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Raileurope.com: See Europe by train
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Old 01-07-2004, 12:49 AM   #1
girlonthego
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hi, im going to be travelling alone across europe. Im a young female and a little nervous. my friend gave me a 400,000 volt stun gun. im thinking about bringing it to protect myself. are these legal in europe? anyone know? do you think ill need it? anyone bring any weapons with them while travelling? :greenguy:
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Old 01-07-2004, 06:19 AM   #2
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Yikes! *400,000* Volts??? :greenguy:

I think personal safety issues hold true in Europe just as they do here. A weapon is more likely to be turned against you that it is to help you. Also, it would doubtless raise some eyebrows at the airport. The best defense you have is to stay in populated, well lit areas where YOU feel comfortable. If you're walking down a dark alley or under a bridge in pitch black at night, no stun gun in the world is going to help. Common sense and your natural intuition are evolution's 400,000 volt stun device.

That said, I would recommend all women take a self defense class. A determined attacker may be able to overpower you, but having a few ideas as to how to get the upper hand and escape are priceless.
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Old 01-07-2004, 08:08 PM   #3
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holy crap!

I completely don't think a stun gun is necessary at all. Like iamlindoro said take a self defense course to make yourself feel better/safer, but bringing an actual weapon could turn against you, instead of benefitting you. And I highly doubt (in this day and age) that you'd be able to get that thru customs with the gun. Europe is just like north america. Nothing to be overly scared about. Just use your common sense.
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Old 01-08-2004, 03:45 AM   #4
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I think that you should do a self defence course, many places run them. But also i think you should have a plan of what you would do if u were mugged or attacked, would u hit them, or run or scream.
Figgure that out and if you can, practice it until it becomes instinctive.

hope this helps and that you will never need it.

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Old 01-08-2004, 10:06 AM   #5
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I agree. Just use common sense. The same precautions that keep you safe in your home city apply overseas, as well.

Remember, when you read scary headlines about things going on in other countries, that is a distillation of ALL the bad things that happened in that country. Just think if they condensed all the crime, murder, etc., statistics about the U.S. into half a page.

People would be like, "WOW! How can you live there? Must be like a war zone!"

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Old 01-08-2004, 02:24 PM   #6
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Unless you constantly have the stun gun on hand or in a holster, I doubt it'd help you much. Far better to learn some H2H combat - although that takes years... But, it's never to soon to start, then! B)
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Old 01-08-2004, 11:16 PM   #7
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I agree with iamlindoro and the rest. Take a self-defense class. Martial arts are nice and all but they often focus on 'the gentle way' and sometimes you don't want to be so gentle. And they take FOREVER to pick up. I've never taken a self-defense class, so no comment.
However, if you really feel the urge to...carry something.. with you, I'd say snatch up a metal fork from some restaurant and use that as your weapon. Then you can ditch it before customs! Sure a switchblade'd be better. A Swiss Army knife won't work, as I used to think.."Just give me a minute, I gotta open it"..no..
That fork thing, I doubt it'd do anything either. I got it from my mom. Her dad used to make her carry a fork with her on dates, and she tried to make me do the same, but to no avail. Jean pockets aren't very big.
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Old 01-10-2004, 03:49 AM   #8
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thanks for the advice guys. i will look into the self defense classes. i do plan on using common sense. i guess i just got nervous hearing about all those unruley italian men. i know the wedding ring trick, probably use that. i had considered bringing along a nuns costume just incase i get nervous. who robs a nun? maybe a free place to stay too if i keep my mouth shut? yeah i'm going to hell anyway. is it illegal to impersonate a nun? ha either way it would make an interesting story.
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