I carry a strong yet inexpensive 5 foot wooden walking stick with a metal point at one end almost everywhere in lieu of a cane. People forget that a quarterstaff beats a fists, a knife, sword or even firearm in many cases. Watch the Steven Seagal movie with the hillbillies or the Clint Eastwood one with the gold prospectors for examples.
“I carry a strong yet inexpensive 5 foot wooden walking stick with a metal point at one end almost everywhere in lieu of a cane.”
I have a metal cane with a dragon head on the top. Twist the dragon and pull out a fairly short sabre. If the length of the metal cane doesn’t keep someone away, twist the dragon head.
I am surprised a few of them didn't get together, and rock his world, with a broom handle, a mop ringer or a chair? Who knows? Maybe they thought he had a gun.
The European masters (Silver, Meyer, Liechtenauer...) often referred to the staff as "the Prince of weapons". It was the last weapon to be taught to an adept student, after the longsword, arming sword and buckler, dagger and such. Master the others first and then they'd allow a student to advance to the staff. While no weapon will guarantee anything, someone adept with a staff can do some impressive stuff.