What would be the best concealable non lethal weapon for self defense? I live in Canada guns, mace and just about everything is illegal and I'd like to get my girlfriend something for self defense.
Training. You never lose it, and you can't be disarmed if your body is a weapon.
You might be getting ready to say "Oh, my GF doesn't want to train!" Well, that kinda stinks. She doesn't have to train like a maniac, or forever really; I doubt I'm as sharp as when I sparred all the time, but I still work out, I still hit the bag, I keep my all-important basics down and my aggression honed.
My wife trained like a nutter with some MMA fighters (mostly BJJ) while co-opping upstate from me for two periods totalling about a year; she did it to pass the time, distract herself, and relax the 4-5 days a week she was away from me and took a serious liking to it; I believe the word you hear on Oprah is "empowering." Her instructor would put her up against new guys-- lot of big dudes, much stronger, many of whom were law enforcement-- and she tooled them on the mat. She doesn't feel she's Superwoman, but she feels she can handle herself, and I agree totally.
Plus: BJJ is (sorry, gotta drop that knowledge! :icon_chee ) ground-based. If someone tries to mug of rape her (or both), he's gonna take her to the ground. People who teach rape defense will often teach a woman to wait till the guy has her on the ground, when he thinks he has control, and gets careless before going to work. With months of hardcore BJJ training, she will pwn the mo-fo.
Why yes, I am thrilled my wife developed an interest in MA and got good, practical, solid training, the skill to apply it, and the confidence to use it. I encouraged her for awhile, and was happy when she got it. She's already choked one asshole out...I feel better when she's out and about without me. Can't put a price tag on that peace of mind, fellas.
It's not just acquiring skill, but the mindset, which is of the utmost importance. All the guns, knives, brass knuckles, mace, chains, throwing stars, nunchucks, light sabers, or whatever ain't shit if she doesn't have the combat mindset. Most men don't, women have it less; they are generally just *NOT* socialized to be aggressive. If she falls apart, wets herself, and is cowed in the face of a threat, any weapon she has on her is just gonna either not get used or-- worse still-- taken away and maybe used on her.
Most guys who prey on chicks don't expect a fight; if she can be conditioned to thrown a couple stiff knees, elbows, push kicks, with malicious intent and then have the presence of mind to run like hell when her stunned opponent is holding his nose, nutsack or chin...she is head-and-shoulders above her peers in terms of surviving an ugly physical altercation.