapons. Also they lack the combative efficiency of true weapons. Nevertheless, they can be used effectively in self-defense.
A simple search on the internet for “everyday objects used as weapons” will yield articles that cover many of the basic concepts associated with the use of objects improvised as weapons and to some extent on concealed weapons. The concept of the concealed weapon refers to true weapons that are carried in a concealed manner on the body. Improvised weapons even when in plain sight might be considered concealed, conceptually at least, because they are not obvious weapons and their potential is hidden, unless the person using it, or the person on whom it will be used realizes that potential. A shovel could be thought of as a concealed weapon, even though in reality it is neither a weapon, nor is it typically concealed. There were few articles found on the internet search that addressed these concepts in an orderly manner and which explored the subject in depth enough to understand the barriers to successful use of improvised and concealable objects being used in self-defense.
There are real problems to be understood on this subject that are essential to a competent ability to use these objects, and for instructors to teach this material.
The successful use of improvised and concealed weapons requires training that permits adaptation.
Training must incorporate diverse infighting tactics that facilitate deft movement around the body and which at once maximally restrict the enemy while permitting you the greatest degrees of freedom. In Geijin Ryu this is strongly emphasized.
In addition to this, there is minimal use of the hands in locking and grasping. Hands are kept free which trains the mind not to be hindered by holding an object when executing techniques. This practice also discourages automatic favoring of any weapon or implement held in the hand. Prioritizing the weapon will, without conscious experience, block other strategies from surfacing while engaged in combat and limit adaptability. It also creates an unwanted pause in cognition if you are disarmed.
The focus of intent must not be to usethe weapon. The intent must be to either control, harm or kill the enemy without reservation, concerns over style, undue risk etc. Considerations of risk should ideally take place before the decision to engage.
Specific weapons training might facilitate a limited repertoire of similar objects that can be used as weapons. Making fighting with sticks and blade like weapons close to natural for many martial artists, but rarely are improvised weapons introduced into training to promote the understanding of how they can be used. Empty hand training is the first precursor to fighting with improvised weapons, and even more so, training in avoidance of attack is the first step. The reason for this, is to learn to close distance. Only at close proximity can the enemy be adequately controlled to free your movement. Focus on the weapon in hand will lead to a tendency to block with it, instead of using it more effectively for an unimpeded counter attack, or simultaneous attack.
We train with all kinds of objects against all kinds of attacks, and from all kinds of positions and places. What usable objects are you likely to have available in your car? Your bathroom? Your gym bag? If you are inclined to be prepared, you may choose to purchase equipment with the attitude that it might serve in self-defense. Police officers think like this a great deal, and use flashlights, pens and clipboards that can be used in defense and that stand up to punishment.
You should be aware that law enforcement may find cause to question you if you are found under suspicious circumstances to have tools like screwdrivers, crowbars and similar things concealed in odd places like on the console of your car or under the car seat. They may label these criminal toolsor infer that you intend to use them as concealed weapons. This can get you into trouble. It helps to talk to police about these things as most are in support of your right to defend yourself as long as you do not present a threat to them or you are not looking for ways to hurt others intentionally.
Consider that you may have to use an object that has value to you. Such as a cell phone. These are expensive, carry personal data and are not usually tough enough to fight with. You may not have a choice. Perhaps the reason you are being aggressed is because of that cell phone. Either the attacker wants it, or saw an opportunity because you were distracted by using it. Seemingly delicate objects often do have strengths that can be used for self-defense. While many have seen the rolled up magazine, and even a credit card, few know how to use these things effectively because they don’t train with them. Objects like toothpicks, twigs, clothes and even glasses can be used effectively. Barriers to using unlikely objects like these are several. The first is the impulse to try and protect the object because of its value. The defender might try to pocket, cover, hide or withdraw the cell phone, leaving themselves open to a beating, after which they are likely to lose it anyway.
Some self-defense instructors recognizing this impulse have suggested giving it to the attacker, and when they go to grasp it: counter attack. This is sensible, but not the only option. Another possibility is to have the attacker pursue it after feigning giving it up and leading them to open themselves to counter attack. In this case it may desirable to use the actual object as a weapon. In other scenarios, the object may be dropped and you attack your assailant full force, taking advantage of the distraction caused when the attackers interest in your object was drawn away from watching you. Another is to throw it away altogether. If it is hard to retrieve, they may lose interest in you and you can retrieve the object by searching later, or just suffering a loss.
Your priority must be your safety not your possessions.
A second barrier is that you may not know how to actually handle the object while fighting. If you are used to using your fists, the object may interfere with your strongest defense tactics and best learned skills. Therefore, train with this specifically in mind. Mono-dimensional fighting styles are very limited in street fighting and self-defense.
Improvised and concealed weapons might be used for only one movement before changing tactics. After the element of surprise has past, they may be more limiting than fighting empty-handed. This point is important to not losing time or wasting a second precious opportunity to regain the edge of surprise, which is provided by tactical adjustments. Changing tactics after the initial movement can maintain the momentum crucial to winning or escape. The object may break, which should neither discourage or deter you, nor should it interrupt the flow of your movement.
A third barrier is not understanding where on the enemy’s body your object is most likely to have a maximal effect. This barrier is overcome once again by training with many different types of objects and weapons. The training leads to a direct observation of the effect of the objects properties on different aspects of the enemy’s body and movement, such as ability to remain grounded, posture, balance, pain, breaking of joints and bones and access to vital areas such as veins, arteries and nerves. These effects also impose psychological results on the enemy and can significantly affect the outcome.
Not having sufficient variation and exposure to new strategies, ideas and methods, increases vulnerability and lacks preparedness. Training at its most basic level is preparation.
The use of concealable improvised objects as weapons should not be thought of as an alternative to escape. Escape should be chosen whenever possible. In fact, the use of weapons in our martial philosophy is primarily to facilitate escape. In the event that is not possible, the enemy should be neutralized according to what the situation requires. If you are caught in a self-defense situation and you have survived it, leave immediately. Remaining on the scene increases your risk. The enemy may have accomplices nearby or you may be falsely accused and become ensnared in an ongoing problem that in the long term raises your vulnerability to retaliation.
It is generally preferable in our view to thoughtfully discard any such object used as a weapon, if possible, unless the incident in which it is used comes readily to the attention of law enforcement. Once time has elapsed, if you are successful in defending yourself and the enemy injured, or has retreated with an unknown physical condition, the attacker can lie to the authorities and accuse you of intentionally assaulting and harming them, citing their injuries and your weapon as evidence. Unfortunately, this is a risk that occurs in self-defense situations, the outcome of which can be as unpredictable as the results of the actual combative incident. Therefore, if the object can no longer be found it lowers their credibility. In Geijin Ryu, the best use of concealed objects results in witnesses being unable to see the object. This causes a divergence between the account of the enemy and any witnesses to the incident. Smaller objects are much easier to discreetly discard as well.
Hopefully this brief foray into the concepts of improvised and concealed weapons helps to expand the scope of understanding and demonstrate that it is not enough to simply teach the use of such objects without an understanding of the implications and strategy. We are seeking to contribute to a foundation for growing knowledge and the intelligent expression of martial arts.