NON-PERMISSIVE ENVIRONMENT TOOLS Part 1

What is a Non-Permissive Environment? Simply put, an NPE is a place where you are outright denied or heavily restricted in what you can carry, what you are allowed to do, and where you can be. Places such as court houses, police stations, govt buildings, hospitals, stadiums, certain corporate structures, airports, and many other areas. Commonly, you will see signs that say: “No firearms or weapons are authorized on this premises.” Or “No firearms or knives allowed on this property”, “Property under 24hr surveillance, No Trespassing”, and so on. All too often you even see these types of signs on regular businesses, which of course, is their right. So what do you do you do to protect yourself in a Non-Permissive Environment? You use NON-PERMISSIVE ENVIRONMENT TOOLS.

Definition of NON-PERMISSIVE

non·​per·​mis·​sive \ nän-pər-ˈmi-siv  \

not permissive:

a: not granting or tending to grant permission, not indulgent

Weapons Defined

Lets talk about NPE weapons. First, the definition of a weapon is “a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage.” So basically anything that someone (who?) decides is “dangerous”? No, the definition is anything that was DESIGNED to inflict harm or damage, right? So, if we have to defend our lives in a place where you cannot carry what would usually be deemed a “weapon”, what are your options? Well, I wouldn’t see it as a “weapon”. I would perceive it to be a “tool”, and that is the wording I would use.

Don’t get nervous though, you have A LOT of options. Many of these tools are available commercially, but even better, many of them you can make yourself. Trust me on this, the best tools, the most hard-to-see or difficult-to-find ones, are types you conceive and make yourself. Tools that only you and your team are aware of, or maybe only you know about. In this Part 1 article, we are going to cover the types of tools one could use for self-defense.

The easiest way I define these tools is similar to survival tool doctrine, it must do more than one thing. Ideally, anything in a survival kit has 3 or more functions. So, our tools should be along that same line. This isn’t always an option, but we can strive for it. Why? Because being able to explain what that item is, anything other than a weapon, is paramount.

For example, if I have a Zebra F-701 Stainless Steel Ballpoint Pen, then it’s obvious what that is. What’s not going to be immediately obvious is what I can do with it or do with it. (Yes I wrote that twice for a reason) What about my bootlaces? The ones I have gone thru multiple airports with? We’ll talk about those in Part 2. Then, there is always my wedding ring, my hat, and my watchband. Yes, we will touch on those in Part 2 as well.

Non-Permissive Environment Tools

So, you are headed into a building that you HAVE TO go into, but you don’t want to be unarmed. You don’t feel safe in that building, even though they have 50 signs outside saying “Gun-free Zone” and “No Weapons or Firearms Allowed on Premises” … somehow plastic signs and stern words just don’t help you feel any better. What would make you feel safer? Being armed any way you can be. Let’s look at some simple options you could take into some places.

“Strawesome” Tools

Stainless Steel, Carbon Fiber, or Titanium Re-Useable Straws… remember these? Yeah, they are AWESOME for self-defense. But you must get the right kind of straws. I am talking the ones that someone may or may not have made for self-defense and for drinking liquids. If you find the right kind, they will be set up to maximize “use” when needed, and to look completely normal when not needed. They can be had in many versions, from many people, including me. “The Last Straw” seen in the pics and the CF Straw were both made by yours truly and I do offer them for sale. (See Pics)

The Pen Is Mightier Than The…

How about the pens we were talking about earlier? The Zebra F-701s, or others like the Tuff Writer Operator series of pens or TW Precision Press Series Pencils. Any of these should pass through at any security check point with normal people manning it. The Zebra is a simple off the shelf Stainless Steel pen. The Tuff Writer Pens and Pencils are tough and look awesome, but they are pens and pencils too, so the explanation should be simple. (see pics)

Inner City Defense Pencils and Kubatons

Another Stellar option is the Inner City Defense Pencil, which you are going to have to find on EBAY. Or you can acquire Titanium Kubatons that look just like Pens, such as the one I modified. I believe they were once available from County Comm, but I do not see them on the site anymore. Nevertheless, still a great option if you are about to mod it to your own specs. Put it in your front pocket with other pens, and your tools are hidden in plain sight. (see pics)

G10 and Sharpies

On the other hand, if you want to go exotic, maybe even a custom Black G10 “Pencil”, or a “Special Sharpie” from a certain person that is definitely not me. Many other companies and individual makers offer these types of Sharpies too. I have carried one at work for months and no one knows anything. I have also carried the G10 Pencil on occasion. (see pics)

Shomer Tec Pens

Then you even have the option of a Carbon Fiber Ventilator Pen or a Titanium Stick Pen from Shomer-Tec. The CF Ventilator is so lightweight I can’t even feel it when I have it on me, and the Titanium Stick Pen is in the same category. They are so lightweight, you feel nothing. However, the damage they can do and the speed they can do it with is startling. (see pics)

Carabiners As Non-Permissive Environment Tools

Or, how about a good quality Locking Carabiner like the Omega Pacific Tactical D-Locking Carabiner as a solid Impact Tool? Have you ever put one of these in your hand and closed your fist? It makes a handy (no pun intended) fist load to break something other than your own hand. Just make sure you lock the gate on it and only use the locking carabiners that are rated for actual climbing. The cheap ones suck, don’t bother. You can find these at many outlets and you can also find many other locking carabiners from manufacturers other than Omega Pacific. (see pics)

Non-Permissive Environment Blades, Spikes, and Dog Tags

Finally, we come to some of the other Non-Permissive Environment Tools such as blades, spikes, and dog tags. The blade you see in the pics is a Polymer Lapel Dagger from Hardcase Survival. You can also get them in Stainless, and even CERAMIC! They aren’t cheap but I’d rock one of these ANY DAY. And depending on the area you may be heading in to, the Polymer one, or the Ceramic one could be your best options… the Stainless Lapel Dagger is another possible option. The Spikey ring you see in the pics is yet one more option, as is any ring that can be used for impact purposes. This is just one example I may or may not have made or helped manufacture.

Rings are a superb medium to make into a tool that can be used for all sorts of purposes. Bladed rings, poison rings, escape rings, defense rings, handcuff key rings, and the ring you can’t escape from … the wedding ring. The small ceramic razor is a great option if you need something very small you can hide on your person. The Dog Tag blade is another custom piece that could have been made in my shop. Is that vague enough? Dog tag blades are available from many makers and they are made in many materials. (see pics)

Non-Permissive Environment Tool EDC Bandana

This NON-PERMISSIVE ENVIRONMENT TOOL is one that I made on my own, with very little effort. It is a simple cotton bandana with an extra pocket sewn on to it. I may or may not have some Rip Stop ones, in a few colors laying around too. The bandana will NEVER be taken from you in any NPE, no matter what. How do you use it? Just stuff your keys or a padlock, or a handful of stones into the pocket, fold it in half, and swing that beast like a medieval flail. It works frighteningly well. In the pics you can see I have a couple of my County Comm Steel Skulls and my Keybar key keeper. You can figure out what I would use those for. If you want to know more, just email me.

Wrap It Up with NPE EDC

Lets wrap it up. One thing you must keep in mind about many of these items is the materials they are manufactured from. Many of them are made of Polymer, Carbon Fiber, Titanium, Ceramics, G10, and other plastics. Yes, some of them are made of steel, but if I choose to carry a tool for this purpose that is made of steel or anything magnetic, I am going to carry something I can explain. I.E. the straw, the pen, the pencil, and so on. Keep this in mind when you build your NPE EDC.

I hope you found this informative and fun. If you have any questions or comments, just ask. Part 2 will be up soon. If you have any questions about any of the items here, email me at [email protected]

DISCLAIMER: Entering a Non-Permissive Environment with any kind of weapon could be a felony or misdemeanor. This article is not suggesting you take weaponry into these places.  YOU are liable for any legal troubles, charges, injuries, wounds, scratches, cuts, bruises, incurred costs, wounded pride, etc. This article is for information purposes ONLY. You are responsible for your own actions.