I'm buying a tazer

[sorefeet]

Twice now two right wing crazies have got in my face. The one out at my buddies motorcycle shop was calling Obama the N word and saying the first Lady was a fuckin black bitch that was an embarassment to the country because she didn't know how to dress, so I said "that sounds racist". The next day he said he didn't appreciate what I had said, and I said WELL, what the fuck is it, if it isn't racist. He spewed out some more crap and he left.
This morning at coffee the town right wing teabag know it all said he was tired of paying for deadbeats. He hasn't worked for 25 years that I know of, he weighs 400 pounds,his wife has always had 2 or 3 jobs. Hates Obama and all Lazy Liberals I said you know I haven't seen you work in 25 years where do you work. He got in my face and said where I work is none of your business, what I make is none of your business, in fact nothing I do IS ANY OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS. I said fuck you if I want to listen to a right wing blow hard I'll
turn on Limbaugh or hannity and headed out the door, he said something and I turned and said, you know, two weeks ago I ask you who was your health insurer, you said the place where your wife works and Humana (gov. suplemental???) it's sounds like your the real deadbeat and I walked out.
It's getting pretty crazy out here maybe a tazer is in order for protection.

[darkangel218]

1. make sure is legal to carry a taser in your state

Some states don't allow it

[rfranklin]

2. Maybe pepper spray would be more humane...

just a little in their eyes.

[Mmm_Bacon]

18. I'll take a tazer any day over OC spray...

Couple of seconds of ow vs minutes/hours/possible days of eyeball agony.

Not even close...

[rustydog]

31. Actually, if the operator is not properly tased what should be a 5-second ride

on the most pain you will ever experience, you could have several seconds of agony.
Of course, the pain stops when the charge ends, but it is a MF!

The OC spray burns llike a son of a bitch, but you are good after washing out your eyes in about 30 minutes. With OC,you can't see and you cant breathe well and snot hangs out your nose, but you can fight.
If you get the taser probe separation needed, you will drop lilke a sack of GOP dung and do the funky chicken for at least 5-seconds.

[hlthe2b]

51. Yes.. I have it on my keychain in a nondescript red metal cylinder dispenser.

It looks like a pen light but has a pretty decent range and focal spray. I'd take my chances with it

[flamingdem]

3. These days the worst thing to say is "You must be a republican!"

I almost yelled this at a guy who didn't wait for me to cross the street just now.

[darkangel218]

4. lol!

I bet he would've freaked

[flamingdem]

27. I wish I did it!

Of course he might have been a republican and proud but I live in a very liberal area

[Hoyt]

30. You can spot em by such actions. Of course, the TBag flag gives em away too.

[Panasonic]

5. Illegal to carry tasers in the following states:

STATES WHERE STUN GUNS ARE RESTRICTED:

HAWAII
MASSACHUSETTS
NEW JERSEY
NEW YORK
RHODE ISLAND


CITIES WHERE STUN GUNS ARE RESTRICTED:

ANNAPOLIS, MD
BALTIMORE, MD
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD
CHICAGO, IL
DENSION / CRAWFORD COUNTY, IA (*According to Sheriff Tom Hogan*)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PHILADELPHIA

Hope that info helps...

[sorefeet]

34. Montana here

The same state that the Republicans tried to put spear hunting on the ballot. Lots of Neanderthals here.

[abelenkpe]

6. I dunno

I think you're doing well without one.
I pretty much never engage right wingers. My family back east are all birther/tea baggers. Ten minutes talking to them is all the reminder I need that they grow more insane by the day.
Funny thing is they do all complain about freeloaders too. Whole simultaneously living off SS, unemployment, disability and/or even welfare. In fact the only people I've ever known to collect welfare were republicans.

[Cleita]

7. I'm going to say the same thing about this as I would about any kind of weapons.

Make sure you know some moves so they don't take it away from you and use it on you. If you don't, then it's best not to carry anything like that. It's better to just avoid being around those people. I know sometimes it's not always possible especially in the workplace when you are stuck there, but having obvious weapon type instruments really isn't wise.

[sorefeet]

8. Ain't no way I would backdown from this guy.

He is so fat he has no stamina I'm 170 and a lot quicker and street wise.

[pintobean]

14. If you're so street wise

and think you can take him, why would you need a tazer?

[sorefeet]

24. Because I'm 60 years old

Just because I'm a liberal Democrat don't mean I am going to let someone assault me. Take him? I don't know, but I would like to PROTECT myself. I don't think I said I would taze someone for their opinion.

[loli phabay]

36. bit extreme needing a taser, just better hope that he dosent have a glock or similar

and uses that as you try to pull your taser out.

[scarletwoman]

9. Protection from what? Other people's opinions?

I don't see anything in the scenarios you recounted in your post where you were physically threatened in any way. Why would you feel that you need a taser?

[MrMickeysMom]

10. Yes, do it...

I plan to do the same thing, although, not for the same reasons.... at least YET!

[sorefeet]

11. Well my real good friend said becareful

about a year ago the guy grabbed him by the collar on got nose to nose. My friend is not a fighter but just kept asking him what ya gonna do hit me, finally the guy threw him off and walked out of the door.

[99Forever]

21. Why didn't "your friend"...

.. have him arrested for assault?

I smell male bovine excrement.

Enjoy your stay.

[pintobean]

12. You want to taze people for disagreeing with you?

That's pretty messed up.

[fascisthunter]

13. I'm buying a bazooka

because I fear folks like you... and others fear me, so they buy something deadlier.... cool!

You do realize that tasers are lethal?

[Ellipsis]

64. Really why stop there.... I mean really.

[sorefeet]

15. So is a 400 pound teabagger if he pins me to the floor.

I know exactly what this creep is capable of. Should I just stay away from the coffee shop.

[pintobean]

19. You keep replying to yourself.

If you can't figure this out, how are you going to operate a tazer?

[sorefeet]

25. Well I figured it out now can I have a tazer.

[pintobean]

26. Sure.

I was going to say that I saw a jail cell in your future, but I think it will be an emergency room. Good luck.

[a geek named Bob]

28. Is the coffee that good?

If this guy is so nuts, you are in fear of your life, I'd consider changing my pattern.

Of course, if he's 400 lbs, you can probably induce health problems in him...

By jogging around him...

[aikoaiko]

16. Please remember that laws re: self-defense are pretty much the same whether with gun or taser

I support anyone taking their self-defense seriously and outfitting themselves with available tools.

Any act of self-defense is risky because it can lead to injury or death or get out of hand in any number of ways.

But when faced with a grave threat, sometimes the only real choice is to fight back.

Good luck.

[Fla_Democrat]

17. That is exactly what you should do.

Make sure you select the 'slim' model though. -_-

[-..__...]

20. Think BIG!!

I'd recommend the MX Taser for 400lbs blowhards

(Ignore the disclaimer at the end... it's just a bunch of legal mumbo-jumbo that don't mean nuttin).

[Fla_Democrat]

22. I was actually thinking

more in terms of comfort for after the encounter. You know, something easy to carry, not too intrusive.

[mykpart]

23. Two suggestions:

1. Tell the wingnut, "If I want to hear from an asshole, I'll fart."

2. Simply reach into your pocket and say, "Go ahead. Make my day."

[a geek named Bob]

29. BAD move...

Generally, it's best NOT to bluff. What if senor teabag then panic fires?

I'd call the cops.

[loli phabay]

37. hand in pocket implies going for a weapon, what if the other guy just pulls a real one out and shoot

if i was on the jury id pretty much think it was justifiable.

[mykpart]

69. You make a salient point.

And I know you're a Democrat because you know what "salient" means.

[Nye Bevan]

32. "I tazed him for calling Obama the n-word!"

While people who call Obama the n-word are obnoxious, I'm not sure that this is legal grounds for tazing them. You should consult with an attorney before going around town using your tazer.

[a geek named Bob]

35. okay

"Your honor, my assailant kept coming up to me, yelling racial threats, and threatening myself and my family. In order to avoid trouble, I changed my daily routine to avoid my assailant. He kept seeking me out, so, fearing for my life, I bought a taser."

[Hoyt]

33. Seem to be handling it well. Don't get taser, some yahoo right winger with a gun will shoot

you and claim stand your ground, self-defense BS.

But, I know how you feel dealing with these folks. I'm surrounded by them.

[spin]

40. A TASER is a weapon. ...

and their use has resulted in deaths.

16 December 2008
USA: Safety of Tasers questioned as death toll hits 334-mark

Industry claims that Taser stun guns are safe and non-lethal do not stand up to scrutiny, said Amnesty International today as it called on governments to limit their deployment to life-threatening situations or to suspend their use.

The call came as the organization released one of the most detailed reports to date on the safety of the stun gun. The report “USA: Less than lethal?” is being published as the number of people who died after being struck by Tasers in the USA reached 334 between 2001 and August 2008.

“Tasers are not the ‘non-lethal’ weapons they are portrayed to be,” said Angela Wright, US researcher at Amnesty International and author of the report. “They can kill and should only be used as a last resort.”

***snip***

Amnesty International’s study -- which includes information from 98 autopsies -- found that 90 per cent of those who died after being struck with a Taser were unarmed and many did not appear to present a serious threat.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/usa-safety-tasers-questioned-death-toll-hits-334-mark-20081216

It is unwise and illegal to threaten another person with a weapon unless you have good reason to do so. In many states the person you threatened might well be able to use a 'stand your ground' defense. Much would depend on the events that led up to the confrontation.

[Hoyt]

48. I know, and the gun culture carry even more lethal weapons routinely in public. So?

Now you have another rationale to pack a gun in public parks, restaurants, churches, bars, Chuck E Cheeze, colleges, etc.

I think most people, if it came to it, would rather be "shot" by a Taser than what most permitted gun carriers strap to their bodies before venturing out.

[spin]

50. My point is that you never pull a weapon unless you have a damn good reason to do so. ...

My Google-fu failed to turn up any cases where a civilian brandished a TASER and was arrested. Nor was I able to find a case where a civilian used a TASER against a person who was merely arguing with them.

I did find this:

How to Avoid Conviction of Improper Use of Firearms
Date: May 6, 2011 8:34 AM

***snip***

Improper exhibition of a firearm
According to Florida law, improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon or firearm is also called “brandishing a weapon.” It is a first-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by 12 months in the county jail and a $1,000 fine.

The charge of improper exhibition of a firearm or other weapon requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant carried a weapon, exhibited the weapon in a threatening or careless manner, and did so in the presence of at least one other person.

The first-degree misdemeanor charge of improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon can apply to much more than just firearms. The term “weapon” can include a sword, firearm, or an electric device, in this case, a Taser. If you have been accused of improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon, you can only be declared not guilty of the crime if your criminal defense lawyer can prove you used the weapon in self-defense....emphasis added
http://www.andrewdstine.com/blog-78/337-how-to-avoid-conviction-of-improper-use-of-firearms.aspx

I am not an attorney nor do I play one on DU. However I can express my opinion.

Let's assume that a person brandishes a TASER at a person who is legally carrying a handgun who then pulls his weapon and shoots the person holding the TASER.

Much would depend on how the situation developed. If the person with a concealed handgun was belligerent, argumentative and aggressive and was felt by law enforcement to have provoked the incident, he could well be prosecuted and quite possibly end up in jail. On the other hand if the person with the permit to carry did nothing to provoke the incident or attempted to break off the confrontation, he might not be charged.

I legally can carry a concealed handgun in parks, restaurants and churches as I have a concealed weapons permit and live in Florida. I have never been to a Chuck E Cheeze and I doubt that I ever will. I can not legally carry a handgun in a college or school so I don't.

I don't need another rationale to carry my handgun. I don't ever expect that I will have to use it for legitimate self defense and I pray that I will never find myself in a situation where a handgun is necessary to save my health or life. However violent crime does happen in our nation and I lack a crystal ball and the ability to use one that would reassure me that I will never have to defend myself.

We have discussed this issue numerous times and you obviously are not willing to change your views nor am I.

[Hoyt]

52. I agree. Of course, I believe you never carry a weapon in public unless you have a damn good reason.

And there aren't many good reasons.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

54. Is that the rule in Canada? Are you still a Canadian?

[Hoyt]

55. Snooping again I see. Nope, I live in a very red state, with lots of right wing gun lovers.

We don't get along for many reasons -- guns, bigotry, flat eartherism, etc.

Do you have something against Canadians and their excellent health system, reasonable gun laws, and the like?

[AnotherMcIntosh]

60. Actually, I like Canadians. There is no reason to not do so. But you have said in the past that you

were a Canadian and lived in Canada. You've even said positive things about Canada. Why the change of heart?

[Hoyt]

62. I have never said I was Canadian. You're confusing me with another anti-gun-toter who is Canadian.

However, I would be proud to be a Canadian with their reasonable gun laws, health system, approach to military defense, etc.

I'd like to see us change in those respects. Any of that interest you, or are you just attacking foreign residents or those opposed to gun proliferation in our country?

[AnotherMcIntosh]

65. Which anti-gun-toter is that?

[spin]

56. Does a woman who is alone in a parking garage have to have a damn good reason to carry a firearm ...

for defense from a rapist who is looking for a victim? Chances are she will never be attacked but it is still a faint possibility. She might walk through this parking garage for years without a problem but one night she might face a dangerous attacker. It is totally impossible to predict if and when this might happen.

I don't expect to ever be attacked but I am an elderly man with a very noticeable limp because I am a candidate for a hip replacement and also suffer from degenerative disc disease. I could be viewed by a predator as an easy victim.

Under the "may issue" laws which once were popular in our nation, a citizen often had to have a good reason to carry a firearm. This often led to racial discrimination and usually only the rich and privileged were allowed to carry a weapon for self defense while the average citizen who lived in a bad neighborhood was denied. Under this system a person who was a member of a minority had little chance of getting approved. This is basically the same system that currently exists in New York City. The rich and the famous often qualify but those who live in a slum area find it extremely difficult to get permission to own a firearm and far much harder to get permission to carry one.

I don't recommend that everybody should run out and and get a carry permit as firearms are not for everybody and carrying one should be an individual decision that involves a lot of thought. However if an honest citizen chooses to take the time and effort to meet the requirements, I see no problem.

My daughter once attracted the attentions of a stalker through no fault of her own. She filed a restraining order which this individual totally ignored. Every time she left the house she encountered him and he drove by our house several times each day. He also had a criminal record and was known to abuse alcohol.

Fortunately she had a carry permit. If she hadn't it would have taken three months or more to get one. She never had to use it to deter her stalker and he eventually was arrested and spent several weekends in jail. He learned a lesson and never bothered my daughter after that.

My daughter was able to go about her life during the period of time that the stalker was harassing her. She had mo real fear of this man as she had the ability to defend herself if truly necessary. He was merely a pain in the ass.

This same individual also stalked one of my daughter's close friends and she was absolutely terrorized. Unlike my daughter this woman lacked the ability to defend herself. My daughter's friend also was afraid to get a restraining order as she felt it might cause the stalker to become violent.

[cali]

38. OK, A) I didn't need the goddamn detail.

You could have just said that his guy was casting nasty racist insults at the President and the First Lady. So right off I wonder about YOUR motives for penning this?

B) How about just steering clear of this asshole?

[Zalatix]

44. Because they're multiplying like kochroaches?

[cali]

45. bullshit. and you're not the op

this sounds like a situation that can be avoided.

[Zalatix]

46. Not bullshit. It's a situation that can be avoided for a while.

Eventually you have to deal with these hostile jerks or they'll come deal with you.

Feel free to live in denial.

[sorefeet]

39. So the one that has vowed to kill the president if reelected

I'm supposed to ignore or the one that said at the power plant your fuckin n****r is goin down was supposed to ignore that one too. All I'm trying to tell you is these folks are dangerous. The 400 pounder is a bully religous zealot waiting for armagedon. With the elections they are like frenzied animals I think I choose to protect myself. 30 years in this town and I have to worry about the town blowhard. What did he mean when he said America will have a civil war not a revolution. Red against Blue?

[Fla_Democrat]

41. File a report

http://www.secretservice.gov/



Pssst, they already have their own tazers.

[former-republican]

42. The best weapon is your mind

[Robb]

43. Er. Ah.

Not always.

With which comment I retreat from the thread. (bows)

[RetroGamer1971]

47. In AZ, I feel your pain!

I just got crap from a Soccer Mom who did not appreciate my REPUBLICANS FOR VOLDEMORT bumper sticker. Some people have no sense of humor. :}

[TeamPooka]

49. no one giot violent with you so u don't need a taser just keep zapping them with truth

[2on2u]

53. If tazers are outlawed, only outlaws will have tazers. n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

57. Cool

story bro!

[former9thward]

58. Get a taser if you wish but nothing in the OP would give you the right to use one.

We are getting one side of the story (yours) and nothing you have reported would entitle you legally to use a taser or any other weapon.

[sorefeet]

67. It's for protection

No one would see it because it would be in my pocket. I want a hand held and if he got that close then I would drop him, no warning. I have no intentions of starting a fight, it is if he attacked me physically. Then I have grounds for self defense. It would not be brandished like a pistol. I do own a pistol but I don't care to kill anyone. I know tazers kill too but the pistol is much more likely.
There used to be 5 punks in a gang that would beat the shit out of some poor sucker leaving the bar, is it ok to use it on them. I live in hicksville Montana and the drunken bigots are still everywhere. An O bama bumper sticker in the parking lot is risky for your car.

[byeya]

59. A good reliable taser costs $400 or more and should have the ability to fire the two electrodes plus

be able to stun if the end of the barrell is put against the person and the trigger pulled.
You do not have to hit bare flesh for it to work.
You should be no closer than six to eight feet to allow the electrodes to space themslelves properly and still make contact with the target.
There should be no problem having a taser at home or your place of business but to carry one state laws often mandate it be visible.

I think it's worth getting instruction on the use and maintenance of the taser.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

61. Using a Taser has the same legal onus as employing deadly force...

In almost every jurisdiction, if you use a taser, you have exerted deadly force... keep that in mind. For such an act to be legal you must be in reasonable fear of your life or in reasonable risk of grievous bodily injury. More or less, in the eyes of the law, taser = gun.

Think about it this way: "If it's (legally) OK to shoot somebody in a situation, then you may use a taser".

Also, make sure you are allowed to carry a taser in your city/state.

[cherokeeprogressive]

63. I don't see anything in your post that merits your having a taser.

It's a cool story though bro.

[rug]

66. Mayberry's gone to shit since Floyd died.

[Alduin]

68. What do you need a taser for?

To zap people who have opinions different from your own?