Any of you carry pepper spray at times for personal protection?

[raccoon]

I'm thinking of getting some. Come fall I will be working some evenings in a building that is rather unpopulated.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. No but see if your local PD offers training on how to use it

it is just not aim and shoot.

Also realize that some folks are actually pretty immune to the junk.

[zipplewrath]

4. Ditto

And learn what to do next, they person won't be paralyzed. And if you're gonna have it, it can't be buried in your pocket or purse. When you leave the office, you have to have it in your hand ready to use. Most I know with it have it attached to their keys.

[pipi_k]

8. Immune is right...

I once got attacked by an ex husband who was reeling drunk at the time.

Sprayed and sprayed and sprayed him with Mace...point blank range.

didn't even affect him besides make his face red and him even more pissed off.

[slackmaster]

2. I prefer a knife

My state has reasonable knife laws. You can carry a folding knife of any size, concealed, as long as it's folded.

I recommend taking any kind of self-defense course if you haven't already. A good instructor can open your eyes on legal and moral issues.

[Cleita]

10. Not all people can stab a person that easily.

it's too up close and personal. Also, you have to learn some martial arts to know how to use it without stabbing yourself.

[Statistical]

20. Well no stabbing someone is easy.

Just ask OJ.

Stabbing someone who also has a weapon without getting killed first is difficult. Still some training is useful but one doesn't need to be a martial arts master to be effective with a knife especially if the attacker is unarmed.

Still push comes to shove I would take a knife over pepper spray. I got srpayed in the army. OC military grade stuff 10% active ingredient. It burned the living shit out of me however it degraded but not eliminated my ability to fight back. We got sprayed and then were forced to run an obstacle course with people attacking us. Sometime pain can be a powerful motivator. Some of the instructors acting as the "obstacles" got hurt in the process.

[slackmaster]

21. Using pepper spray is a martial art

So is using a gun.

Generally, stabbing is not a common move in defense use of an edged weapon.

[revolution breeze]

60. Exactly.

The thought of feeling my hand push a blade into someone's flesh makes me squeamish. I am sure a panic situation and adrenaline would change that but I would not rely on it.

[slackmaster]

61. Take an edged-weapons martial arts class

A knife fight is indeed a gruesome event, but in defensive use of a knife you are probably not going to be pushing a blade into someone's flesh.

[revolution breeze]

67. Due to physical limitations,

martial arts is not a viable option for me. My best option is to flee rather than fight and if that does not work, I have a concealed carry permit. Thankfully I have never had to use my .357 anywhere but at the shooting range.

[slackmaster]

68. Defensive use of a handgun is a martial art as well

I hope you have had some good training, and that you never have to use it.

[revolution breeze]

69. My father-in law was a police officer

My husband is a retired member of the military, my brother is an FBI officer, and my daughter is a military police. If I hadn't learned how to shoot growing up, they would have made sure I had training.

[RamboLiberal]

23. Pepper spray is probably a better option for most

than a knife. And while I'm not one who usually runs that old saw of a weapon being taken away from someone and used against them, a knife is one weapon IMHO a stronger attacker may disarm someone and turn the weapon against them.

If going to carry a knife then yes good training is a must.

[Dappleganger]

41. A knife does you know good unless you know how to handle it.

Take an edge class--it is totally worth it.

[slackmaster]

42. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt

I took an edged weapons course at Front Sight. It was very interesting and informative.

[Dappleganger]

47. Goof for you!

I've been through two and hope to do another one next year and take at least the big kids through it. Did yours use any WWII methods? Our teacher specialized in that and it was fairly easy to learn and practice.

[slackmaster]

50. That school teaches its own brand, no style I can name

We learned basic snaps, slashes, forward and reverse grips, some disarming techniques. No "how to kill quickly" stuff.

My sparring partner was a California Highway Patrol officer. It was kind of fun attacking a cop.

[Dappleganger]

55. The guy who taught us is out of AZ

Named "Brownie", runs threatfocused.com. He's a special forces trainer and veteran NYC cop, as well as many other things. He's about 5'7" and small but he honestly scares the shit out of me. He's one of those people who never needs to carry a weapon because he IS one. :evilgrin:

[sakabatou]

3. No, but I've been trained for 5+ years of self-defense

[DainBramaged]

5. You should just buy a gun, it's the way to go for the most personal of protection......

:sarcasm:

AND it's completely legal for you to carry it everywhere, come on become one of the chosen.......

(countdown till the gun lobby gets here, 3-2-1)

[napi21]

6. I do but primarily for use against a neighbor's dog that is just

let run all the time. I think it's a great thing to have is you have reason to fear any person or animal, but remember, you have o keep t ready to use. Hiding in your purse or desk drawer isn't going to do any good ya know.

[Cleita]

7. No, I don't carry anything for protection because it

could be used on me, however, I did take a course in dirty street fighting from a guy who had been a mugger in Boston when I was a bartender and it served me more than once. Kung Fu and Karate are too civilized in dealing with thugs. I found learning how to do the various choke holds the most useful because every one can do them effectively, even 90 pound weaklings. Do carry plastic ties to cuff them when you get them down.

In your situation I would recommend a buddy system. Having someone you work with or whom is close by that you can call usually is a deterrent. Thugs think twice when there is more than one person around because one could get away and alert authorities.

[EFerrari]

14. Self defense with a focus on getting away from an attacker

is the choice I made. I ran down the list of weapons I could carry and decided none of them were safe. I wouldn't try to cuff anyone, either. The objective is to get away, that's it. Two semesters of it and enough repetition to make it reflexive.

[Cleita]

17. As a bartender I had to cuff and do a citizens arrest.

However, I have to admit that by the time it got down to that I had help from other patrons. LOL.

[EFerrari]

19. LOL

:hi:

[LWolf]

9. No.

I've never spent time in places I didn't feel secure. I might, if I felt I was vulnerable.

[Arctic Dave]

11. Only when I'm camping.

I use pepper spray for my first line of defense against bears then i use my gun.


Note:

Never ever came close to having to use either.

[Cleita]

12. I found poppers more effective in shooing away bears.

The loud noise sounds like a gun.

[Arctic Dave]

13. Never seen them used on bears.

Is it something like they use to shoo wildlife at the airport?

[Cleita]

16. Actually, people who pick huckleberries up north use

them to keep the bears away when they are picking, since the berries are a favorite of the bears as well. I always carried some when I was doing the rounds in my campground in case I ran into a bear or a cougar, especially in early spring or fall when I didn't have too many campers around.

[mod mom]

63. Here is our Zookeeper's use of pepper spray in a recent encounter w a bear:

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/zookeeper-jack-hanna-pepper-spray-save-hikers-bear/story?id=11263009

[Arctic Dave]

70. Great story. Glad to see everyone walked away unharmed, including the bears.

[Myrina]

15. I carry "Halt" to fend off stray dogs in my 'hood ...

It's available at most bicycle shops and is supposedly what postal workers carry ... just as good as 'real' pepper spray and 100% legal.

[cally]

57. That's what I carry to halt the vicious dog that attacks my dog

Luckily, I've never used it. I also keep it handy because I frequently see coyotes.

[haele]

18. If I think I might be in a dangerous area, I carry my car keys in a fist grip -

Fist grip - keys sticking out between the fingers. Not only is there something to help support the fist and knuckles if you need to punch at their face, but even if you don't connect, the sight of something longish and shiny heading towards an attacker's face will back them up.
When I was 17, I broke an attacker's arm when he tried grabbing me from behind in the park; that successful defense was because 1) I was aware of my surroundings and could react quickly and 2) my father used to coach wrestling and taught me some evasions, holds, and grips just in case someone tried to jump me.
Running away screaming like a banshee when I broke his grip was also an option - and probably the better one. For some reason, that time I decided standing my ground was the best move. Though if he had knife, I probably would have been in trouble.

Self Defense lessons are the best "weapon" in your arsenal no matter if you have a physical weapon or no - if you can't keep calm and act quickly and assertively if being attacked, your weapon will be used against you.

Haele

[Cleita]

26. That's effective. A waitress in one of the restaurants

I worked in always did that because some times we were going home at two and three in the morning. One day she was carrying two thousand dollars in cash in a vest pocket (she never carried a bag) because she had sold her old car before coming to work and hadn't had time to go to the bank. She was assaulted in the parking lot and she went for the guys eyes with her keys, temporarily blinding him. He threw her to the ground and broke her arm, but she was able to get away because he couldn't see her. All she said afterwards was that she wasn't about to let him have her money. LOL. The cops didn't have any problems finding her assaulter.

[rustydog]

37. That might make you feel safe, but the keys normally just collapse

because they are resting between knuckles that are not exerting enough pressure to keep them in place. If a key did stay in place for a punch, it would be driven into the web of your hand probably injuring yourself more than the attacker..

If you are determined to use keys as a weapon, have your car's ignition key (if approaching your car) or your house key firmly pinched between thumb an forefinger. You only need abuot one inch protruding. Slash with this against the face of any attacker and you'll mess them up. PLUS the key is at the ready for a faster entry into vehicle or home.


I have a nice scar on my forearm from this type of weapon...it does work.

[Dappleganger]

48. We were taught to use the key as a kubaton...

that seemed to be quite painful!

[Dappleganger]

43. +1

You're using the keys as an edge weapon and thinking of a plan before you even get into a situation.

[RamboLiberal]

22. I'd say no problem - get a good brand though

I've carried pepper spray. Never had to use it. Pepper spray is not 100% effective against everyone but neither is most weapons you can carry or even self-defense training.

[NightWatcher]

24. nope, just a gun and/or knife

a Kel-tec .380 ..... look into one. it weighs less than your set of keys

or

an automatic knife and the training and desire to use effectively

[RamboLiberal]

25. Pepper spray is a good option

1 - In most states it is completely legal and requires minimal training.

2 - A firearm cannot be carried in all states legally and in most you need to get a LTCF. You should also get training. Also you cannot carry into many buildings and places of employment.

3 - An automatic knife may not be legal in many areas. Also you cannot carry legally in some areas. And a knife requires the most training to use in a fight. Also it might be the weapon most likely to be disarmed by a stronger knowledgeable attacker to be used against someone.

I carry all 3. Pepper spray if shooting someone is not the best option. The knife is a backup to the firearm.

[NightWatcher]

27. I've been sprayed twice and it only pissed me off

once was to get certified to carry it, the other was a fight scenario.

pepper spray is not a solution

[RamboLiberal]

30. Oh bullcrap even a grizzly can be deterred by pepper spray

Maybe you're not affected but a lot of people are and for a civilian it may be the only option available. It's not always possible for a civilian to carry a gun and/or a knife in every situation in to every location. And not every civilian has the physical ability to take and use self-defense training or effectively use a knife in close combat.

Most bad guys are not going to want to get a faceful of a really hot OC pepper spray in their eyes, nose & mouth. Yeah some might fight through it. Hell some might fight through being stabbed if you really don't know how to effectively use a knife.

Not every situation can you shoot or cut someone and not face charges.

Like I said if I can I like the option of having all the tools at my disposal. Firearm, knife, pepper spray and my years of self-defense training.

The other option that might be worth looking in to are the civilian tasers available.

[Dappleganger]

45. I've also got a little LCP

same size as that Kel-tec. It's my EDC during the hot summer FL weather. If I'm going out and about it's a EDC on the waist (concealed) and a blade or other edge weapon in the pocket.

[slampoet]

28. The Best protection is a DOG. I have heard it from a thousand cops over and over.

Even cops who hate dogs admit their effectiveness.

[RamboLiberal]

32. You can't take your dog everywhere

OP was asking about being in an lonely building evenings

[slampoet]

35. Unpopulated building equals dog friendly more likely than not.

[raccoon]

58. Not in this case, it's a college building. People in daytime but few in evening. nt

[EFerrari]

53. That's interesting. I actually do take my dog everywhere.

Made the decision when I got my first Lab that she'd be companion and not a lawn gnome. Dogs are good protection. I used to write 'way into the night, take a walk with my dog all over Berkeley and go back for another round. No one ever bothered me, probably because of Killer -- I mean, Buddy. lol

[Dappleganger]

46. Only if you want a doorbell.

My dogs bark like little hellions than will lick you to death.

[EFerrari]

54. Mine is like that too, but no strangers seem to want to find out.

I had two guys decide not to rob the store where I worked for a while because they saw her sleeping behind the counter. They didn't need the aggravation.

[ThomWV]

29. My wife and my son's girlfriend both carry it, but they also both carry pistols (9mm)

Pepper spray first, but if that don't work its gonna get nasty.

[diveguy]

31. check your state laws

And get pepper spray, not mace. its different. Also, look into taser's. I bought one for my wife thats just as powerful as the one i carry on-duty.

[HipChick]

33. No...I carry a Taser...

[RamboLiberal]

34. raccoon maybe you can give us more info

What is allowed in this building and what you are comfortable carrying for self-defense? Posters are giving a lot of opinions/options.

[raccoon]

62. What is allowed: probably not guns, knives, pepper spray.

What I'm comfortable carrying: pepper spray.

Knives you've got to get up close and personal with, I don't feel confident that somebody wouldn't just take it away from me.

Guns I wouldn't want to mess with without some training.

Sorry I couldn't get back sooner--don't have Internet at home.

[RamboLiberal]

71. Then do the pepper spray

It's not a bad option. Not effective against everyone but still if someone has that in their eyes they are not seeing all that well and gives you time to escape.

Get a good brand. 2 I know of are Fox or Sabre.

Or if you can afford it a personal taser.

[Obamanaut]

36. I carry a pepper spray when riding my bicycle, a recumbent. The

seat is closer to the ground than an upright bike. I was bitten on the butt by a rottweiler, and started carrying the spray the next day.

[pipi_k]

38. Looking at all the suggestions...

How about an old gym sock filled with nickels...


:7

[Dappleganger]

51. I'm sure that Stinky has some old socks

you can use, LOL!

[slackmaster]

52. Best to check state law on that

It would qualify as a sap or billy here in California, and be illegal to carry concealed.

[pipi_k]

65. No kidding...I didn't know that there would actually be laws against it...

How about just an empty but very very stinky gym sock instead?


"Here. Sniff this."

:evilgrin:

[Dappleganger]

39. My daughter does, but I don't.

This momma carries a Springfield XDSC 3" 9mm when necessary, and has been trained in H2H. I had a can of bear spray but gave it to a homeless lady who sometimes misses the last bus back to her shelter in St. Augustine.

BTW, you should take a self-defense course if available. No woman should ever feel afraid just because she's on her own at work or home.

[rustydog]

40. You might want to consider a stream type cannister

or pepper foam. If you use a true spray, any breeze can blow the spray into your face.

Understand that pepper spray works fantastic at what it is designed to do. Irritate the shit our of your eyes making you tear up and interfering with breathing.

I've been sprayed with pepper spray in training to show you that one can fight through the effects of pepper spray.

IF you decide to get the spray, understand that should you ever have to deploy it, you need to consider how to escape immediately after using it, because the bad guy may be blinded, but he/she is not incapacitated...they can still fight.

[Stinky The Clown]

44. I only carry one when I cruise DU

[Dappleganger]

49. Hopefully you also

use deoderant!

[pipi_k]

66. Probably better than the whip and chair that I use... n/t

[htuttle]

56. Nope. I can't imagine the right time to use it

Take this from someone who's been in the taxicab industry for 23 years. If someone is actually moving to attack me, I'm going to be dealing with the attack itself, not spraying them in the face when their momentum is already coming forward. And if someone isn't actually attacking me yet, I'm not about to spray them with pepper spray, as that is bound to only make the situation worse.

I've carried a variety of weapons over the decades, from guns to knives to blackjacks, etc... Nowadays, I don't carry anything. It's more of a liability than it's worth. I try to pay attention to my surroundings, listen to my gut sense (which I have to admit is working pretty well after all of these years), and take note of all the pointy and sharp edges in the room.

Your everyday survival has more to do with your state of mind than any array of weapons you lug around with you. Unless you're a Marine or a Pirate or something. Or Batman.

So if it helps you feel more secure, carry the pepper spray. But don't rely upon it.

[revolution breeze]

59. I carry it and have used it twice.

I also have taken self defense courses because, although pepper spray is a deterrant, it is not a weapon. Spray the pepper spray and then run like Hell screaming at the top of your lungs! The first time I was closing the restaurant I managed. Our front end staff had just left and forgotten to lock the door. I looked up and a man was standing in front of me with a knife. I screamed for the kitchen staff to exit the back door, sprayed and ran. Our burly porter ran back in and took care of the knife weilder as we made enough noise to alert the business next door. I would not rely solely on pepper spray, but anything which gives you more confidence is a good weapon.

[RamboLiberal]

72. Good point - spray and then run like hell and escape

Screaming at the top of your lungs towards somewhere more populated.

I was watching some videos of cops and military getting pepper sprayed. They could still function and fight but they were not seeing very well with the OC in their eyes.

[MajorChode]

64. Pepper spray is a bad option for some

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9xEKoai2Vo

[Throd]

73. .38 Smith & Wesson Airweight 442