Non-lethal option to gun - Pepper Spray, OC Spray, Mace, whatever you call it?

[gun1]

I have been looking in to sprays as a non-lethal option to my gun for defense. I think in my research I have confused myself more than helped myself.

I think I want a stream type spray, but the gel type sounds interesting. I don't think a fog spray is what I want because it isn't very directional. I'd like to be able to shoot a stream = selective use. The gel idea is interesting because it doesn't carry like the spray, at least that is my interpretation.

First off I need something I can EDC. Secondly is defense against bears in the Appalachian mountains = separate purpose and device for it.

What advice can you offer?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[retsupt99]

Stick with the stream and always buy two...practice with one on a windy day,
The fog is deadly for everyone, including the victim...I know this from experience.

[Jemsaal]

Stick with the stream and always buy two...practice with one on a windy day,
The fog is deadly for everyone, including the victim...I know this from experience.

LOL - had a can of police grade mace in the car. My wife accidentally set it off . . . just barely! she said. Yeah, it didn't matter.

[Bikemobile]

Nasty stuff!! Im not saying you should spray yourself with it but its a good idea to know how it affects you so if you get some on you in a scuffle you can fight through it.

I would suggest a civilian taser also. Less crying and puking if you are downwind.

[ANGLICO]

Stick in the eye and a kick to the groin! Oh, and that spray stuff (Bear Spray) works good too!

[OldCorps]

I have been looking in to sprays as a non-lethal option to my gun for defense. I think in my research I have confused myself more than helped myself.

I think I want a stream type spray, but the gel type sounds interesting. I don't think a fog spray is what I want because it isn't very directional. I'd like to be able to shoot a stream = selective use. The gel idea is interesting because it doesn't carry like the spray, at least that is my interpretation.

First off I need something I can EDC. Secondly is defense against bears in the Appalachian mountains = separate purpose and device for it.

What advice can you offer?

Yeah, they also recommend wearing little bells to ward off the bears. Park rangers say it's always easy to identify bear scat (poop, for those uninitiated.) from that of other critters... it contains little bells, and smells of pepper spray.

What's with the "non-lethal"? Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't. Personally I advocate, and depend on, the "230gr-Continuous-Stream" — from a 1911/45ACP. People keep claiming that no matter how big a gun you have, it often won't stop a big BG on high-octane drugs. Personally, I'm not about to adopt the philosophy of the Weenie Liberals, and piss-off some 300-lb Meth-Head with a gun, by squirting him in the face with a noxious "non-lethal" spray-can. Good luck, though.

[Jemsaal]

Yeah, they also recommend wearing little bells to ward off the bears. Park rangers say it's always easy to identify bear scat (poop, for those uninitiated.) from that of other critters... it contains little bells, and smells of pepper spray.

What's with the "non-lethal"? Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't. Personally I advocate, and depend on, the "230gr-Continuous-Stream" — from a 1911/45ACP. People keep claiming that no matter how big a gun you have, it often won't stop a big BG on high-octane drugs. Personally, I'm not about to adopt the philosophy of the Weenie Liberals, and piss-off some 300-lb Meth-Head with a gun, by squirting him in the face with a noxious "non-lethal" spray-can. Good luck, though.

The problem comes though, when a person is not sure if he or she can take someone else's life. That's not a "liberal" thing. I have strong conservative friends who know they couldn't do it either. In that case, isn't it better to know your limitations and arm yourself appropriately? Moreover, there are places that you can't enter armed, but you can enter with pepper spray. Isn't better to be somewhat armed, then not armed at all?

[gun1]

The problem comes though, when a person is not sure if he or she can take someone else's life. That's not a "liberal" thing. I have strong conservative friends who know they couldn't do it either. In that case, isn't it better to know your limitations and arm yourself appropriately? Moreover, there are places that you can't enter armed, but you can enter with pepper spray. Isn't better to be somewhat armed, then not armed at all?

I agree with that and it has a lot to do with why I pose the question of what kind of spray to get. In the state I am in we have both a "duty to retreat", except when inside our home (vehicle is not castle'd like Texas), and it is stressed that we must use non-lethal methods FIRST to try and neutralize the threat. I'd like to give myself that non-lethal option with my gun as a back-up. I'd rather shoot pepper spray first so in a court of law I have that evidence that I did use a non-lethal method. Maybe that is all I need. If not, I have more to throw.

Of course, I hope to never need either one, but if I am ever caught in a situation where I need them I better have them.

[Enzo411]

I think you should always carry a non lethal option when carrying a firearm. I like Fox Labs Spray, especially the one with the green dye since it lets law enforcement know who was assaulting you if they should get away.

[rstickle]

it is stressed that we must use non-lethal methods FIRST to try and neutralize the threat.

That's sad because you know the attacker is NOT going to use a non-lethal method first...

[Rollo]

Yeah, they also recommend wearing little bells to ward off the bears. Park rangers say it's always easy to identify bear scat (poop, for those uninitiated.) from that of other critters... it contains little bells, and smells of pepper spray.

What's with the "non-lethal"? Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't. Personally I advocate, and depend on, the "230gr-Continuous-Stream" — from a 1911/45ACP. People keep claiming that no matter how big a gun you have, it often won't stop a big BG on high-octane drugs. Personally, I'm not about to adopt the philosophy of the Weenie Liberals, and piss-off some 300-lb Meth-Head with a gun, by squirting him in the face with a noxious "non-lethal" spray-can. Good luck, though.

Mainly because the legal standard for my being able to defend myself with a non lethal alternative is different than using lethal means. Lets say a visibly unarmed person starts approaching me while I am pumping gas at night. I tell them to stop. They don't. They keep coming. I tell them to stop again. They don't. They get to within 5 feet. I OC spray them. Now, take that same circumstance and change the last part to "I hit them with my 230gr-Continuous-Stream" — from a 1911/45ACP". I would much rather be standing in front of a judge facing assault charges explaining why I OC'd a unarmed man as opposed to facing murder charges because I 230gr-Continuous-Streamed them from a 1911. Non lethal gives you options to defend yourself in situations that may not be life threatening.

[globetruck]

The OP asked a legitimate question. There's times and places that you can't carry your gun. There's situations in which OC spray is the right option. So instead of trying to convince the OP that he needs a gun, how about we give him some answers

[surefire7]

Stick with the stream and always buy two...practice with one on a windy day,
The fog is deadly for everyone, including the victim...I know this from experience.

Yup, that downwind part is important! Been there, did that!

[pittypat21]

Secondly is defense against bears in the Appalachian mountains = separate purpose and device for it.

What advice can you offer?

Here's your defense against bears:
Glock 20 SF | 10mm Pistol | GLOCK USA

[Burns]

The OP asked a legitimate question. There's times and places that you can't carry your gun. There's situations in which OC spray is the right option. So instead of trying to convince the OP that he needs a gun, how about we give him some answers

Exactly. I see too many people who carry only a handgun and no nonlethal alternative. You are at least 75% more likely to. Need your nonlethal alternative than your firearm. I thinks its pretty foolish not to carry one.