O/T: Protection

[J. Clarke]

Uh, _which_ pepper spray? You can get pepper spray with 30 or more foot range.

[J. Clarke]

Uh, Bub, (my Dad's sister's nickname for him was "Bub" by the way--never did tell me the story that went with it), it's rhetoric like that that scares the elderly maiden ladies in pants who write our laws. Do be kind enough to tone it down. Heck, some of them get scared when you tell them what the cop who taught the class that was required in order to get a CCW told you.

[krw]

The proper application of the shotgun does protect you from said law suit, though.

[Larry Jaques]

On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:41:49 -0700, the infamous Doug Winterburn scrawled the following:

buy almost 1/3 of a Festeringtool for that price.

-- This episode raises disturbing questions about scientific standards, at least in highly political areas such as global warming. Still, it's remarkable to see how quickly corrective information can now spread. After years of ignored freedom-of-information requests and stonewalling, all it took was disclosure to change the debate. Even the most influential scientists must prove their case in the court of public opinion?a court that, thanks to the Web, is one where eventually all views get a hearing. --Gordon Crovitz, WSJ 12/9/09

[CW]

[HeyBub]

Your last suggestion, an attack dog, has a great deal of merit. Your other two suggestions border on a death wish.

There are a significant number of people on whom pepper spray has no effect - in particular most speed-freaks. Your next suggestion generates the headline: "He brought a flashlight to a knife fight."

The only effective deterrent to an attack is a firearm. Period.

[HeyBub]

And a .22 pistol is good up to a mile.

[HeyBub]

Not so. Many "castle doctrine" laws (it depends on the state) confer absolute civil immunity. For example, the Texas law reads: "A defendant who uses force or deadly force that is justified under Chapter 9 Penal Code, is immune from civil liability for personal injury or death that results from the use of force or deadly force..."

Every criminal law, including federal criminal law, must yield to the "exigent circumstances" rule. If a life is at stake, it is not only permitted to violate ANY criminal statute, it is meritorious to do so.

[J. Clarke]

And has about as much stopping power as pepper spray. Oh, you may _kill_ the assailant with it but that doesn't mean that he's going to be courteous enough to die before he beats you to death with it.

[J. Clarke]

The one that the law says that you have to take. Do understand that everyone does not live in the same state you do.

[HeyBub]

Your point is well taken.

I just get exercised when people entrust their lives to government-funded Dial-A-Prayer (911).

Maybe we could come up with a menu of alternatives to an attack, along with the probability of you living through the episode:

• Invite the goat-grabber to pray with you: 1%

• Feign a fainting spell: 5%

• Run away: 6%

• Yell like somebody has a grip on you: 10%

• Struggle and fight back: 12%

• Squirt 'em with pepper spray: 15%

• Squirt 'em with wasp spray: 20%

• Sic a Rottweiler on them: 40%

• Shoot the mope in the eye with a .44: 100%

We could title it: "Do You Feel Lucky?"

[LDosser]

Which, of course, depends on one's skill. Lack of skill being an obvious defense for putting three somewhere in the trunk and two in the floor - or ceiling if you have basement pipes you might hit.

[LDosser]

I have an adjustable cane I bought for $20 that does a real nice imitation.

[LDosser]

Only if you kill all the relatives and maybe even his livestock.

[krw]

Are you always this dumb?

[J. Clarke]

How about "shoot the assailant twice in the center of mass, and if he doesn't stop then assume he's wearing a vest and try for the head, per standard police training protocols"?

"Shoot the mope in the eye with a .44" comes across as bombast, not reasoned response.

[CW]

Not in this state. In a self defense shooting, you cannot be sued. Many states are that way. They consider that benifitting from criminal activity, which is, in itself, a crime. In addition, here in Washington, if you are charged with a crime and it is ultimately found to be self defense, you are entitled to reimbursement for legal fees and lost wages. The laws reflect the belief that one should not be punished for surviving.

[LDosser]

Are you always this tongue in cheek impaired? Or have you just never seen the perp's relatives sue the victim?

[LDosser]

But not all?

[CW]

Aren't we lucky, it would get very crowded. Then again, I wouldn't mind having Montana to myself. In any case, it was a rhetorical question as I'm well aware of the requirements in other states.