To spray or not to spray?

[dbl tap]

I know when to draw my firearm and when not to. However, I also carry pepper spray in me thunderwear. I don't know the laws regarding the use of pepper spray. I'm getting up there in the years and am not sure if I want to tangle with some young tough guy punk. I am sure I can't handle myself like when I was younger. Here in Tampa we have our share of punks looking for a target to fight hand to hand. If a physical assault is immanent, can I use non lethal pepper spray to fend of the unwanted attack legally? Is there anything I should be aware of? Thanks, Dbl Tap

[22WRF]

If a physical assault is immanent, can I use non lethal pepper spray to fend of the unwanted attack legally

Yes in Florida only a Tear Gas gun is consider a conceled weapon and requires a CCW.

I would not want to stake my life on pepper spray I perfer Hydra-Shock JHP
out of a 357

[Crpdeth]

Dbl

If it is obvious that harm is going to come to you, then yes, thats what it's for, but even then you should know that you may have to explain your side of the story to a judge...The can that I have states that it is a felony to use it for anything other than self defense. My opinion is...You KNOW when things aren't right, the bad guy/guys are most likely not going to call the police on you. If I thought I needed it I wouldn't hesitate to use it and worry about the rest later.

Also, I'm going to move this over to the self defense area of our forms here.

Welcome to the forums Bro, glad to have you here.

Crpdeth

[Crpdeth]

Originally Posted by 22WRF

I would not want to stake my life on pepper spray I perfer Hydra-Shock JHP out of a 357

Good advice, thats what I carry unless I'm out running or something like that.

Crpdeth

[Pistolenschutze]

Some states look upon pepper spray as if it were some sort of deadly weapon and require a license to even possess it. California is an example of that mindset, as idiotic as it may be. Here in Colorado it may be purchased in any police or sporting goods supply store and no permit of any kind is required. If you misuse it, the same rules apply as if you had misused any other object for self-defense, a 2x4 for example.

Personally, I place no trust whatsoever in pepper spray. While it may work in some cases, there are far too many out there to whom it is little more than a mild sauce for their tacos! Like Crp, I want something just a bit more reliable, preferably a Hydra Shok or Gold Dot in 9mm or larger!

[358 winchester]

185 gr. golden sabers or HYDRA-SHOK from my 45ACP and when I get to court there is only one side of the story to be told MINE ! That is the ONLY spray I carry in Fl.

[Marlin T]

I HAD a cat that sprayed once.

[satellite66]

I think pepper spray/OC is overrated. It works best on those who aren't going to be a problem anyway. An aggressive person is not affected much in my experience. Now if your state allows Tasers that might be a better choice.

[Pat Hurley]

Sorry. I thought this was bathroom etiquette thread.

Pat Hurley

[satellite66]

Originally Posted by Pat Hurley

Sorry. I thought this was bathroom etiquette thread.

Pat Hurley

Conventional wisdom dictates lighting a match and not spraying.

[southernshooter]

I don't use mace because of the fact is I have seen it on multiple times blow back on the users face.

[Bruce FLinch]

Originally Posted by satellite66

Conventional wisdom dictates lighting a match and not spraying.

It's the courteous & less confrontational thing to do, too.
Mr. Manners

[pickenup]

Originally Posted by 358 winchester

when I get to court there is only one side of the story to be told MINE !

I don't carry spray, I'll use the real thing, and tell "my" side when the time comes.

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by pickenup

I don't carry spray, I'll use the real thing, and tell "my" side when the time comes.

Right on, Pick. Making sure, of course, that there is only one side left to tell!

[dbl tap]

Originally Posted by pickenup

I don't carry spray, I'll use the real thing, and tell "my" side when the time comes.

I have no problem with one less BG in the world. There's too many as it is. I think when you tell that one sided story there needs to be a weapon next to the BG's body. Not just a balled up fist.
There are a lot of young jerks out there with chips on there shoulders, that just want to prove there manhood. They deserve to grow up not get shot. I would never draw on an unarmed hand thrower.

To the effects of pepper spray. I have sprayed at least a half dozen dogs during walks in my rural neighborhood in the last 5 years and it is very effective. The best way to deploy it is while you retreat. So you are moving away from the a attacker.
I touched my nose about 10 minutes after deploying it and I hacked for 20 minutes with just the trace amount that got on my finger. Thanks for the advice...Dbl Tap

[rosierita]

Originally Posted by pickenup

I don't carry spray, I'll use the real thing, and tell "my" side when the time comes.

our cwp instructor said BE SURE there is only 1 side of the story to tell.

being a small female (short), i wont take my chances w/ pepper spray & i probably wont take my chances w/ a taser... this is why i went thru the process to get my cwp.

i have no problem sleeping at night w/ the thought of potentially shooting an unarmed attacker... i have seen too many crazies in my short lifetime. (& alot of them have knocked on my front door! ) if my life, or the life of my loved 1s ever seems threatened i dont foresee myself fleeing the scene w/ pepper spray in hand. we do take other precautions around here, that involve common sense... but the biggest 1 is not bringing a knife to a gun fight.

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by rosierita

. . . but the biggest 1 is not bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Exactly so, Rosie.

[Crpdeth]

Originally Posted by dbl tap

To the effects of pepper spray. I have sprayed at least a half dozen dogs during walks in my rural neighborhood in the last 5 years and it is very effective. The best way to deploy it is while you retreat. So you are moving away from the a attacker.
I touched my nose about 10 minutes after deploying it and I hacked for 20 minutes with just the trace amount that got on my finger. Thanks for the advice...Dbl Tap

I've been there as well...

As a runner I've had my fair share of encounters with dogs as well and anyone saying that pepper spray containing capsicum pepper isant effective, well they came a little late to convince me. It's a unique feeling to be out there facing off with a serious dog with glistening white teeth only feet away imigining the calf of your leg being torn off...I like the MKIII from First Defense, not only does it work, it works instantly and turns a big mean dog into a whimpering pup running around scrubbing his face on someones lawn everytime.

Crpdeth

[Pat Hurley]

Originally Posted by satellite66

Conventional wisdom dictates lighting a match and not spraying.

Of course, I concur. However you forgot to mention the sometimes need for a courtesy flush before one must grapple with the "spray or not to spray" dilemma. If one uses the aggressive "courtesy flush" strategy, it can mitigate the need for spraying. Unless one wishes to intentionally share the bountiful bouquet with others, then it would be wise to avoid a courtesy flush and spraying altogether.

So may choices, so many options. This really has the potential to be a fascinating thread indeed.

Pat Hurley

[dbl tap]

Originally Posted by rosierita

our cwp instructor said BE SURE there is only 1 side of the story to tell.

being a small female (short), i wont take my chances w/ pepper spray & i probably wont take my chances w/ a taser... this is why i went thru the process to get my cwp.

i have no problem sleeping at night w/ the thought of potentially shooting an unarmed attacker... i have seen too many crazies in my short lifetime. (& alot of them have knocked on my front door! ) if my life, or the life of my loved 1s ever seems threatened i dont foresee myself fleeing the scene w/ pepper spray in hand. we do take other precautions around here, that involve common sense... but the biggest 1 is not bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Women have a big advantage when facing an unarmed attacker when it goes to court, after using deadly force. As they should with the disparity of force laws. Men can get a black eye in most cases. where as women get abducted or raped. My wife uses an entirely different set of rules of engagement than I do. Shoot first get your story straight later.. DBL TAP

[rosierita]

Originally Posted by dbl tap

Women have a big advantage when facing an unarmed attacker when it goes to court, after using deadly force. As they should with the disparity of force laws. Men can get a black eye in most cases. where as women get abducted or raped. My wife uses an entirely different set of rules of engagement than I do. Shoot first get your story straight later.. DBL TAP

i do agree there is a double standard & that is WRONG!! i still wouldnt take my chances tho.....

[dbl tap]

Originally Posted by rosierita

i do agree there is a double standard & that is WRONG!! i still wouldnt take my chances tho.....

I think the double standard is warranted. When something sick happens 99% of the time the BG is a man. A woman can't risk her life when confronted by a man in a boarder line situation. DBL TAP

[Bruce FLinch]

I'd be proud to be on the Jury

[rosierita]

Originally Posted by Bruce FLinch

I'd be proud to be on the Jury

i would too bruce!

[Pistolenschutze]

Originally Posted by Bruce FLinch

I'd be proud to be on the Jury

Yup, so would I, Bruce. And probably vote to award major damages to the shooter payable by the BG's estate (asuming he has one)!