This is why I don't trust Mace or Tasers if my life is on the line

Guns & Gear
21

Here is the thing, though.

You don’t get to use lethal force because of well maybe it’s possible.

“I can’t tell with confidence they don’t have lethal intentions” =/= imminent deadly threat (or imminent threat of serious bodily harm/death). Can you articulate means, opportunity, actual jeopardy?

You don’t know for sure the person behind you in the grocery line isn’t about to pull out a concealed knife and stab you in the back of the neck, but you can’t shoot them due to that lack of certainty.

Statistically the vast majority of assaults/attacks do not justify lethal force.

If the only thing you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. If you use your hammer (firearm), and it’s not a nail (lethal force not justified), you may have a bad time.

Because of all this, non lethal/less lethal options have a tremendous potential for benefit.

22

we are not discussing a specific situation, so there is nothing to articulate! I agree that non-lethal tools may save a life and save the defender from long time in prison. But this is not free, you training becomes more complicated, more chance of making an error, the 2 seconds it took to deploy OC, if it fails to stop the attack, may well cost you your life. Choose wisely.

Here is a specific case, BTW.

What can I say - OC worked. At the same time, if you are a woman, and aggressive man chases you into traffic - get ready to meet your Maker.

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23

If the two seconds it took to deploy OC cost you your life, would you have been better off using your bare hands for those two seconds?

IF your life is on the line and you might die in two seconds that’s probably firearm time if you have one, not empty hands or OC

FWIW I think most people take at least two seconds to deploy their firearm from actual daily carry clothing

24

I only use mace gel for aggressive dogs while on a bike ride. If I’m in a situation which I have determined my life is in immediate danger, I am using a firearm PERIOD. If given the opportunity, I will do my best to de-escalate the situation. I will only fire as a last resort. My last resort sure as hell won’t be pepper spray.

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25

A firearm is probably a good choice for an imminent deadly threat.

Most assaults/attacks, however, don’t rise to that level of force. A tool like pepper spray is not a firearm replacement and is not generally intended to be used when a firearm can justifiably be used. It is intended for the other/majority of situations where lethal force is not warranted/legal.’

When you get down to it, a gun and pepper spray are different tools for different situations.

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