Firearms Verses Non Lethal Self Defense Weapons
August 31, 2009I am writing this article to answer a question that many of my friends have asked me. Since all of my acquaintances are aware that I am a former Baltimore City police Officer and now sell non lethal self defense weapons, many of them ask me do I own a firearm. The truth of the matter is I do not.
As a police officer and Vietnam combat veteran I was exposed to all types of firearms. I was a proficient marksman with handguns. I was involved in several shooting incidents as a police officer and on one occasion I was wounded. On television programs and movies most shooting scenes are displayed as one or more persons firing at each other behind some type of barricade.
In real life shooting incidents occur within 15 to 25 feet, are over within seconds and extremely terrifying to all parties involved. The chances on an innocent party being struck by a stray bullet is always a possibility. I recall one incident when I was pursuing an armed robbery suspect when one of my bullets ricocheted through a shop owner’s window. Fortunately for me and the shop owner no one was injured but this was a close call.
Let me give you just some of the reasons I do not own a firearm and think that in most cases firearms are a liability rather than an asset.
Firearms are very dangerous weapons that cause serious or fatal injuries often to innocent victims. The average citizen in not trained in the use of deadly weapons and have no concept of safety issues involving firearms. For example, a friend of mine purchased a Ruger 380 automatic recently and did not know how to eject the cartridge from the chamber.
Since it is extremely difficult to obtain a permit to carry a firearm on the streets, you are risking serious legal problems if you do. Since you are far more likely to be attacked outside of your home having a gun in your home provides only limited protection. The risk that family members, especially children may gain access to the weapon is great.
The legal issues involving using deadly force to protect yourself and others is complex and varies from state to state. Many people have the wrong opinion about when it is justifiable to use deadly force. For instance, if you shoot a fleeing criminal who just assaulted and robbed you or burglarized your home, in most cases you can be prosecuted. Police officers are given constant training on when to use deadly force and then some still make mistakes. In a violent situation, you have just seconds to react, make the wrong decision, and it can have serious repercussions for you and your family.
Take the example of Harold Fish, who in prosecuted and convicted for the 2nd degree murder of Grant Kuenzli, 43 on May 11, 2004.
Fish, a father of seven who taught English and Spanish at Tolleson High School for 27 years, was completing a daylong hike along a forested trail north of Strawberry on May 11, 2004, when he fired the fatal shots from a Kimber 10mm handgun that he was legally carrying.
Kuenzli, unemployed and living out of his car, was camped at the trail head with three dogs. Fish said he saw Kuenzli’s car and was relieved that his 10-mile hike was nearly over. Just then, Kuenzli’s dogs charged down the hill, barking and snarling at him.
Fish said he yelled to Kuenzli to call off his dogs. He fired a warning shot into the ground. The dogs veered off the trail, Fish said. Suddenly, Fish said, Kuenzli charged down the hill, swinging his fists and threatening to kill him.
Fish dropped Kuenzli with three shots to his chest. Kuenzli fell dead in the dirt at Fish’s feet. Fish was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Fish would have been justified in using non lethal force to disable Mr. Kuenzli. This is one of many cases when a non lethal self defense weapons would be ideal.
Less than 10% of violent crimes involved firearms, that is compelling evidence that non lethal self defense weapons are appropriate in most cases. They are designed to disable an attacker to allow the victim to escape and get help. Since most people have no desire to kill anyone they tend to hesitate when confronted with the choice of using deadly force. Hesitation can give the attacker time to react and possible disarm and use the firearm on you. However, a stun gun, mace, taser or some other non lethal self defense weapon can remove the hesitation allowing the victim to react in their defense.
The choice that law abiding citizens make as for as this issue is a personal one. There are situations that warrant deadly force. My sincere wish is that you never have to make that decision.
