[FNAL]

Originally Posted by invertigo ↗

On the subject of self defense in general...
Rarely do you ever really need a gun to protect yourself. There is a whole host of non-lethal forms of self defense weapons/items. A good can of mace can spray over 4 feet

It can get frustrating to me to see how many people insist on using a gun in every little scenario they feel threatened, rather then developing ways to incapacitate an aggressor without killing anyone. They exist, and the possibilities are endless but most people are too lazy or complacent to find them.

Pepper spray has its advantages and disadvantages, one being you can get hit with the stuff too. It has limited range and can be blocked. If you ask a criminal what would deter him more, I'm sure a concealed hand gun would trump pepper spray.

And as far as tasers, you need to hit the person on the first shot, reloading can take some time. They also don't work on every person, I can link a video of a police officer who takes it like a champ and is still able to attack the other person.

And if you can, please list off just some of the endless possibilities for self defense. I'm curious to see how they stack up against a hand gun's size, weight, reliability, lethality, and concealability.

[Vedderman]

Originally Posted by Zambini ↗

My wife tried pepper spray against a dog while running one time, it was too difficult to spray at a moving dog, luckily the owner showed up at that time.

Interesting you should mention that. Zimmerman and his wife originally purchased their pistols because they had been attacked/menaced by a loose pit bull in the neighborhood back in 2009. In one of his many calls to Seminole County Animal Control, Zimmerman mentioned that he had purchased pepper spray to deal with the dog.

The response from the control officer?

"No, don't do that! It'll take two or three seconds to take effect, but a quarter second for the dog to jump you. Get a gun."

[rilvulan671]

Originally Posted by rob666 ↗

I hear ya man.

Up here a lot of your laws are completely baffling to us..... half of my Family is American too.
Things like concealed weapons, stand your ground laws, I just don't get it. I guess I've never felt so unsafe that I needed to arm myself to go out in public?

You should be happy about where you live, then.

[invertigo]

Originally Posted by Zambini ↗

My wife tried pepper spray against a dog while running one time, it was too difficult to spray at a moving dog, luckily the owner showed up at that time.

Knowing that, I would rather have a taser than spray.

I don't think it's laziness, permit classes and guns are expensive and require a time commitment.

Not saying they are the only answer.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that guns aren't necessary at all, there are plenty of situations where no other option is practical except use of a firearm. Nor am I saying they aren't beneficial to society on any level.

You're right, lazy isn't the right word. Unmotivated or complacent are better descriptions. It's the 'I'll stick to the tried and true, nothing else' mentality that leaves many people overly reliant on guns.
I'm definitely not suggesting anyone should bring a knife to a gun fight and try to stand their ground

[FNAL]

Originally Posted by invertigo ↗

It's the 'I'll stick to the tried and true, nothing else' mentality that leaves many people overly reliant on guns.

Well, there isn't really much or anything that beats a hand gun in terms of size, weight, reliability, lethality, concealability, and deterrence factor.

[invertigo]

Originally Posted by FNAL ↗

Well, there isn't really much or anything that beats a hand gun in terms of size, weight, reliability, lethality, concealability, and deterrence factor.

Well, sure. No argument there, but keep in mind the context of the situation, like during a fist-fight, when don't need to kill someone to keep yourself safe.
Even if you think your opponent might have deadly intent, what's wrong with a tazer, a stun-gun or even mace and a well placed kick to balls? When there are other human beings involved, a gun should be the last resort, not your go-to defense the second things look a little hairy.

[FNAL]

The weapon serves as a deterrent so you don't get into any hairy situation. And if your opponent is attacking you with deadly intent, you should reciprocate with deadly force. Put yourself in a criminal's shoes for a second here. Would you rather risk getting tazed or shot in the chest with a 9mm if you want to rob someone? If you taze them, they are going to get up and go right back to what they were doing before, robbery.

[Zambini]

Originally Posted by invertigo ↗

Well, sure. No argument there, but keep in mind the context of the situation, like during a fist-fight, when don't need to kill someone to keep yourself safe.
Even if you think your opponent might have deadly intent, what's wrong with a tazer, a stun-gun or even mace and a well placed kick to balls? When there are other human beings involved, a gun should be the last resort, not your go-to defense the second things look a little hairy.

I think most people that carry agree with you.

Every weekend, most CWP classes around here are full, you would be surprised at the number of people that regularly carry without an incident, if you didn't already know about them.

[kilyurselph]

NOT GUILTY! To all the racist race baiting pricks out there who tried to crucify a man because he didn't share the same skin color as you! FUCK YOU! That means you Mr. Sharpton you racist hypocrite! FUCK YOU!

[ArtOfLife]

Hands down the best part of all of this has been his brother's statement worrying that George will become a victim of wannabe law enforcement/vigilante types