So you smash his head in with a crowbar.

[Rageaholic]

Just to clarify, I'm not really blaming any of the bystanders here and I don't think everyone should have a weapon on them "just in case" (that's bound to cause more problems).



I just think that the fact that this happened OUTSIDE, in broad daylight is sad and pathetic. It worked out, he was caught and arrested and didn't get away with it, but it happened and was allowed to happen. No one come up and said "HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" or drew attention to the guy. Yes, they may not have been expecting to witness this, and I wouldn't have either, but GRRRRRRR!!!

I think we have become a little too dependant on the police. There should have been something a witness could have done in the meantime instead of waiting for the cops to show up. Even though I understand not having a knee jerk reaction when witnessing a crime, people should be more concerned with other people. If you saw someone drowning, would you wait for a lifeguard to come save them? Even though it may be too late by the time the lifeguard takes action?

I can see both sides of this, and in the end, the one who is to blame is the one commiting the crime, but something about this left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Skelly]

Can you defend yourself with your bare hands, nothing else, not every place allowes you to carry an offensive weapon, in Australia pepper spray is a prohibited weapon, it's illegal to carry any weapon except under specific circumstances and you have to be licensed to carry them.

When I say weapon it covers pepper spray, batons (extendable or fixed) knives, firearms, pretty much anything that can be used to inflict damage on another person, yes it's even illegal to carry something like a screwdriver without a reason.

Same here. I don't think I'll be in trouble for a MagLite in my bag though, or for wearing steelcapped Doctor Martens. Let the boot party begin!

[Lace Neil Singer]

Re: pepper spray. Might be illegal, but Charlie bodyspray sure as hell isn't... and that stuff would sting like a bitch if you sprayed it in someone's face.

I don't blame the woman for not helping; I do however blame the cowards who just drove past and didn't either stop and chase the little shit away, or call the police. By the law of averages, at least one of them must have been big and ugly enough to kick that little bastard's arse nine ways til sunset. Just you wait til its YOUR daughter or wife being raped in broad daylight, then see you curse the cowards who refuse to help her.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

Can you defend yourself with your bare hands, nothing else, not every place allowes you to carry an offensive weapon, in Australia pepper spray is a prohibited weapon, it's illegal to carry any weapon except under specific circumstances and you have to be licensed to carry them.

When I say weapon it covers pepper spray, batons (extendable or fixed) knives, firearms, pretty much anything that can be used to inflict damage on another person, yes it's even illegal to carry something like a screwdriver without a reason.

Most likely not, which is why such a law strikes me as extremely silly unless it's in some sort of perfect-town where there's literally no risk of something happening. Obviously one should follow the law, even if it doesn't make sense.

As I'm getting ready to leave, my thought process isn't "coat, gloves, purse, bookbag, weapon in case I see someone committing a felony". If the guy is raping someone, how exactly are you going to spray pepper spray in his face. How would you shoot him without putting his victim at risk? Because you're such a fantastic shot in an emergency situation? And how do you know he doesn't have a gun?

The woman did all she could do, she notified the proper authorities.

Perhaps not, though for some people it is. Things like tazers and pepper spray for women don't really need to enter into, just toss it in your purse and you have it if you need it. Otherwise it's a simple enough thing.
As does pertain to how you pepper spray him: You just do it. First of course you command him to cease, hands in the air etc. It's when he resists that you spray/taze him even if that means effecting the victim somewhat.
As for firearms: same way cops do. Obtain the proper angle, give the necessary commands and obey proper escalation of force. If he tries to pull a gun, chances are he's presented a clear enough target to be able to hit. Firing a gun isn't rocket science, though it does take skill. It's the responsibility of the carrier (cops too) to be proficient. At short ranges, it's not difficult to hit someone exactly where you want to. It's also a good idea to include something non-lethal and a restraint when carrying a firearm (many do)

I'm not saying it's without risk. But assuming that every punk has a loaded gun and the capability to shoot you with it while being pounded flat and/or pepper sprayed and/or tazed and/or shot is going a bit far IMO.

I really don't want this to center around guns though. So in as many words: people should take it upon themselves to be prepared for many things, self-defense (including defense of others) included.

[jackfaire]

If you taze a guy in the middle of raping someone you will taze the victim as well and if I remember my science right worse than the guy as the electricity shoots to the last person on the chain.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

If you taze a guy in the middle of raping someone you will taze the victim as well and if I remember my science right worse than the guy as the electricity shoots to the last person on the chain.

An excellent point, and 100% true. Still, it's better IMO then letting it continue and/or if they're armed, allowing them to continue to remain a threat...

[jackfaire]

An excellent point, and 100% true. Still, it's better IMO then letting it continue and/or if they're armed, allowing them to continue to remain a threat...

I agree if it works depending on the voltage you might just piss off the guy and incapacitate the victim leaving you one on one with him which depending on the circumstances like your stature could be bad.

If you at least draw his attention without hurting the victim she may be able to help or at least run screaming.

[HYHYBT]

Firing a gun isn't rocket science...

I don't know, it's awfully close!