I agree with all of you, JJ, the pepper spray was my first recommendation, but they SAY they want a knife and I DO agree about it being taken away. HOPEFULLY they will forget about it or do some serious thinking about the pepper spray.
Rich, As I said these folks think that a 30 dollar knife is quite expensive. hopefully though they WILL go the pepper spray route or just drop it all together. I am about folks carrying a knife for self defense just like I am a gun. IF they don't think they can use it, DON'T CARRY IT cause it will in all probability be taken away and used against them.