Concerns raised over popular self-defence key chains
Posted Jan 14, 2022 9:53 am.
A random violent attack while walking alone at night is a nightmare for anyone.
People have decided to take their safety into their own hands by purchasing self-defence key chains, but it may not be your best option for protection.
“I’ve been followed home; I’ve been yelled at. There was actually one instance where I had someone follow me home, as I went into my apartment, they were on the outside shaking the door trying to get in,” said Victoria Ashley.
Ashley works late nights and often must walk home alone. After several scary encounters, she decided to buy a self-defence key chain to make herself feel more safe.
“I knew that it was legal to carry one, but it wasn’t legal to use one. I honestly just sat down and weighed out the pros and cons and you know, being attacked and having a way to protect myself, even just feeling safe, just seemed like it was worth the risk.”
Read more:
-
One in hospital after Thursday morning stabbing in NW Calgary
-
Two men arrested, charged after series of random Calgary stabbings
-
Police investigate downtown stabbing
Self-defence key chains have grown in popularity on TikTok and Instagram. Many people are unaware the colourful accessory could be considered an illegal weapon.
“People order these things, but they don’t really know how to use them. Some of them are legal, some of them are not legal,” said Sgt. Nick Wilsher with the Calgary Police Service’s Crime Prevention Unit.
One expert says there is an even better, legal option that can come in handy anytime.
“I would actually strongly suggest instead, take a really good self-defence course because the devices that are designed to protect you, if you don’t have them in hand, if you’re having to dig for them scrounge for them, or not using them properly they are not going to be effective for you anyway,” said Lorna Selig, the president of Safe for Life.
Ashley ran into some trouble when she was trying to board a flight and realized, she forgot to remove one of the self-defence keychains before going through security.
“They classified it as an illegal weapon and told me it was considered a brass knuckle and it was illegal to have and that basically, I was trying to smuggle an illegal weapon into a foreign country,” explained Ashely. “In hindsight, I think it should have been common sense that I couldn’t take that on my key chain, but I wasn’t really thinking.”
Data provided by CPS shows that violent incidents in Calgary were higher in 2020 than 10 years prior.
WATCH: An increase in violent incidents at C-train stations has left some Calgary transit riders and staff on edge. Jasmine Vickaryous reports.
But still, experts warn against carrying the devices.
“Our best defence is our voice. Screaming, shouting, hollering if you are attacked,” explained Selig.
“Then fighting back, punch, kick, bite, elbow, whatever it is that you need. Then run, run for help. Go to somebody, another person on the street, go into a business, an establishment, look for a place where there would be lights and look for a place where there would be other people.”
