my personal blue-state-big-city stance is that i'd rather take a beating from a mugger than kill him.

call me crazy, but i don't want to kill anyone. even a bad guy.

i've been in a situation, in nyc, four guys vs. me on an empty street, and you know what? i'm damn glad i wasn't carrying a deadly weapon, because if i had been, there's a good chance that someone, me or one of them, would have died that night.

instead, i took a beating, and the only long term consequence was that i have a story that establishes my credibility in discussions like this. was i lucky that things turned out so well? sure. but if i'd had a gun on me, the chances that i would have had such a lucky outcome go way down.

for a woman, this is a different story. women have more to fear from these situations than we men do.

so why the hell do so many men carry deadly weapons?

 

hmmmm...just remember not to bend over if you ever have to take a shower in jail...oyi...

 

all of a sudden those 6D maglites sound a lot more threatening...

 

funny this thread is still goin strong.

i have a prime example of why i carry the damn maglite. im drivin down the west side highway in nyc tonight around 9:30 or so and there is a minivan trying to run a acura off the road. this goes on for about a mile or so the 2 cars just battling each other. like an idiot i follow as close as i can, of course. when we hit 54th st where the traffic lights start the guy in the minivan gets out and starts pounding on the acura. yelling and screaming at the guy to "get the ***** out of the car!!!". the guy in the acura rolls down his window and points something at the guy (it wasnt a badge)and the guy walked away like nothin happened. i dont know if it was a gun or what but, it always good to have something in the car.
i love this town!!!

 

people without population density do not understand what will happen in a real confrontation that was not supposed to involve yourself.

people also use violence because they always wanted in the fantastical aspect of their minds. THey think about it. carry a weapon of some sort in their car, carry a "utility" knife on their belt. The ones who actually get into the fight do not post on here. They are dead or in jail.

it is illegal to hide a weapon in a car or on you in any state I know of. Chance of needing it, being able to use it, and not going to jail and getting sued for it, vs a cop slapping cuffs on you for hiding it, kinda small.

whoever wins a fight with a weapon normally goes to jail or gets sued.

 

THIS IS HOW I INSTALLED MINE
[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/HOLLY/019_6A.jpg[/IMG]

 

Funny how the folks who make the most noise about the evils of defending ones self are from the states with the highest restrictions on personal freedom.
Yes, but better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Oh, and it is perfectly legal in my state (and others, i'm sure) to have a weapon concealed in my car.
If a Maglite is all that your state will allow you for defense, then so be it; however it is somewhat akin to hunting grizzlies with a .22: it just ticks them off and then you become lunch.

 

I guess you have never heard of Florida?

In Florida the peaceable journey law says anyone that can legally own a firearm can carry it in their car loaded with out a CCW. It only has to be in an enclosed compartment Glove box briefcase..

In Florida if you are in you car and you have any reason to fear that your life is in danger "punk banging on your window with a bat trying to get you out of the car" you can use deadly force against this person.

In Florida if you use justifiable deadly force against someone the law clearly shelters you from any civil litigation.

This map shows the states where I can legally motor carrying a weapon



Florida Statute 776

http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/ind...776/ch0776.htm

 

Although we in MI still need a CCW to carry in our cars, our new laws applies the same way in defending our property...we do not need to retreat

Isn't it curious how while DC's draconian guns laws allows them to be one of the highest crime stricken area in the country (same goes for England and Australia). In Florida and other states with similar "shall issue" laws, crimes have dramatically declined?

 

For all you tough talking guys here, I killed a person in self defense several years ago. I go back and forth from thinking, “screw it, I did the world a favor by killing that cockroach” to staying awake for weeks on end thinking about how I wish I could have handled things differently. I know - it’s a guy thing to fantasize about protecting yourself with deadly force, etc. But take it from me - it’s not something you want to live through. Better to avoid the situation. Property isn't worth it.

 

Rick...I feel for you but I don't think anyone's talking offensive actions here...I feel bad for you but if that guy you killed in self defence was attacking you, he got what he deserved...unless you'd prefer to be in his place 6 feet under?

 

Im Sorry that you found yourself in that situation, but are you saying that you would rather not have had that option?

I think we all hope not to ever have to make the choice that you made.

 

I am not saying that I wouldn't want that option. I'm just saying it should be the LAST option. He stuck a knife in me once and didn't intend to stop. I would be the one dead if I didn't do something to stop him and protect myself.

 

I think this thread has always been in the context of last option, not first or best option.......though the converation has drifted toward guns i think the same is true of said maglite......and the principle i think needs reiterated.

Conflict happens, and we arent talking about beating random people for fun or trying to defend yourself with a flashlight when someone has a gun..... only a very small number of people are carting guns around threatening people, despite what the sensationalist local media has convinced everyone in large cities of.....if you have a modest means of self defense such as a large flashlight you will have more "firepower" so to speak then the majority of people and will de-fuse alot of situations....because the chances of pissing off someone for no obvious reason, like in the video that was shown, is far more likely than some crack head car jacking you at gunpoint.

Most of the time it is people running thier mouth and wanting to brawl things out. it is not that they want my money or my possesions. It is some hot head wanting to hurt someone.....if I got a maglite I like my odds of going home without a fight happening and if they still want a go...then I still like my odds....It is not about defending yourself in ANY situation it is about defending your self in SOME situations rather than being vulnerable 100% of the time

 

I know - it’s a guy thing to fantasize about protecting yourself with deadly force, etc. But take it from me - it’s not something you want to live through. Better to avoid the situation. Property isn't worth it.[/QUOTE]


sorry to hear that your struggling with that unfortunate situation still. well for everyone involved, you did the right thing and not to sound harsh but, better him than you.

 

Cold Aspir,

I carry my Maglite in the trunk, wrapped up in a microfiber towel and under my carry netting. This stops it from rolling around and making noise, while still being available for illuminating the dark recesses of men's souls. It also prevents me from being charged with carrying a concealed weapon in my state. You'd better check your local laws regarding CCW. It pertains to more than just firearms. Generally if it can be used as an offensive weapon and is readily available from the driver's seat (within arm's length and in an unlocked container- unlocked glovebox) you could find yourself charged with a felony the next time you have a traffic stop.

Paranoia will destroy ya. Chill big dog, chill.

 

Back to topic...I don't use a Maglight, too heavy.

I keep two lamps in the Mini...a high output LED flash light and a head mounted Pelican light...the latter one is priceless for hands free work...

 

Thats not how I read that statue. Somebody banging on your window doesnt mean your in imminent threat of death ... not by a large margin.

Where are the court cases showing a similar incident? Or, are you just hoping if such a thing happens and you kill someone, they are going to believe you? That would be quite a chance your taking.

It seems like its just a judgement call ... maybe the guy was on speed or something that you know nothing about and just "assume" he wants to kill you but you dont really know.

I would imagine you would be taking a great chance.

 

Florida's Castle Doctrine (no retreat law) just went into effect relatively recently. So there isn't any sort of precedent set yet.

However, like most laws they probably go by the reasonable man standard. So if some guy was yelling at you in the your car and brandishing a bat I would have to agree that a reasonable person would feel that their life was being threatened.

 

Uhh you missed the point the topic was where to mount those lights. I still prefer the driver door pocket fpr larger lights and the catch area under the toggles (05 and newer) for smaller lights

 

I'd go with a small, high output flashlight + pepper spray. Non-lethal, easier to mount in your car, less damage if they fly around in an accident. In fact, while paging through this thread, I went out and bought exactly that, and a set for my wife as well.

Not because I’m paranoid, far from it. I simply think its my right, and my duty to my family, to be able to defend myself.

As for mounting, if the LED flashlight is light enough, velcro may work. Depending on where you work, the pepper spray could go on your keychain.

 

very handy for when you eat at restaurants that don't keep tabasco on the table.

 

Wow! Someone actually makes some sense-finally. Pepper spray is a great way to go, in my opinion.

 

See post #20 on the first page . This did start out as a reasonable discussion before people got all emotional about guns.

 

Read post #16 on the first page and you will understand why I made my comment.