Regarding the “how can you justify shooting someone after you spray them” point, I engaged in training were we were pepper sprayed and then had to draw and fire. You use your off hand to hold one eye open and fire with your primary hand.

It sucks being sprayed, just as it sucks going through the gas chamber in the .mil. OC is not the end all solution, but for the bulk of the population “karate in the can” will resolve many defensive encounters.

Just remember:

1. wind is not your friend
2. discharge in a car, and you will get the effect as well
3. spray in a Z pattern starting across the forehead, down across the nasal passages, and across the mouth. Repeat until threat diminishes and seize on the opportunity to create distance between you and threat.

One note on foam OC, it’s not unrealistic to expect that someone covered in foam can grab a handful and fling some back your way.

If you choose to purchase an OC, purchase the inert version to practice. I’ve met/trained a number of firearms people who carry OC who have never discharged a canister. Also note the expiration. When OC expires, replace it.

Faced with a threat, I will flee first;if fleeing does not work, I will stop the threat. Condiments are not an effective means of so doing.

My lawyer will bring in professional witnesses who say how powerful pepper spray is, the DA will bring in professional witnesses who say that pepper spray is a a manstopper and using a gun after that is nothing short of an execution … and then I’m taking my chances.

I’m sure your advice is good, but my less lethal self defense will be screaming “stop it” and running away like a little girl. just wish I was a faster runner …

It will look like you tried to use non-lethal means and the guy was still attacking you. Then you can cue the parade of law enforcement officers and trainers to come in and talk about use of force.

Instead of thinking about how in some weird edge case using pepper spray is going to cause you a problem, how about thinking about all of the common cases where an application of pepper spray solves the problem BEFORE it escalates.

That’s the case with me too, really. I think everyone has to make compromises. But Mostly Genius makes a good point when he points out how many people are toting backup guns.

Cell phone, knife,handgun, spare mag, wallet, keys. I’m running out of pockets and I don’t care to wear a bat belt, fanny pack, or man- bag.

I guess there’s a place for it, but I would think more for people who don’t carry guns than those who do. A knife being a deadly weapon, I’m going to use the most effective stopper I have. That leaves only a fairly narrow band of justified defense, but not justified lethal force.