If you are going to a protest think about getting pepper spray. It will stop a person with a gun

[Maraya1969]

in their tracks and temporarily blind them.

I saw this after hearing about people trying to take down Kyle Rittenhouse with a skateboard or plastic bag.

The stuff stops people and it shoots far. If you are in real danger you should use it. And then run away.

[Pachamama]

1. Tip - Especially the ones for bears

[Runningdawg]

3. Illegal as HELL

I guess you don't follow the news, lots of people in jail for ignoring the warning printed several times in large letters on the can - DO NOT USE ON HUMANS
Also for future reference - Know which way the wind is blowing and also know that blinding a man with a gun won't stop him from firing.

[Sogo]

5. Plus, I'm guessing when the shooter sees you pointing something at him,

he's gonna pull the trigger, and a bullet will reach you a lot faster than a stream of pepper spray will reach him....

[hlthe2b]

9. It is LEGAL in all states to carry a small amount & use for self-defense as long as you are over 18

It is legal in all states to carry a small amount of pepper spray on your person as long as it is to be used in self-defense and you are over 18.


You are very misinformed.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

11. Pepper spray yes, bear spray no.

Bear spray, wasp spray, etc should be used only for what they are designed for. If you want a self defense spray, stick what is sold specifically for that. Using anything else opens you up to legal problems.

[hlthe2b]

15. The OP specifically states Pepper Spray. Your attempt to deflect noted.

I carry pepper spray on my keychain and have done so for years. Never had to use it, but I can assure you it is not only legal to do so, but I have the strength of precedence behind me.

And, should one be in the western backcountry or even in a Detroit HOME, I can assure you that BEAR SPRAY CAN be legally used against a threatening human as well. Confusing guns as the ONLY legal means of self-defense makes me question your legal acumen. And, no, I am not suggesting intentionally carrying Bear Spray to a political event for the express purpose of using on humans would be equally defensible as pepper spray. Indeed, it would likely not be so. But, given a pass seems to be given to juvenile illegal gun holders, it might make for an interesting argument.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

22. I'm deflecting nothing

Reread what you responded to initially. The first response from Pachamama suggested bear spray. Runningdawg noted it was illegal which is what you responded too. I'm not saying pepper spray is illegal to use, i am saying using specifically using bear spray can be. No where did i say guns are the only legal defense as I specifically said pepper spray is fine.

[Runningdawg]

39. I wasn't replying to the OP - but to the person who DID suggest BEAR spray

[Klaralven]

16. Montana Grizzly Bear Notice:

In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear
conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game
is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra
precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field.
We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on
their clothing so as not to startle the bears that aren't
expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry
pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a
bear.

It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear
activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference
between black bear and grizzly bear poop. Black bear poop
is smaller and contains a lot of berry seeds and squirrel fur.
Grizzly bear poop has little bells in it and smells like pepper
spray.

[JudyM]

29. .

[milestogo]

24. You can carry a gun but not pepper spray in Wisconsin.

If there's a logic there, I want to know what it is. Pepper spray does not do permanent damage.

[sarisataka]

26. Incorrect, pepper spray is legal in Wisconsin

Perhaps you were thinking of stun guns which are not legal for citizens there

[Buckeye_Democrat]

30. With some restrictions in Wisconsin...

Pepper spray container cannot exceed 2 oz. Spray cannot contain more than than 10% OC (oleoresin capsicum) or 1.2% MC.

Link to state laws regarding pepper spray:
https://www.pepper-spray-store.com/pages/all-pepper-spray-state-laws

I was surprised to learn that bear spray often has lower levels of capsicum compared to regular pepper sprays! It sprays farther, of course.

[rzemanfl]

2. What do you do when his buddy shoots you? n/t

[0rganism]

4. bleed out and die, of course. what the hell kind of question are you asking?

maybe bring your own pepper-spray buddy to help out so that doesn't happen.

[rzemanfl]

20. Please see the "Pro tip" below. It says what I was trying to say

much better than I expressed it.

[bottomofthehill]

6. Pro tip here.

Don’t bring pepper spray to a gun fight.

I have been pepper sprayed, sprayed with CS thankfully not shot. The chances of surviving getting shot are much less that that of pepper spray or CS.

Thinking that pepper spray will protect you in a confrontation with a person with a gun is not a winning thought.

[SharonClark]

8. K&R for common sense.

[Ferrets are Cool]

12. What IS your suggestion then?

[onethatcares]

28. wasp spray and

a marine air horn.

but what do I know?

[Ferrets are Cool]

34. I don't see the difference, but it doesn't matter

[bottomofthehill]

31. Since you asked

You need to be aware of your surroundings, most of the time the people you are protesting with share your goals and values but there are always those who are not. Sometimes they are there as agitators trying to stoke the flames or even those in a false flag, you have to be aware.

Thinking that there is a way to match a person who is willing to shoot you with a non lethal means is a recipe for disaster. I am not saying do not protest, I still will and do, but, you have to be aware of the group think mentality (violent protest and counter protest) that leads to loss of life.

Quite simply, there is a time to leave. Often leaving at the right time can help to calm the situation

[Ferrets are Cool]

35. Thank you. That is what I was thinking.

[Journeyman]

17. A friend of mine was pepper sprayed after a minor fender bender . . .

the other guy was a rent-a-cop who went ballistic (even though he was at fault) and decided he'd settle everything will a face full of noxious gas.

Keith was blinded by the spray, and couldn't breathe, but it didn't stop him from latching onto the fool and beating him senseless.

So yeah, pepper spray sounds like the answer, and it might be for some situations, but don't count on it to save you and certainly don't expect it to defuse the situation. All the shooter has to do is squeeze a trigger. He doesn't even have to see where the bullets go.

[Maraya1969]

25. Ok but I would never carry a gun. And I imagine a lot of people don't want guns. So it's better

than nothing. I used it once in my life and the people that were coming toward me stopped dead in their tracks.

[BannonsLiver]

10. And if you want to be extra safe while doing something that is verifiably productive

Stay home and phone bank, write letters and text voters on behalf of Democrats. Donate if you can. No worries about tear gas or Trump militias.

[Hoyt]

14. Voice of reason.

[misanthrope]

18. Yeah, but how are you going to get attention that way?

Those selfies aren't nearly as interesting. :rolls eyes:

It's hard to avoid the impression that a lot of the people at these marches aren't as interested in the less glamorous aspects of prompting change. It makes me wonder if anyone under the age of 40 has heard of, much less read Taylor Branch's Pulitzer-winning series on the Civil Rights Movement, most especially "Parting the Waters."

[BannonsLiver]

21. Yes

Many are white anarchist tweakers who couldn’t care less if Joe wins in November. They likely prefer that he not win.

[cwydro]

41. This.

It’s insane to think pepper spray will protect you from someone with a gun.

[Niagara]

38. +1000

[Raine]

43. Exactly nt

[Kaleva]

45. +1

[BlueIdaho]

49. Thank You!

We need to focus on getting our voters to the polls.

[Chainfire]

19. My mama always told me

"Son, she said, don't never take pepper spray to a gun fight...."

If I felt like my life or health was in danger, I would just stay home.

[Baclava]

23. Make sure the container isnt black or could be mistaken for a gun! anything pointed could get u shot

Especially at night, go running up to someone pointing with any dark object in your hand, bad idea

"Shoot first, ask questions later"

"I coulda swore he was pointing a gun at me"

[sarisataka]

27. 10 feet.

that is the usual effective range for pepper spray which is not "far" IMO.

While carrying pepper spray is not a bad idea, I would suggest leaving the area before a confrontation becomes dangerous.

[bottomofthehill]

32. And one....

[dware]

33. Situational awareness is your best defense.

What you say is 100% correct, know when it's time to leave.

[EX500rider]

37. I am not sure the 2oz container they allow there will even go that far. nt

[KentuckyWoman]

36. You know the problem with this ...

RW nutjob shows up with a gun and protesters take him down.

#1 - you can bet the cops arrest the protesters.
#2 - you can bet the protesters get sued by the RW nutjob for injuries.


But you'll be alive .. hopefully.

[Runningdawg]

40. I lived in the times sq area of NYC in the late 70's

You would be shocked to learn just what you CAN carry that IS legal. Imagination is your friend.

[jayfish]

42. Really, Really, Bad Advice.

Ask Aaron “Jay” Danielson.

Out-of-work livestreamer catches fatal downtown Portland shooting on video

“I saw the victim pull something up from his hip with his right hand and a big cloud of mace goes in the air,’' Dunlap said. “And then half a second later, there were two pops.”

The only advice is to get as far away as possible.

[Kaleva]

44. I would advise staying away from events where there are guns or guns are very likely.

[NickB79]

46. The RW guy that got shot in Portland was spraying mace

Didn't stop a bullet.

This is really bad advice.

[hardluck]

47. Well meaning but poor advice

I totally would recommend carrying pepper spray on a daily basis; it's an effective non-lethal tool to take the starch out of someone and avoid a physical altercation. But not for a deadly threat. Not many good options against a pistol. If you're close-in, best bet is to foul the guy's draw. If not gain distance quickly. Most people can't hit shit with a pistol outside of 10 yards. Best option of all is avoidance and follow the rules of stupid - avoid going to stupid places, with stupid people, at stupid times, to do stupid things.

[Kaleva]

50. The Rules of Stupid. I gotta remember that!

[Hekate]

48. It won't stop a speeding bullet, though. Just sayin'