Californians, what do you carry instead of a firearm?

You can't really play that game here in CA. To be honest, and again, weird to say this, but if you use the firearm, it has to be ABSOLUTELY your last resort, and you are shooting to eliminate, not deter. You will probably get sued and/or put into more trouble if they can prove you didn't intend to eliminte the threat with your firearm, but rather "toyed around with" the threat. In the training I took, I also learned that the idea is to kill the person, not wound. Any talk about "oh Ill shoot him in the leg!" is utter nonsense, and will get you into much more trouble in the long run.

I know it sounds shitty, but from my knowledge, thats how it goes here in CA. If you have to use it, you are using it like it was meant to be used and that threat should be as eliminated as eliminated can be. Also, again, because of where you live (East Bay), even if you did somehow get a permit to carry, I can't even imagine the lawyers and/or officials who would go after everything you have as soon as they heard about what happened. No matter how much you may have been justified in your actions.

 

I just picked up a sticky holster. This pulse is light, and the sticky holster tucked in the waistband in the small of the back does the trick and is comfortable. And it fits right nice between the seat adjustment bar and the bottom of the seat of the tacoma, closest to the center well. Out of sight and easily accessible. Spare cartridge resides in the little cubby by the drivers side door.






I still carry the spray as a backup. I've got a buddy who is an LEO in a bad neighborhood in a big city, and has deployed tasers and sprays mulitple times. His recommendation to carry a backup to the taser as they're not failsafe and won't drop everyone.

I do like the taser for dogs as well. We've got a ton of them around here. Haven't seen a dog yet that will take a taser hit and keep coming. But they will come through pepper spray sometimes.

The pulse also doubles as a contact taser should the probes fail to penetrate or have effect. I figure if the taser doesn't work, a good jolt to the throat, head, or eye socket of someone I'm tussling with should dissuade all but the most determined attacker. The point obviously is to avoid any hands on interaction. But if all else fails, I'm gonna be trying to correct someone's vision...

One thing nice about the pulse too, is the idea is to deploy it, disable the attacker, and run, leaving the pulse behind which will continue to give shocks for 20-30 seconds. At first I thought "hell with that, I'm not leaving $400 on the ground", but Taser will replace your pulse free of charge if you deploy it and provide them with a police report.

In that instance (deploy, drop him, and run), also nice to have the pepper spray as another tool since you're leaving your primary one behind.

 

That’s a great policy Taser has. I’m pretty sure I’m going to this route regardless of what I figure out with a hand gun.

I have you personally shot the taser yet? Is the 15’ range accurate?

 

I haven't seen any less than lethals for sale in my area, and not sure on the legality for people that aren't LEOs. I wonder what a judge would say though... Less than lethal, but you're still pulling a gun out. Not sure. Personally if I'm pulling a gun out, I need to be prepared for the bad guy to shoot back with lead, not rubber or whatever. I'm not pulling a gun with non lethal bullets on a guy who's got nothing to lose. Remember, if you pull a gun, it has to be only in a scenario where you were afraid for your life. That's where the pepper spray comes in. If you don't need to kill him, spray him.

 

A firearm will not resolve lack of situational awareness. Don’t get yourself into the situation to begin with. That should be the mentality with or without a gun.

 

Lots of folks outside of Los Angels and San Francisco carry legally.

 

Thanks for sharing, this seems like a pretty effective self defense tool for certain situations.

 

Unfortunately that's not always the end all, be all. As much as I hope anyone talking about getting a firearm for protection is already practicing being aware and navigating tricky situations, there is always that possibility that you will be faced with something out of your control.

 

Excellent point

 

Right, that’s the main point. Also if there are multiple assailants etc. And everyone can get distracted as you can’t 100% of the time devote 100% of your attention to surveilling your surroundings.

 

It is. But if it were that simple there’d be zero crime.

 

One point I have not seen made thus far that I emphasize with everyone who is not an operator or a LEO, have a plan.

It doesn't need to be complicated.
Something as simple as two words that normally do not fit together.

Things like ice cream, rare steak don't generally work.

Once the two words are spoken, who should do what, go where.

Please don't tell me you are going to stand and fight.

Some good samaritan with a gun might not understand you are the good guy.


No plan.
The wheels fall off quickly.


Plan
Practice
Be ready........

And if you shoot, shoot to stop the threat.

 

It's funny you say this and why im re-considering a CCW. At least in my HOME, I can claim self-defense (which still may not matter during a break in), but out and about I feel CA law makers would nail you to the wall.

I say this after being immediately arrested after false accusations of domestic violence from an ex girlfriend I broke up with who, to get even, make bogus claims. Luckily the case never made it to court and was dropped (she had no evidence) because her story was full of holes and mine remained the same throughout, but it was 7 months of hell dealing with a public defending and missing so many hours from work.

CA is a piece of work...

 

I understand your position, but for me it is simple.
Judged by 12
Carried by 6.


I simply chose not to be a willing victim.

Having said that I use the rules of stupid.

I never go
Stupid places
With
Stupid people
At
Stupid times
To do
Stupid things...

 

If you live in an area where CCW permits are given out, it's really something else (in a good way) to have the ability to carry. Just because you have one, that doesn't mean you have to carry all day, every day either. I struggled with the same kind of thoughts as you are having, and even after I got my permit, every day I carried, I had the idea in my head of; "I hope to god I don't ever have to pull this thing out...." but actually, within a couple of months after getting a permit, I had two instances happen within a few weeks of each other that made me glad I had more of an option than just my fists or some mace to defend mysef.

Its one of those "it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it" type of deals. It's not for everyone, it takes constant practice/training, additional levels of self-awareness, and you are taking on an incredible responsiblity, but again, it could save your life (and others around you). It's not for everyone, but it's a great self-defense tool if given the option to carry by your Sheriff.

 

The best way to survive a shooting is not to get into one in the first place.

CA CCWs are issued by county, a lot easier in some than others. In LA County there are about 17 million people and less than 1,000 permits, yeah, you aren't getting one. An issued permit is good for the whole State. This State does not recognize permits issued from other States.

If you are in a situation where a reasonable person (this means somebody else decides "reasonable", not you) would be in fear of death or great bodily injury to yourself or others (harder to defend people who aren't family or you don't know) you can use deadly force to end the threat.

If you shoot, aim for center mass. More likely to hit, more likely to end the threat. Don't aim for extremities. More likely to miss and in CA firing a gun is use of deadly force. "Warning Shots" can, and usually will, be considered misses. "Shooting to Wound" can be used to show you weren't really in fear of death or great bodily harm and shouldn't have used deadly force in response. Once the threat has ended so has your use of deadly force.

When the police, or anybody other than your lawyer, questions you keep your answers to a minimum. Anything you say WILL be used against you, don't bother with the "can" part. Look up phrases to say and not say. Could be minimal, "I'm Joe Victim, I was in fear of my life, I wish to speak with my lawyer". Some people suggest saying a little more with good reasons. Read up a lot, pick what's best for you and your situation.

Remember, your actions are to end the threat not to kill. In CA a home invasion can be a reason to use deadly force but if you state "It was a home invasion so I killed them all." That's NOT helping your case.

For California, and general info, www.calguns.com is an excellent source of info. Better than CA DOJ and better than your neighbor who is a cop. You can spend a lot of time there trying to find out specific information but it's probably there. It is like TacomaWorld though. You ask about wheels, several responses about tires, and somebody says you are using the wrong oil and has headlight suggestions. Can be lots of weeding to do and figuring out who knows what they are talking about and who is a Fart Smeller.

Finally, get training and practice, keep reading as things change, get involved.

 

No, not at all.

There will always be criminals looking for opportunity. Don’t give the opportunity.

And when that fails, then you fight. Problem with this thread is a bunch of wanna be badass’ are going to tell you what they THINK they would do when most would fold.

If you’re going to consider defense, you need to plan, train, and execute to do so.

 

And luckily you must live in a ccw friendly county with a sheriff who’s not afraid of people to be self sufficient. Not so easy here in Orange County but I hear it’s a little easier these days. Pretty soon here we will not be able to buy ammo so carrying with an empty mag will be pointless.

 

Make yourself an unattractive target: weight lifting, confidence, awareness.

 

Aim for center mass, it’s the largest surface area. A torso is much bigger then a leg. You will almost for sure miss your target if you aren’t trained. Minus the the heart you have a pretty good chance of survival with a shot to the torso if emergency personal can be there in a reasonable time.