Anyone Carry Pepper Spray ???

[TheLastDaze]

I'm thinking about getting some pepper spray for myself and the wife.. I have zero knowledge other than the little reading I did online a few minutes ago..

I'm looking at this as an alternative to just pulling out a gun and shooting the BG for legality reasons.. I figure If I can show use of non lethal force beforehand in an altercation that would go miles before a jury.. If in fact I ever had to use my gun at least I can show I tried my best to stop the proceeding threat..

Any of you guys carry pepper spray or another form of deterrent other than a gun..?? I used to carry a kubaton but I'm looking for something to distance myself from a threat..

and of course the probability of ever having to shoot someone in our lifetime will probably never happen, but its foolish to be unprepared..

what do you carry,experiences, brand etc... ??

thanks for your response

[kahrnut1]

i have carried kimber peperblaster ll since they came out several years ago. if u get in a situation where u cannot go with gun u still have kimber. check out some of the reviews online. as long as u have about 3' between u and subject u don't have to worry about it blowing back

[TheLastDaze]

yeah I seen that, the one in the shape of a gun??

I've read FOX is really good also...

[Barth]

Not so much.
Hand to hand combat training.
Edged weapons training.
Professional handgun training works for me.

[kahrnut1]

i have gun shaped and round back both work fine. killed a mimosa tree at 20 ft. did not intend to kill tree but did. the gun shape is easier to aim but harder to conceal. nobody knows what the round butt is.

[Planedude]

i have carried kimber peperblaster ll since they came out several years ago. if u get in a situation where u cannot go with gun u still have kimber. check out some of the reviews online. as long as u have about 3' between u and subject u don't have to worry about it blowing back

X2 on the pepperblaster. All the Women in my life that want one, have one, along with a training session on when and how to use it. I like the old pepperblaster better, looks like a cell phone in the hand instead of a red squirt gun. To my mind the little key chain pepper sprays are useless as their range is too short. If he is that close, he is TOO close. Add the previously mentioned blowback and one could be afflicted by your own spray...
Kimber says in some advertising that they have a reloadable training pepperblaster that shoots colored water and also a clip on aiming laser to carry, but I have yet to find either for sale anyplace.
Awaiting someone to post up a link to both any minuet now... Have a good one.

[TheLastDaze]

Not so much.
Hand to hand combat training.
Edged weapons training.
Professional handgun training works for me.

with that aside I'm looking primarily for my wife as well as the legalistic side of things, your two references by law would require the BG to strike first otherwise you will be held accountable, and or both go to jail if its a simple fight... to me that's letting the threat get far to close for comfort and at that point anything can happen.. Especially someone pumped on PCP, you're done.. My thoughts with pepper spray is if you hit them with that and they continue the threat (and you can't retreat) you have every right to feel your life is threatened and may use deadly force, as they haven't stopped and have demonstrated they intend to bring you harm..

While I may fend for myself (depending on the threat) my wife cannot.. I like options, especially if my wife or myself are going to be held accountable for shooting someone, God forbid that ever happens.. Statistics say it most likely won't but.............

bottom line is I don't want to lose everything I've worked so hard for in life because of some idiot that made me shoot him, a jury of peers can be easily swayed pending how things went down and we see far to often how things get twisted in this world we live in....

[AJBert]

Aside from four legged critters, I'm in the camp of "don't bring a knife to a gun fight." "Knife" can be replaced by any number of non-lethal "hindrances".

By the time you get your spray out and aim, pull the trigger and hopefully not get yourself and then realize the threat is still present , and then have to pull your firearm and repeat it is probably too late. I've been sprayed enough times (in training) to know that I can still function at a high enough level to accomplish what I need to. I'm fairly certain there are more than a few career criminals that have figured out the same thing.

I've yet to been shot but I'm fairly certain my reaction would be much different than being sprayed.

That being said, something is better than nothing.

[leftysixty]

There are lots'a folks that aren't much bothered by Pepper Spray. I've seem guys take cn/cs tear gas and still fight.

Folks on drugs (like PCP) some times are hard to stop even with a bullet.

Pepper spray can be a good distraction, especially for an unarmed victim, I believe that a good basic self defense class (unarmed training) would be/is important for ALL of your family members. There are a lot of good basic classes available for little or no money. Check out YMCA or YWCA, check your area for others.

Also be aware that some places batons, pepper spray, fixed blade knives, ect. are not legal for carry.

Just my opinion, maybe worth what you paid for it.

[RRP]

If I can show use of non lethal force beforehand in an altercation that would go miles before a jury.. If in fact I ever had to use my gun at least I can show I tried my best to stop the proceeding threat..

the probability of ever having to shoot someone in our lifetime will probably never happen, but its foolish to be unprepared..

I'm looking primarily for my wife as well as the legalistic side of things, your two references by law would require the BG to strike first otherwise you will be held accountable, and or both go to jail if its a simple fight... to me that's letting the threat get far to close for comfort and at that point anything can happen..

My thoughts with pepper spray is if you hit them with that and they continue the threat (and you can't retreat) you have every right to feel your life is threatened and may use deadly force, as they haven't stopped and have demonstrated they intend to bring you harm..

bottom line is I don't want to lose everything I've worked so hard for in life because of some idiot that made me shoot him, a jury of peers can be easily swayed pending how things went down and we see far to often how things get twisted in this world we live in....

TLD, I've highlighted some of your comments in this thread. They are all valid and excellent points! More importantly, they show you are giving thoughtful consideration to: the judicious use of deadly force.

I've grappled with the same questions you raise in this thread. I've sought answers by reading books, searching the Internet, and taking several courses on the topic. I'll list a few of my favorite resources at the end of this post in case you wish to seek expert advice. First, here is my opinion formulated from information I've gleaned from the experts. These are my own words. I am not an expert on the subject, nor am I an attorney. Readers take notice.

In most jurisdictions, you are not required to progress from non-lethal, to less-lethal, to lethal force in order to successful defend your actions against a perpetrator. If the threat is real, and sufficient enough to justify the use of pepper spray, the use of pepper spray may not save your life. The time you lose deploying CS may preclude you from transitioning to a more effective means of stopping the assault--and you may get killed.

The decision to use a gun to save your life will likely have to be made in a split second. There will be no time to think it through. That's why is it so important to think about these issues before being faced with them. Kudos to you for doing just that.

Gun forums provide lots of information about "what" to shoot and "how" to shoot. Here are some resources about "when" to shoot:

1. In The Gravest Extreme This is an old book, but still considered by many to be the bible. Anyone who owns a gun for personal protection owes it to themselves to read this book.
2. Use Of Force This is a short online tutorial. Whoever created this site did a nice job of summarizing key points. It's a good primer to whet your appetite.
3. MAG-40 This is arguably the best training available on the topic. This 40-hour course is expensive and intense. If you have the means to take this course, do so.

Stay safe.

[muggsy]

Never use pepper spray when a gun is needed. Carrying both can lead to a moments indecision and in that moment you could be killed. If you are going to carry a gun you had better have the proper mindset. Your gun should only clear it's holster if you intend to shoot and you keep shooting until the threat is removed. Believe me, in a life or death situation you aren't going to be concerned with the thoughts of a judge or jury. Make up your mind ahead of time whether your life or the life of the perp is more important to you. Expect that if you do shoot your life will be forever changed.

[Planedude]

I do not (normally) carry Pepper spray, I carry my EDC and a good knife along with awareness and a will to not be an easy mark. My Wife can not carry where she works AT ALL and she must walk thru a bum infested downtown area to her car. She is often alone and it is often dark when she walks. The Kimber is a small comfort and she keeps it in a easy to deploy condition.
Her training is something like, "the first rule about fight club is... You don't talk about fight club". She has been taught that the CS is most useful as a complete surprise. Second rule, Fire, drop and run to safety.

My wife shoots 1911's very well, but her pepperblaster is the only Kimber she get to carry.

[hardluk1]

I carried pepper spray when younger along with a revolver and when in a more respectable physical shape would step up to deal with a problem. Now as the years , wear and tear add up with a boat load of physical ailments and physical limits there will be no more pepper spray or messing around . If I have to defend myself against a BG I will try to warn them if given time that if pushed enough nether one of us will enjoy the outcome. To broke down to screw around any more with pepper spray.

[b4uqzme]

+1 RRP

There is a school of thought that simply having options available puts you in the legal position to defend your decisions. If you were to decide some day that there wasn't enough time to deploy your pepper spray first, you could find yourself in court defending that decision. It gets tricky and I'm in the camp that believes: save yourself and your loved ones first.

[TheLastDaze]

My primary consideration for something like pepper spray is to not have to get into an altercation, while I have fought in the past I feel this needs to be avoided at all costs if I'm carrying a firearm, God forbid you're killed with your own gun.. And that's the simple truth if you're carrying a lethal weapon it can and may be used on you if the opportunity presents itself...If the BG comes to you and isn't perceived as an immediate life threat but is wanting trouble you can zap him and be done with it. I understand self awareness believe me, I grew up in the inner streets of los angeles on the edge of south central you could say for most of my early childhood, so those street smarts are applied to wrong places,people and things...

I'm getting my new CCL in the mail in a matter of days so I will be carrying very shortly, although I've taken the ccl years ago my wife has not but she did this time so she also will be getting hers in the mail..She's not opposed to carrying but she took this class primarily so If she moved or drove my truck somewhere and I had a gun stashed she would be legal... Carrying on the job for her is impossible, and they make all the employees park in the far parking garage away from hospital.. She has a taser, but we've also considered PS.. And after consideration I've thought maybe for myself as well, because if I have a gun on my possession the last thing I want to do is get into a fight, so PS and retreat, if the threat is a lethal one pepper spray is obviously out because I'll be armed..

@RRP thank you kindly for your links.. I have read Use of Force in its entirety and have read other material very similar over the years.. The gun club I'm a member of USSA has training very similar to the Mag-40 and I intend to take those classes, I've never had professional defensive weapon training and intend to do so, and in which case I may be able to convince the wife once I do... We've had exhaustive discussions on these topics as well as preparedness.. Talking about it and acting on it are two different things.. I've also considered in the past obtaining insurance I believe was offered through the NRA or an affiliate iirc, where its $9month or something and you have an attorney on retainer in case you're involved in using your defensive weapon.. I may filter through where I have this information and act on it as well... cheap insurance and peace of mind go a long way..

PS is only a deterrent, but its one that can be used at a distance with no legal ramification especially when you flee the scene, this isn't something we intend to use say in a home invasion or otherwise, in that case you can consider yourself dead two times over if you are the unfortunate soul that decides my house/family is an easy target..

My wife's late step dad went through a home invasion and almost lost his life, was severely beaten and robbed.. He lived the rest of his days as an advocate of home and personal self defense where in every room of his house he could find a loaded firearm at his ready if needed..

If PS is placed on a key chain or on your weak side, there is no way to mistake it for your gun if in fact you need it now, you know where your gun is at all times...