Non Lethal Self Protection Advice

[awsmith4]

Recently my inlaws were having issues with a deranged neighbor coming on to their property at night and vandalizing random things as well as petty theft. After numerous incidents they installed a camera system. Well this oh so bright individual tried to steal one of the cameras and even pointed it at his face while pulling it off the wall of the garage. He was arrested the next morning and is still sitting in jail because no one will bail him out...

Well after the arrest they learned more about this individual and he has quite a rap sheet, mostly assault. Most of those assaults were on former neighbors (he moves around a lot). Turns out he has some sort of mental disorder and is not a likely person to learn his lesson while in prison. So if he were released there is chance he would retaliate.

They own guns but my mother in law isn't sure she wants to have to carry in here own yard but feels she would carry a taser or something else that is non lethal and wants something for when she is home alone. She says she is not sure she could bring herself to shoot and kill.

So my question is what would be the asylum's advise for non lethal protection?

[TanithT]

There isn't a really good non lethal deterrent that she can safely use from a distance, and I wouldn't recommend allowing this POS to get that close.

Shooting him in the leg or the crotch isn't likely to kill him, but it should make him stop doing whatever he's doing and maybe think twice before bothering ladies who are home alone.

[awsmith4]

Originally Posted by TanithT

There isn't a really good non lethal deterrent that she can safely use from a distance, and I wouldn't recommend allowing this POS to get that close.

Shooting him in the leg or the crotch isn't likely to kill him, but it should make him stop doing whatever he's doing and maybe think twice before bothering ladies who are home alone.

I agree but she was insistent I find her info on alternatives

[bonjing]

I use and have the gf carry Fox lab 5.3 for pepper spray. I had a tazer before but felt it was just a pain in the butt, ended up being more of a dust collector so i ended up[ selling it. And remember you only get one shot with the tazer then it becomes a close contact type of thing.

I use fox 5.3 because it seems to be the hottest at 5.3 mill shu, while others i have seen only go up to 2.5mil or even 3mil.

edit to add:


when i purchase pepper spray, i only get stream type sprays

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=SD112

[WyoBob]

http://www.udap.com/product.htm

Has a range of around 30 ft.

WyoBob

[bonjing]

forgot to add, since he has a mental disorder and has had scuffles in the past, he may have gotten used to getting OC'd.


just something to keep in mind

[heavyd]

Pepper spray works on most people, but not all. Look into getting a restraining order on the guy. Sure, it's just a piece of paper and it can't stop a determined psycho, but at least the cops can arrest him on the spot for violating it (assuming Georgia law is similar to California). Best wishes to your family members, Albert... that's a bad situation

[bonjing]

Sorry to keep posting, but stuff works slowly in my head.

Like heavyd said, OC is not an end all but may help get the person out of the situation. If anyone has been OC'd majority will tell you they can still fight through it although uncomfortably and possibly not as effective.

[RGD.]

How about a steel whip baton - if they are legal in your state. It does not take a whole lot of arm strength to put a serious hurting on someone.

Example Here


Ron

[Silound]

Originally Posted by heavyd

Pepper spray works on most people, but not all. Look into getting a restraining order on the guy. Sure, it's just a piece of paper and it can't stop a determined psycho, but at least the cops can arrest him on the spot for violating it (assuming Georgia law is similar to California). Best wishes to your family members, Albert... that's a bad situation

Dunno about Georgia law, but Louisiana law gives a lot of leeway to use lethal force if a restraining order is violated intentionally.

For the average person, shooting someone anywhere but center of mass is simply not an option. Despite hours and hours of training, and no matter how good a shot you might be, you simply cannot predict the human reaction to the presence of an immediate threat. I heard of a rookie cop that got into a shootout, blasted over 40 rounds into the side of a car and the house behind it and completely missed the guy sitting in the driver's seat from less than 20 feet. Adrenaline dumps will cause all that training and accuracy to go to complete waste if you've never experienced one before.



The best thing is to simply be smart. Carry your non-lethal goodies, but also observe common safety tips. Don't go out at night if it's unnecessary, always travel in pairs when coming or going (or be on the phone with someone), watch each others' backs when you are out. If he crosses into your property, go back inside immediately and call the police. Avoid him if you see him in public, and check with a lawyer or the city prosecutor/DA to see if there's a legal way to force him to move after repeated violations and a restraining order.

[Old Sailor]

If he gets too close, tell her a pair of visegrips to the jewels will slow him down as long as they are tight.

[shilala]

I got nothin for ya Albert, but if he stays in jail long enough, it's unlikely that he'll have a home to move back to, and he'll likely relocate, being that's what he's done in the past.
Make sure your mil has whatever she needs, but having to carry a weapon in your own yard is no way to live.

[Sailchaser]

self awareness whit ones one space is the best protection and your right there are a lot of nuts out there hope it all works out

[replicant_argent]

I think a short visit with an attorney familiar with Georgias laws regarding Use of Force, Castle Doctrine (if it even applies), and lethal and non-lethal alternatives and consequences may very well be whatever the hour or two might cost you, Albert.


Especially with what your in-laws might face on either side of that unstable equation.

[bigloo]

Depending on his mental illness, I would not take this lightly and would

1) Stay in touch with authorities to make sure you know when he is released.
2) As already mentioned here, pepper sprays may not work well for several reason, one being mental rage.
3) A tazor will always work, no way around this, out bodies are all the same.
4) Check the law, it lethal force is allowed, use it. He may have multiple assaults but you do not want to be the family where he ratchets things up! I hate guns but stuff like this... well there are exceptions to everything and this is one of them.

Batons, whips, sticks, etc... if your folks are not physically able, especially your mom, they are probably not the best solution. I would advise your parents if he is released not to be alone... go everywhere together, garden together, etc.

Good luck man, this is really terrible... a home is supposed to be your safe place.

[rrplasencia]

how about a bean bag round for a shotgun? it'll stop without killing him.

http://www.keepshooting.com/ammuniti...nd-shotgun.htm

or how about a stun baton? 800,000 volts!!
http://www.selfdefenseweapons.com/stun-baton.htm

or you could go old fashioned with some kind of mean dog or gator

bear traps

[replicant_argent]

another note, and not a pleasant one to think about...



If your MiL is close enough for a baton/contact stun gun/etc.... it is far too close. Depending on physical abilities of the aggressor and the victim, within 21 feet is the danger zone, and that is less than you think. Use the police and the justice system for every possible transgression to build a case, even the little stuff, it could help them in the future as being a "reluctant participant" should any violence take place. De-escalation of any possible situation would be the proper action, even if it hampers your families quality of life for a short time, because the alternatives, if this neighbor is mentally unstable, are not acceptable.

[Genetic Defect]

Tranquilizer Gun

[taltos]

The problem with the non lethal options are that they are generally single shot and/or require you to get too close to their intended target. This person is a rabid animal and there is only one solution; deadly force. If your MIL would feel better about it, have her get a 28 ga shotgun and use that instead of the 12 ga. This will stop the target and would be considered to be more survivable. A well trained personal protection dog would be another option. German shepards or Bouviers are the more stable breeds for this purpose.