Almost Mugged Last Night

[Two Shots]

Glad you were not hurt by these a**wipes. i know the area you were in and I'm disgusted no one called the cops or came out from thier nice cozy homes to help. Pepper spray would have been useful as long as you have a little distance (Spray back) so you don't get affected and keeping in your hand is the only way to do it if you feel something is going on. If you do a lot of walking how about a walking stick?

However, the state of California does have a few rules and regulations regarding the use of pepper spray. It is absolutely legal to carry pepper spray and use it to protect your personal safety without having any special state or federal permits. CA laws do regulate the size and/or weight of the defense spray products you can carry and buy. The legal container size must be equal to or below 2.5 ounces of active product. There are many pepper spray items and models that comply with this state set standard (see list below).

http://www.pepper-spray-store.com/relatedinfo/california-laws.shtml

[oaklander]

Jeez!

Glad you're OK!

[ko1featherweigh]

glad to hear your ok
i was almost jumped once when i was in high school but thankfully my friends heard about it and all came to my rescue.

As I don't have a CCW at this time I do carry a Pepper spray. I insist that my wife does also even though she complains about the space it takes in her purse.
I like the "RED PEPPER SPRAY" in a .68oz size, it clips on my pocket for easy access.
Another good one is Kimber LifeAct Guardian Angel this shoots out further for those standing in the back of the group.

my girlfriend didn't want to carry the normal black/yellow/red pepper spray bottles. so i got her one from big5 that was pink but she carries it now ,mainly when she goes to school at night.

[hoffmang]

JD,

Holy S**T. I'm really glad you're ok.

-Gene

[BB63Squid]

JD,

Glad to hear you came out of this in one piece. Also glad, once I re-read your post, that you didn't have a kid with you (PTA meeting).

Sounds as if you were pretty aware of your surroundings (lighted driveway) and the fact that you noticed their closing speed and DOT.

One suggestion is a spring assist blade. Those tend to be easier to work with gloves on.

Whenever I feel I am in a position to get jacked (usually at night walking my dog) I will at the minimum make sure my blade is not masked by my cell. If it feels really fishy I will hold the secured blade in my hand which makes it almost as useful as a roll of quarters in your fist.

BTW...brilliant move smacking the car to activate the alarm. I never would have thought of that.

[Waingro]

I always worry about AIDS, say they are bleeding and hit me when I am bleeding it could end up they could give me AIDS. Scary stuff. Good thing you are okay, bunch of thugs. And whats up with, "Hey you got a cigarette?" - someone tried to rob me that way too, only they were close - I was assuming they were trying to distract me enough to hit me (or as I later learned pull a knife on me and drop it)

[jdberger]

One suggestion is a spring assist blade. Those tend to be easier to work with gloves on.

I was thinking about that, too. The thumbstud on the one I have is still a little small. As I don't EDC that one, I'd probably fumble with it. I guess that I'll have to work on my muscle memory...

I'm actually thinking about a fixed blade for tooling around the neighborhood.

Re: Pepper Spray....there are a lot of different manufacturers. I'm a bit of a gear whore, so I like to get the best....

Anyone have opinions on:

• Fox Labs Mean Green
• Spitfire
• ASP Key/Palm Defender
• Sabre
• Other brands?

[outersquare]

I always worry about AIDS, say they are bleeding and hit me when I am bleeding it could end up they could give me AIDS. Scary stuff. Good thing you are okay, bunch of thugs. And whats up with, "Hey you got a cigarette?" - someone tried to rob me that way too, only they were close - I was assuming they were trying to distract me enough to hit me (or as I later learned pull a knife on me and drop it)

Not only HIV but hepatitis also.

[OutlawDon]

Damn, man, you sound pretty cool after what happened. How big are you....height/weight? How about these guys?

Once you felt a threat during the walk, did you think about having the knife ready in hand just in case?

If it were me, I'd start thinking about carrying more than just a flashlight and a knife if something like that happened to me.

Glad you are ok...could have turned out a lot worst if they had weapons.

[Bishop]

I've discreetly drawn my knife (unopened) in JDLR situations to keep it ready. If you are in arms reach, it's probably too late to draw your knife. My flashlight spends a lot of time in my left hand when walking at night.

Good to hear you're ok. Good thinking with the well-lit driveway and the car alarm.

[1911_sfca]

Wow, sorry to hear this and very glad you're OK.

Pepper spray and flashlight would be great things to carry in this situation. Be careful about drawing a knife when confronting 4 people -- you may be committing yourself to something you don't want to get into.

In the future, when you cross the street and turn a corner and they're still after you, a quick call to 911 will be in order. Just tell them there is a suspicious group following you and you're afraid they are about to attack you, and give your location, and clothing descriptions of you and the others. That should get someone to you quickly.

Anyone have opinions on:
[*]ASP Key/Palm Defender

I wouldn't recommend a device like this. Keep your pepper spray and impact weapons separate. Otherwise you can start running into 12020 issues. A phone, a hefty flashlight and a reasonably good size cannister of pepper spray are what I would recommend.

[Red_5]

Glad you came out in good shape.

Good job staying alive. Sounds like you kept your head and came out in good shape considering the situation. It could have gone far worse.

[rivviepop]

Glad you're OK man, I've been mugged at gunpoint and can sympathize - it's no joy ride.

re: OC: Mace brand Triple Action (Pepper, Mace & UV dye), it's what they sell here to all the PD and is pushed as being the best of them all by many people I trust. I buy them frequently and hand out to friends and strangers alike (handed the one out of my pocket to a girl at the busstop last week who was getting harassed, even).

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/pepper_spray_mace.html

I carry the 18gram model at all times.

[odesskiy]

I was thinking about that, too. The thumbstud on the one I have is still a little small. As I don't EDC that one, I'd probably fumble with it. I guess that I'll have to work on my muscle memory...

I'm actually thinking about a fixed blade for tooling around the neighborhood.

Re: Pepper Spray....there are a lot of different manufacturers. I'm a bit of a gear whore, so I like to get the best....

Anyone have opinions on:

• Fox Labs Mean Green
• Spitfire
• ASP Key/Palm Defender
• Sabre
• Other brands?

Look at Kershaw Boa (one of my favorite knives to carry). You don't have to use the stud, so gloves would not prevent you from deploying the knife quickly. It is still an assisted opener, not an automatic, so there's nothing illegal about it.

On a different note, I'm glad that you handled yourself so well and lived to tell the story. Stories like this (or the woman assaulted on the train in Utah) make me realize more and more that we live among sheep that will not lift a finger to help you even if you are in grave danger. It's up to us to make sure that we are always prepared and equipped to fight off predators without relying on any help - day or night, remote deserted area or crowded street.

[Ironchef]

A neighbor and I thwarted a home invasion to his house (i live above his condo) in our crappy neighborhood. 4 BMAs had been trying to kick in his gate (built into the corner of his fence) and took off when he ran out onto his patio and I looked out my lit window down at them. We called the police so they could do their typical...nothing. Anyway, 30 minutes later after the PD is gone, same 4 BMAs are kicking down his fence and enter his patio.. I ran out on my patio with my search and rescue light and light them up, start yelling and telling them the PD is coming, and I hear what I think is my neighbor fighting with someone at the sliding back door. Well, they realized the noise and light was too much, or that they were busted..and boogied outta there. Cops came again and did their thing..blah blah blah...lamers.

Anyway, you did good JD making noise and being in the lights. No neighbors could have heard me since I"m right on Highway 4 and our condos are tucked away in the corner of the complex with many escape routes. We just keep our firearms handy every night and plan to call each other. I have things on my balcony to throw at them..thinking of getting a boat horn.

My wife has her pepper spray I make her carry..even if just to the car in our parking lot..we have another can in the car, and i have one for myself. Thinking of getting a fixed blade knife but i doubt it's legal to carry.

Living in Antioch has made paranoid psychos out of my wife and I (being burglarized last year didn't help either). We know that noise and lights are good. Think I'll start wearing a whistle around my neck! lol