I totally agree with you; however, that is not the case since it is left to each state. I would bet most here know exactly what constitutes a 'legal shoot' within their state, I certainly do. However, your state, is the Wild Card and, frankly, I think it could/would be a coin toss given the scenario.
I say use a bull taser. It pluses at the wrong rate for humans so when used on people I hear they flop around like a fish out of water and will beat them selves senseless if deployed on a hard surface.
A gun is the ultimate arbitrator of life and death! God did not make all men equal, Samuel Colt sure as hell did! It may sound crass and vulgar, but those two statements are absolutely true! The sad truth here is the State you currently reside in has such a effed up set of laws defining what you can and cannot do, and it can change on a given day, it would seem that no matter what, your royally screwed if any action is taken on your part, and even being the wrong kind of victim is going to cost you big time! That said, words hurt feelings, sticks and stones hurt the flesh, bullets hurt every thing! The Creator gave each and every one of us the Gift of Life, and we are also given the right to protect that give by any means necessary! Do as you will, remember one thing, the laws of men may not protect you, they may be misguided and self serving, its only the laws of the creator you ultimately answer to in this life or upon your death!
Just remember, more than likely, there will be an arrest .. quite possibly yours even if you are completely in the right. And there may be a trial, where a jury might decide that you are guilty. stranger things have happened to innocent people.
An Internet forum is absolutely the last place you should seek legal advice !! I would suggest taking the training as suggested as this should give the legal basis of use. However, no two situations are the same and each will be judged on it’s own merits vs the wording and/or proofs of the legislation or offence if such is seen to have been committed. This is why lawyers are able to make money. I would probably spend some $s and consult a criminal defence attorney in your own jurisdiction to gain clarity of the do and do nots. “I was told on a forum” carries no legal weight.
My advice is to find a self-defense course in your area. The instructer/instructors are certified and will be more knowledgeable on your particular states self-defense laws.
I admit I need firearms on hand if it became TEOTWAWKI which entails training etc for me in the future. My question for one of the few times ever is not about TEOTWAWKI just everyday life for which it would be faster for the time being to have a Taser but it just doesn't sound practical for legal self defense. For TEOTWAWKI I figure the legal systen is gone so I won't worry about that. That is exactly what frightens me. People don;t realize even if you are in the right you can be charged with a crime and the cost of a lawyer could financially ruin you. Good idea, thanks! I've always been good at avoiding confrontation having grown up in New York City but with the nutcases I've encountered in California, its getting a lot harder.
Ed, it is beyond comprehension why you've not yet done it. You've been here for two years, have heard that advice uncounted times, yet evidently can't retain the idea. How about getting a memory training course first?
I believe Ed posed a great question. Our members should not be afraid to ask questions. We have 100's of people reading this forum daily and this discussion may have helped others that have the same question. Just because it is legal, just because you defended yourself the chances are very high that you will be going to jail. I have a CCW and I am positive if I ever have a use my weapon I am going to jail. They taught me to expect that in my class, what to say and not to say. Same with tasers. Tasers may be legal but be prepared to go to jail.
1. don't be places where violence is prominent . the law is going to look at "why are you there ?" if you are looking for a fight, in a place you really don't need to be ,there is not much going to defend you . 2. one can be arrested for having a base ball bat in the car. carrying things typically used in fights muggings beatings brailing constitutes intent . If you are legitimately with a base ball team it had better be true and enough people to stand behind you. 3. if you have the option of walking away, and you choose not to, this also can work against you. 4. As corrupt as it is in some states like California ,unless you are carrying large sums of money for legitimate business purposes, you really don't need a gun according to them . 5. in California it is illegal to conceal a gun, or knife ( bullet firing mechanism) (sword inside a cane ) inside an other object . I know quite a few that have the will to accept the notion/judgment that, they would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 . but this decision can backfire if you have any thing to loose, and most of us do.
I'm fully aware the best option is to walk away but I'm interested in the situations where you are cornered and there is no room to walk away. Perfect situation which I hope doesn't happen is someone brandishing a weapon is going straight in my direction and there is no place for me to run to. What do you do then? Hold a civilized discussion? Do nothing and get destroyed? Pull out your weapon and attack them before they get you? Then based on comments, even if you win, you lose because you will be charged with a crime, spend your savings on a lawyer and be found guilty or not guilty even though you saved your life!
You appear to be vacillating on this from extreme to extreme but it is the internet. The reality is if someone is charging you, you are backed into a corner and thus defend yourself (with your legally owned and carried taser for example) you will probably be fine legally, but yes you maybe arrested in the first instance till the facts are known. Tell me though what is your option ? Take a beating ? Lose your life ?? The medical bills you incur could well exceed your legal bills and you may still be left with lifelong injuries !!! It appears you wish to get absolute answers with absolute confidence. Here on the internet you may do so but they may well not translate into the real world. Out there, few things are absolute. Go get proper training and advice from people who do this in YOUR jurisdiction, seek real legal advice about how to manage the AFTERMATH of a self defence situation, assess your own “hard red lines” against the the somewhat blurry lines so that if the time to react comes you are properly prepared to do so, that may mean running like hell. So be it !!
I hate to throw cold water on the idea of a Taser, but having two LEO's in the family I have heard plenty of stories about their ineffectiveness in various situations. First, suspects under the influence of some of the more popular street drugs seem nearly immune to Taser and I've been told of one on PCP that took three Taser shots and five officers to subdue. Secondly, heavy clothing will deter contact penetration and render the Taser shot useless against an attacker. Thirdly, large aggressive persons also seem to have somewhat of an immunity to the Taser. I would suggest that if your intent is to use the device against an armed assailant, you will lose, and in that case the question of legality would be moot.
As someone else posted on this thread, it's still a toss-up. Yes when it comes down to it giving up your life savings to live is better than dying and not giving up your life savings. I'm still vacillating now on getting a taser for $400 or so dollars as a stopgap till I own a legal firearm. Very good point which I hadn't considered. I will do some research on this. Thank you
Commiefornia... Probably would have to submit DNA and a FOIA request for one of @Bishop s slingshots.