Kimber LifeAct legality

[SwissFluCase]

Does anyone know if these are legal? I have searched but there is no clear answer.

http://www.pepperblaster.com/

I know they sell these at Bullseye and other places, but I have never heard a conclusive answer on it. Here is the relavant law:

http://law.justia.com/california/codes/pen/12401-12404.html

So what is the deal? They use a pyrotechnic charge to deploy the OC. Does that count as an aerosol spray because it squirts the OC through a nozzle? They contain 12ml of OC, so size isn't an issue.

What about their "premium" model?

http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/product.php?xProd=409

I'm a bit confused. :confused:

Thanks,


SwissFluCase

[Ground Loop]

I don't quite understand these.. they have the single-shot capacity of a tazer, with the take-down limitations of pepper spray.

Why would you want this over a quality Pepper Spray like Sabre-Red? At least then you have multiple use, or wide-area use for angry dogs or something.

If you want something longer-range and aimed, then Tazer has your number.

The videos of Kimber's LifeAct don't look very flattering.. a total miss seems quite possible.

[woodsman]

The videos of Kimber's LifeAct don't look very flattering.. a total miss seems quite possible.

I agree.

I like how they say "so you can simply walk away"

Like to see some tests under stress when three guys under meth are going after you.

Maybe they need a high cap version.

[SJgunguy24]

I agree.

I like how they say "so you can simply walk away"

Like to see some tests under stress when three guys under meth are going after you.

Maybe they need a high cap version.

Can't carry more than 1.5 ozs unless licensed. I had to use mine because some old lady was getting her head kicked in my some gangbanger chick.

Pretty funny, she was running her mouth I yelled for her to stop NOW. She said F-U. The old lady yelled "Get her off me" Squirt. Problem solved. Cops rolled up after 15 mins. (this was downtown San Jose 5pm on a weekday) Hooked her up and I got my train home.

[jinggoyd1967]

What it lacks is the California required label that says: ""WARNING: The use of this substance or device for any purpose other than self-defense is a crime under the law. The contents are dangerous--use with care."
I printed one up in very small font and taped it to my PepperBlaster.

The conventional CS canister is great for repeat but you have to be within "bad-breath" range to effectively deploy it.
The PepperBlaster is pretty handy to have because of the longer range and the delivery system has a longer shelf life than conventional CS sprays.
Since both have advantages and limitations, carry both if you can.

[SwissFluCase]

What it lacks is the California required label that says: ""WARNING: The use of this substance or device for any purpose other than self-defense is a crime under the law. The contents are dangerous--use with care."
I printed one up in very small font and taped it to my PepperBlaster.

The conventional CS canister is great for repeat but you have to be within "bad-breath" range to effectively deploy it.
The PepperBlaster is pretty handy to have because of the longer range and the delivery system has a longer shelf life than conventional CS sprays.
Since both have advantages and limitations, carry both if you can.

I noticed the lack of warning label as well. It does have a date, though. I don't see anywhere in the code that anyone in particular must attach the warning label.

I'm more interested in its means of expulsion. Whether the device is more or less effective than traditional OC is another question for another time. I bought it because I collect Swiss arms, and well, it's Swiss!

Regards,


SwissFluCase

[lioneaglegriffin]

they work their aim system is crap, i aim it like a handgun instead i had to go thru about three practice ones to figure that out.

[cmonk518]

I would think for females, under fright and duress, aiming a LifeAct at a perp might be very difficult. And then add to the fact that you only have two shot capacity, much better just to use OC spray in fog format. You can probably cover much more area with a fogger. And for the price of a LifeAct, you can get two Red Sabre magnums which is more than enough to at least try to get away.

But as with all less-than-lethal weapons, better to have something than nothing. I do have my reservations that two puffs of OC smoke will take down a determined adversary or high on drugs. It's all about being able to use of other improvised weapons like weapon lights, your body, etc. and being able to run really fast.

[jinggoyd1967]

I'm more interested in its means of expulsion. Whether the device is more or less effective than traditional OC is another question for another time. I bought it because I collect Swiss arms, and well, it's Swiss!
If you mean the propulsion system, I believe it's pyrotechnic. Something similar to a primed cartridge case.

[Dr Rockso]

Can't carry more than 1.5 ozs unless licensed. I had to use mine because some old lady was getting her head kicked in my some gangbanger chick.

Pretty funny, she was running her mouth I yelled for her to stop NOW. She said F-U. The old lady yelled "Get her off me" Squirt. Problem solved. Cops rolled up after 15 mins. (this was downtown San Jose 5pm on a weekday) Hooked her up and I got my train home.
I'm assuming you mean you used a pepperblaster and not a regular can of OC. Since you're the only person I've heard that's actually used one how would you rate it? Seems like accuracy might be a problem, especially if you haven't fired a practice one.

[MudCamper]

Does anyone know if these are legal? I have searched but there is no clear answer.

http://www.pepperblaster.com/

I know they sell these at Bullseye and other places, but I have never heard a conclusive answer on it. Here is the relavant law:

http://law.justia.com/california/codes/pen/12401-12404.html

So what is the deal? They use a pyrotechnic charge to deploy the OC. Does that count as an aerosol spray because it squirts the OC through a nozzle? They contain 12ml of OC, so size isn't an issue.

I share your confusion. Not sure how they are legal.

I don't quite understand these.. they have the single-shot capacity of a tazer, with the take-down limitations of pepper spray.

Well, they are 2-shot. Yes, that's very limiting. But here are the pros. First it's wide, but thin, and sits in a back pocket nicely. Easier to grab than a bottle of pepper spray from a pocket. Second, the blast does shoot fast. If you hit your opponent in the face, it looks to me like it will be much more effective than a spray.

But the downside, hard to aim, and only 2-shots, means I would not recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a backup weapon handy to fall back on. (For me a knife, since I live in a no-CCW county.)

[ukdkbr]

Some one mentioned to me in an older post they thought that the kimber guardian angel was illegal in CA too ... I've never been able to find a definitive answer. Everything I read just say restrictions apply in California.

[repete34]

Cali law had them as bad because of the delivery. Pyrotechnic vs. aerosol.

I have been trying to find that again.

[repete34]

CALIFORNIA CODES
PENAL CODE
SECTION 12401-12404




12401. "Tear gas" as used in this chapter shall apply to and
include all liquid, gaseous or solid substances intended to produce
temporary physical discomfort or permanent injury through being
vaporized or otherwise dispersed in the air, but does not apply to,
and shall not include, any substance registered as an economic poison
as provided in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 12751) of Division
7 of the Agricultural Code provided that such substance is not
intended to be used to produce discomfort or injury to human beings.



12402. The term "tear gas weapon" as used in this chapter shall
apply to and include:
(a) Any shell, cartridge, or bomb capable of being discharged or
exploded, when the discharge or explosion will cause or permit the
release or emission of tear gases.
(b) Any revolvers, pistols, fountain pen guns, billies, or other
form of device, portable or fixed, intended for the projection or
release of tear gas except those regularly manufactured and sold for
use with firearm ammunition.



12403. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any person who is a
peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section
830) of Title 3 of Part 2, from purchasing, possessing, transporting,
or using any tear gas or tear gas weapon if the person has
satisfactorily completed a course of instruction approved by the
Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training in the use of tear
gas.



12403.1. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any member of the
military and naval forces of this state or of the United States or
any federal law enforcement officer from purchasing, possessing, or
transporting any tear gas or tear gas weapon for official use in the
discharge of his duties.


12403.5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person
holding a license as a private investigator or private patrol
operator issued pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section
7500), Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, or uniformed
patrolmen employees of a private patrol operator, may purchase,
possess, or transport any tear gas weapon, if it is used solely for
defensive purposes in the course of the activity for which the
license was issued and if the person has satisfactorily completed a
course of instruction approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs
in the use of tear gas.



12403.7. Notwithstanding any other law, any person may purchase,
possess, or use tear gas and tear gas weapons for the projection or
release of tear gas if the tear gas and tear gas weapons are used
solely for self-defense purposes, subject to the following
requirements:
(a) No person convicted of a felony or any crime involving an
assault under the laws of the United States, the State of California,
or any other state, government, or country or convicted of misuse of
tear gas under subdivision (g) shall purchase, possess, or use tear
gas or tear gas weapons.
(b) No person who is addicted to any narcotic drug shall purchase,
possess, or use tear gas or tear gas weapons.
(c) No person shall sell or furnish any tear gas or tear gas
weapon to a minor.
(d) No person who is a minor shall purchase, possess, or use tear
gas or tear gas weapons.
(e) (1) No person shall purchase, possess, or use any tear gas
weapon that expels a projectile, or that expels the tear gas by any
method other than an aerosol spray, or that contains more than 2.5
ounces net weight of aerosol spray.
(2) Every tear gas container and tear gas weapon that may be
lawfully purchased, possessed, and used pursuant to this section
shall have a label that states: "WARNING: The use of this substance
or device for any purpose other than self-defense is a crime under
the law. The contents are dangerous--use with care."
(3) After January 1, 1984, every tear gas container and tear gas
weapon that may be lawfully purchased, possessed, and used pursuant
to this section shall have a label that discloses the date on which
the useful life of the tear gas weapon expires.
(4) Every tear gas container and tear gas weapon that may be
lawfully purchased pursuant to this section shall be accompanied at
the time of purchase by printed instructions for use.
(f) Effective March 1, 1994, every tear gas container and tear gas
weapon that may be lawfully purchased, possessed, and used pursuant
to this section shall be accompanied by an insert including
directions for use, first aid information, safety and storage
information, and explanation of the legal ramifications of improper
use of the tear gas container or tear gas product.
(g) Any person who uses tear gas or tear gas weapons except in
self-defense is guilty of a public offense and is punishable by
imprisonment in a state prison for 16 months, or two or three years
or in a county jail not to exceed one year or by a fine not to exceed
one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both the fine and imprisonment,
except that, if the use is against a peace officer, as defined in
Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2,
engaged in the performance of his or her official duties and the
person committing the offense knows or reasonably should know that
the victim is a peace officer, the offense is punishable by
imprisonment in a state prison for 16 months or two or three years or
by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both the fine and
imprisonment.



12403.8. (a) Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of
Section 12403.7, a minor who has attained the age of 16 years may
purchase and possess tear gas or tear gas weapons pursuant to this
chapter if he or she is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or has
the written consent of his or her parent or guardian.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section
12403.7, a person may sell or furnish tear gas or a tear gas weapon
to a minor who has attained the age of 16 years and who is
accompanied by a parent or guardian, or who presents a statement of
consent signed by the minor's parent or guardian.
(c) Any civil liability of a minor arising out of his or her use
of tear gas or a tear gas weapon other than for self-defense is
imposed upon the person, parent, or guardian who signed the statement
of consent specified in subdivision (b) who shall be jointly and
severally liable with the minor for any damages proximately resulting
from the negligent or wrongful act or omission of the minor in the
use of the tear gas or a tear gas weapon.



12403.9. Custodial officers of any county may carry tear gas
weapons pursuant to Section 12403 only while on duty. These custodial
officers may carry tear gas weapons while off duty only in
accordance with all other laws.


12404. Nothing in this chapter authorizes the possession of tear
gas or tear gas weapons in any institution described in Section 4574,
or within the grounds belonging or adjacent to any such institution,
except where authorized by the person in charge of such institution.

[AEC1]

If you have ever been on the recieving end of OC you know how good it works, it hurts like hell, however it will not incapacitate a determined attacker. In force protection quals we get OC'd with 12% then have to do an obsticle/hand to hand combat course. If I can do it for a qaul, then a bad guy intent on doing harm can to, if they are angry enogh.