To me the primo non-firearm is the blade and the ASP. No sprays for me.
I have been undergoing training on the use of my ASP26 for some time now and it just gets better and better. The weapon can be very devistating.
Lessons learned --> the ASP is fairly big/heavy. My mod is 24oz.,10"closed,26" open,1.03"wide at handle,and I added a endcap that keeps the hand from slipping off the handle that is 1.4" wide.
It is much easier to carry it in your back pocket than in a holster on your belt. I'm used to grabbin' at my Kimber and the end of the ASP rides too high for me.
To present closed is one thing,to open it you CAN'T be in a confined space.
It WILL NOT open quietly and closes even louder. When opened,it gives out a loud "ker thunk". The + is that most people don't seem to know what this sound is vs. the rack of a slide,pump of a scattergun,or the click of a safety.
Like Betty sez, if the situation is that bad,why not just present your firearm? Or......,a blade drawn accross the forearm or thigh would be allot more devistating than gettin' even a hard WHACK !! with the ASP.
In (I believe) most states,even if you can legally carry a ASP it is treated as a concealed weapon and you can't "display it or otherwise let people see it. You can't pull it out to hammer in a protruding nail and such. So dropped into your pocket, it still has to have a shirt tail pulled down over it.
Application -> for me I would want it for the panhandler that seems to want to get too close and/or too agressive and your fairly certin that he does not have a weapon. Understanding that if he majically comes up with a blade,length of pipe,broken,bottle,piece of chain,etc.,I'm not gonna stand and fight him with the ASP anyway. This, if he's just open hand. Also this would(by me)be reported to 911 ASAP, just the same as a firearm.
Also for one of them sweeeeet dogs that"never would bite anyone","he'll just lick you to death". Yeah right. You surely don't want to splatter his sweetness all over the sweet ol' grammy but you gotta defend yourself. Give him a couple of whacks to bring the kindness out in him. Grammy will ultimately be grateful. A lady down the street carries one while walking her baby in the baby carridge. The holster is attached to the handle of her stroller.
Anyway,I feel that the ASP has a purpose in our collection of equipment that will help us defend ourselves and loved ones. I would highly reccommend that before you carry one you get some training as to how to deploy it effectively. It will certinly enlighten you. ----------