Journalists should carry Bear Mace and Taser Guns

[Taverner]

Especially when covering these Teabagger rallies.

Think about how unsafe it has been lately for the press and god forbid any protestors show up!

The editor of an Alaska newspaper was handcuffed and detained - think if he had his bear mace.

Although this goes against a reporter's instinct to not become the news, safety and self protection should be of concern to the journalist.

[muntrv]

1. Since teabaggers carry guns to Obama rallies, I say why not?

[Motown_Johnny]

4. because someone with a gun will think being maced makes it ok to shoot

of seeing someone else being maced


or any other reason at all

[RKP5637]

2. I think some of the Teabaggers probably have concealed weapons on them. Bear Mace and

Taser Guns might not be enough.

[guitar man]

3. That's what I'm thinking

I'd want my 1911 if I was going near those whackos . :crazy:

[RKP5637]

5. Yep, it seems more than just a few of them are well short of a full deck. n/t

[guitar man]

8. And unfortunately

We are neck deep in them here in Oklahoma :(

[spin]

7. Democrats also carry concealed weapons ...

and in reality people have little to worry about from any person with a concealed carry license.

Florida has had "shall issue" concealed carry since 1987 and publishes an interesting monthly summary report on the subject.

In the time frame from October 1, 1987 to September 30, 2010 Florida issued 1,858,018 carry permits and currently 761,706 are valid. Only 168 licenses have ever been revoked for a crime involving a firearm committed after the license was issued.

http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/stats/cw_monthly.html

Florida doesn't allow open carry in public and I don't know any Teabaggers. Therefore I can't really comment on open carry by these people, however I don't remember any news reports of anyone being shot at one of their meetings.

[RKP5637]

9. Thanks, good info.! I should have been more clear, I was thinking more along the

line of unlicensed guns. Some of the people at these rallies look/act pretty fringe IMO.

[spin]

11. No problem. Like I say, I don't know any tea baggers ...

but some of the comments that I hear from Tea Party supported candidates make me nervous.

For example, Sharon Angle's comments about "Second Amendment Remedies".

[pintobean]

6. Beer, mace and tasers

kinda like lawyers, guns and money

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

10. I believe in most states Tasers carry the burdon of "lethal force".

For example, to taser somebody in self defense lethal force would have had to been justified. If you pull a taser on someone (and also instigated/escalated the fight somehow) you would be unjustified in the use of deadly force they may certainly have the right to defend themselves with a firearm.

Pepper Spray isn't quite as nefarious, legally, but if you were't justified in using it... you would certainly be assaulting someone. It may not be considered deadly force, but assaulting someone with a firearm soulds like a gamble you don't want to wager... even if they aren't justified in using thier gun.

Here's my propsed solution... Lead spray is more effective than pepper spray. Avoid escalating or starting confrontations and if you need to defend yourself you'll be fine.