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.
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.
snegron wrote:
So then, if an armed home invasion takes place, then what? We turn into sheep and place ourselves at the mercy of the assaiants? Sorry, no can do!
That is the safest option - and the most expeditious way to end that or a photo heist. And, while you are at it - grab a few snaps.
I am a Canon 1dm2 shooter but I find the Nikon D3 card door release mechanism to be easier. Canon's design forces the photographer to twist using their thumb and index finger, it's a "safer" design. Nikon design allows the door to be opened with the thumb only, it's a quicker/easier design. Depends on your priorities, my priorities are speed. The Nikon design is pretty safe already because the latch is covered and it's very hard to toggle the latch because it's recessed.
So I jump in with a gun post and then I start a door-latch-cover-release design argument. O G*d, I must be on Fred's short list already.
For what its worth:
For those of you who elect to maintain any type of weapon to protect your camera gear, you almost certainly need to train on that equipment more often and realistically than you currently do so to effectively employ it under stress. The vast majority of self-defense weapon owners haven't the slightest idea how much training it takes to respond appropriately with that weapon in a life threatening situation. If you're not willing to make a commitment to intense and continual training under realistic conditions, then you and those around you are certainly better off with you NOT carrying a weapon.
I say this as someone with "above average" experience with weapons under stressful situations.
Edited by Evan Baines on Sep 01, 2008 at 09:08 AM GMT
last week was the first time i thought about personal protection specifically because of my gear. i have a martial arts background, so i'm usually confident but was shooting for a charity org in a really rough area of boston last week and after making 1 trip to load the car, i was confronted by a man who was pretty obviously high. he was screaming and calling me and my colleagues some filthy names because of where we were parked. he spat on my car and was threatening us. scary situation which made me think seriously about pepper spray...
i don't have my conceal/carry right now, but don't think i would carry on a job anyway. too much gear to manage for me to effectively manage a handgun too.
I would have a monopod handy, in this case an aluminum monopod is probably better than a carbon fiber one. You can extend it and it's almost like a "staff" weapon in terms of functionality. Heck, it's probably better than an bat (longer) and it looks totally innocent by itself.
Hummm....maybe I'll look at getting some martial arts/staff training.
I really doubt that a photographer would be targeted by a thief in a park, they opportunist crimes.
A choice between someone carrying 20kgs of gear, who is obviously working and someone with potentially more cash in there pocket heading to the shops/ bar.
They will go for the cash every time.
Studios are targeted by professional thieves with goods on order. And are targeted when no one is there.
Yes, i have had my house broken into, and had my gear stolen. It was opportunist as they took two Canon 1 series camera but didn't take the batteries that were on the charger , that would cost them more to replace than what they would have on sold the bodies for.
A bit off topic, but for those folks who have decided to take responsibility for their own protection, Maxpedition makes a great series of bags that could hold some camera gear, but the key thing about these bags is that they have a quick access pocket for a concealed pistol.
The Maxpedition label is removable (with a bit of work and a seam cutter) so the bag doesn't scream "gun!" Some of the bags have a velcro area so you could add a Nikon or Canon patch to make it more convincing.
Here's a link: Jumbo Versipack. There are other sizes available too.
