Capsicum/Pepper Spray

[DrFaroohk]

Well, that works to a point. Don't join a gang, don't screw around with Gigantor the Mad's wife.

But lots of people are just crazy. I knew this guy, we called him Crazy Mike, because he would go looking for a fight. If he saw park somewhere and you didn't line up perfectly with the lines, he was going to come find you and give you hell for it. He'd scream, he'd yell, get up in your face, pull out his knife. He'd do all this if you were even LOOKING AT HIM.

Sometimes running away just isn't an option. I'd almost see pepper spray as a better alternative to fists. Unless the person has serious breathing problems or allergies (and thus they shouldn't be willingly entering into situations where they might get pepper sprayed) probably the worst thing that will generally happen is they get a rash on their face that goes away. Beating someone with your fists could very well kill them.

[Tanasi]

Interestingly enough, from the perspective of the gubmint, that's all we are. We're just numbers on a page, each of whom is expected to produce a certain amount of financial contribution to assist with their maintenance. There are far too many of us for them to think of us in any other way.

Rapscallion

Make one think they're being farmed for what you can produce. With me being a farmer I find it somewhat ironic.

Well, that works to a point. Don't join a gang, don't screw around with Gigantor the Mad's wife.

But lots of people are just crazy. I knew this guy, we called him Crazy Mike, because he would go looking for a fight. If he saw park somewhere and you didn't line up perfectly with the lines, he was going to come find you and give you hell for it. He'd scream, he'd yell, get up in your face, pull out his knife. He'd do all this if you were even LOOKING AT HIM.

Sometimes running away just isn't an option. I'd almost see pepper spray as a better alternative to fists. Unless the person has serious breathing problems or allergies (and thus they shouldn't be willingly entering into situations where they might get pepper sprayed) probably the worst thing that will generally happen is they get a rash on their face that goes away. Beating someone with your fists could very well kill them.

Crazy Mike is either going to kill/maime someone or wind up dead. That kind of behavior works on most folks but not all. Sooner or later he'll run up against someone that he can't bluff and then he'll have a bad day.

[fireheart17]

To the OP: I'm currious how exactly are you susposed to defend yourself??? Now personally if you can't carry a handgun then you certainly should be able to tote either pepper-spray or a Tazer.
A local police supply keeps bear-strength pepper spray and I keep a can of it my truck, car and on each tractor. We have bears around here but I mostly keep it for dogs. All that being typed I also keep a handgun of some sort on my person when I'm out and about.

I truly wonder about folks that elect governments that tells you can't carry anything to protect yourself. Is not your life precious to them more than a means of income via taxes?

I took karate and several self-defence classes over the year, but yeah, Adelaide also tends to have a view of "catering to the minority" in other words, if a small group starts whinging about a proposed change, it'll stop. On a local council level however, it's the opposite.

Unfortunately, I've learned that protecting yourself does not make you immune. At the minimum though, because a girl can get away with keeping body spray in a handbag, it can be used to spray in someone's eyes. Really, that's all I keep.

[Tanasi]

I took karate and several self-defence classes over the year, but yeah, Adelaide also tends to have a view of "catering to the minority" in other words, if a small group starts whinging about a proposed change, it'll stop. On a local council level however, it's the opposite.

Unfortunately, I've learned that protecting yourself does not make you immune. At the minimum though, because a girl can get away with keeping body spray in a handbag, it can be used to spray in someone's eyes. Really, that's all I keep.

If I understand what you're saying, unless you're physically able to defend yourself hand-to-whatever you're shit-out-of-luck???
I hope you live in an area of the world that is extremly low crime, especially violent crime. In my state (Tennessee) that kind of legisaltion would never get passed. Just recently our state legisalture passed a law for carry permit holders the right to carry into establishments that serve booze as long as you're not drinking. The governor vetoed it and the legislature over turned the veto. There was a lot of whining from newspapers and pants wetters but it passed both houses with large majorities both times.

[Nyoibo]

You're not entirely shit out of luck, it is legal to carry certain size knives around, but then there's regulations on the distance you have to keep from nightclubs, basically you have to know the laws fairly well, the main thing is carrying what is classed as an "offensive" or "prohibited" weapon, each has different rules and penalties, intent also plays a big part in it too.

[Tanasi]

You're not entirely shit out of luck, it is legal to carry certain size knives around, but then there's regulations on the distance you have to keep from nightclubs, basically you have to know the laws fairly well, the main thing is carrying what is classed as an "offensive" or "prohibited" weapon, each has different rules and penalties, intent also plays a big part in it too.

So you have to tote along a map and a lawyer just to travel from point A to point B??? Ain't it wonderful to be a subject???
We have several folks here that won't turn a hand to defend themselves thinking they'll just call the cops and they'll defend them. What a lot of them don't know or believe is SCOTUS ruled years ago police do not a duty to protect you. Some might think me to be parinoid but I don't think so I'm prepared. Heck at my age I couldn't fight hand to hand very long that's part of the reason I carry a gun.
Oh well good luck to you.

[Rapscallion]

Make one think they're being farmed for what you can produce. With me being a farmer I find it somewhat ironic.

Being a farmer, I suspect you'll appreciate that you can't know every stalk of wheat in your fields, but you'll try to protect each one for your own benefit.

Quite a considerable parallel.

Rapscallion

[fireheart17]

I wonder if I could get away with smuggling a cigarette lighter in my bag, along with hairspray.....

[Slytovhand]

Tanasi, it should be emphatically pointed out that Australia is a vastly different culture to the US.

The number of assaults and violent crimes across the entire country would be less than what you have in any one city.

Now, sure, numbers and stats shouldn't equal a person's life - even one person's. But, laws are designed to minimize such things to the vast majority (hopefully).

And given that what violent crime does occur, again, a very small amount could be considered 'random'. ie, walking down the street and getting bashed, rapes, murders, etc. And frankly, I'd be inclined to think that with those particular crimes, no matter what sort of weapon you had, you'd still (98% of the time) be stuffed anyway! Violent criminals rarely walk up to you and announce their intentions, and give you adequate time to react (ie, grab your gun/knife/spray). Most violent crimes happen in the home, and by people that the person knows (ie - domestic violence). I haven't heard for... ages, a robbery gone wrong to the point someone got killed. Home invasions and bashings? Again, not random (although.....)


There is one area where violence has been on the increase (and it's in certain parts of the country...). Asian students have been targetted for muggings. Particularly Indians. Which would then lead to a new thread... citizenship and weapon laws. In the US, if there is C&C in your area, is that only for US citizens, or can anyone apply and get a weapon? Tourists? Those on Student or Work Visas etc... If not, why is there life any cheaper than an Americans?


Back to OP.. Yeah, I don't have a great problem with pepper spray, Fireheart... Knives?? ooh, now, that's just waaayyyy to worrisome. Difficult to adjudge whether someone is carrying for defensive or offensive purposes. (and, has been discussed elsewhere, knives are not a good option for self-defense!).

Tazers?? Hmmm... dunno.... plus and minus (possibly more minus at the moment). Given their possible uses, dangers, and possible idiots getting their hands on them.

[Nyoibo]

I wonder if I could get away with smuggling a cigarette lighter in my bag, along with hairspray.....

You don't need and excuse, both are legal items which need no excuse or reason to carry.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I used to carry a cigarette lighter that was shaped like a very convincing gun; even had a removable fake magazine and everything. Doubt that would be allowed now; I used to go up to London on the coach alone and change at Victoria so I carried it for protection.

Now I tend to take cheap bodyspray (Charlie usually) so I can use it like pepperspray. If that gets into some bastard's eyes, they'd be too busy worrying about that to think about carrying out an assault and I'd personally rather be told off for doing that than raped, mugged or possibly dead.

Interesting fact; police used to tell rape victims to "relax and enjoy it". -.-

[Dreamstalker]

Now personally if you can't carry a handgun then you certainly should be able to tote either pepper-spray or a Tazer.

I've been wondering that myself for quite awhile. When I was working the closing shift at the game store there were times when I was considering pursuing baton training (I have less-than-average upper body strength, so wanted something that didn't rely so heavily on that factor). Civilians aren't allowed to do so and I couldn't even get pepper spray without a permit (which itself is a bit of a hassle to get so I dropped the matter). Forget about tasers as well.

[Gravekeeper]

I find it interesting that the rates of violent crimes ( sexual included ) have been going down steadily for years yet the sheer level of paranoia people have that they'll be attacked, terrorist bombed, kidnapped, raped, etc has been going up.

If someone tries to sexually assault you, there's a 95% chance you already know or are related too that person. Actual completely random rape/kidnapping/murder by a stranger is very rare. Actual rape statistics have been in freefall since the 70's, ironically, due to the ever increasing ease of accessing porn.

But of course when it does happen the 24 Hour US News cycle will remind us day in and day out that it could HAPPEN TO YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AT ANY MOMENT OMFG YOU'RE IN DANGER AND EVERYONE YOU SEE OUTSIDE IS A RAPIST PEDOPHILE NAZI for the next 6 months afterward. If they catch the guy that did it? Oh hell ya, that's like the bonus round for the media. Now they can spend the next 2 years of the trial trying to tell you that you aren't fucking safe anywhere no matter what you do.

Where was I? Oh right, pepperspray.

Its very restricted up here. Not in that you can't get it, mind you, but that when you purchase it the store has to notify the local police that you have it. Or something to that effect. My mom carries bear spray. But its for actual bears. Because this. Is. CANADA.

Personally, I've worked night shift in Vancouver for years now and never once have I felt unsafe or threatened on my way to work. Or on my way to 7/11 at 3am downtown on break. The absolute worst I have to worry about is someone politely trying to sell me pot. -.-

[Boozy]

The dealers around Toronto are unfailingly polite, too. It's just so.... Canadian.

[Slytovhand]

THIS... IS... CANAAAAAADDAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


(you know, I thought it was rather obvious, but I hadn't seen it anywhere that I recall.... go figure! So, I sort of had to )