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I felt the need to add some helpful advice as I have some experience on the topic that could be helpful. I was in the Army, and I have also earned a second degree black belt in the art of Ninjutsu. First of all I would have to respond with the fear of going to prison for defending oneself. If it comes down to prison for self defense, or death because of not defending, I would probably choose prison the majority of the time.

However, there are other solutions. Pepper spray and other such devices can be great tools for a non-lethal approach, but one must remember that these items will have to be removed from a purse. There is also the reality that a woman doesn't always carry her purse that would contain the pepper spray.

There is another solution that is natural, and that solution is the use of keys. Holding a key exactly in the same manner one would use the key to open a door works best. There are plenty of videos and teachers who tell you to place the keys between your fingers, but this is a very weak position to hold the keys. Holding them as you would open a door is the strongest position to hold the keys in, and it looks natural. You can hold your keys in your coat pocket while walking which would allow you to respond instantly to an attack while not attracting attention to the weapon of choice.