Idiocracy..

Every human being has the natural right to self-defense. Since the dawn of time, there have been those who would pray upon others weaker than themselves. This continues today and it will continue until we can locate the gene that prompts this behavior and take measures to abort or drown those who have this gene at birth. I’m sorry, but this is just a simple truth. There always was and there always will be a “bad guy” who preys upon those weaker then themselves.

Another inconvenient fact is that he police cannot protect us. If they could always protect us, why do we need 911? They would be exactly where they were needed, exactly when they are needed. But sadly without enacting a complete police state, the police cannot be there to protect us from the “bad guy”.

A third inconvenient fact is that guns exist. They have for several hundred years. They will continue to exist. A firearm is just a technology, and once a technology is discovered, it is near impossible to un-discover. Like it or not, the firearm will be around long after our lifetimes.

Some folks don’t like guns. I understand this. They are portrayed poorly in the media, and glorified in the movies. They are designed to be a weapon. It is the individual that chooses how that weapon will be used. The “bad guy” will choose to use it to prey upon the weak. The weak will choose to use it to defend against the “bad guy”. The police choose to use it against the “bad guy”. And there are those who choose not to use them at all. I respect all of those choices, with the exception of the “bad guy’s” choice.

Here is where I find idiocy. Speaking of technology, our scientists and engineers have discovered ways of incapacitating an individual in a far less-lethal manner. There are several devices and products that can stop a “bad-guy”, without causing permanent harm to the “bad-guy”. Sure these devices can be used for evil as well as good, but in a less-lethal manner. But there is a problem… A lot of states make them illegal or downright ineffective for use.

I’m not here to debate the effectiveness of these products, just their availability for public use. Yes there are pros and cons in using these devices. I will not argue that point. But let’s look at it from a strictly self-defense perspective.

Tazers… They are a decent device, and can temporarily incapacitate just about anyone. However, your choices are very limited as to what you can use. If you face a “bad-guy” with a knife for instance, you would not want to use the type that requires you to personally come in contact with the “bad-guy”, I would think that you would want to use the one that shoots the prongs out. But, there are several states that restrict your ability to purchase that type of Tazer. Other states outright ban the possession of any type of Tazer outside the home, and yet more states ban them all together. Funny thing is, that some of the states that ban Tazers, allow firearms. My favorite though is the “may-issue” states that require you to get a permit and be fingerprinted to be “allowed” to carry one. Score 1 for the “bad-guy”…

Ok, so the Tazer is not the only kid on the block, we have other devices that we could use. Let’s say you’re a bit younger and are physically in good shape. How about a little baton that either folds or collapses into a small 7 inch tube. Basically it is a stick you could use to hit the “bad-guy” with… Nope again. There are many states that forbid their possession in public and others that outright ban them. Ok, so score another one for the “bad-guy”.

Pepper Spray or Mace is another option. This is also a good one for not having to come into direct contact with the “bad-guy”. But again, much like pepper spray… The stupid! It burns. There are many states that restrict the quantity and type that you can carry. Other states regulate how “spicy” it is. My favorite is one state allows you to carry it, but it cannot be of the type that has the dye in it. So let me get this straight… My wife can spray the ass hole who tries to attack her with a product; that will seriously fuck up his eyes and sinuses, but she can’t stain his shirt?! My favorite is D.C. requires you to register the possession of pepper spray with the police… Score one more for the “bad-guy”.

We talk about the proliferation of firearms being detrimental to society, yet society seems to leave very few to no options at times. Looking at it from the outside, one could almost conclude that society does not want or trust the weak to be able to defend themselves from the strong. Yet that same society fails to protect them.

EDIT: P.S. Thank you to whomever for my hearts... I appreciate it.

I have a right to defend myself. I'm not asking for it. It doesn't matter whether it's been acknowledged. I don't care where or whether it's written down. It doesn't matter how willing another person is to turn the other cheek--their cheek, their decision--not binding on me. Some people lay down and show their bellies when threatened, others don't. If my right to defend myself and those I love isn't covered in the 2nd Amendment, then I claim it under the 9th Amendment. If a court interprets those amendments otherwise, my right remains.

The debate is political, not practical. All the law can determine is whether I possess the ability to defend myself legally or illegally, but I will possess that ability.

It can be debated, but not negotiated.

A) Taser
B) Pepper spray
C) Baton or ASP or other impact weapon
D) Gun

I daresay that D will be the overwhelming option.

Tasers and pepper spray are wrenches and screwdrivers. Guns are hammers. Different tools for different problems.

I'm quite certain that if the issue of firearms in citizens hands were decided today, the same folks who disallow tazers, batons, and pepper spray would disallow weapons, also.

Really. Seriously. I will vacillate for absolutely as long as possible, searching for any and every option to avoid hurting anyone for any reason. Hurting people is wrong, I don't care why. But if the situation gets that bad and I come that close to losing my life or getting seriously hurt by another, I don't plan to deal in half measures. My response will be at least .45 inches in diameter. And I will regret it for the rest of my life.

I don't have any use for any of those less lethal measures because it seems to me that if any of those would work in a situation, you probably could have avoided it anyway. And if you really need it, what you really need is a gun.

But that's just me.