If you don't carry a gun

[Timothy W.]

In a recent thread, I presented information for the real estate investor who chooses to legally carry a gun. Nonlethal weapons were brought up as an alternative.

First of all nonlethal is a misnomer. Any "nonlethal" weapon can be applied in such a manner as to cause death. People can be beat to death with a flashlight, tasered to death, a group of people died in a nighclub in Chicago from the improper use of pepper spray that led to a stampede. Even a kubotan (google it) can be lethal

A weapon is a weapon. The legality of a weapon is determined by local laws that you must be aware of. In the town I have some of my properties in, I can carry a gun and a taser. In another town I have properties in I can carry the gun, but cannot even possess the taser. In Boston, when I lived there you had to obtain a permit to carry pepper spray and could only carry certain blends of pepper spray.

Knives are another matter entirely as they in some way more efficient lethal weapons than a gun. I've killed wild boar with 30-06 rifles, .44 mag pistols and knives and the knife kills are far faster than any of the gun kills as they induce massive blood loss far more efficiently than a gun kill. Where I live I may carry any length, size and style of knife with the exception of "switchblade" style knives and ballistic knives (federally banned) - the second of which is a personal travesty to any fan of "The Equalizer". In Illinois, I may carry a "hunting" knife that I don't intend to use illegally. In other areas you are restricted by blade length.

Again, I'm not an attorney and not giving legal advice but you have to be aware of whether or not you are violating a weapons law with your "nonlethal" weapon. As it has been explained to me, if your choice or carriage of your "nonlethal" weapon causes you to commit a felony in the act of defending yourself and/or someone else that results in a death you are also open to felony murder charges.

There's a book I heard about that explains the proper use of a flashlight in a self defense situation while mitigating exposing yourself to manslaughter charges should someone die. I'll find it and post it on here. Not every investor I know carries a gun but they all carry a flashlight.