Personal Taser, good Idea?

Originally Posted by MauiAl

I've used mace outside and yes, it blew back on me and made me wish I had never bought it.

Al, I've been sprayed with police-issue Freeze +P so many times I'm immune to it now.

Y'see, one of the officers I worked with wasn't so good at aiming the stuff.

If he pulled his spray out, you could count on everybody withing 15 yards of him getting some.

This is the same officer that sprayed half a can of the crap inside a suspects car, trying to get him to exit the vehicle, only to have the guy roll up the windows and drive off... over the officer's foot.

Needless to say, I don't have much use for, or much faith in, chemical sprays. Although I have to say, when they do work, they usually work quite well....

[capncalyx]

[quote=Jamie C.;1395313]Al, I've been sprayed with police-issue Freeze +P so many times I'm immune to it now.

Y'see, one of the officers I worked with wasn't so good at aiming the stuff.

If he pulled his spray out, you could count on everybody withing 15 yards of him getting some.

This is the same officer that sprayed half a can of the crap inside a suspects car, trying to get him to exit the vehicle, only to have the guy roll up the windows and drive off... over the officer's foot.

Needless to say, I don't have much use for, or much faith in, chemical sprays. Although I have to say, when they do work, they usually work quite well....[/QUOT

I cleared my high school biology class after spraying mace one time. The girl sitting next to me had it on her key chain that was hanging out of her purse. Funny stuff man...even though they suspended me.

[McBiker]

This doesn't work without a picture or a link.

[Dethbed]

Originally Posted by McBiker

This doesn't work without a picture or a link.

Here is a picture OF a link. Hope this helps.

[Wicked96SS]

Originally Posted by Dethbed

Here is a picture OF a link. Hope this helps.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Thanks for the laugh!!

[MauiAl]

Originally Posted by Dethbed

Here is a picture OF a link. Hope this helps.

Thanks, as soon as I wash this junk outta my eyes I'm good to go.

[RichLockyer]

Go with pepper spray.

The police units that shoot darts ARE quite effective.
The consumer units are junk... no better than the old "stun guns" that came out in the 80s.

Buddy's girlfriend bought one. Showed it off and bragged that she didn't have to take a cert class like she would have for mace.

I winked at my buddy, he told her "Okay, Rich is going to come after you. Use it like you are supposed to"
I came at her, she nailed me square in the chest. Didn't even slow me down.
My buddy looked at her and said "If he had really been after you, you just REALLY p***ed him off!"

She took it back and took the class for the mace.

A year or two later, we were having a few beers on his boat with one of the marina security guards. I felt something on my leg that felt like two hot needles. The guard looked at his stun gun, sparked it, commented the battery must have been low, popped my buddy on the leg and it took him to the deck.

[jeffs99vulcan]

EVERY SINGLE TIME I see the title of this thread, I read it as "Personal Taster, Good Idea?"... Some maybe... not all!!! And then if you really wanted to be, how would you get the job?!

[keyda81]

Personally I'll stick to carrying a pistol. I just recently got my permit to carry. I applied back in March. It takes a long time, and they check you out very well here. I'd assume they don't check into people for a taser, and we all know there are idiots out there. Although you can't kill anybody with it. But I wouldn't trust a taser against some of the drugged out people in the downtown section of our fair city. Hubby carries as well. I hope I never have to use it, but if it comes down to my life or theirs, it's not going to be mine. It's a shame what we have to go through to feel safe anymore.

[cmdrstp]

If self defense is the goal, honestly, those are only good at at attempting to temporarily subdue with backup of others there just in case of failure or ineffectiveness. Personnel (police) with training and, more importantly, backup these only offer a benefit in a specific situation. Sprays, stun guns, and tazers have a limited practicality and effectiveness: not a reasonable choice if your life is threatened. If it's just you and self defense is an issue, think about a handgun...with serious and committed training and practice. You can be sure no cop would grab a tazer if their life was threatened..and, for good reason too.

[Lobocop]

Just to chime in a little and you all can take it for what it is worth. Just some food for thought.

There isn't any one weapon that is perfect for all circumstances and any individual who is intent upon attacking you will likely accomplish thier goal unless you are prepared. The preparation phase is the key to your continued good health and safety.

There is a reason why cops typically carry an array of weapons (OC Spray, Taser, knives, Asp Baton/PR24 and firearms). None of us want to wear a duty belt containing all the cop toys just to run to the local stop-n-rob for a quart of milk or put up with being questioned over our paranoia for doing so. Each scenario and circumstance presents an advantage, or disadvantage, to a specific weapon. Regardless of which you chose, training and practice is the key to effective use.

Before presenting a weapon of any type one must consider all thier options; can you avoid the problem without having to knife, taser, spray, club or shoot someone? Is there a chance you will hurt another (innocent) with the choice of weapon. Are you prepared to face the consequences of your actions? Were you in genuine fear of your life, or the life of another?

Regardless of what you choose to use/carry constant and continuous training is the key. Play the what if game (in a safe manner). Keep in mind that if you can avoid the problem, and don't, you are putting yourself, family and innocents at risk.

I am not suggesting that anyone ignore the little old lady getting clubbed over her shopping cart or pleas for help as someone is being assaulted etc. By all means help them anyway you can, but think about your actions before you jump into the fight swinging that club, making someone glow in the dark with a taser, and spraying the area with OC or bullets.

Can you imagine the law suit as the store you just sprayed the OC in sues you for the loss in business ... especially if there wasn't a genuine need? How about the person/family members of the guy who caught a round after it passed thru a crook?

Be prepared, but please be safe and smart at the same time.

[jeffs99vulcan]

Originally Posted by Lobocop

Just to chime in a little and you all can take it for what it is worth. Just some food for thought.

There isn't any one weapon that is perfect for all circumstances and any individual who is intent upon attacking you will likely accomplish thier goal unless you are prepared. The preparation phase is the key to your continued good health and safety.

There is a reason why cops typically carry an array of weapons (OC Spray, Taser, knives, Asp Baton/PR24 and firearms). None of us want to wear a duty belt containing all the cop toys just to run to the local stop-n-rob for a quart of milk or put up with being questioned over our paranoia for doing so. Each scenario and circumstance presents an advantage, or disadvantage, to a specific weapon. Regardless of which you chose, training and practice is the key to effective use.

Before presenting a weapon of any type one must consider all thier options; can you avoid the problem without having to knife, taser, spray, club or shoot someone? Is there a chance you will hurt another (innocent) with the choice of weapon. Are you prepared to face the consequences of your actions? Were you in genuine fear of your life, or the life of another?

Regardless of what you choose to use/carry constant and continuous training is the key. Play the what if game (in a safe manner). Keep in mind that if you can avoid the problem, and don't, you are putting yourself, family and innocents at risk.

I am not suggesting that anyone ignore the little old lady getting clubbed over her shopping cart or pleas for help as someone is being assaulted etc. By all means help them anyway you can, but think about your actions before you jump into the fight swinging that club, making someone glow in the dark with a taser, and spraying the area with OC or bullets.

Can you imagine the law suit as the store you just sprayed the OC in sues you for the loss in business ... especially if there wasn't a genuine need? How about the person/family members of the guy who caught a round after it passed thru a crook?

Be prepared, but please be safe and smart at the same time.

All very true, and EXACTLY the reason I stay unarmed... well, that and it's illegal to carry 90% of what you guys can... no sprays, clubs, guns, batons or tazers for us! In fact, you're not allowed to carry a sawed off baseball bat, and you will be questioned for carrying a REGULATION bat if you don't have a ball and glove too...

At the same time, I usually put things in terms of what's realistic TO ME... My take on the original thread is "personal taser or NO personal taser?" leaving the other choices out. And my answer to that perspective is... are you going to carry it?! Enough to make it worth-while?

May seem like a simplistic approach, but seriously... like you said Lobo, the one time you just jump on the ride to grab a bottle of Coke will be the time that it either stayed at home or in the saddlebag...

All the best intentions seem to end up that way. You get it, you like it, so you carry it... and never use it. Then after so long of not using it, you stop carrying it. You use common sense to avoid situations where you'd need it anyway, and criminals often avoid circumstances where there are witnesses too, so the law of averages means you'll rarely, if ever need it.

That being said, I usually always ask myself, whether I'm buying something like this or even a tool that I like but don't necessarily need... "when's the last time I would have used it, and when's the next time I think I'll need it, and what will happen if I don't have it?"

Here's my example to back that up... My cousin thought he heard noises in the middle of the night like someone breaking in... there was never anything to prove whether it actually happened or not. He didn't like that... I was in Florida a little while after that and he asked me to pick him up a couple collapsible batons and some handcuffs (to restrain whoever he caught... not a bad idea!)

I got some too, "just in case." I'm 41 years old, he's 54 now, that was 18 years ago, and neither of us has ever used any of it. Is it handy to have? Sure... can I remember where they are? I THINK so! Is it going to help? Who knows...

Just food for thought!

[Silverfire]

I usually just carry a pistol...but I'm looking to see if I can find a taser baton, similar to what they used in Blade 3 (I think).

Those things would be just perfect as a pair of kali sticks with a kick.

[nomidlname]

I have been considering buying a tazer for a while now. It's much more desirable to be able to stop a threat in a non-lethal manner rather than dramatically altering or ending someone's life.

Let's just say I am out on the town with the wife and kids and some drunk muscle bound idiot is accosting some individual. Now, when I was younger and dumber I might have thought about taking someone on fisticuffs but im older and fat now so that's out. So what do you do? Call 911 and watch while someone is being hurt? That's completely unacceptable imo. Do I draw my weapon and try to contain the threat? If I draw my weapon and the threat charges me do I shoot? If I don't shoot will the threat get my weapon and use it on me, my family, others? What kind of legal issues will my family and I have to deal with if I do stop an unarmed threat with lethal force?

So, is getting a tazer a good idea? It's non-lethal and cops use them ALL the time so they are proven "safe". (<-- note the quotes) But are they a really good idea for a citizen? I am still up in the air... What happens if I pull my tazer and there happens to be another threat? I can only stop one threat with a tazer and now my hand is occupied with a one shot weapon... the next shot I will have to close enough to touch the threat, which is what I am trying to avoid by having a taser. But if it's just one threat I don't have to end someones life to stop them... which may or my not be a good thing legally... but it's something more desirable than ending a life.

So, is having a taser a good idea? I honestly don't know. I think having one would give more available options when stopping a threat. I still haven't bought one yet... still not sure if it would put me in more danger or not. I do like the idea of my wife having one though. I think they would be very appealing to women.

In my research of a possible tazer purchase I have found that police use the X26E among others. There is a "consumer" model called the X26C. There are a couple of minor differences between the two. The largest difference is the 15 foot range for consumer versus 35 foot range for the non-consumer. Not really sure why they think LEO's will need that kind of range versus consumers but whatever. The X26E can save various data for up to 1500 shots and then be downloaded. The X26C doesn't show that option but has some recording and data download capabilities. I linked the Specs below if your interested. The consumer model stats appear to be very close to the LEO version and seems like it would have just about as much stopping power.

Consumer Model.pdf or Law Enforcement Model.pdf

Or you can just peruse the web site here TASER Products

The consumer model lists at around $1000.00. I am unaware of any laws prohibiting someone from possessing the law enforcement model. Check your local, state, and federal laws to insure you don't give the fuzz a reason to come bust down your door. Most of all be safe and try to stay away from situations that will cause you to draw any kind of weapon.

Originally Posted by nomidlname

If I draw my weapon and the threat charges me do I shoot?

I'm not trying to be rude or funny here, but if you honestly have to think about that, you probably don't need to be carrying a gun.

[nomidlname]

Originally Posted by Jamie C.

I'm not trying to be rude or funny here, but if you honestly have to think about that, you probably don't need to be carrying a gun.

You should probably be more worried about the people that don't think about it. I was being vague in my example for a reason... Would you shoot an unarmed assailant or are you capable of containing the threat without shooting? These are the questions that will be asked by law enforcement. You WILL be held accountable legally and civilly. Here in America everyone has the right to keep and bare arms (other than felons and wife beaters). Some of us chose to be irresponsible and shoot wildly without thought. It is your right... I think I will continue carrying my weapons in a responsible and thoughtful manner.

Originally Posted by nomidlname

Would you shoot an unarmed assailant...

If this assailant is charging me, then my automatic assumption... especially if I've drawn a gun, is that he's either armed, or believes he's capable of taking my weapon.

Either way, he/she's shot, plain and simple. After all, I'm not the one doing the attacking here.

Originally Posted by nomidlname

or are you capable of containing the threat without shooting?

This is a question that no one can honestly answer at the time they're attacked. And at least here in TN, they don't need to answer it if they are attacked in any place they have a right to be.

Originally Posted by nomidlname

These are the questions that will be asked by law enforcement. You WILL be held accountable legally and civilly.

I'm vividly aware of the questions I'll be asked, having once been someone who's job was to ask 'em.

As to civil suite.... not for a justifiable homicide here.

Originally Posted by nomidlname

Here in America everyone has the right to keep and bare arms (other than felons and wife beaters). Some of us chose to be irresponsible and shoot wildly without thought. It is your right... I think I will continue carrying my weapons in a responsible and thoughtful manner.

Don't mistake a willingness to fire when needed for irresponsibility.
After all, it can be said that getting yourself and possibly one or more of your loved ones killed, plus allowing another firearm to fall into criminal hands, is irresponsible.

And in a true life or death/serious bodily harm situation... taking time to think things over can and will get you killed. It's one of the major reasons for getting training in self-defense with a firearm - or any other weapon - rather than just buying the thing, loading up and tucking it away in a sock drawer, and only dragging it out when things "go bump in the night".

Oh, and concerning a comment earlier about handcuffs for detaining/holding someone... You don't really want to get that close to 'em if you can help it. Matter of fact, if they get up and run away, rather than toward you, it's best to let 'em go.

[MauiAl]

Originally Posted by nomidlname

Would you shoot an unarmed assailant or are you capable of containing the threat without shooting? These are the questions that will be asked by law enforcement..

The correct response is....

I thought he was going to kill me.

They'll ask it a million different ways and you always say

I thought he was going to kill me.

If they don't like it then it's time for an attorney. Tell them you're done responding without an attorney.

The reality for me is, he's unarmed and charging, I'm shooting but I'd never say that to an investigator.

They like to play on your manhood too, such as asking you something like "don't you think you could have handled him, I mean you look like a strong guy".

and you'll say

I thought he was going to kill me.

Originally Posted by MauiAl

The correct response is....

I thought he was going to kill me.

They'll ask it a million different ways and you always say

I thought he was going to kill me.

If they don't like it then it's time for an attorney. Tell them you're done responding without an attorney.

The reality for me is, he's unarmed and charging, I'm shooting but I'd never say that to an investigator.

They like to play on your manhood too, such as asking you something like "don't you think you could have handled him, I mean you look like a strong guy".

and you'll say

I thought he was going to kill me.

Yep. If you're forced to shoot someone in self-defense, the first words out of your mouth to anyone - especially a police officer - should be something like "He/she was trying to kill me. I thought I was about to die".

Oh, and another thing; in many jurisdictions, simply pointing a gun at someone is viewed as using lethal force, whether you shoot them or not. So before you even draw a gun, you'd damn well better have sufficient cause/reason to justify firing it as well.

And that's a good general rule to live by, no matter where you live.

[nomidlname]

A few points... First, I apologize to the OP for going off topic.

Second, Jamie, you mistake my respect for life and careful consideration of a situation for hesitation and doubt. You shouldn't.

You cannot draw your conceal carry weapon, aim, and shoot without thinking about it. Ever. You can do it fast, you can do it in a panic, you can do it recklessly and without aiming, Heck... You can even do it without thinking straight. But, you can never do it without thinking. You have to know someones life is in imminent danger or at the very least a violent felony is occurring. You then have to gauge as to whether withdrawing from the situation or drawing your weapon is best in your current situation. Finally, as you draw down on your target you must confirm there is no one down range that can become an unintended target. All of these questions can be asked and answered in milliseconds before you shoot while you are drawing your weapon. This can be done without putting anyone's life in further danger or increase the chance of losing one's weapon. It's all about practice and training. You might want to look into it.

Third, It's always been my opinion to talk to police as little as possible but when you do you should be courteous, show respect, and be completely truthful. Lying to police about a situation is bad and you will usually get caught. Also, you really need to look at civil law. Just cause you say it's justifiable homicide doesn't mean you can't be sued... even in Tennessee.

Bottom line, if something happened so fast that I couldn't think about it... then I'm probably already dead. So please, if you actually conceal carry, try to think about your actions. Don't just blindly react to a situation... the consequences could be deadly.