Regardless of intention, there are times when carrying a handgun for self-defense is difficult, if not impossible. This might be because you’re somewhere it is illegal to carry, or because it is too much of a hassle. I didn’t carry my Kimber with me to SHOT Show, which was a difficult decision, but even without it, I still considered myself safe because I also practice unarmed defense.

Unarmed defense is the act of defending yourself without a handgun, and it is a critical skill for all self-defense advocates. One thing, unarmed defense does not mean you only use your hands and feet. In every situation, whether armed or not, I’m constantly looking around for cover, concealment, escape routes and potential self-defense tools—this can be a chair, a pen, a flashlight or even a water bottle. Martial Arts is another great way to learn unarmed defense, in fact, I’m hoping to get back into a class soon.

I always carry a SureFire Backup in my pocket, along with a knife, for both illumination and to hit an attacker if the need arises. Both of these items were with me at SHOT Show.

I ended up having to spend an additional day in Las Vegas because of weather, and decided to make the best of it and visited Freemont Street. Since Freemont is a popular tourist attraction, it is considered a safe area. However, I like to explore and ended up walking through some less-desirable areas on my way back to the hotel.

While I didn’t have a handgun for defense, I was observant, aware and carrying a couple of unarmed defense tools, including a water bottle that could be used as a club or thrown to help me make my escape.

You should always be aware of potential self-defense tools, even if you’re carrying. You never know when a non-gun item might be your best defense.