Following last weekend’s attempted robbery in which an NIU student successfully repelled an attacker using pepper spray, I think now is the time to discuss what constitutes a reasonable response when faced with a violent situation.

My concerns are not unfounded. I work in bar security and I’ve recently become aware of several students who choose to carry knives for self-defense.

Before I go on, let me make it very clear that I feel everyone has the right to defend him or herself. It would be the height of hypocrisy were I to claim otherwise. I do, however, distinguish between a lethal response and a less-than-lethal response. A knife is the former.

Second, I’ve been taught that a knife is a practical tool, a tool capable of inflicting serious injury or death if mishandled, but a tool nonetheless. For the sake of this article, I will not assign inanimate objects moral weight.

Due to my upbringing and my five years of military experiences, I can’t force a hysterical reaction to the prevalence of knives among my classmates. However, I am aghast at the complete lack of common sense among many of my peers.

This concern is amplified when it pertains to the use of armed violence in the name of self-defense.

Not being a victim is much more than simply applying self-defense tactics when attacked but avoiding dangerous situations whenever possible. When avoidance is impossible, a calculated and reasonable response is acceptable and should be expected. But what is a reasonable response?

The military uses the expression “escalation of force,” and I think it’s appropriate to pass the concept on to my readers.

The idea is simple: Use only the amount of force needed to maintain control of a situation. No more, no less.

The idyllic situation requires a complete lack of force but, failing that, the goal should be a minimalist response. A knife can hardly be considered minimalist.

Last weekend, would-be attackers were stopped by the presumably justified and undeniably minimalist use of pepper spray. After using the pepper spray, the victim then fled the scene to safety.

The last point is paramount and is the result of good sense: The victim fled the scene. Rather than allowing an overactive ego to do her thinking for her and forcing an over-reaction, she removed herself from the dangerous situation.

This particular student is deserving of high praise for her quick thinking and restrained response.

During my years at NIU, I’ve seen the number of violence-related headlines increase in the Northern Star, I’ve read too many reports of serious injuries resulting from the mindless actions of a few and I’ve mourned the senseless death of a young man resulting from a meaningless fight over a drink.

For those of you who feel a knife is necessary for your safety, I urge you to reconsider.

At some point, as college-educated members of society, as adults who simply know better and as potential victims ourselves, we need take responsibility for our actions. We need to realize that our behavior has consequences not only for ourselves but for others as well.

Now is the time to start looking out for the well-being of our community and those in it instead of planning how to respond with disproportionate violence.

As we head into another well-deserved weekend, I’m asking all of you to stay aware of your surroundings, use good sense, look out for each other and relax a bit. Our time here is what we make it and if we allow poor judgment to guide our actions, we can only expect negative results.

Stay safe, and see you Monday.