Violence is the last resort of the incompetent ( or so I've heard). Being armed is a tremendous responsibility and knowing when to produce a weapon has a LOT of legal ramifications. If a woman has some weapon other than a gun, nine times out of ten that weapon will be taken from them as used on them. Sorry ladies by this is one area where there is really no such thing as equality. Using a weapon to threaten or warn off is also a bad idea for the same reasons. If you take an armed self defense class one of the first things you learn is that when you produce a weapon it takes the conflict to a whole new level. You must be competent in the use of the weapon and absolutely ready, willing and able to use it. That weapon should be the last thing in this life that your assailant will ever see. Period. Otherwise leave weapons out of it. Use the legal process. Use the anonymity of the Women's Shelter. Restraining order are sometimes effective if the other person is rational. If you know in your heart that no court order will stop the person do whatever it takes to defend your life and those of your threatened loved ones. It's easier to get out of jail than it is a graveyard.