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Wisconsin just passed concealed carry.

Leah

New member
Joined
Nov 2, 2011
Messages
7
Location
Madison
Our state just passed concealed carry which can be good in some ways. Especially if someone tries to break in, etc. However, I prefer pepper spray. It is much easier to obtain and costs a measly $8 as opposed to $600 on something I may never use. (like a bridesmaid's dress).

I have been carrying pepper spray for a while when I go out but never used it. I wonder if the law also applies to pepper spray or if that changed as well.

Leah
 

DangerClose

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Jun 12, 2011
Messages
570
Location
The mean streets of WI
Pepper spray is much easier to obtain than a gun? I dunno... I think guns are pretty easy to obtain in Wisconsin. :lol:

WI always got bashed for no concealed carry, but, really, the rest of its gun laws, or should I say lack of them, is good stuff and puts various other states to shame.

A gun is obviously much better at stopping a threat than pepper spray, (assuming both are used correctly), but, also, some people simply aren't comfortable with guns or the thought of using a gun on another person, even if their own life is in danger, so pepper spray is still better than harsh words.

Far as I know, you could already conceal carry pepper spray for the last 10 years or so. You can of course certainly open carry it, but that has always applied to guns too.

The new law now allows stun guns as well. I've seen those literally take someone's legs out from under them. But pepper spray is arguably better for most people imo.
 

Superlite27

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Jul 12, 2007
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God's Country, Missouri
It is much easier to obtain and costs a measly $8 as opposed to $600 on something I may never use. (like a bridesmaid's dress).

Or a seatbelt. Or a smoke detector. Or a fire extinguisher. Or insurance.

I can think of endless things you shouldn't buy because you'll probably never use them.

Of course.....if you happen to need them......

How's that pepper spray work for stopping bullets? As with most folks, I often imagine dangerous scenarios and how I would react to them. I think anyone who doesn't is a little naive. When someone walks by a dark alley, or through an unlit parking lot, who doesn't think to themsleves, "What if a bad guy comes at me from over there? What would I do?"

You take precautions for these situations, right? After all, if you thought it might be possible for a bad guy to come at you from over there, it could, indeed, really be possible, right?

Therefore, wouldn't it also be kinda' naive to think that, if you haven't thought of it, it can't happen?

I would think pepper spray would be fine for fending off folks who simply want to make you a target for a robbery, feel you out for victimhood, or harrass you. It would probably make them leave you the hell alone.

Probably.

What if they are 100% intent on ending your life?

You think that pepper spray is gonna suddenly change their mind? Do you think they can't pull a trigger with their eyes closed?

You might feel comfortable entrusting your life to "probably".

For me? My life is worth a heckuva lot more than $8.
 

ixtow

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Nov 25, 2006
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5,038
Location
Suwannee County, FL
The point is, OP; we prefer tools that work. Sure, they cost a little more... But pepper spray is feel-good BS that won't help you. Some of the more monstrous sorts out there are turned on by pepper spray... They have a hard time raping without it.

Just like those 'you don't need a gun hand-to-hand defense' classes that prey on women and their cluelessness... It might be a fun supplement, but it is practically useless and will never help you.
 

Dutch Uncle

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May 11, 2006
Messages
1,715
Location
Virginia, USA
Pepper spray obviously has its place in the range of things used for self defense. Some are shaped like a handgun and deliver metered blasts out to 15 ft or so. Cops carry the stuff, so it is certainly a useful non-lethal weapon to have. A good friend of mine took the training to be an armed security officer, and one night they covered the use of Tasers and OC spray (oleoresin capsicum...) The instructor said he would spray a little cloud in the room, and the students could briefly walk into it to get some idea of the effect. Dan said "If I'm gonna be spraying this at people, I want to know personally what it is like" and told the instructor to give him a standard blast in the face. Dan told me it was the worst experience of his life and hurt so bad in so many ways he thought he would lose it. The guys there were pouring water into and on his face, but it took more than half an hour to feel decent again. He didn't think the Taser was nearly so bad. It certainly did incapacitate, but there wasn't that much pain involved. He'd take a bunch of Taser hits rather than be pepper sprayed again. "DON'T SPRAY ME, BRO!" would be his plea! I always have a couple of cans with me in the care: a small,concealable BUG spray and a few bigger "reach out and touch someone" canisters. The little guys are sometimes in my front pocket and a Ken Onion assissted opening pig-sticker in my rear pocket. I have an assortment of knives, of course, from big utilitarian stuff down to sneaky, very sharp tactical stuff. I think its a good idea to have the proper tools to deal with various scenarios.

Take care,

Dutch Uncle
 

DangerClose

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Joined
Jun 12, 2011
Messages
570
Location
The mean streets of WI
Dan said "If I'm gonna be spraying this at people, I want to know personally what it is like" and told the instructor to give him a standard blast in the face. Dan told me it was the worst experience of his life and hurt so bad in so many ways he thought he would lose it. The guys there were pouring water into and on his face, but it took more than half an hour to feel decent again.

And if anyone wants to see some pepper spraying, just search youtube. Some videos of cops training after getting sprayed show you can fight through it, while a lot of "regular people" trying it often cry for their mommies.

Is pepper spray better than a gun? Generally no.
 

Elkad

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Joined
Dec 28, 2008
Messages
115
Location
Bluefield, West Virginia, USA
First time the army used a CS canister on me I was incapacitated. By the 3rd time, I could function in it. Biggest impediment is the blurry vision.

I'd imagine functioning with a face full of OC is similar. Just takes willpower.
 

MilProGuy

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Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
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Location
Mississippi
In response to the title of the thread, I say: Congrats to the good folks of Wisconsin on this accomplishment!
 

ixtow

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Nov 25, 2006
Messages
5,038
Location
Suwannee County, FL
while a lot of "regular people" trying it often cry for their mommies.

Or a rapist on PCP... Guns don't even stop those freaks... I watched dash cam of a gy later determined to be on PCP, walked right through a tazer like nothing happened. Pepper spray, unnoticed. Shot 4 times, still kept going until he ran out of blood.

The bleeding out from being shot is what stopped him.
 

hermannr

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
Pepper spray is like a Thompson, pull the trigger and spray and pray.

Actually a can of pepper spray that you will use is better than a pistol that you are not confident in using.

Ye, I've done the CS thing too, years ago....no thanks.
 

west

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2011
Messages
16
Location
Jamestown, Kentucky
Or a seatbelt. Or a smoke detector. Or a fire extinguisher. Or insurance.

I can think of endless things you shouldn't buy because you'll probably never use them.

Of course.....if you happen to need them......

How's that pepper spray work for stopping bullets? As with most folks, I often imagine dangerous scenarios and how I would react to them. I think anyone who doesn't is a little naive. When someone walks by a dark alley, or through an unlit parking lot, who doesn't think to themsleves, "What if a bad guy comes at me from over there? What would I do?"

You take precautions for these situations, right? After all, if you thought it might be possible for a bad guy to come at you from over there, it could, indeed, really be possible, right?

Therefore, wouldn't it also be kinda' naive to think that, if you haven't thought of it, it can't happen?

I would think pepper spray would be fine for fending off folks who simply want to make you a target for a robbery, feel you out for victimhood, or harrass you. It would probably make them leave you the hell alone.

Probably.

What if they are 100% intent on ending your life?

You think that pepper spray is gonna suddenly change their mind? Do you think they can't pull a trigger with their eyes closed?

You might feel comfortable entrusting your life to "probably".

For me? My life is worth a heckuva lot more than $8.

Very nice said, Superlite27. Leah, invest 600 in to your life and life of your friends and family. And in your free time you can shot bottles. It is so much fun.
 

Barnett3006

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
98
Location
Tennessee, USA
You don't have to spend nearly $600 on a reliable handgun...I have a couple of handguns that have been 100% reliable for 1000's of rounds that I didn't spend $200 on (they're not Hi-Point's either).
 
Last edited:

Daylen

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Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Messages
2,223
Location
America
You don't have to spend nearly $600 on a reliable handgun...I have a couple of handguns that have been 100% reliable for 1000's of rounds that I didn't spend $200 on (they're not Hi-Point's either).

Care to share what pistols are that cheap?
 

ixtow

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Suwannee County, FL
I've never paid more than $200 for a Kel Tec P-32 or P-3AT. Of course, I never buy new. With a lifetime warranty, who cares? And, it's not huge, heavy, and ugly... I've owned at least a dozen, never has one failed me.
 

Barnett3006

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Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
98
Location
Tennessee, USA
Care to share what pistols are that cheap?

Polish P-64 for $125 in un-issued condition.
Brand-new EAA "Windicator" .357 snubbie for $190 OTD.
Used Kel-Tec P3AT for $200

I can't remember what my CZ-52 cost me but it had to have been around $200...though I would not use this for personal/home defense if I had a choice, if it was all I had sure but I would carry it Israeli style with some modern HP ammo.

I also got a Pheonix HP22A (SNS lol) for under $200, this is my 4 legged critter getter and my absolute last choice for a defensive pistol but it would be better then aerosol chili seasoning and definitely better then nothing.
 

DangerClose

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Joined
Jun 12, 2011
Messages
570
Location
The mean streets of WI
You don't have to spend nearly $600 on a reliable handgun...I have a couple of handguns that have been 100% reliable for 1000's of rounds that I didn't spend $200 on (they're not Hi-Point's either).

I bet my Phoenix and Hi-Points are more reliable than newer Kimbers.

A Hi-Point C9 isn't a pocket gun, but it's not all that big, either. Regardless, raise your price up even $50 to the $250 area, and choices start opening up such as the Kel-tecs or Bersa or whatever.
 
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