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TAM, thanks for posting that. I didn't know that my knife was illegal.... I believe that officer will be getting a personal phone call from me thanking him personally for saving my bacon.

As far as the bored ADA goes.... I guess that is exactly what he was. I was as surprised as the friend of yours was that he even showed up. Strange. I intend to write a letter once I get home..... I'm still working out what angle I want to take on it.

I'll post the letter when I'm done with it. Thanks for everyone's input!

magillapd wrote:Texas CHL info is not listed in NCIC, it's only listed in TCIC (the texas version of NCIC). Out of state will not know unless you show then the CHL itself.

I did not know that... Thanks! I'm not sure that it CHL ges anything... Except maybe in Cali... I'm not sure if I will show my CHL again now that I know they would be clueless otherwise.

Seabear wrote:

Ruark wrote:Great story, and you handled it well. Suppose you didn't have pepper spray and only had a concealed gun instead? !!

My thoughts exactly. Something to think about for sure.

This is why I carry WHEN it is legal. In Cali.. I just did the best with what I had. No doubt, in CA, if I had a concealed weapon and had used it... I'd be in jail right now on the phone with Gramps trying to arrange bail (not likely for a shooting) .. And looking at some hard time for my "offense."

Katygunnut wrote:One thing to add to your list

6. Don't go to Kalifornia unless absolutely necessary. In fact, I try to avoid all third world countries that don't respect basic human rights (like the RKBA).

Oh,I try to avoid Cali... But my wife's folks live here in LA, and we visit them once a year... And they come down to TX to visit once a year. Can't always avoid evil :(

Ominous, I will answer some of your questions:

As far as the choice of Vexor- I went on reccomendations from a friend of mine... But I will check into fox now for sure..

Why did he know I had a CHL? I have always shown my DL and CHL (before the CHL, I would show my FL Lic) when dealing with LEO. I wasn't armed, sure.. But just as a courtesy. I know when TX LEO run your DL they also gt a hit for CHL, so I guess I'm assuming other states do too. Anyway, I had just used pepper spray... And I didn't want to "surprise" anyone with anything when they started questioning... Even if I wasn't carrying a Handgun. I also gave them my Military ID LOL.

As far as the ADA goes... I slept on it last night, I wanted to take my time in how I wanted to approach the letter I intend to write. No doubt if I wrote the letter last night it would have been in anger.. And although I am angry, I want to appear objective rather than as some angry redneck. I'm ignorant on who I should send it to... Anyone want to chime in?

Tell me about it... I have also had the water pump quit in my car, a/c unit go out in the house, 2 accidents (not at fault), and my identity stolen. All this since Feb '11...

Has been a rough year.

I'm using an iPad, I appologize for terrible grammar and spelling...

Im vacationing in Los Angeles, visiting my in-laws with my wife. As most of you know, Cali does not suport our 2nd ammendment right to carry and just before crossing into Cali I disarmed.

In preparation for my trip here I went and ordered A couple cans of Vexor MK2 Foam spray because I wanted my wife and I to have something to rely on.... And I'm glad I did. My FIL,2 SIL's, my wife and I all went on a short trip to Santa Monica today to see the pier, which turned out to be ridden with homeless and the like. My FIL and I excused ourselves to use the restroom on the pier, and when we walked inside there was a homeless man sittin on the wall next to the trash cans asking for change. I ignored him, as did my FIL, and continued on to the urinal. As I was washing my hands the homeless guy started hustling my FIL, aggressively asking for money, etc. My FIL was standing at the urinal, and when the homeless man started putting hands on him, my FIL only had one hand to defend himself. I rushed over and pushed the mam against the stall, reaching for the pepper spray. I informs him he would get sprayed if he moved toward us on our exit. As we were exiting he rushed, and I liberally sprayed his face.

No one was in the restroom but us, and I blocked the door and sent my FIL to seek the police, who had a beachside station about 50 yards away. I could hear the guy screaming and trying to rinse the pepper spray off his face.

Police arrived, sat me down next to the wall, and went into the restroom (pepper spray ready, clearly advocating through the door that he should sit down in there or risk getting hit again). One officer sat with me.

At this point Iwas starting to worry. I foolishly did not read up on use of force laws before bringing pepper spray into Cali, other than knowing that more that 2.5 oz was illegal, I was ignorant. I also carry a good size pocket knife.

Police exited with the homeless man, put him in squad car, and waited for ambulance. The one who waited with me began asking questions. I was 100% honest with him, and my FIL was there to corroborate the story. I was carrying a CRKT 21 pocket knife, and although it was legal he informed me that the ADA was on the way and I might want to have my wife hold into it because the ADA was a donkeys butt (his words, but edited) and would be looking for any way to make a case against me.

ADA arrived ten minutes later, after the SMPD finished questioning me and was in fact a jerk. He was informed I was visiting from TX, had a CHL, and immediately began asking me if I brought a gun into California. I answered that the question was irrelevant and his questions continued. I suppose after 15 minutes or so he figured there was no case against me and resorted to telling me how Texans are all cowboys out looking for trouble, etc. He went on and on about my CHL and how it wasn't necessary seeing that pepper spray did the job, yada yada. I sat quietly and held my tongue.

After an hour or so I was released, but was told that I would possibly be contacted if they needed anything. So what did I learn?

1. Vexor Pepper Foam Sprayworked. He immediately fell and ended his threat. I highly reccomend it to anyone looking for a LTL means of defense. I will definately be Ordering another canister.

2. CA laws are garbage. If I had not had pepper spray I would have been screwed. If the homeless guy had been armed, I would have had a much different story to tell.

3. Santa Monica PDwas fantastic. The officer who I dealt with was courteous, understanding, and professional. He also saved me some grief about the pocket knife, and I'll be forever grateful for it.

4. Always carry some means of defense, even if it is just pepper spray.

5. Don't be an idiot- read the laws of the state your in. Thank God I was fortunate and did not violate any of California's rediculous laws....

P.S. I was talking with the SMPD officer who questioned me after the ADA left and the homeless guy had 2 expensive watches, 4 wallets, and over $150 in cash on his person. He also had a syringe and a couple of crack rocks in his bag. I also asked why the ADA would even come by for something like this and was told he was "young, mean, and trying to make a name for himself." he also told me that when my state of residency and CHL status went over the radio it probably sparked his curiosity. Im Sure the ADA would have loved to hear i had a concealed weapon...

Officer was a native of Tuscon, AZ and was licensed to carry in his state before taking this job. Friendly faces can even be found in CA I guess :)