Since I can't carry on campus...

[n5wd]

...A knife will work in a pinch, but personally, it is my last go-to option (though I am ALWAYS carrying a knife). You would be deploying what in my own mind is deadly force, and you better be sure that it is warranted. Aside from that, taking someone on with a blade is a risky, personal, and messy situation.

Not to mention that to be effective, you'll be up close and personal with a BG, and I'd rather keep them at least at arm's length if not much further away.

[C-dub]

I second a good, powerful flashlight (in the mid-to-high 100 lumen range) as it will definitely disorient any normal person in the dark. As a plus, they can also be used as an impact weapon in a pinch and many are designed with just that in mind with reinforced and structured bezels.

This is a good idea. Much like cockroaches, criminals and evil doers are not fond of the light.

For example, if someone was following you back to your car late at night, turning on a bright flashlight, pointing it in their face and asking in a very authoritarian tone "Why are you following me?" might be enough to deter those looking for easy prey.

Or a serious ...

BACK OFF
WHAT
STOP

Any of those in an authoritative tone combined with the light can be pretty effective.

[74novaman]

Or a serious ...

BACK OFF
WHAT
STOP

Any of those in an authoritative tone combined with the light can be pretty effective.

Those are actually better suggestions than mine. Short, simple and to the point. I like it.

[LainD]

Most of the time I am unable to carry (I'm active duty on Fort Bliss, hence no carry), so I generally carry a good fixed blade knife with a minimum blade length of 3 inches. Combine that with some basic self defense classes (most colleges offer something along those lines, even some martial arts Intramural activities) and you should do just fine in MOST situations. It is not as comforting as having a pistol on your hip, but that is better than nothing.
Also don't be too put out by mace, it will still do its job at extreme close range (even in the wind), and let me tell you.....it sucks to get hit by that stuff
Your best weapon though would be your situational awareness. With that you will be able to pick up on potential situations and formulate a plan of action before you even get close to a confrontation.

Good suggestions. I have done enough MMA to be really annoying in a fight but I would probably be overpowered pretty quickly. Hence the reason I want something on me.

Annoying someone in an MMA match and surviving an attack are two different things. There are no rules when being attacked. Remember those places you are not allowed to hit in MMA? That's what you go for in an attack with the same goal that we have with our firearms. That is, to stop their attack so we may get away.

I also like the knife, but a good strong flashlight can be more easily explained and used. A flashlight, if bright enough or also has a strobe setting, can be very disorienting. There is a new one out by NEBO, with a belt clip that I like. It uses 3 AAA batteries and has a strobe setting and is 250 lumens at full power. You can probably find it at a local hardware store, not Home Depot or Lowes, or a gun show. That's where I picked up mine.

http://www.buy.com/prod/u-s-army-f4-50- ... 13349.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I like the idea of a flashlight with strobe. I hadn't thought about that. I am going to order one along with the pepperblaster.
The MMA I did was a mix of sparing, disarming, and take down techniques. I have back and knee problems so I could put up more of fight than most girls, but I know I would be over powered. Hence, the desire to have something more on me.

Thanks for all the suggestions. If it comes to the worst and the liberal school bans knives and pepper spray too, I can always raid the student union building for sporks!

A knife will work in a pinch, but personally, it is my last go-to option (though I am ALWAYS carrying a knife). You would be deploying what in my own mind is deadly force, and you better be sure that it is warranted. Aside from that, taking someone on with a blade is a risky, personal, and messy situation.

If I needed to give myself time to get away from someone, ramming 5" knife in the thigh with a twist ought to give me enough time. The school is pretty close to the bar district in town and is known as a party school. It is risky, but I'd feel safer carrying a knife on me. Having only pepper spray on me is just a tad unsettling.

[Sangiovese]

If it comes to the worst and the liberal school bans knives and pepper spray too, I can always raid the student union building for sporks!

Actually, knives are most likely already officially banned by the school (it would be in the student code of conduct) although it may not be enforced. Even if they do enforce a knife ban (assuming there is one, your school could be the exception in which they aren't), you won't go to jail for breaking that rule, but you can face administrative punishment from the school if discovered. I'm not saying not to carry one, just be discrete. And I second the recommendation to get a folder that you can explain away as "just a pocket knife" (perception can be your friend, even though there is no real difference).

I go to school in the evenings and I carry a knife to class even though it is against the school policy - but then again, so is leaving my pistol in my car in the parking garage. I will disarm to the extent that the law requires, but I will not be a victim because of a misguided policy.

[LainD]

Actually, knives are most likely already officially banned by the school (it would be in the student code of conduct) although it may not be enforced. Even if they do enforce a knife ban (assuming there is one, your school could be the exception in which they aren't), you won't go to jail for breaking that rule, but you can face administrative punishment from the school if discovered. I'm not saying not to carry one, just be discrete. And I second the recommendation to get a folder that you can explain away as "just a pocket knife" (perception can be your friend, even though there is no real difference).

I go to school in the evenings and I carry a knife to class even though it is against the school policy - but then again, so is leaving my pistol in my car in the parking garage. I will disarm to the extent that the law requires, but I will not be a victim because of a misguided policy.

You are probably right, but I am really good at hiding things when I want to. I will be if the only option they leave me with is pepperspray. It is awfully nice of the school to keep the air conditioners on full blast until the weather cools. I am always having to carry jacks and wear long pants to keep from freezing in class. Just sayin'