Chicago PD to offer free pepper spray...

[balletto]

...to residents, after a run of assaults on women in the Lakeview neighborhood:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...tsaug01,1,4613023.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout

Police are encouraging area residents to take precautions in the wake of the attacks, such as taking cabs instead of walking late at night.

Neighborhood associations are also calling for increased vigilance in the wake of the attacks. Tunney and Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) are holding two safety seminars for area residents 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Oz Park, near Lincoln Park High School at 2001 N. Orchard St., and the following Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Sheil Park, 3505 N. Southport Ave.

Police will give residents tips on protecting themselves, and free pepper spray will be offered.

I can't really believe that the Chicago PD will be handing out weapons to the citizenry.

 

[fletcher]

I'm surprised they're even doing that. Even though they're horribly anti-gun, I respect this action.

 

[Deanimator]

I believe that at one time, pretty much anything you could use to defend yourself was illegal in Chicago.

It's not impossible that if somebody actually USES the pepper spray, they'll be prosecuted by the same city which handed it out...

 

[atk]

Is it actually legal for the citizens who receive the pepper spray to posses it? In MA, a few years back, some police and fire departments were handing out pepper spray, but it was (and still is) illegal for the recipients to have it without a license (FID).

 

[hcddog]

Who knows, maybe this is the first step of Chicago realizing that forcing citizens to disarm themselves does not help crime go down.

Hey, I can dream, right?

 

[Bix]

Is it actually legal for the citizens who receive the pepper spray to posses it?

I don't read anything in the municipal code that bans possession of pepper spray, although its discharge appears to be prohibited under certain circumstances per section 8-24-045.

 

[Blackbeard]

Police will give residents tips on protecting themselves, and free pepper spray will be offered.

I can't really believe that the Chicago PD will be handing out weapons to the citizenry.

Stock up now for the pepper-spray buyback programs.

 

[irishscott]

chicago is a sest pool.now it's a sest pool with some hot sauce thrown in.

 

[Kacerdias]

I'll be an optimist and concider this good news. Now, if they'd only start handing out Makarovs instead of condiments...

 

[ABTOMAT]

MA is in the minority when it comes to requiring permits for pepper spray. You also don't need a full FID any more, they have a seprate one for spray now.

 

[atk]

MA is in the minority when it comes to requiring permits for pepper spray. You also don't need a full FID any more, they have a seprate one for spray now.

Abtomat,

Can you provide a reference? I hadn't heard about that, and I just checked the MA Dept of Public Safety's website, and it reads:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopster...erminalcontent&f=chsb_frb_poss_res&csid=Eeops
Resident Firearms Identification (FID) Cards

To lawfully possess a rifle, shotgun, ammunition, or chemical propellant spray, you must possess a valid FID card. To read requirements and restrictions, see M.G.L. c. 140, §129B. You may get an application at your local police department print an application (18 KB). Contact your local police department for additional information.

 

[Kacerdias]

This is from memory, but in MA you need an FID to own and a seperate permit to carry. There is a "spray only" carry permit available. I believe the fee is $20 and you must register at your local PD. I've heard it itsn't that difficult to get, not like the begging and pleading for a handgun permit.

 

[budney]

That's a step in the right direction--but everyone should be required to watch the video of the guy in the bar who takes a pint of OC in the face, dumps his beer on his head and keeps fighting, takes another pint or so, splashes water on his face and keeps fighting...

--Len.

 

[atk]

This is from memory, but in MA you need an FID to own and a seperate permit to carry. There is a "spray only" carry permit available. I believe the fee is $20 and you must register at your local PD. I've heard it itsn't that difficult to get, not like the begging and pleading for a handgun permit.

MA has a tiered licensing system. From least to most restrictive, as I learned it when I became an instructor, is listed below. I'm interested in a citation from Abtomat, since his comment conflicts with what I learned (several years ago) and I have not heard anything new.

Unrestricted Class A License to Carry
You can carry a loaded handgun on a public way. You can posses "high capacity" (can have more than 10 rounds) handguns, "high capacity" long guns (IIRC, 10 rounds, again, but it might be 5), and high capacity shotguns (IIRC 5 rounds, this time). You can posses and chemical sprays and seasonings.

Restricted Class A License To Carry
Same as an unrestricted, but with whatever restrictions your local licensing authority has decided to assign. Restrictions are arbitrary, and can theoretically range from "only while at home" to "only when the moon is in the third phase, between the hours of 0100 and 0115, on the third Thursday of a month, whose first day was on a Monday." (Note: I've never seen, nor even heard of such a silly restriction. It's here for illustration and humor purposes)


Unrestricted Class B License To Carry
You cannot carry a loaded firearm on a public way. I'm unclear on whether you can carry an unloaded firearm on a public way. You can posses "non-high-capacity" handguns. IIRC you can posses high capacity rifles and high capacity shotguns. You can posses and carry chemical sprays and seasonings.

Restricted Class B LTC
Same as an unrestricted Class B, with whatever restrictions that your local licensing authority can imagine.

Firearms ID
I've never been 100% clear on what's allowed for firearms,here. I think it's posses non-high-capacity anything, but no carry. It does allow carry of chemical sprays and seasonings.

 

[ABTOMAT]

A few years ago they introduced a restricted FID for spray only. Always figured it was for women who didn't want to think of themselves as gun people. Ah, here's a paragraph from mass.gov:

M.G.L. Chapter 140 ' 131P

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary
M.G.L. c. 140, § 131P requires that every persons applying for a license to carry firearms, or firearms identification card attend a Basic Firearms Safety Course, or in the alternative to have received a certificate issued by the division of fisheries and wildlife pursuant to the provisions of section 14 of chapter 131, evidencing satisfactory completion of a hunting safety course.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Following Persons Are Exempted for the Provisions M.G.L. c. 140, § 131P:
*Also, refer to regulations 515 CMR 3.05(1) for further clarification on this issue.

Persons lawfully possessing a firearm identification card or license to carry firearms on June 1, 1998 shall be exempt from the provisions of this section upon expiration of such card or license and when applying for licensure as required under this chapter. Also applicants for a firearm identification card for the sole purpose of purchasing or possessing chemical mace, pepper spray or other similarly propelled liquid, gas or powder designed to temporarily incapacitate shall not be required to complete any basic firearms safety course as a prerequisite for receiving such card.

 

[Deaf Smith]

The Chicago PD as well as the Chicago political machine is simply saying their ideas are bankrupt and handing out life jackets to those on the Titanic. Best they can do since they don't have a solution to their problems.

 

[mongo]

(I wish I could figure out how to quote replies here...)
Budney... do you have a link to that video about the bar fight guy taking a face full, dumping beer on his face and continue fighting? I gotta see that.

 

[Autolycus]

Will this help protect us from some of the thugs on the payroll of CPD and the city council? I am sick of the crap this state is putting up with since Chicago controls the state legislature.

 

[LAR-15]

When the threat is over I bet the CPD will demand all the unused pepper spray be turned back in.

 

[Hoppy590]

in MA LTC is license to cary. its may issue
Class A is high caps
Class B is non hicap
either may recieve restrictions.
both require a class

FID is basicly 2 levels and are Shall issue-ish
Regular FID ( class C?) require a class. may recieve restrictions
FID Class D is Pepper Spray only. shall issue-ish. no class.


MA 140 129 B covers FID cards i believe. il look it up

 

[Geno]

First, nothing in the world is ever "free".

Second, pepper spray can kill. It can bring on heart attack or asthmatic attack. Why not just allow pistols?

 

[Hoppy590]

MA 140 129 b
(9B) The application fee for a firearm identification card issued for the sole purpose of purchasing or possessing chemical mace, pepper spray or other similarly propelled liquid, gas or powder designed to temporarily incapacitate shall be $25, which shall be payable to the licensing authority and shall not be prorated or refunded in the case of revocation or denial. The licensing authority shall retain 50 per cent of the fee and the remaining portion shall be deposited in the General Fund. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, licensing authorities shall deposit quarterly that portion of the firearm identification card application fee which is to be deposited into the General Fund, not later than January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year. There shall be no application fee for the renewal of a firearm identification card issued under this clause.

A firearm identification card issued under this clause shall display, in clear and conspicuous language, that the card shall be valid only for the purpose of purchasing or possessing chemical mace, pepper spray or other similarly propelled liquid, gas or powder designed to temporarily incapacitate.

(10) Any person over the age of 70 shall be exempt from the requirement of paying a renewal fee

honestly. i cant find the specifics in legal terms seperating the Mace card from the regular. but it exists.... too tired to look more haha. sorry

 

[atk]

So, it sounds like it's just a restricted FID, then. Is that correct?

 

[adrock]

So, it sounds like it's just a restricted FID, then. Is that correct?

That's precisely what it is.

--adrock

 

[Coronach]

Second, pepper spray can kill. It can bring on heart attack or asthmatic attack.

Yes, but it does this exceedingly rarely. It's not riskless, but it sure beats allowing the guy to rape someone.

Why not just allow pistols?

Because that would make far too much sense. This is, after all, Chicago.

I'm 100% in favor of this program. Is pepper spray as effective as a gun? No. But, unless you have the right mindset and skillset, a gun is not much help, and could be a liability. Mace is a much better option for someone who is unwilling to train.

Mike

PS Of course, a gun with the right mindset and training beats pepper spray, hands down.