Improvised Vehicle Weapons: Self-Defense on Four Wheels

An old firearms instructor buddy of mine named James Yeager (yes, of Tactical Response) used to tell me that “A two-ton truck beats a 9mm any day.” And he was right. Getting intentionally plowed down head-on by a Ford F150 would just suck. However, if using your vehicle as a weapon isn’t an option, you still have some improvised weapons at your disposal.

Battling Road Rage with Your Vehicle and Other Improvised Weapons

If you’re in a vehicle and have people approaching, looking to cause you harm, run them over and call the cops. Don’t get out of your vehicle if you don’t have to—turn it into a weapon. The bad guys will either move out of your way or get squished. It’s their choice.

I realize that some readers may say, “Well, that is why I carry.” Is it? There are zero rules that state one must engage in a gunfight every time they feel threatened. Pegging someone with your vehicle is also a great form of self-defense. There is nothing wrong with that at all. Plus, it saves ammo.

But what if that isn’t an option? Let’s say that you are forced to face the threat head-on and don’t—or can’t—have a gun with you.

The first goal of this article is to discuss a variety of legal improvised vehicle weapons that you can keep within reach and in plain view without suspicion. The second goal is to provide tips on how to use them.

Having Tools in Or from Your Toolbox—Literally

Hand tools, like hammers and screwdrivers, can make amazingly effective improvised weapons that bring a world of pain. So can things like a good metal pen (tactical pens) or even “your neighbor’s kid’s” little league baseball bat. Each item can be left in the open in “plain view” right on a vehicle seat without legal concerns.

Or, if you are into martial arts, keep something like a bokken within arm’s reach. A bokken is a Japanese wooden sword used for training in Kenjutsu. Again, it is just a wooden practice sword from your old karate class, and you have just never taken it out of your car. It is not illegal by any means, and it can easily shatter bones.

Hand tools, often kept in a vehicle, can make amazingly effective improvised weapons.

Remember, whatever you keep in your car, keep it within reach. If you cannot get to it when seconds count, it does you no good.

LEGAL NOTE: Educate yourself on all your local laws. Cracking someone’s head open with a hammer may kill them and land you in prison. Personal Defense World Magazine in no way suggests that you harm anyone with any of the items in this article. The self-defense tips provided in this article are simply basic ideas that are provided for educational purposes only.

If A Hammer Is Good Enough for Thor…

You may not be the “god of thunder,” but I’m sure you can swing a hammer extremely hard if threatened. A hammer can easily shatter bones, and it makes a perfect improvised weapon.

In the following scenario, Don is unfortunately forced to defend himself from a knife-wielding attacker:

Don and Frank are squared off, ready to fight. Frank has a knife, and Don has a work hammer that he keeps in his car.

Improvised Vehicle Weapons: Don counters and strikes Frank’s arm with his hammer. — Don counters and strikes Frank’s arm with his hammer.

In pain, Frank drops the knife, and Don carries his strike through to a “chamber” for a follow-up strike.

Improvised Vehicle Weapons: Don follows up with a second hammer strike, cracking the shit out of Frank’s jaw. — Don follows up with a second hammer strike, cracking the shit out of Frank’s jaw.

Frank is down, holding his face. Don is prepared to continue the fight. However, it seems that he has bought enough time to return to his vehicle and leave.

From Screwdriver to Shank

Ok, this one seems obvious. A screwdriver can be obtained for a couple of dollars, and everyone should have one in their car. A screwdriver is NOT a knife—therefore, it is not a slashing tool. Using a screwdriver offers two choices: a forward thrust or a hammer fist.

Screwdrivers can be obtained for a couple of dollars, can be kept in your vehicle, and make great improvised weapons.

Seeing that a screwdriver does not have a sharp point, a forward thrust may not be that effective. I prefer a hammer-fist with a smaller screwdriver. It does not have to puncture a car hood; it just needs to be able to go through a layer of clothing or two.

Remember, this is being used as a “get off me tool,” not a jailhouse stab fest tool.

The same techniques demonstrated below by Frank on Don can be swapped out with a tactical pen:

Don aggressively approaches Frank’s Vehicle. Frank puts a hand out toward Don and attempts to de-escalate the situation. Frank is holding a small screwdriver in his right hand.

Improvised Vehicle Weapons: Don lunges at Frank, driving him back against the vehicle, and prepares to throw a punch. Frank traps Don’s hand against his chest with his own. — Don lunges at Frank, driving him back against the vehicle, and prepares to throw a punch. Frank traps Don’s hand against his chest with his own.

Frank stops Don from striking by hammer-fisting the screwdriver as hard as he can into Don’s upper chest.

Improvised Vehicle Weapons: Don takes a step back, holding his chest, and Frank raises his guard to defend. — Don takes a step back, holding his chest, and Frank raises his guard to defend.

Frank delivers a full power side stomp kick to Don’s knee.

Improvised Vehicle Weapons: Frank steps back, prepared to continue the fight. Don is down after the knee kick. Frank returns to his vehicle and leaves. — Frank steps back, prepared to continue the fight. Don is down after the knee kick. Frank returns to his vehicle and leaves.

Baseball Bats and Wooden Bokkens

You don’t need to be a master martial artist to figure this out. You just need the caveman mindset and start swinging away. Remember to swing high but also swing low. A good crack to the knees or shins with a baseball bat can drop an attacker and give you time to leave.

Distance is your friend. If you are in an open space, use these tools to keep an attacker(s) away from you. Do not rush in. Step back and keep your distance.

Self-defense instructors teach to get inside the “arch-of-power” in the swing. So, remove the close-range combat and move like you are keeping an angry Pitbull away from biting you. Don’t let your attacker close. Keep him within your “arch-of-power.”

A wooden Bokken is super-fast, too. You can easily bust up someone’s hand and knuckles with it. Remember, it is extremely difficult to fight with broken knuckles/hands.