(meteorobs) Personal protection for late night remote observers.

[Richard Kramer]

At 09:05 PM 11/1/2009, Larry wrote:
>Maces are not that effective when seconds count. Handguns can be 
>carried if all or part of the weapon is in plain sight. If not a 
>Concealed weapons permit is required in most states.

Unfortunately, there is a labyrinth of laws in the US to trip up the 
law abiding. In some states, if you carry a gun which is at all 
visible, even accidently, you could be arrested for assault. In my 
own state of Massachusetts, it is even illegal to carry pepper spray 
(let alone bear spray) without a license! In other enlightened states 
such as Vermont and Alaska, anyone not prohibited because of past 
convictions can carry a gun, openly or concealed, no permit 
necessary. Hopefully, the situation will gradually improve as a 
result of the recent (Heller) Supreme Court decision.

>Handguns are also an attraction..... and can invite an attack to get 
>it from you.

This is just plain silliness. However, there is little point in 
carrying a gun if you aren't sufficiently trained and prepared to use 
it if necessary.

In my area, attacks by rabid raccoon, skunk, and especially fox are 
alarmingly common. Many consider that sufficient reason to carry a 
gun when out and about.

>The Stun Gun might be the correct choice. Up to $50 will purchase a 
>legal concealed "weapon" for personal protection of apprx. 700KV 
>output. This will knock down a large body or animal for a lengthy 
>time period. Lessor voltages will disable on a shorter time period 
>and be less effective on large bodies.

Are there any stun guns which are certified for use on lion or 
grizzly? I'm skeptical that they would be effective against a heavily 
furred animal. Further, if an animal charges, the available reaction 
time you'd have between the time it comes in range of a stun gun and 
the time your skull is between its jaws, would be vanishingly small- 
less than 1/2 second for a 30 mile/hr (50 km/hr) charge and a range 
of 20 feet (6 meters).

The first line of defense is knowledge of the local dangers, proper 
precautions (don't keep sandwiches in your satchel, don't lie on the 
ground at night in lion country, make noise to alert the snakes, 
etc.), and situational alertness. Should those steps fail, as they 
sometimes will (rabid animal for example), a suitable weapon could 
increase the chances of it ending well.