All these arguments are based on the simple fact that you would call police if someone was to attack you or enter your home. "you will be charged for using an access of force" Hell.....I would NEVER call the police if someone broke in to my home. Think about it !!! You can make the son of a biotch disappear and no one would report it for a long while or even miss the crook to begin with.

I pity the fool that enters my home, he'd never be found!

if someone burst through my front door this moment, the first thing I would do is assess the nature of the threat, literally in seconds, I would swiftly turn around, get a quick glimpse, and either Run for the back door, or charge at the guy instantly going for a swift kick to the stomach to knock the wind out of him then a swift uppercut to the laranyx,

as for weapons, if he has a knife, I grab my hockey stick, it's shortened with no blade. perfect staff weapon.
i'm a master with weapons and fighting is like a second nature for me, ever since I was a kid.
if someone breaks into my house, i'm going to pick them apart slowly.

basically it's personal preference, you can grab a butter knife and still be successful in defending yourself but the likelihood these days is for them to be armed with a gun, so it is wise to have a good deterrent such as a gun yourself, or for us canadians, to just learn as many of the martial arts as possible and master a hockey stick.

Oh also, OP, take some time to study human anatomy, in case you get attacked when you don't have a weapon handy.

Jabbing your thumb or knuckles or an uppercut to an opponent's windpipe will drop ANYONE, no matter how big or strong they are. But be VERY CAREFUL with that, as it can easily be a fatal strike.

Other effective strikes: Jabbing your thumbs in the eyes, uppercut to the nose, or clap the palms of your hands hard on your opponents' ears (which shatters his eardrums). But again, these can all be fatal strikes so only use them when you have no other choice.

A good hard punch or kick right in the testicles will also stop anyone, no matter how big or strong. Can also be fatal.

A downwards kick right to the kneecap is also very effective, especially against bigger, taller opponents.

Your elbows are one of the hardest bones in your body, so elbow strikes to an opponent's face, nose, neck or windpipe are also very effective, when an opponent is in close range. Also palm strikes and knife-edge chops (the side of your hand opposite your thumb).

So in addition to arming yourself you should also practice these strikes regularly, just in case you get attacked suddenly and have no time to get a weapon out.

Hope this helps

I have to agree with the fact you should think, deeply, about this before applying its uses. if ww3 happens, hell, go wild! but this isn't the case in todays world, don't go walking about with a knife, your just asking for trouble, and I guarentee you have not considered any weapon you have is a weapon someone else could use against you should they be skilled enough to respond, or sneak it away while your not paying attention. also the whole sas reverse stab yourself trick.

---

---

Anything and everything can be a potential weapon. A rolled up magazine, a remote control, a can of lima beans, an ink pen, a pencil, etc. your choice of weapons is only limited by your imagination.

You should rehearse what you would do well in advance of it ever actually happening. Discuss with your family how they should respond in such a situation. Decide who should stay and fight, who should run for cover and alert the police, what everyone should do if a household member is taken hostage, etc.

Remain vigilant both at home and in public. Most home invasions are not random. You have probably been under observation for a week or more prior to the crime. Keep your doors locked at all times, and Install a peep hole. Make sure all your windows are secured, install a driveway monitor, have a security room for a fall back position.

Cheap effective last minute weapons for close quarter self defence?

Right from the start there was something that bothers me about your question and I just now figured it out...

when it comes to defending your life and the lives of your loved ones... wouldn't it make more sense to forgo the cheap and get the best equipment and training available... even if that means extending your credit line a bit????

Well what do I know... maybe I just place a higher value on my family than do others???

cheap and effective:

1. bat
2 dog <---enough to scare the crap out of anyone
3 shotgun

edit to add since the chances are its going to be a male serious hard kick to the groin will bring any attacker down

cqb after all foot or bat

eyes ears throat groin dont be nice your life versus theirs dont be a nice nelly

For a home invasion scenario:
I have said it before,but a high powered torch,such as the new "CREE LED"types can dazzle a potential attacker long enough for you to get the advantage.
And one of my fave duel use items is the powder fire extinguisher,small size for home use.
Make sure to use the powder type-its for electrical fires,which everyone should own anyway IMO.
Aim for the eyes,and/or use as a kosh.

Both of the above are good for countries where you are not allowed guns etc..

If that does not give you the advantage to fight off your foe,go primitive-elbows,teeth,thumbs,nails.

Originally posted by Silcone Synapse
If that does not give you the advantage to fight off your foe,go primitive-elbows,teeth,thumbs,nails.

Yep.

Unarmed combat is probably the most useful of all, since attacks will usually come when you're not expecting them and you don't have time to get a weapon out...

I heard the electric carving knife is good for decapitating zombies at close range...