Going Pink?

[wrag]

Originally posted by Maverick
Sig220,

Do not think that a taser will allow you to threaten another person with legal impunity. Just like the example you gave with the old guy firing shots in the air, it will come down to your word against theirs. Threatening and intimidating with the taser will likely be treated as an assault (as opposed to a battery or actually carrying through of the threat) with a weapon. Just because a taser is not considered a deadly weapon like a firearm it will certainly fall into the category of a weapon none the less. Similar to a night stick / baton or other less than lethal weapons.

You also leave yourself wide open to a law suit and if they have more witnesses than do you, the preponderance of guilt (a far lower standard than criminal) will not likely swing your way.

In short, if you brandish or threaten another person with the taser you had better have all of your ducks in a row and be able to demonstrate that you had more than reasonable need to do so.

I agree Sir

[lazs2]

I worry about the whole tazer thing.. I see it as a way for criminals more than citizens to get over.  

I also see a huge potential for abuse..   unlike firearms.. you can justify (in your mind) non leathal force for just about any percieved slight.  

lazs

[Tigeress]

Originally posted by Maverick
I'd rather do neither. Trouble is easier to avoid than deal with if you are aware of your surroundings. Prudent choices in where to go and what to do coupled with situational awareness have more to do with staying safe than pure chance.

If trouble finds me anyhow, I'd rather be able to deal with it just once. I've gone in harms way before and no longer go looking for it.

Hi Maverick,

This has always been my way of staying out of harm's way... to use my intellect and SA and common sense.

Even to the point of driving around at the mall till I find a parking spot that is highly visable... and wont shop after dark where I have to find and get into my car in the dark in an obscure outdoor parking spot or any parking garage.

I admit... thinking about being armed as a result of this thread got me thinking in a fear-liberated way ...a personally empowered way, and that felt good in ways hard to explain. I have only felt that way when under the protection of an able-bodied man at my side.

Thinking about it also gave rise to the anger I have felt for being forced to always look over my shoulder when in public or even using the laundry room in my building, not that I have any valid reason whatsoever to fear any of my neighbors, per se.

It seriously sucks and it's repressive and I hate it... makes me want to let the first guy to grab me have the full clip to make up for a lifetime of necessary fear... or tase him till the battery is drained.

I see that as dangerous thinking... sort of like what Charles Bronson felt when he went out looking for muggers to deal out justice western style to while armed in the movie "Death Wish."

That kind of thinking leads to rage crimes where the victim becomes the attacker with levels of force far exceeding the merits of the situation and could very likely land the victim in prison and the attacker, dead.

Not sure if I am being clear as to my feelings... but I tried.

TIGERESS

Edit: while looking for cases where a crime in progress victim shoots the attacker/s, I came across this: A new law that just went into effect in September allows Texans to defend themselves with deadly force in their homes, cars and work places. The Castle Doctrine removes the requirement that a person must attempt to retreat before using deadly force. (from --> http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=5793118 )

Obviously, knowing and obeying the gun laws of the state you are in is extremely important in order to stay out of trouble.

[SIG220]

Originally posted by Tigeress
I live in one of those states.

Well, if that is the case, then I believe that you are going to be out of luck when it comes to the taser.  In fact, I doubt you will be able to legally carry either a handgun or a taser for protection.  All of those states are pretty dedicated to keeping civilians disarmed when they are out in public.

In reality, some states that do have concealed carry permit systems really don't.     Fortunately, most states have a "shall issue" rule, where the authorities have to issue you the permit, unless you are found to be ineligible.  But for some others, it is totally discretionary, and in practice, virtually impossible to get issued.

Pepper spray may still be an option for you.   Check your local laws regarding it.

Your other option would naturally be to move.  But for most people, that is usually not a practical option.  I was a 4th generation native Californian, as my Dad's family came to the state in 1853.   But California no longer resembles the place that I grew up in back in the 1950's and 1960's.   So I had no problem leaving it.  

Oregon and Washington are not so bad, if you don't mind rain.  It makes everything nice and green.  In contrast, I hated living in Reno, NV for 7 years.

SIG 220

[Tigeress]

Originally posted by SIG220
Well, if that is the case, then I believe that you are going to be out of luck when it comes to the taser.  In fact, I doubt you will be able to legally carry either a handgun or a taser for protection.  All of those states are pretty dedicated to keeping civilians disarmed when they are out in public.

In reality, some states that do have concealed carry permit systems really don't.     Fortunately, most states have a "shall issue" rule, where the authorities have to issue you the permit, unless you are found to be ineligible.  But for some others, it is totally discretionary, and in practice, virtually impossible to get issued.

Pepper spray may still be an option for you.   Check your local laws regarding it.

Your other option would naturally be to move.  But for most people, that is usually not a practical option.  I was a 4th generation native Californian, as my Dad's family came to the state in 1853.   But California no longer resembles the place that I grew up in back in the 1950's and 1960's.   So I had no problem leaving it.  

Oregon and Washington are not so bad, if you don't mind rain.  It makes everything nice and green.  In contrast, I hated living in Reno, NV for 7 years.

SIG 220

Same deal for pepper spray... considered a firearm thus requires firearm license/permit and carry permit.

TIGERESS

[SIG220]

Originally posted by Maverick
Sig220,

Do not think that a taser will allow you to threaten another person with legal impunity. Just like the example you gave with the old guy firing shots in the air, it will come down to your word against theirs. Threatening and intimidating with the taser will likely be treated as an assault (as opposed to a battery or actually carrying through of the threat) with a weapon. Just because a taser is not considered a deadly weapon like a firearm it will certainly fall into the category of a weapon none the less. Similar to a night stick / baton or other less than lethal weapons.

You also leave yourself wide open to a law suit and if they have more witnesses than do you, the preponderance of guilt (a far lower standard than criminal) will not likely swing your way.

In short, if you brandish or threaten another person with the taser you had better have all of your ducks in a row and be able to demonstrate that you had more than reasonable need to do so.

To be guilty of any assault in Oregon, one has to actually cause physical injury to a person.   That is true for even the lowest level 4th degree assault.

Oregon law does not consider the Taser to be either a Deadly weapon, or even what is legally known as a Dangerous weapon under the law.  

You are absolutely correct that the Taser does not give you absolute impunity to do whatever you want.  For one could still be found guilty of the misdemeanor of menacing under Oregon law for brandishing it unnecessarily.

What I do know is that the local DA takes firearms related crimes far more seriously.  So your odds of being prosecuted go way up with a firearm.   Our county government is so extremely short of money now, that many misdemeanors are not even being prosecuted here anymore.  We just cannot afford to enforce the law all of the time anymore.

There still is a risk, no matter what you do to defend yourself.  The only way to fully protect yourself from prosecution would be to simply not defend yourself, and let the other person have their way with you.

Just hope that you come out of it OK, and that the law properly deals with the other person.

SIG 220

[Maverick]

Originally posted by Tigeress
Same deal for pepper spray... considered a firearm thus requires firearm license/permit and carry permit.

TIGERESS

So where do you live, Massachusetts?  

[Tigeress]

Originally posted by Maverick
So where do you live, Massachusetts?  

I live in a seriously blue state... am thinking of relocating if the opportunity presents itself.

TIGERESS