Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site teklabs.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekchips!teklabs!jeffma From: jeffma@teklabs.UUCP (Jeff Mayhew) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: mace, tazers, etc. Message-ID: <2579@teklabs.UUCP> Date: Thu, 20-Oct-83 15:12:11 EDT Article-I.D.: teklabs.2579 Posted: Thu Oct 20 15:12:11 1983 Date-Received: Sun, 23-Oct-83 10:17:39 EDT Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 58 To all the bozos out there who recommend mace as a sure way to incapacitate wild-eyed, tire-iron wielding maniacs: obviously you are unaware of the facts. Mace has repeatedly proven ineffective in dealing with people in an agitated state, and, like a 22-caliber gunshot wound in a grizzly bear, stands a good chance of getting 'em even more pissed off. In addition, you've got to get in pretty close to do a good job, which usually means getting within range of the 'ole tire iron (substitute switchblade, bicycle chain, baseball bat, etc.). The demonstrations I've seen all involve some chump who sees the victim whip out the can, and then just sort of stands there, gritting his teeth in anticipation of the sting. And, of course, the altruistic mock-assailant usually hasn't been stewing over a bottle of vodka for 3 hours about how much he hates the mock-victim. Police use mace only under very specific circumstances, and then only when they can back it up with something more "persuasive." Folks, don't put your trust in mace, or in the assailant's willingness to comply with your expectations. It's all very nice to sit back in your chair in front of the computer terminal and talk about what "I would do", or "what you should do", but please realize that dealing with the bad guys in real life isn't quite like the movies. And make sure your advice makes sense, because some schmuck out there'll put stock in it. Also, about the "tazer:" well, I've checked one out (fixed one for a guy who had it as a "conversation piece"), and found that the little darts don't always hit the target point-first (a phenomenon known as "keyholing" in the firearms world). It's a great example of the flimsy, premature introduction of a "wowie zowie" technology into an unsuitable arena. And you'll find that they don't (and shouldn't) get used that much, except by closet-cowboys who are "into weapons" but don't have to worry about them working at the crucial moment. Great for impressing girlfriends and little kids. Oh, and I almost forgot: they're also purchased by politicians sometimes for the local police force, so that the TV coverage can show that they're concerned about "human rights" (good around re-election time). Even if they did hit correctly, the irregular performance of the dart-packages gives an assailant with a leather jacket and a heavy sweater underneath (which, by the way, is good insurance in a knife fight, so that tends to be the fashion for seasoned thugs) a damn good chance of laughing at you before he smashes your skull. That'll give you about a second or so to check your batteries. If you expect to be able to protect yourself in a pinch with ANY weapon, from pocket knife to shotgun, you owe it to yourself and to others to acquire proper training and realistic advice about the weapon you think will do the job. Otherwise you're likely to put both your own life and the lives of those you think you're protecting in serious jeopardy. Don't play around. Jeff Mayhew Tektronix teklabs!jeffma P.S.: I won't even bother to comment on "death-rays."