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Would it be reasonable to carry a can of pepper spray along with a concealed weapon?
I was talking with the wife on situations to pull my weapon and when situations didn't warrent putting a few bullets in someone.

So the question is, how many of you have the option of a second type of weapon to protect yourself when the situation is bad, but not bad enough to take someone's life or not practical to pull a pistol, say a very crowded area? But pepper spray in a crowded area has it's problems too.

Thoughts?

Hope I wrote that out right so that I get my question off properly. lol

It's more than reasonable, it's recommended by many people who frequent this forum.

It works as a good non-lethal force in some situations, and, if you are required to go to lethal force, it shows the jury that you TRIED to end it non-lethally.
Obviously, if a situation calls for lethal force from the get go, you skip the pepper spray and go straight to the handgun. But it's always good to have options.

Also, spraying a dog in the face with pepper spray is generally considered a better solution than shooting it most of the time.

dicion wrote:It's more than reasonable, it's recommended by many people who frequent this forum.

It works as a good non-lethal force in some situations, and, if you are required to go to lethal force, it shows the jury that you TRIED to end it non-lethally.
Obviously, if a situation calls for lethal force from the get go, you skip the pepper spray and go straight to the handgun. But it's always good to have options.

Also, spraying a dog in the face with pepper spray is generally considered a better solution than shooting it most of the time.

Cool - so what are some other options the non lethal tactics? I know, escape, pepper spray.... stun gun? And can these items be concealed legally?

UncleBob wrote:

dicion wrote:It's more than reasonable, it's recommended by many people who frequent this forum.

It works as a good non-lethal force in some situations, and, if you are required to go to lethal force, it shows the jury that you TRIED to end it non-lethally.
Obviously, if a situation calls for lethal force from the get go, you skip the pepper spray and go straight to the handgun. But it's always good to have options.

Also, spraying a dog in the face with pepper spray is generally considered a better solution than shooting it most of the time.

Cool - so what are some other options the non lethal tactics? I know, escape, pepper spray.... stun gun? And can these items be concealed legally?

Stun guns, Tazers, and Pepper spray are generally not regulated by Texas State Law IIRC (I could be wrong, but I think I've seen that discussed here before)
Some cities may have ordinances regarding them though. There is no state preemption for them (also, IIRC)

I say generally, because If you're carrying a 55 gallon drum of pepper spray, there's a law against that, but single-serving-sized containers are fine.

I totally agree with dicion. On all issues.

It gives you another option. It's another tool you use to keep you safe. Just as is your gun and a good, bright tactical flashlight.

The stun gun is another tool. And none of those have to be concealed....except of course for the gun.

UncleBob wrote:[
Cool - so what are some other options the non lethal tactics? I know, escape, pepper spray.... stun gun? And can these items be concealed legally?

A self defense discipline such as Krav Maga.

davidtx wrote:

UncleBob wrote:[
Cool - so what are some other options the non lethal tactics? I know, escape, pepper spray.... stun gun? And can these items be concealed legally?

A self defense discipline such as Krav Maga.

+1 on a good martial arts program. I'm a little fat and out of practice now, but in the past I've dabbled in American Kenpo Karate as well as a little ju-jitsu. I've been wanting to get back into it for the exercise as much as the self-defense aspect, but I'm still shopping around for a good dojo that is reasonably close to my house with a schedule I can work with. The only reason I stopped before is that I went through a period of time when I was moving around a lot.

Also, you don't have to be a black-belt for martial arts to be effective...you would be surprised how crummy the average bad guy is at hand-to-hand combat. Just knowing the basics of how to stand, how to punch/kick/throw, and how to block a punch/kick/throw is a HUGE advantage over the training most people have...which is little to none. It's a huge boost to self-confidence and gives you another tool for ending confrontations WITHOUT using deadly force.

Furthermore, don't get caught up too much in the "what style martial art is best" debate. It's like asking what caliber is better in a handgun. You have some people who are strongly opinionated, just like with the caliber debate, but what's important is that it's something you will stick with and use, and that you enjoy it. I've heard good things about Krav Maga, and I liked the last school I attended because they blended Kenpo karate with ju-jitsu throws and grappling. It was a very practical school focused on self-defense.

If you've ever been to a martial arts seminar where masters from different styles do presentations, you start to realize that aside from minor differences in technique, and what they're named, many of the techniques are the same across the board. An outside foot sweep is an outside foot sweep, whether you simply call it that or call it by it's Japanese name, "Osoto Gari".

MojoTexas

And if nothing else, I'm now in good enough shape to execute the Nike defense

UncleBob wrote:pepper spray in a crowded area has it's problems too.

Not if you want to uncrowd it

gigag04 wrote:

UncleBob wrote:pepper spray in a crowded area has it's problems too.

Not if you want to uncrowd it

No kidding!

I volunteered to be pepper sprayed once (another story for another time), and nobody could get within yards of me after the fact. I wasnt the only one feeling the effects.
I will tell you though, after feeling what it's like, I have no idea how any BG could continue an assault (unless drugged up).

In our academy class we had a full range of reactions. We got sprayed with LEO issue stuff and I was out of commision for like 4 minutes...some where out for like 48 mintues, some blinked, said "aww man" and washed it out and were fine 90 seconds later.

We had to fight for about 30 seconds after being sprayed. I'd rather be tased than sprayed.

With my luck I'd be put in a situation to use pepper spray and just as I pressed the button I'd get a wind direction change and find myself curled up in a ball on the floor getting pummled.

gigag04 wrote:In our academy class we had a full range of reactions. We got sprayed with LEO issue stuff and I was out of commision for like 4 minutes...some where out for like 48 mintues, some blinked, said "aww man" and washed it out and were fine 90 seconds later.

We had to fight for about 30 seconds after being sprayed. I'd rather be tased than sprayed.

I was just wondering... Do LEO's carry something less potent than is commercially available.
I only ask because I was down for the count for a good hour and a half. Of course, I had my eyes open about 6 inches from the spray canister when I got sprayed.

UncleBob wrote:Would it be reasonable to carry a can of pepper spray along with a concealed weapon?

I've frequently done this since I got my CHL. If I'm out in the neighborhood walking the dog I'll always carry pepper spray along with my CW. Primarily that's because we occasionally attract strays. But there are many times when the pepper spray stays at home. It isn't always practical to carry a gun, pepper spray, extra magazine, phone, etc.