Posted by Hello, again, oregonlavender
This topic of personal protection comes up from time to time. Most old-timers have already made their peace with it, but allow me to expand a bit on my earlier, somewhat flippant remark.
The wasp spray gambit is based on the idea that it is more effective than Mace or pepper spray. This is questionable and I would ask your cousin for a source. But, really, don’t bother, because it is a silly idea, and could cost you your life. While it might work against Charlie’s tipsy fun-seeker, or some sugar-fueled rogue Boy Scouts, that’s about the extent of it. It would be extremely dangerous, even fatal, if used on a hard-case.
You may be envisioning a scenario in which this imaginary perp stands at the 20-feet distance, announces his evil intentions, and then continues to face you, arms at his side, while you douse him with insecticide. But before the first arc of your spray reaches him he will have turned away, shielded his face with his arms or a jacket, and moved into you in something like 2-seconds. If there is any wasp spray left you will now get a chance to judge its effect. Then, after he is satisfied with his pay-back, he will do whatever he was going to do in the first place. (Or maybe he will say “She has wasp spray! Run away!” What do you think are the odds?)
If you are dead-set on some kind of non-lethal spray I suggest you purchase a 16-ounce container of bear spray. It MUST say that it is for bear. (BTW, about the only self-protection that you are allowed to take into Canada is such a container, clearly labeled “BEAR.” And do not even think of mentioning that it is actually for people!) These sprays usually have a range of about 30-feet, have a good bit of reserve power for several long doses, and are about as strong a compound as you can get. They are available at Amazon, Cabelas, and almost any sporting goods outlet, and most of them at that size come with a nylon belt holster.
Still, the down-and-dirty truth about an encounter with a hard-case assailant is that only the potential and likely actuality of his imminent death will deter him. Depending on the drug-of-the-day even this may not be enough. This may be offensive to some for various personal reasons, but it is true, as too many good souls have found out too late.
If you are, for whatever reason, against the use of a handgun, there are a number manufacturers that make relatively inexpensive short-barreled shotguns that are easily carried in a trailer or a tow vehicle and are legal in most venues. Mossberg makes one called a “Cruiser” that comes in both 12- and 20-gauge, and in several configurations.
The major problem with this solution is that your “protective device” is in the trailer or in the tow and not immediately available in the very remote instance in which you need to use it to protect yourself. Once available and in your hands, there are few deterrents even nearly as effective.
My recommendation for the solo camper, especially a female who likes to boondock, is a handgun, along with a license to carry it legally concealed. (Many states allow “open carry” and very often just the sight of a holstered handgun can be a great defuser and deterrent.) If you are opposed to that I would make a suggestion: Go to a sporting goods store or a state police station and get a recommendation to a firearms and self-defense instructor. These folks give classes that are often required for obtaining a state concealed weapons license. Talk to this person, explain your concerns, and ask if you could sit in on his class. You might have to pay, but you might also discover that many of the things you thought you knew about handguns are not true. Your new knowledge might save your life, and give you confidence that will improve the quality of your outdoor experience.
The FBI, no friend to the armed citizen, estimates that somewhere between one and three million times each year a firearm is used to prevent a violent crime, the vast majority with no shots fired. Other reputable organizations put that estimate much higher. It’s useful to remember that you are not carrying a weapon to KILL someone, but only to STOP an attack that endangers your life.
I hope I haven’t gone on too long about this, but I think it is a very important subject. I also hope that my remarks have been somewhat helpful.
- RichB59, Scratch7, Dex and 20 others like this
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