The "as effectively as the law allows" part is the problem.03Lightningrocks wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 4:41 amIf the situation calls for OC/Pepper spray, it seems to me it also calls for deadly force. I have no intentions at my age of engaging in a hand to hand combat with an aggressor.K.Mooneyham wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 12:12 am So, serious question, what does Texas law have to say about the use of OC/Pepper Spray? Where does it fall in the use of force spectrum? Applying it to a hypothetical real world scenario, what would the potential ramifications be of using it on an overly aggressive homeless guy who doesn't have any weapon in hand? By overly aggressive, I mean physically coming at you, trying to put hands on you? I know there could be a thousand different situations, but I'm just trying to think of a situation where it might be useful.
We can't attack someone just because they won't quit badgering us verbally. It seems they would have to be coming at us with a weapon or with an attempt at hands on contact. OC/Pepper spray is just affective enough to allow them to stab you or crack you over the head with a bat or stick. Maybe punch you in the face and knock you out. Sorry folks, I am no cop and if I need to use self defense, I am going with my most affective stopping power first. OC/Pepper spray is OK for the "ninja warrior" wanna be but for me I am stopping the threat as affectively as the law allows.
Example: Unwanted touching is not a situation where the law generally allows deadly force (unless you've got an awfully good and imaginative lawyer and a lot of money to spend on him) but is a situation where OC can get the aggressor to back off with little risk of injury to yourself.
It has a place on the use of force spectrum and can save you a lot of unnecessary grief in unpleasant situations. That's why many LEO's carry it.