Glasheen-Sensei,
I carry about a dozen "concealed weapons" on my person every day - all of them "street legal," too!
Let's see - Inventory:
Key chain with keys, 6 half dollar coins, 1 large (3") brass Chinese coin relpica, one belt (leather), 2 pens (steel shank type, heavy, commercially available as "Ph.D."), wallet (makes a great palm protector from knife attacks as it's a tri-fold with lots of junk inside), a Palm Pilot in a leather case (same use), a cell phone, pocket change and a Leatherman tool.
ALL of these, if used properly make pretty good weapons. And, having worked with them in practice over the years, I have a pretty good grasp of their use.
IMHO, too many people limit their thinking when someone uses the word "weapon." Such limited thinking (as you pointed out regarding the idea that a concealed weapon usually means a firearm) can get someone killed, unnecessarily.
Could it be that we need to "raise the consciousness" of some folks out there to quit thinking traditionally when thinking of weapons?
Kobudo developed from people who were forced to "think outside the edge of the blade," after all.
Maybe it's time we martial artists started doing the same for MODERN items - developing a NEW kobudo.
After all - art does mean an act of creation in one of its definitions. Doesn't it?
Respectfully,
Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
