What would you reccomend?

[Rogelio]

Hi guys!

Its been a while since I posted...but here I am again! (yes, with my armchair commando posts, I know)

Now this is the thing: I don´t know if you guys remember my cousin I talked about in a earlier thread..yes, the one who would love to get a gun but can´t get his parents to agree...I was thinking of giving him a CO2 gun (I know, I have given him a nice knife and some OC, but the guy is nuts for a gun). Why CO2? Recently I had an experience -which I also talked about in a previous thread- in which even though I would have preferred a gun, the little CO2 thing really worked ok...

Before you guys start telleing me that it is dangerous (I KNOW THAT!!!)because it could be mistaken for a real gun, or get him shot, let me tell you that we have discussed it and this guy is really responsible and understands that the only use it could ever have would be as a VERY SMALL "leverage" when attacked by an unarmed robber (Yes, here in peru most BG's just "tell you" they have a knife, or maybe they have rocks, but the average street thug doesn´t carry - guns are WAY too expensive here). Anyway, he is not so well built, so I guess every little bit helps.

Now, the question here is : BB or pellet? I know that he will mainly use it to practice shooting, but if the time comes..I guess it would be a very nice addition to his "less lethal" stuff.

Thanks guys.

Rog

 

[akluvr]

Do him a favor and get him some good training for the knife. Way too many legal ramifications with the pellet/bb gun. If the bad guys are bluffing, the knife will drive them away just as quick as anything.

 

[JShirley]

My personal opinion:

I don't believe in bluffing. Sure, it *could* work, but I would never rely on it.

This means that it's foolhardy to buy a CO2 gun for defense unless the "gun" can do actual damage to an adversary (there are such airguns out there, but I imagine they will also be too expensive for your cousin).

The same thing goes with a knife. "Intimidation factor" will get you killed. If you are forced into a "do or die" self-defense situation, your attacker should never know you have a knife, or at the very least, not know until just before he's badly cut.

Rogelio, I am finding it harder to discuss this subject without outright profanity than any I have ever talked about on this board. It's great to be responsible, (though much less useful to think you're responsible), but carrying what is essentially a toy gun does NOT qualify.

USE OTHER OPTIONS. Find useful, low-profile improvised weapons. If you actually care about this person, DO NOT suggest they carry an airgun.

John

 

[redneck]

I agree with John
Airguns, especially pistols are not suited to self defense. They most certainly are not toys, but also are not suitable for even small game hunting. While they may cause a serious injury if your hit with one, its not going to stop anyone determined to do you harm, and definitely not fast enough to help you any.

 

[Rogelio]

Thanks for the replies!

Now Jshirley, hat kind of low profile improvised weapons would you recomend?

Thanks a lot for the replies and your time
Rog

 

[Sistema1927]

I am assuming that this cousin is underage.

Why would you want to do something when his parents are not in full agreement? Heck, they are legally responsible for him, not you.

I say this due to the fact that while I had my daughter shooting at age 4, I didn't allow my son to handle firearms until he was 17 due to the fact that he didn't demonstrate the proper level of maturity and attention to orders until that time.

In other words, let mom and dad do thier job.

Edited: I don't imagine that things are much different concerning parental responsiblity in Peru, but if they are, then I apologize.

 

[JShirley]

Rog,

Some of the best improvised weapons will enable the defender to cover distance. Sticks immediately come to mind, but a lot of people may automatically equate walking sticks or canes with weapons (I know I do).

One very useful improvised weapon- with practice- is a lanyard with metal on both ends. One can make a lanyard with 550 cord, and put your keys at one end, and some type of metal fastener- carabiner or something similar- at the other end. You want enough cord (could also be chain, but cord is probably less noticeable to most) to be able to cover some distance, but not enough to be really obvious to casual observation. In a defensive situation, hold one end and pop the attackers with the other. You want to be able to keep out of contact distance while hurting or stopping the attacker(s), and choose a carabiner with enough weight to do some damage.

John

 

[bad LT]

JShirley has given you some very good advise.

Does your cousin play baseball - a baseball bat is a very effective weapon is properly used.

 

[Skofnung]

+1 for what Mr. Shirley said. My non-gun weapon of choice is a 50" hiking staff.

Bluffing is always a bad idea.

 

[Omni04]

to suppliment LT, if you carry a baseball bat carry a mit too. It is a lot easier to explain away a baseball bat if you have a mit with it.