Weapons - Yes or No?

Do RLSH need weapons?  (I’m sure further discussions will be held in the forum.)

RLSH are not prone to offensive weapons, but they may use defensive weapons.

A variety of different types of weaponry

Defensive Weapons are designed to be used for self-defense, are non-lethal, and are only used for defense or protection.  They may cause injury, but typically not death.  This would include: pepper spray, rubber bullets, paintball guns, stun weapons, batons, kubotans, etc.  These are items often found in self-defense shops.

Offensive Weapons are designed to be used for potential lethality and are designed for attacks.  This would include: guns, knives, explosives, swords, mace, bow and arrows, etc.

Crossover Weapons can be used for both offense and defense.  A whip, for instance, can be used to attack, but it can also be used as defense and as a tool.  A bo staff can be used for both offense and defense.  The same goes for most martial arts weapons, including swords. Police use weapons to defend the public, but also to take offensive measures in pressing circumstances.

Again: Do RLSH need weapons?

Let’s cover some superheroes that we often idolize or who are in popular media.

Batman

Uses: Batarangs (non-lethal), grappling gun (not a weapon), smoke bombs (not a weapon), martial arts (non-lethal)

Wolverine

Uses: Weapon X Claws (lethal; embedded into body), healing (mutant ability for self; not a weapon)

Punisher

Uses: Guns (lethal), knives (lethal), explosives (lethal)

Black Widow

Uses: Spy training (non-lethal), martial arts (non-lethal), widow’s bite/wrist tasers (non-lethal), weapons training (lethal), explosives (lethal)

Arthur

Uses: Moth flying suit (non-lethal)

Peacemaker

Uses: Guns (lethal), knives (lethal), explosives (lethal), specialized helmets (some lethal, some non-lethal)

Harley Quinn

Uses: Bat/Club/Mallet (crossover)

Nightwing

Uses: Escrima clubs (crossover), acrobatics (not a weapon), martial arts (non-lethal), police weapons (crossover)

It is highly recommended to stick with defensive weapons and defensive force (like martial arts).  Defensive weapons can keep you mostly out of the hot seat with law enforcement.  The big thing to take into consideration here is use in the majority of situations.

• Will the item mostly/entirely be used for self-defense?

• Does it have additional uses?

• Is the item legal in your state, province, or country?

• Do you know how to use the item?

• One of the best defensive weapons is YOU having martial arts training. What do you train in?

Further discussion is encouraged in the forum. Feel free to leave comments below.