[Dorryn]

Ok, so I was at work this morning, when an informercial caught my attention. Perhaps some of you have seen this... the amazing Cobra Stun Light (http://www.cobrastunlight.com/)... It made me want to laugh, and at the same time, the commercial was so flashy I cant help but believe that people out there actually believe this garbage. If you havent already surfed the above link, the Cobra Stun Light is an LED flashlight, that also projects a "Psychological Deterring" [sic] red laser light, and if the appropriate button is pushed, it shoots a stream of pepper spray that
"immobilizes an attacker for up to 30 minutes, until the police arrive!"

One of the testimonials was some guy who stated that he didnt want a gun because,
"... what if i shoot a family member?" "Not everyone wants a gun in the house!"

I also note that it is "approved by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department", and according to the infomercial I watched, also recommended, supposedly, by other LEOs. Some people believe that an attacker might be deterred by a laser beam... but frankly, unless said laser is attached to a weapon, im not really sure what sort of intimidation factor they expect to achieve. It also presumes that the assailant is even looking down at himself to notice the tiny light. And youre not a sniper... thats a flashlight with a 20-ft range of liquid, that
Defends Against Numerous Attackers with 5 to 6 One-second Bursts

And this is a safe non-lethal device preferable to guns because it protects the poor oppressed rapist's valuable life.

[Lashlarue]

I have something similar, a red laser light hits the assailant then you pull the trigger and a 9mm projectile puts a hole in said assailant, if necessary nine more projectiles may be released in the same manner.Works real good, too!

[torpid]

Upon activation, the Cobra Stun Light emits a blinding pulse of hyper-intense blue light and releases a stream of baby cobras precisely to the point of the laser dot.

[thexrayboy]

PT Barnum had it right.... a sucker is born every minute.

[strat81]

Pepper spray is legal in LA?

[Dorryn]

Well, if it wasnt, would be pretty funny for the LAPD to recommend it!

[SaMx]

Upon activation, the Cobra Stun Light emits a blinding pulse of hyper-intense blue light and releases a stream of baby cobras precisely to the point of the laser dot.
that actually made me squirt my drink out my nose. good thing it was only water.

[DoubleTapDrew]

It was only a matter of time before mall ninjas started attaching gizmos to their flashlights as well!

I like this:
Will CobraStreamtm OC stop assailiants?
YES. Although immediate, some persons many be more sensitive than others. Size, weight and certain drugs influence the severity of response and duration. ( Other chemical agents, such as CS and CN, have been shown to cause skin damage in some individuals.)

All this time and money we've blown on firearms and training looking for the best immediate stopper and all this time we needed only purchase some OC! I feel like such a fool! :neener:

[Titan6]

I am not so sure this is a good idea. If they are marketing this thing to people who are in danger of shooting their family there could be some serious liability issues there.

In any case I will start carrying them the day the LAPD puts their guns on the shelves and they start carrying them... maybe.

[PILMAN]

Looks like it is marketed mainly towards woman. Seems pretty stupid in my opinion.

[Run&Shoot]

I bet the LAPD endorsement was in terms of what they recommend for mere citizens, not for their own use. "Since we won't let you carry a handgun, then this gizmo is as good as any other to help you feel safe."

[Valkman]

The LAPD message should be: Since we have no hope of protecting you, we recommend the Cobra light/laser/spray thing in one hand and a .45 in the other. Carefully light up the bad guy, point the laser and then shoot them right where the laser hits. Make it a game! Point-Blam! Point-Blam! :D

[lamazza]

Seems pretty stupid in my opinion.
+1 If the BG didn't want to kill you before he does now :)

[Pax Jordana]

well at least it's easier to pack than OC and a flashlight.. wait..

OK, at least it has a laser pointer in it.. y'know, for causing retinal damage.. wait..


OK, at least it's a foot long and 1.6lb, you could use it to crack some skulls without worrying over busting up your spare bulb in the tailcap (yeah, I'm that guy)


The Circle of Protection is a strong selling point. My sister-in-law does that with herbs and chanting and I think a dagger. Bro and I bought her some OC, we're still trying to sell her on the gun bit (she'll use his in the home, just won't carry her own on the street)

[ABTOMAT]

I think that thing is incredibly stupid, but defensive spray flashlights aren't anything new. I have one from the late '70s with a long-emptied can of "Curb" tear gas in it. Made for LEO use.

[usmccpl]

My SD light is more effective. At 20 ft the with the light on his chest and belly 27 pellets hits him in the chest.

[PILMAN]

Maybe if you point the laser at their eye long enough, it'll burn out their retina. +1

[Seancass]

so i shine the light to see them, point with the laser, pepper spray them and then i have enough time to aim a steady shot. is that the idea?

[tuckerdog1]

"The one tool you'll want in your hand when things go bad."

I prefer:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=58642&stc=1&d=1180649901

Wish I could give credit where it's due, but I don't know who put this poster together. But it fits.

Tuckerdog1

[Don Gwinn]

If it fired cobras, I'd have bought one long ago. It turns out there's not a single cobra in there anywhere.

Whadya wanna bet the LAPD has no idea they endorse this thing? I'm guessing they recommend OC and flashlights, and the Cobra Stun Light people figured that's close enough.

[.cheese.]

there was another one I saw recently on TV that didn't have OC... it was just a laser based light system that supposedly immobilized people and I was then stuck in an internal debate:

"There's no way that could work....... but then again if it didn't work wouldn't there be some massive lawsuit the first time somebody gets killed flashing a stupid light in the eyes of an armed robber who promptly just says... '***?' and shoots the guy?...... or are they just counting on a disclaimer in the box releasing them of all liability?........ or does it actually work???? Surely if it worked a breakthrough like that would have been on national news as the military's smallest unit to accomplish that is massive!.... or is it??"

got my head going for a little while until I dozed off (it was a 3AM infomercial)