Violence might not be an attractive option but should one ever need to strike someone else then a pair of knuckle guards isn't silly at all. My winter gloves have reinforced hardened knuckle plates (I take public transit and my city has had an increase of aggressive young street-toughs who have accosted me on a number of occasions and I may not always be able to de-escalate such a confrontation).
Gloves, like mine, are probably a better practical option as they have the advantage of not being illegal is some places or even suspect, plus they keep my hands warm, and they keep me from getting infected should I get lacerated on some tweeker's teeth.
