Posted by Threegun: OC pepper is great but it does have a down side and most of us don't carry it. I don't carry it because I'm not compelled (like law enforcement) to arrest/intervene/stop violent criminals. If a violent criminal attacks me my gun will be used.
Just a comment (not a flame).
I'm not
compelled to intervene with VCA's either. But I carry OC all the time - especially when I carry a handgun (Which is 98% of the time. The 2% is when I'm in a NPE).
I believe OC is a great "in-between" response. Yeah, it only works 90-95% of the time, but those are pretty good odds.
Yeah, you can get blowback. But I carry Fox with a "stream" nozzle. Blowback is pretty unlikely.
Now for the "Why I carry OC". I do not plan to get into a fistfight with a VCA for two reasons: (1) I'm pretty old with limited mobility and
More Importantly (2) I don't want to get into an exchange of bodily fluids with some gang-banger.
If I hit this dude (or he hits me) and the "hitter's" skinned knuckle encounters a open cut on the "hittee," there is a real good chance that blood borne pathogens will be exchanged. Think HIV, hepatitis, etc. Who in their right mind wants to risk this type of infection without first trying OC ??
Here in my state (Louisiana), and in most states, I'll be on thin ice trying to explain why I shot an unarmed dude who wanted to fight me. For me Plan "A" is de-escalate and/or leave. Plan "B" is OC. Plan "C" (depending on circumstances) is a Glock 19. If there are states that allow citizens to legally use deadly force against any "violent criminal," I can only wish that my legislature would pass a similar law here.
For most folks, I respectfully suggest that a two ounce can of OC may be a reasonable tool for intervention. The Fox "stream" nozzle gives a range of 15 to 20 feet. Try it. practice with it. Consider carrying it.