There are situations that we would rather not imagine. Someone harasses us in the dark, a stranger grabs our rucksack, a burglar suddenly appears in the living room. Our heart beats faster, our breathing becomes shallow and our body goes on alert. We instinctively want to defend ourselves.
But what are we allowed to do? What can we do? And how do we prepare ourselves so that we are not powerless from fear or paragraphs in an emergency?
Why self-defense is an issue for preppers
Preparedness is not just about water, food and equipment. It also means taking your own safety seriously. In crisis situations, it can take days for the police or emergency services to help. Sometimes you are simply on your own.
Self-defense is not just a physical concept. It is also about attitude, the ability to set boundaries and the willingness to react clearly at the right moment. Weapons law, on the other hand, is the framework that determines what we can legally use to defend ourselves. Anyone who thinks about one without the other quickly ends up making dangerous mistakes.
Legal basis: Self-defense in Germany
The German Criminal Code is surprisingly clear on this point. § 32 StGB regulates: Self-defense is the defense required to avert a present, unlawful attack from oneself or others.
In practice, this means
- You are allowed to defend yourself if the attack is actually now happens.
- The defense must required be suitable for ending the attack.
- It must not obviously disproportionate be.
In other words: If you are attacked, you don't have to run away. You are allowed to defend yourself, even with violence. But: the measure is decisive.
Weapons law - what is permitted, what is prohibited?
Many people immediately think of weapons when they think of self-defense. But gun laws in Germany are strict.
Legal without a gun license:
- Pepper spray (declared as animal defense spray).
- Alarm firearms with PTB mark (can only be carried with a „small firearms license“).
- Pocket knives (with restrictions, e.g. no blades that can be locked with one hand).
- Everyday objects (flashlights, bunch of keys, walking stick).
Strictly regulated:
- Firearms (only with firearms license or hunting license).
- Stun guns and tasers (partly permitted, but strictly regulated).
- Brass knuckles, throwing stars, deadly clubs - forbidden.
Table: Overview of legal means of defense
| Means of defense | Legality (DE) | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Pepper spray | freely available | effective, light, affordable | Note wind direction |
| Alarm gun | with a „small firearms license“ | loud, deterrent | Can provoke attackers |
| Flashlight (robust) | Everyday object | legal, versatile | limited effect |
| Cane / walking stick | legal | Range, stability | Training makes sense |
| Knife (small, legal) | restricted permitted | always available | Close combat = high risk |
Self-defense is more than weapons
It would be a mistake to believe that only the equipment counts. Self-defense begins in the mind.
Three levels
- PreventionAvoid dangerous situations. Dark alleys, aggressive groups - keep your distance.
- De-escalationClear words, body language, not allowing yourself to be provoked.
- ActionWhen there is no alternative - act decisively.
Most situations can be resolved at level one or two. Being prepared reduces the risk that it will ever get to level three.
Training - the underestimated precaution
A pepper spray in your rucksack is of little use if you don't know how to draw or use it in an emergency. The same applies to any type of weapon.
Self-defense courses are worth their weight in gold here. They not only teach techniques, but also self-confidence. An experienced trainer once said: „Self-defense doesn't mean that you have to fight. It means that you clearly recognize when it's time to leave - and when it's time to act.“
Lists: Practical preparation
For everyday life
- Pepper spray or pepper gel to hand.
- Sturdy flashlight in your rucksack or on your jacket.
- Know how to behave in dangerous situations.
- Police or emergency numbers stored.
For crisis scenarios
- Store small, legal means of defense several times (house, car, backpack).
- Attend a basic course in self-defense.
- Arrangements with family or group: Who takes on which role?
- Play through scenarios: What if someone knocks on the house?
Scenario: When things get serious
You're walking down a side street at dusk. Suddenly someone appears, stands in your way, demands your bag. Your heart races. You remember: Keep your distance, speak loud and clear. „Stay back!“
Your hand reaches into your jacket pocket, you keep the pepper spray visible. In many cases, this is enough - the attacker realizes that you are prepared and that you will not surrender without a fight. He retreats. No fight, no violence, but a clear victory.
Metaphor - self-defense like an umbrella
Sometimes self-defense is like an umbrella. You don't carry it because you want it to rain. You carry it because you want to be prepared. And often the mere sight of an open umbrella is enough to avoid getting wet - just like the awareness that you can defend yourself. could, deter many attackers.
Typical errors
- CockinessAnyone who believes that they are automatically superior with a weapon is mistaken.
- IllegalityProhibited weapons cause legal problems - in an emergency worse than the attack itself.
- Ignorance: Buy weapons, but never practice.
- Hesitation: In an emergency, dither - it's better to set clear boundaries.
Responsibility - the centerpiece
A weapon in your hand not only changes the moment, it also changes you. Responsibility means being aware that every action has consequences - legal, moral, psychological.
It's not about becoming a fighter. It's about being prepared, maintaining boundaries and remaining capable of acting in an emergency.
Conclusion - strength means preparation, not aggression
Self-defense and gun rights are not peripheral issues for preppers. They are core issues: How do I protect myself and my family without unnecessarily endangering myself or others?
The answer lies not in the biggest weapon, but in a mixture of knowledge, attitude and legal tools. Those who are prepared radiate calm - and it is precisely this calm that is often more effective than any knife or gun.
In the end, it's not about fighting. It's about not being at the mercy of others. And that is a goal that everyone can understand - whether prepper or not.
Deutsch
English