snegron
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dpun wrote:
Taser- It seems like a miracle solution, a non-lethal method to stop criminals. However, other people have pointed out that it won't protect against multiple attackers. There is also a time constraint. I will add this: there are two variations- the taser that shoots darts and the stun-gun version where you have to stick the device against their skin.
The problem with the stun-gun version is that you have to touch the criminal with it. If they are that close to you, you're already in really big trouble. The shooting darts version is relatively accurate...as long as your aim is accurate. If you miss, the device is useless. Criminals have also figured out a way to stop the darts from penetrating their clothing and making contact with their skin...and making contact with their skin is how the electrical current shocks them.
OC Spray (mace, pepper-spray..etc..etc..) If you're going to get this, get one that is dummy-proof to operate. The better designed canisters have a groove that naturally guides your thumb to press it, which means the nozzle is facing the criminal....not you. The best analogy I can give is...the card release latch on a Nikon D3. By looking on the back of a D3, you can see a latch that invites you to push your finger down upon to get the memory card out. You should be able to close your eyes, grab the sprayer in your hand and feel your thumb naturally slide into the grove to release the spray.
Spray is the operative word. I know it's not the first thing you're thinking about but...you have to consider wind conditions when using a spray. On a really windy day, you risk some of the spray coming back at you and temporarily blinding yourself. Also, criminals actually spray themselves repeatedly in order to get themselves used to the spray and once they are used to it...all bets are off. There is a portion of the population that do not react to spray, it's genetics. Find someone who can train you to use the spray....preferably a police officer friend.
Dave
I mostly agree with you except for tha part about how the darts of the Tasar need to be in contact with the skin in order to shock them. Not true. The Tasar has been used on people with large thick coats and the effect is the same. When both darts shoot out there is an arch effect between the tips of both darts. The farther apart these darts are from each other, the larger the arch. Clothes or no clothes, the electric current will seek to meet thereby causing extreme pain to whatever comes between those two dart tips.
As I mentioned before about the pepper spray, they are not failproof. They do malfunction and are not 100% effective on everyone. When a person is under the influence of crack cocaine, pepper sprays are not as effective. Chances are that someone who is attempting to rob you of your equipment has a substance abuse problem and is looking to sell or trade your equipment for his drug of choice. If that person is high on whatever drug he uses, chances are that the pepper spary is only going to make him angrier and more irrational. If that person is not high at the time, then there is a better chance of the spray being more effective.
The bottom line is that most of us carry expensive equipment and are at risk of being robbed at one time or another. The choice to turn that experience into one of self defense is one that you must make depending on the circumstances. If the criminal takes your equipment without threatening your life, then there is no justifiable reason to use deadly force on him. If that criminal robs you of your equipment AND decides to attempt to terminate your life in the process, then I don't see any other choice but to defend yourself by using deadly force.
In a rough city I used to live in there was a trend of violent carjackings. People were being robbed at gunpoint to steal their cars. It got to the point that victims were being shot even when they complied. Many victims stated that the criminals worked in teams and were saying "let me shoot this guy just to see him jump" even when the victims were begging for them to take their cars, money, valuables but please not shoot them. They were shot anyway. Those criminals were usually high on crack and were very violent. Many victims (those who survived) stated that despite the fact that they complied with the criminals's demands, they were still shot anyway.
Again, having a defense device when photographing weddings is not a bad idea, but you should have a clear notion of when to escalate your use of force if needed.
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This has to be one of my favorite posts ever! This thread has spiralled over to the wildest depths of our imagination! I really hope the mods let it continue just to see how creative it gets! 