4 posts / 0 new
Last post
Tau
Tau's picture
"Booby" trapped bra' - how legal is this?

http://pix11.com/2016/03/17/booby-trap-bras-new-bra-design-conceals-knife-pepper-spray-for-protection/#ooid=tyZ3AyMjE6PiiN1-T04_RVmblXkRXkhB

This came up in my Facebook news feed. A woman was attached whilst out running and as a result created herself a bra' with a pocket for a knife or pepper spray. Now, part of me think she should be commended for this initiative. Overiding this, however, is that this is simply not legal in the UK. But this is an American story. So, what the stateside legal issues on this and what do we think about it?

Quick2Kick
Quick2Kick's picture

My experience training with women is the natural hand position is clenched close to the chest, at least at the beginning. So this placement may play into the natural reaction when surprised. 

If you are going to pull a knife you should train yourself to properly use it so it can't be taken easily and used against you. Hopefully that training will teach the carrier to not put themselves in places where they might need to pull a knife. 

I'm no legal expert but I will say the state I live in you can openly carry a firearm on your hip without the need for any special permit. So a tiny knife would be no problem. You can even get pepper spray at the the local gas station. Heck we sell it at the dojo and it comes in pink containers. 

Kevin73
Kevin73's picture

As with most things, you would need to check with your state/local laws to find out what is legal or not to carry.

In Michigan, for example, I can carry a knife for utility purposes with a blade of a certain length.  But, if I say that I'm carrying the knife to protect myself, I could get into legal trouble for carrying a concealed weapon (intent to go armed).

MCM180
MCM180's picture

I'd suspect concealed knives are legal in some states and not in others. Also, some cities pass their own laws that are more restrictive than the state laws. That could present a problem - a woman carrying one could unknowingly jog from legal to illegal on her morning workout.

In Ohio, USA, there is an exemption for reasonable expectation that one will be assaulted (as I understand the law). So I suppose someone who has already been assaulted could claim that she has a reasonable expectation. As a juror, I'd probably buy the argument, but I'm not your average juror.

But, I guess those laws are helpful - we all know that violent habitual criminals would NEVER break a weapons law on their way to raping or killing someone.