stun-gun, taser and/or pepper spray recommendations?

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Gooberlx2

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
My fiance is currently dealing with a stalker (yes, we've already filed a police report). So as an extra measure of safety (we've got most of our bases covered), one of the times she'll be alone is walking to/from her car in the parking lot at work. Even though she parks right outside, in light, where she can see her car from inside the store and try to survey the area before exiting, etc...I want her to have something on her just in case she needs it.

She doesn't have a concealed carry permit, and doesn't want a handgun anyway. So I was hoping maybe people people had some ideas of what to look for with this stuff. There's a store nearby that sells stun-gunes, tasers, pepper spray and all that self defense stuff. I'm going to go and buy something tomorrow.
 
X

Xyo II

Platinum Member
Oct 12, 2005
2,177
1
0
Pepper spray would probably be best. Then she can't accidentally kill him, like she probably will with the taser. ;)
 
Duddy

Duddy

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2002
4,674
9
81
She should use some Paul R. Nelson. She could spray him right in his Paul R. Nelson and he would just fall to the ground and cry.

And then she should repeatedly kick him in his Paul R. Nelsons.
 
Gooberlx2

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: Xyo II
Pepper spray would probably be best. Then she can't accidentally kill him, like she probably will with the taser. ;)
Click to expand...

Well, that was exactly the reason she doesn't want a handgun. She's a friggin' ringer with guns, but they're all up in Wyoming at her father's house. She's worried she'd get panicked and shoot some bum or something.
 
T

TheNinja

Lifer
Jan 22, 2003
12,207
1
0
I would probably say pepper spray b/c you can be further away...however if it gets wild there is a chance you get it in your own eyes and nose. Also, I would teach her a few moves "just in case". Tell her not to be afraid to go for the groin when kicking, puching, or grabbing. Also attack eyes and ears if need be. Hopefully it doesn't come to physical violence but it's good to know what to do if it does.
 
X

Xyo II

Platinum Member
Oct 12, 2005
2,177
1
0
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Originally posted by: Xyo II
Pepper spray would probably be best. Then she can't accidentally kill him, like she probably will with the taser. ;)
Click to expand...

Well, that was exactly the reason she doesn't want a handgun. She's a friggin' ringer with guns, but they're all up in Wyoming at her father's house. She's worried she'd get panicked and shoot some bum or something.
Click to expand...

Well if she thinks she's going to be jumpy in control of a lethal weapon, then you're right, she definitely doesn't want to be carrying a handgun. Pepper spray is probably more than enough of a deterrent if the stalker isn't really a violent guy, and is just the crazy "omgIloveyoucomebacktomeyouknowyouwanttoyouhavetowearemeanttobetogether" type. If you think there's a good possibility it could escalate into physical threats, I would try and get a restraining order right away, to at least show that she tried to get one, if she ends up kicking him in the balls with 4" heels, maiming him for life, so she doesn't get sued or anything of the sort.
 
K

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
I'm agreeing with the pepperspray thing so that she can stay further away then with a taser/stun-gun. That, and it isn't a hit-or-miss of the stun-gun.
 
D

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
Probably nothing? she is a woman right? so weaker than her stalker? So anything she has can be taken from her and used against her.
 
narzy

narzy

Elite Member
Feb 26, 2000
7,006
1
81
Both,

I've been hit by my fair of electronic stun devices, I'd rather not discuss how, but needless to say I am certifiable as an expert on such matters. Probably the most effective are the tasers made by Taser International http://www.taser.com, cops use them a lot but they are also private carry, don't require a permit, are non lethal, can be deployed at up to 15 feet but can also work at close range, or you shoot the barbs and point blank and shock and get away. I'd also carry pepper spray or better yet bear spray, if you shoot bear spray infront of the subject it will hit the ground and "bounce" up in their face.
 
ElMonoDelMar

ElMonoDelMar

Golden Member
Apr 29, 2004
1,163
338
136
You have to check your local laws before carrying a taser. A lot of times you either need a CCW permit or they're just outright illegal.

Find a way to protect her from the stalker AND the law.

That being said, I carry a nice size can of pepper spray when I'm in Illinois and a Smith & Wesson when I'm in most other states.
 
D

Dessert Tears

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2005
1,100
0
76
Of the choices you've presented (stun gun, taser, pepper spray), I'd choose pepper spray (oleoresin capsicum, OC). I've read that stun guns available to civilians are painful and surprising ("shocking" if you will), but are ineffectual if the target is sufficiently determined or has experienced it before. My impression of tasers is that they require threat identification at some distance and aiming. OC in a "spray" pattern is most effective at close range and is less picky about aim.

OC comes in at least 3 patterns (ordered by focus of spray): stream, spray, and fog. A wider spray is more likely to hit the target, but is less intense and more likely to affect the user. I suggest buying at least 2 cans/refills - 1 for practice and 1 for carry. Practice should include aiming as well as spraying the user directly. OC can be fought through with adequate determination, and training helps.

My write-in suggestion is a small knife with built-in retention system (finger-loop), e.g. Emerson LaGriffe or FrontSight HideAway. A knife is lethal force, but it can only be deployed at close range - the perceived assailant must violate comfortable personal space before the knife may be used.
 
IGBT

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,965
140
106
..get one of those hairspray sized cans of super hot pepper spray they use on bears in Alaska. If it will stop a yogi it should do a good job on even on the most determined stalker.
 
uberman

uberman

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2006
1,942
1
81
In California you used to need a permit to carry Mace (CS tear gas). Not anymore according to the cop I talked with. Gun shop owners have told me years ago that CS beats the heck out of pepper spray. I've had others say that pepper spray is better. The cop who told me I don't need the permit anymore said he uses pepper spray. He told me they just call it "O." I assume it is "(oleoresin capsicum, OC)," as mentioned above. The cop explained that he sprayed a guy and chased him, finally the guy just gave up and rolled into a ball. He felt it was effective. You can use it if you feel your life is in danger or someone will do you bodily harm. You can't use it to stop a theft, etc.
 
D

Dessert Tears

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2005
1,100
0
76
Originally posted by: uberman
In California you used to need a permit to carry Mace (CS tear gas). Not anymore according to the cop I talked with. Gun shop owners have told me years ago that CS beats the heck out of pepper spray. I've had others say that pepper spray is better. The cop who told me I don't need the permit anymore said he uses pepper spray. He told me they just call it "O." I assume it is "(oleoresin capsicum, OC)," as mentioned above. The cop explained that he sprayed a guy and chased him, finally the guy just gave up and rolled into a ball. He felt it was effective. You can use it if you feel your life is in danger or someone will do you bodily harm. You can't use it to stop a theft, etc.
Click to expand...
O is probably OC, I can't think of any other chemical spray it could be. IIRC, OC is preferred over CS due to a smaller percentage of people who are either immune or have adverse effects (I forget which).

This Jackass clip reminds me that when the user is being sprayed in practice, you should have whole milk and/or decontaminating wipes on hand to shorten the recovery period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJmq98UM-yY

* As I recall, the closing credits of that episode includes a clip where one of them is sprayed with the OC, falls to the ground, and rolls around screaming, then another guy comes running in from off-camera, shoots him with the taser, and zaps him repeatedly. :Q
 
J

jhayx7

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2005
2,226
0
0
Foam pepper spray. If you use pepper spray and the wind kicks up bad things happen, the foam keeps the spray where it is supposed to go.
 
D

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
My fiance is currently dealing with a stalker (yes, we've already filed a police report). So as an extra measure of safety (we've got most of our bases covered), one of the times she'll be alone is walking to/from her car in the parking lot at work. Even though she parks right outside, in light, where she can see her car from inside the store and try to survey the area before exiting, etc...I want her to have something on her just in case she needs it.

She doesn't have a concealed carry permit, and doesn't want a handgun anyway. So I was hoping maybe people people had some ideas of what to look for with this stuff. There's a store nearby that sells stun-gunes, tasers, pepper spray and all that self defense stuff. I'm going to go and buy something tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Colorado is not sissy California.

Noting less than a gun will do.
 
W

whistleclient

Platinum Member
Apr 22, 2001
2,700
1
71
Number1

Number1

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2006
7,881
549
126
Serious sitiations require serious solutions. Get her the training she needs to carry a gun and the required paper work This should raise her confidence in the use of the weapon and give her real protection.

If she is ever confronted by the stalker, she will need to keep her composure to deal effectively with the situation, no mater what she will be using for protection.

Good luck.
 
pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Originally posted by: Xyo II
Pepper spray would probably be best. Then she can't accidentally kill him, like she probably will with the taser. ;)
Click to expand...

the probability of killing someone with a stun gun is probably the same as killing someone who is allergic to pepper spray.
 
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