Q:

I have a student who mentioned that she thinks that her purse on her shoulder would hinder her self-defense. She made the comment to me that she knows that she should drop the purse and take care of business, but she knows that she would not drop it and lose all of her stuff right off the bat. Do you have any suggestions about fighting with the purse or do you think that I should get her to drop it? Should I work with her using the purse as a weapon?

A.

Regarding purses, they are a continual problem for women in self-defense situations. If you carry a purse or bag on a strap, you can be jerked off your feet when some thug tries to snatch it. If you carry a clutch type purse your hands are tied up holding it or you'll have to drop it when you defend yourself...

Self-defense solutions?

-- Divide up your cards and cash then carry them in separate pockets;

-- Try a fanny pack/bum bag;

-- Have your pepper spray on your key ring and out when you are walking to and from your vehicle (the concept being that you create a shield at some distance away from you, allowing you time to escape). A low profile way of carrying your pepper spray is to keep the canister in your hand, but have your hand inside of your bag as you walk. That way you are prepared for an attacker, but you don't look aggressive to anyone else.

If these ideas cannot or will not be adopted by your students, try to get them to carry smaller bags which would be easier to manage in a conflict.

I would not recommend spending the time trying to use the purse itself as a weapon. I don't mind using a briefcase as a shield, but most women's pocketbooks or bags are not substantial enough to be used as either a shield or as a striking implement. 

If you are truly in a fight, keeping your purse or bag will be of secondary importance to protecting your head, controlling his hips and controlling his hands.  However, if swinging, hitting or throwing your purse at an attacker will help you to either escape or get into a better position to defend yourself -- by all means do it.

You should be mentally prepared to do ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GO HOME TO YOUR KIDS TONIGHT.

There are some purses and bags that allow for the safe carry of a handgun. This, of course, would be a completely different story. Now you need to keep your bag at ALL COSTS to control the access to your firearm as well as to be able to deploy the firearm in defense.  Carrying your defensive handgun in a purse will have to be addressed in the upcoming Weapons for Women class.

Good luck.

Brad Parker