Pepper spray as self defence in the home or street

Re: home defence; I know a number of people who subscribe to the "once you're in my house, all bets are off" point of view and I respect their reasons for that, but all of them are aware of what consequences they face should "push come to shove" and are at peace with them.

Interesting thread and some really good and valid points brought up during the various posts. Most definately subscribe to the above and wouldn't hesitate in ANY way to protect my family, no matter what the consequences if they are any type of danger. However, (particularly in the case of more than just yourself), a correct response plan needs to be very familiar to all concerned/affected people.

One final point, I think we can take it that MOST of us here are NOT going to go off the rails over a petty row and contemplating/producing a weapon is not a whim or even a need BUT a necessity because of the circumstances you find yourself in. Now, those types of situations would be highly unlikely to happen, however until recently home invasions would be unheard of here and while they are still very unlikely to happen (unless you're a possible target cause of your circumstances, again a rarity), they are becoming more frequent.

Well getting prison time for spraying a burgler in the eyes would definatly be a risk I'd take to protect my family!
He'd be lucky to escape more serious injury!

I really think Texas got it right with this one.

Think Pennsylvania has better gun laws:D:D

It always struck me as pointless being given a right in the Constitution to self defence while at the same time being prevented in law from an reasonable chance of exercising that right effectively....

There are many historical/political reasons tracing why we have moved from a position where any person of good standing (that is, a non-criminal) could not only defend themselves (and their property) by any means, but such good folk were expected to embrace that right with the associated responsibility and to arm and prepare themselves to do just that.

Is the average person safer from assault today than her or she was 200 years ago ? Hard to say.

Can governments guarantee our safety from assault today - definitely not.

And yet the good people of Ireland (like most people) seem content with the severe legal restrictions on our rights to self defence, all no doubt hoping they will be in the statistical majority that never encounter violence first hand.

Many of you reading this will have decided to improve the odds in your favour should violence find you by training in methods of avoidance and defence (myself included). I view this as being no different to wearing a seat-belt while driving.

However, in the statistically unlikely event that you become a target, training alone is unlikely to be enough if you are presented with a stronger/faster opponent or you are confronted with an armed adversary or with multiple opponents. In such case a weapon may not even be enough to extricate you but, then again, it may be enough to tip the balance in your favour long enough to allow escape and survival...... would still be illegal though !