Pepper spray and Colorado

Arianwen · 09-19-2010, 12:32 PM

I'm so brainwashed by Canuckistan I feel like it HAS to be illegal to carry pepper spray here, too.

I live in what feels like a very safe 'burb so I am not in need of weapons at this juncture *but* I'd like to know if I *can* carry it for use against humans *and* dogs.

I used to carry it when I lived in a bad area in BC and was followed/chased by meth heads (not to mention swarmed by vicious dogs) while walking etc. What choice did I have? I also carried a sling shot with steel shot for a time

. Anyway, I was given to understand I wasn't "supposed" to use the pepper spray against humans but I did anyway. A meth head ran at me from across the street when I was walking home (after dark I might add) I armed my wee pepper spray and pointed it at him, I told him loudly to BACK THE F OFF, he backpedaled in a hurry when he saw what I was carrying, called me names but left me alone. I didn't even need to *fire* it off, you know?

I've heard of cyclists here if riding in dodgy areas mounting pepper spray to their handlebars. If I start going on looooooong rides in the future I'd like to be prepapered, you know? Just in case. I want to make SURE I'm within my legal rights to do that.

I know that CO is a "make my day" state, ie: if someone breaks into your house while you're in it etc you won't get into hot water for protecting you and your property. Thank goodness!

Potemkin · 09-19-2010, 01:07 PM

Colorado is an unrestricted state. (Several internet resources confirm. Google it.)

Personally, the UV dye/regular dye in combination with OC is handy.

Walking around with a stained face is obvious.

Arianwen · 09-19-2010, 01:14 PM

My friend (who is a CO resident) said pepper spray is kosher, MACE is not. Pepper spray is apparently considered a non-lethal self-defense TOOL, not a weapon. It is a relief to live somewhere where I'm ALLOWED to protect myself if the situation calls for it.

Incidentally, when that druggie rushed me, I didn't report the incident to the police, wasn't going to risk prosecution for having pulled pepper spray on him. How DUMB is it that instead of being able to tell the police about a dangerous man rushing lone women at night, I have to keep my mouth shut so I don't get into legal trouble. Blah.

Also, in this State, if someone forcefully enters your residence, without permission, you are allowed to use whatever force you want to to protect yourself from physically violence *AND* your property from theft. Like, phew!

btw, it seems like carrying a sling shot is OK, too, I wonder if I can find one with the wrist stabilizer here (weren't allowed to get those in BC.)

oldasrocks · 09-19-2010, 01:23 PM

Carry a .45 in a shoulder holster like I did when in Colorado. Was licensed and legal,

Arianwen · 09-19-2010, 02:08 PM

I have a 7 year old step son and a baby on the way - I'm very nervous about keeping firearms in the house, especially considering *I* have never owned nor fired a gun in my entire life. I'd take extensive lessons before considering having one anywhere around, which costs $ which we don't have right now. I think, in this 'burb, it's totally unnecessary to have a firearm as well - I am not saying people here SHOULDN'T, I'm just saying I haven't seen anything that would lead me to thinking *we* need one. My DH said he's ridden his bike (outside this burb) on some trails that had dodgy homeless/druggie types so in that case, I want handlebar-mounted a-hole repellent, just in case...

Ought Six · 09-19-2010, 02:49 PM

You can get a locking security box very inexpensively. It will allow you to keep your weapon loaded and quickly accessible, yet totally secure from the kids.

Here is one for under $50 from Amazon:

http://tinyurl.com/25d82xw

You might be able to find it at a local store; perhaps Home Depot or Lowes?

As for handgun safety training, check local gun shops and pistol ranges. You will find lots of them. Shop around for a good price.

rryan · 09-20-2010, 03:36 PM

Ari--Kimber makes (from what I have read) some really good pepper spray type products:

http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/less-lethal/

Arianwen · 09-20-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ought Six

You can get a locking security box very inexpensively. It will allow you to keep your weapon loaded and quickly accessible, yet totally secure from the kids.

Here is one for under $50 from Amazon:

http://tinyurl.com/25d82xw

You might be able to find it at a local store; perhaps Home Depot or Lowes?

As for handgun safety training, check local gun shops and pistol ranges. You will find lots of them. Shop around for a good price.

Thanks. DH and I have discussed it at length, we don't really (as yet) need a firearm here, it's quite safe but I simply MUST learn how to properly clean/load/use/etc a firearm, especially since my mom knows all those things, lol.