TexasCHLforum.com

Taypo wrote:I figured as much. Sorry they're not bothering to enforce the laws, but I'm not surprised.

The police don't/won't take this kind of thing seriously, even the women don't seem to care. This is also why so many women end up dead at the hands of their exes. He attacked me 3 times and caused expensive damage to my car twice before I was even allowed an order of protection, and then on the day he was served he attacked me again at work. It was my understanding that he would be arrested for violating the order, but no - they went down to Burleson and "talked to him". The very next day all the lug nuts on all of my tires were removed while my car was in the parking lot of my apartment. He said he didn't do it, but had all the lug nuts in the cup holder of his truck. Again, he obviously violated the order and they did nothing. It's frustrating, and it's futile. This is why I bought the gun and took the CHL classes.

Taypo - yes I do. The police are not helpful at all, they say things like "stay away from him". Now, if I live in Arlington and work in Arlington and I don't leave Arlington and he lives in Burleson and works in South FW - AND he consistantly bothers me at my home in Arlington and my job in Arlington - then WHO needs to stay away from WHOM?!! Also, I think the police are afraid of dealing with any bikers.

@SewTexas - I'm still within the normal wait. And I DO carry in my car and my home.

He stalks the area around where I live and work, he has done damage to my car at work, he has attacked me at work twice, his biker friends harrass me... These are the same people involved in the Waco incident.

I can't carry in the building at work until I get my CHL, so I'm really, really anxious.

Once the divorce is final I will relocate, but until then, I'm stuck.

LSUTiger wrote:

nyj wrote:

LSUTiger wrote:
IMHO, I'd prefer to carry a good tactical knife for self defense over a stun gun or pepper spray. You just stick the pointy end in the bad guy, no ninja skills needed

I'll disagree with that. A lot of people think that a knife is a good defense weapon, and unless you've had training in using one for that duty, then I'd recommend something else. A knife guarantees that you make contact with someone. A knife does not stop people in their tracks. A knife is also easily lost and/or used against you.

Stun guns are a poor option for some of the same reasons as using a knife. Quality pepper spray is a good alternative for times when you can't carry.

LSUTiger wrote:
IMHO, I'd prefer to carry a good tactical knife for self defense over a stun gun or pepper spray. You just stick the pointy end in the bad guy, no ninja skills needed. But I'm a big guy and that changes the tactics I use.

Yeah, but you left out the last part. I have different tactics due to my size/mindset/ability. Sometimes closing the gap, while counter intuitive, can be the best option. What works for me might not work for you.

I still think pepper spray is marginally effective at best depending on the attackers mindset and tolerance for pain, it's also easily defeated with any kind of cheap protective eyewear.

The same goes for the effectiveness of stun guns, if closing the gap is my best option then I want a lethal option and a knife is the best non gun legal to carry no permit required option for me.

All I hope for is at least a "deterrant" until I can legally conceal carry and some other option for situations in which I can't carry. Restraining orders are just a piece of paper, and in my case made the situation worse. He has attacked me several times and done things like bury a screwdriver in my gas tank in a position where it dragged the ground - he was hoping that it would spark and ignite.

Since the divorce is not final, and he has been dragging it out for YEARS I can't get a new car, or make any other moves that would put me in a safer situation. Even the gates on my gated apartment complex don't work. I am at the point where I fear going outside at all. I am open to any other suggestions. I don't feel that a knife is the best option because he has grabbed my wrists and forced me to break my own nose - he can and does easily overpower me.

george wrote:I like to have as many options as possible.

Pretty much what I'm thinking.

nyj wrote:I'll disagree with that. A lot of people think that a knife is a good defense weapon, and unless you've had training in using one for that duty, then I'd recommend something else. A knife guarantees that you make contact with someone. A knife does not stop people in their tracks. A knife is also easily lost and/or used against you.

Stun guns are a poor option for some of the same reasons as using a knife. Quality pepper spray is a good alternative for times when you can't carry.

I worry that a knife could be taken away from me, pepper spray is a great option, and a stun gun would be an asset if the pepper spray wasn't effective.

LSUTiger wrote:I believe they are perfectly legal to own and use and would not constitute UCW. (IANAL) Cost wise stun guns and pepper spray are relatively cheap, but I can't speak to their effectiveness but personally I wouldn't rely on them but I guess they are better than nothing.

IMHO, I'd prefer to carry a good tactical knife for self defense over a stun gun or pepper spray. You just stick the pointy end in the bad guy, no ninja skills needed. But I'm a big guy and that changes the tactics I use.

Tasers/Cartridges are really expensive and I'd always prefer a gun if I am going go through the expense and training.

You can still have a gun for HD and carry in your vehicle under MPA.

Check out this link for what it's worth:

I am 5' tall and about 105 lbs. I live alone in an apartment complex in the entertainment district of Arlington, so I encounter strangers, drunks, etc, etc... on a daily basis. I have an extremely violent, large, biker (6'2" - 260 lb) soon to be ex that stalks me regularly, and I have another biker stalker. There are situations where I am not able to carry, and in those situations I would like to be able to use pepper spray and/or a stun gun to protect myself if necessary. Tasers are expensive, which is why I would opt for a stun gun, and I hope to never have to be close enough to use a stun gun, and I do carry a knife. I just want to feel safe on a daily basis when I can't carry my gun, and my CHL hasn't come in yet.

I'm finding contradictory information regarding stun guns in Texas. Is a permit required or not? I will have my CHL soon (hopefully) but I wanted to also carry a stun gun and some pepper spray for those situations where I won't be able to conceal carry - and it would be nice right now before my CHL gets here.

Any advise?