AutoFan

Ok, first the good news. My wife has recently started running to lose weight and get into shape. She is now up to 40 minutes (!) and runs every morning before going to work. I am not a morning person and can't run more than 10 minutes due to a bad knee and hip. Our dog can't keep up with her. She told me the other day that she has started varying her route due to a suspicious white delivery van she kept seeing. Turns out it was the newspaper delivery truck, but it is a good sign she isn't in condition white while running.

The bad news? She won't carry a gun (she comes from an anti-gun family, but has come around to tolerating my obsession). So I need to get her something light enough to carry while running, but effective. So far I've come up with 2 ounce OC (FL law restricts non-CCW's) and a electronic "screamer". Please give me your best ideas, as I worry about her.

Thanks in advance.

jahwarrior72

if she won't carry a gun, then OC and the alarm are the next best thing. a kubaton and a cell phone should be added to the list, IMO.

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nikdfish

Got my daughter a Kimber LifeAct Guardian Angle to use while trail riding. It's a 2 shot OC device, with the stream fired by a pyro driven captive piston. It has a 13 foot range & a 3 year usable shelf life. http://www.life-act.com/guardianangel.php

Nick

Knuckledrager

How about the civilian taser? www.taser.com

bzdog

I'd say the Taser (they have a new non-gun looking version) with good OC as backup.

I would get extra cartridges and practice even though it is expensive.

In her case, it should be fine, but people forget that with the Taser or OC, you have to consider what you do *after* you deploy since they only buy you some time. You need to be able to use that advantage either to secure the attacker(s) or to beat feet.

Older people, or people otherwise not capable of running away should really think about this.

Even if you get the Taser, consider OC as backup. Consider if the van consist of a two man abduction team, she can only reasonably engage one target with the Taser. Second guy is free and clear to grab her.

Nick, you might think about getting her some conventional OC as a backup. I assume this is similar to the OC 'paint ball' stuff deployed by police in riot situations. While it gives you farther range, it isn't clear that it delivers much OC and requires you to accurately place the shots. Certainly practice seems in order.

My take on it is the Taser is more effective than OC. While OC doesn't work on some people and if determined enough people can 'shrug off' OC, the Taser appears to be almost always effective (as opposed to 'stun gun's which don't appear effective). The gotcha is it is harder to use (you have to hit the target) and wears off nearly instantly once it stops delivering the charge (I think the civilian non-gun version does a 30 second charge, intended to shoot, set it down and *run*).

Personally, I think the Fox Labs 2oz "cone" is a good compromise for OC. I think anything smaller is not prudent.

I think both Fox Labs and Taser will replace your device free of charge if you use it in actual self defense.

+1 on cell phone.

Oh, consider getting another dog. While I personally don't believe in getting a dog for the sole purpose of protection, if you are already dog people, getting another that can accompany her might be good. When my wife and I are out walking, I suspect we look a lot less attractive as targets with two 100lb dogs...

Good luck,

-john

SIXTO

+1 on the dog idea, A Doberman might be a good choice as a running companion since your in Florida.
bzdog is dead on with everything else he said too.

Since she is wanting to get into shape, how about some self defense classes, or martial arts program? That will help with both issues.

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P991911

There is no "suitable" option in the abbsence of a firearm. I am a bit puzzled. If your wife is anti-gun, then she is anti-self defense. So if she isn't into protecting herself, then why would she carry any weapon at all. Like I said, I am really trying to figure out the situation. It seems that your wife's family has put quite a bit of pressure on her reguarding guns. As a husband myself, I feel that it is my duty to inform you that she is YOUR wife. You are responsible for her protection among other things. It is also your responsibility to make sure she has the capability to defend herself in your absence. I suggest you have a long talk and explain to her that if the SHTF, she would regret not having a gun, and had to settle for pepper spray that will not work against a methed up bad guy. My wife was very much anti-gun and anti-violence no matter what. When I was in the army, my wife worked at subway. We lived about 2 blocks from the subway and she had to walk since we only had one vehicle. I routinely explained to her that she needed to be able to defend herself. She kept telling me I am over reacting and bla bla bla. One night she was walking home and noticed a white van following her. As she sped up so did the van. Suddenly, a man came out and ran towards her, so she started running with the van behind them all. She got to the door and yelled for me. Here is the kicker, I got home not more then 2 minutes ago and didnt even take my boots off yet. What if I were not home? Would my wife have time to use her key? I ran and got my 12guage tactical shotty and proceeded out the door. My wife went inside as I hid among some bushes. I noticed that the van was going up and down the street looking for her. I stood up as it stopped close to me and I made my "presence" known. That van hightailed it out of there. After that day, she was a believer in guns. Before you all tell me that I should of called the police, I was an airborne infantryman more than capable of defending my ground. I feared for my wife's safety and did not feel that the police would be adequate for deterring future confrontations. I am sure however, that the guy in BDUS and maroon beret with a shotty would persuade most bgs to go away and never return. Anyway, the moral of the story is. Make up your mind as to whether or not you want to defend yourself. If you choose to defend yourself, then do it right.

bzdog

While I agree with you that anything other than a firearm is a half measure, I don't agree that AutoFan (or anyone else for that matter) can verbally persuade her that she is mistaken or misguided and I think the attempt do so might only make matters worse (for example, she may no longer want to discuss these issues with him).

I think the people who feel this way are driven by an emotional response that cannot be overcome (usually) by an argument of logic.

Take your own example. You were not able to convince your wife. Some external event made her change her mind.

I think it is fine to discuss these things. But I would be very careful that she doesn't feel like he is 'pressuring' her.

As much as we would like to think otherwise, logic does not always rule and our loved ones have the right as adults to decide to bury their head in the sand.

Talk to them. Support them. Protect them when you can, but respect their right to decide and hope they come around.

-john

dakotasdad

OC spray and a nice bright flashlight such as the E2D if she runs in the dark hours.

Also, www.alliancemartialarts.com has a small impact device called the Stinger designed by James A. Keating. This man knows his stuff. The stinger is very small and light and cheap. This device is very easy to use, all she would have to do is close her fist around it, if she can punch she can use the device.

Hope this helps.

P991911

Right is as Right as Wrong is Wrong.....

As for my wife? She was persuaded by an outside event because I didn't do my job. No excuses. I am glad that she wasn't raped before I had to tell her "I told you so." That may seem harsh, but as you say, an adult has the right to their own way of thinking. Fine, then they alone must suffer the consequences. In a marriage it is a two way street. Yes, each individual has rights. However, the two people involved must come to an agreement somehow. Whether it is by giving up to one side, or just flat out agreeing. It must come to a head. Every situation is different but when it comes down to self defense, as a husband, you have to put your foot down. It is your job to protect your wife and family. By saying to your wife, "ok you have the right to not carry a weapon even though you know how to use it, and know how dangerous it is in this city. I hope no one decides to hurt you today." is being negligent on the part of the husband. Your right, everyone has the right to choose to be the sheep, or the sheep dog. You have the right to heed my advice or not too. Just remember, the consequences can be severe if I am right about the NEED to defend yourself. If I am wrong, so what? No one gets hurt. It's up to you.