Non-lethal protection

[Embalmo]

Guys,

My desire to carry is to protect me, and my family, so what if some drunk moron doesn't necessarily need shooting, but could seriously hurt me? So, I'm curious about non-lethal tools to supplement my concealed carry, but there are thousands of doohickeys like little metal sticks, uber bright flashlights, pepper spray, and tazers. I'm also pondering the idea that if you have to quickly draw something, the lethal-weapon is safer, so why bother with non-lethal at all? Do any of you guys have real life positive, and or negative experience with non-lethal?

Thanks,

Embalmo

[karder]

I know this does not exactly answer your question, but I personally believe there is value in supplementing your firearm with something less lethal. I have a lot of martial arts experience and I carry a small baton with me at all times. I also believe that pepper spray can be very effective. There are many who would argue that if you have a gun, you need to use that and not monkey around with other options, but I believe that if the threat can be controlled without having to draw, that is preferable. You just have to manage the threat responsibly and obviously you don't want to lose your gun scuffling with someone! The reason I got my CHL is because a baton or tactical folder are not going to do me much good in a Columbine type situation. What's that saying about bringing a knife to a gun fight? Just my thoughts, others will disagree.

[DoubleJ]

hope you're not carrying something that would be considered a "club," as that would be illegal.

if you think someone has the ability, oppurtunity, and motive to

seriously hurt me,

then that is Deadly Force.

if you have a situation that only calls for Force, then OC is a good option. There are a million brands. keep it on your keychain, and you can carry it in your hand when walking to and from your car. in hand is a lot faster to get "in to play" than concealed up your shirt/pocket/jacket/whatever.

[USA1]

little metal sticks, uber bright flashlights, pepper spray, and tazers.

i recommend all of the above .

but seriously , i carry a bright flashlight , 2 spring assisted knives and at least 1 gun .
i am considering some sort of OC spray to add to my Batman utility belt .

possibly this by Kimber...http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/product.php?xProd=2

[srothstein]

I have a lot of experience with less lethal and it effects. There are a lot of times where I have been forced to use them since force was needed and deadly force was not justified. This happens much more for cops making arrests than for people defending themselves since we are under much stricter standards.

Given that, I strongly recommend pepper spray as an addition to your firearm. In most cases, you can carry pepper spray where you cannot carry firearms. It, when effective, gives you time to exit the area safely. It is less likely to get confused with a weapon in stressful moments (Tasers have been confused by police, which leads to shootings that were unjustified). And it is significantly less expensive than a Taser.

I don't recommend a club or baton since they take much more training to be effective. There is the question of their legality, though I do subscribe to the belief that you would be legal if you were also armed (recognizing that this was not the intent it is the way the law was written).

I recommend the Taser only for those who have a lot of spare money. They are fantastic weapons, and the 30 second charge for the civilian version should give you time to drop it and run. But they are not always as effective if the BG has on heavy clothing AND they are a one time one person weapon. If you are confronted by multiple BGs, you need something besides the Taser.

Less lethal weapons of all types also have the advantage of people being more willing to use them. Your acquaintance with you can know you have the less lethal and not be nearly as squeamish as knowing you are armed. If you have any qualms about shooting someone yourself (and most of us do), the less lethal can be a good starting position. You will feel a lot better about shooting if you used it and it failed or considered it and saw it would not be enough. And as I wrote that, I realized that last part could also help in a court case - showing you were not looking to kill someone but really just wanted to survive yourself.

[CLTX11]

I just received my pepper spray today

I think there are a lot of situations where non-lethal force is going to be used so I decided to go ahead and buy it. Its cheap, effective and last at least 3 years before having to buy more.

[Embalmo]

Guys,

Thanks for the suggestions, it really helped. I have no problem using lethal force if necessary. I agree that tasers are too expensive and there is simply no way in HELL that I would get close enough to a person to touch them with a stun gun and give them the chance to grab the gun out of my pocket. I like the idea of pepper spray for drunks and mean puppies, and it doesn't take up too much pocket space.

Embalmo

[shootthesheet]

I have thought long and hard about pepper spray and have chosen not to carry one. I have tried it outside and inside with poor results many times. Small rooms, hallways and I think isles in stores are a problem because I seem to get affected before I can get out of the area. I don't know if I am hyper sensitive or what but it seems to always get me beyond what I am comfortable. I have tried it outside and unless I am directly up wind of the direction of spray I get the same thing. With the way the wind whips around cars and buildings I don't trust I am not going to disable myself or family trying to use it.

I am considering getting some PS that shoots a more direct stream than the typical spray in hopes it will do better. But, I cannot recommend any of the other unless the person has no other choice.

[The Annoyed Man]

Guys,

My desire to carry is to protect me, and my family, so what if some drunk moron doesn't necessarily need shooting, but could seriously hurt me? So, I'm curious about non-lethal tools to supplement my concealed carry, but there are thousands of doohickeys like little metal sticks, uber bright flashlights, pepper spray, and tazers. I'm also pondering the idea that if you have to quickly draw something, the lethal-weapon is safer, so why bother with non-lethal at all? Do any of you guys have real life positive, and or negative experience with non-lethal?

Thanks,

Embalmo

Have you considered a steely-eyed gaze and a stern word?

Seriously though... I don't suppose there's anything wrong with carrying pepper spray and srothstein gave some good reasons for doing so, but for my own part, I don't see myself carrying it and a gun. I'm already carrying a pistol and a spare magazine, a cell phone, etc. That's a lot of weight on my belt already (and yes, I do wear good gun belts), and it's just a lot of stuff hanging on my person. I already make concessions to it in the way I dress, and I don't want to have to rethink any of this at this point.

I behave (for the most part) in a very low profile manner in my day-to-day life; I don't go places where I'm likely to encounter trouble; I stay out of bars, nightclubs, and road houses; I keep my eyes peeled for potential trouble brewing and go out of my way to avoid it when I see it; and, I can be a silver-tongued devil who is not averse to adopting a humble and conciliatory tone if that will defuse a situation. If trouble still finds me after all that, then trouble's gonna get shot. That's all.

...I suppose I could always pepper spray 'em after their down...

[KD5NRH]

I am considering getting some PS that shoots a more direct stream than the typical spray in hopes it will do better. But, I cannot recommend any of the other unless the person has no other choice.

Independent demo of the Kimber Guardian Angel
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Dv6NmqIrCCc[/youtube]

[The Annoyed Man]

Independent demo of the Kimber Guardian Angel
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Dv6NmqIrCCc[/youtube]

College boys.