  Ghetto_butterfly Member Username: Ghetto_butterfly Post Number: 735 Registered: 09-2004 |
I got robbed this morning and my bag with everything in it was snatched - except money cause I don't carry any cash. Some low-life punk piece of shit followed me into the parking lot and demanded my purse and car. Acted like he had a gun. Since I couldn't be sure though, I didn't really dare fighting back. He ripped the bag from me and then run off on foot. Didn't get my car. Kid was maybe 17, 18, skinny and short. Should have been easy to shove him out of my way, but like I said, the gun thing scared me. But now I want to carry mace or pepperspray on me at all times, no piece of shit will ever lay hands on me again. I went to a couple of drug stores (after I spent the morning cancelling cards and phones), but couldn't find any. I don't even know where they sell this stuff. Is it legal to buy? I also called 911 and the police showed up at my place 10 minutes later. Not too bad of a response time. | ||
Deteamster Member Username: Deteamster Post Number: 37 Registered: 07-2007 |
Gibralter Trade Center in Mt. Clemens has pepper spray. Up I-94, about half an hour from Detroit. I imagine gun stores and army supply stores also carry it. Probably not any local run-of-the-mill stores. Sorry about your incident. I hate shitbags like that and would love to give them a face full of pepper spray, glass, whatever... | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1366 Registered: 04-2006 |
I'd start off at an army/navy supply store. I have no idea how legal or illegal it is. I know there have been times I wish I had some. Dammed crackheads are getting worse around me. | ||
Russix Member Username: Russix Post Number: 40 Registered: 11-2006 |
http://www.selfdefenseweapons. com/michigan-pepper-spray.htm | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1613 Registered: 11-2003 |
They sell pepperspray (I believe mace is illegal) at most sporting goods stores and hardware stores. I just recently saw some at Dunham's. | ||
Jazzstage Member Username: Jazzstage Post Number: 71 Registered: 08-2007 |
Mace is illegal in Michigan but not everywhere. http://www.defendingwomen.com/ ?gclid=CN7ox_johI4CFRcbWAodQzP e3g Try a site such as he one above. | ||
Karl_jr Member Username: Karl_jr Post Number: 70 Registered: 06-2007 |
harrys army surplus on telegraph in dearborn has pepper spray | ||
Harpernottingham Member Username: Harpernottingham Post Number: 253 Registered: 04-2006 |
Also at Meijer in the sporting goods department. It's the sport of kings. | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 9709 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sorry to hear that Ghetto_butterfly. Even with pepper spray if a person does have a gun I am sure they will be just as quick to shoot it as you would to spray the mace; You of course would/could end up on the losing side of that exchange. Until parents and govt's tackle the issue of the high drop-out rate in Detroit, I believe this type of shit is only going to escalate. Punk piece of shit is right. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1961 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sorry to hear about that GB. I can imagine the anger you must be feeling. Don't get yourself hurt, though. You came out of this unharmed, if you reached for some spray, who knows what may have happened. Time to bring back the stocks. A few days in campus martius with his neighbors and fellow Detroiters throwing tomatos at his head might make him think twice about how he's choosing to contribute to society. | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4826 Registered: 10-2003 |
Shit, I am sorry to hear this. You are ok though so that is good. Little fucker! Did the cops come? | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 1409 Registered: 04-2006 |
What is the difference between mace and pepper spray? | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1962 Registered: 10-2003 |
Mace is an irritant similiar to tear gas. Peppear Spray is an inflammatory agent. Pepper Spray will hurt those so drugged up they can't feel pain. Pepper Spray will cause inflammation of the capillaries causing temporary blindness, nausea, cut off all but life support breathing and create a very strong burning or stinging ensation. Mace will not. Mace is a brand name, also. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 287 Registered: 02-2007 |
A female with a purse is a sitting duck to these ruthless thieves. You're lucky he was just a punk and wasn't carrying a gun. Instead of looking for mace, I'd be looking for another place to live. You aren't going to win that fight. Keep in mind if you mace someone with a gun, they're more than likely going to start shooting. This happened because the perpetrator knows two things. You don't have a gun and if he gets caught, nothing will happen to him. It's a very low risk crime from his standpoint. | ||
Spitcoff Member Username: Spitcoff Post Number: 128 Registered: 03-2004 |
you can get it at army surplus stores. But be careful if you are attacked and use this on someone they can actually sue you because it is illegal to use on another person. | ||
Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 287 Registered: 11-2003 |
I hope this doesn't sound sexist, but I personally think any woman traveling by themselves anywhere should carry mace or pepper spray - not just Detroit. Jerks and losers are everywhere, and women alone are, unfortunately, a target everywhere from cities to college campuses. Many of my female friends who live anywhere carry it - and I don't know one who lives in NYC or Chicago that does not. | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 1034 Registered: 11-2003 |
GB - Being robbed is a horrible experience, but look at the bright side.....you were not physically injured. You can get pepper spray at Metropolitan Uniform shop on Macomb Street off Gratiot downtown. http://metropolitanuniform.com /component/page,shop.browse/ca tegory_id,33/option,com_virtue mart/Itemid,26/vmcchk,1/ | ||
Kid_dynamite Member Username: Kid_dynamite Post Number: 195 Registered: 06-2007 |
GB...where did this happen? | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2986 Registered: 12-2005 |
It would be interesting to booby trap a decoy purse with a dye pack and pepper spray. They'd probably get away without harming the victim -- but not far. I think pepper spray is made with Capsicum. | ||
Vic_doucette Member Username: Vic_doucette Post Number: 348 Registered: 10-2003 |
GB -- I am so glad to hear you are OK. This shitbag will get what he deserves, either through the legal system or through karma. Let me suggest something else to consider -- self defense classes. A person I can strongly endorse for this sort of stuff is Jaye Spiro, who owns Center for the Physical Arts, or something like that -- on Nine Mile just west of Woodward in Ferndale. My wife trained at her dojo for almost 10 years and is now a third-degree brown belt. Jaye has been teaching martial arts -- and self-defense classes for women -- since she started in the Corridor about 30 years ago. Though she doeswn't much like to talk about her professional achievements, she's in just about every hall of fame the sport has. Her students run from toddlers to seniors. The atmosphere is open and diverse. And she' willing to work out barter arrangements with folks who can't afford her rates, if she can. And the rates are paid month-to-month -- she doesn't make you sign a contract. She's never, to my knowledge, turned away a self-defense student for inability to pay. (Karate might be another story. http://www.mejishi.250x.com/in dex2.html | ||
Ghetto_butterfly Member Username: Ghetto_butterfly Post Number: 736 Registered: 09-2004 |
Thanks for all the advice and comments. Yes, the most important thing is that I wasn't hurt. Everything else is replaceable, even if it is a big pain in the butt to do so. But where there are lowlives trying to hurt you, there are also always good people trying to help you. The building manager let me borrow his cell for as long as I need it to make the important phone calls and will get me a parking spot in the underground garage of the building next door. A friend will help me out with cash until I get my replacement debit card. Two kids in my building agreed to search the neighborhood in case the asshole dumped my bag somewhere (replacing my passport and green card alone will cost me about $500 - yeah, I know, I shouldn't have had those items with me to begin with). The police showed up in less than 10 minutes after I called 911. All of this makes up for it a little bit. The worst thing about this incident was feeling scared and violated. Moving is not an option. I've lived here for almost 6 years, and I will not run or hide just because some punks think I'm an easier target because I'm a woman. Next time I will be better prepared, although hopefully there will never be a next time. But living in this neighborhood incident-free for so long, I felt comfortable and didn't pay enough attention to what was going on around me. From now on I will never let my guard down. By the way, it happened on E. Jefferson and Hibbard, that's across the street from the Jeffersonian. For those living in that area, please be on the lookout and be careful (everybody else too). The kid hasn't been caught so it might happen again considering how relatively easy it was. Maybe he braggs about it too and gives other punks some ideas. So if it is illegal to use pepper spray on someone, what's the point of getting it for protection? And does that mean that I can use a deadly gun to defend myself but not something harmless to the human life but potentially just as effective? | ||
Rjk Member Username: Rjk Post Number: 809 Registered: 11-2003 |
Something stupid... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =fmaCJvH0vzg | ||
Cherry Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 9 Registered: 09-2004 |
GB: I've been carrying Fox Labs 5.3 million OC spray from Metropolitan Uniform since being pinched on the street last year. It is legal. The Hamtramck police advised me that I am justified in using it on anyone who touches me without my permission (assault) and anyone who demands money with the threat of violence (robbery). I had to use it once, and I can't tell you how glad I was to have it. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2988 Registered: 12-2005 |
I believe pepper spray is legal in Michigan if it's under 2% concentration. There have been deaths from pepper spray. Maybe that's the reason for the limit. | ||
Col_kat Member Username: Col_kat Post Number: 13 Registered: 06-2006 |
I got my pepper spray from Walmart near where they sell the hunting equipment. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 2989 Registered: 12-2005 |
Here's what the Michigan State Police have to say about the legalities. | ||
Ghetto_butterfly Member Username: Ghetto_butterfly Post Number: 737 Registered: 09-2004 |
quote: There have been deaths from guns, so why aren't they limited or better yet, outlawed? | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 575 Registered: 06-2005 |
Last time I checked robbery was illegal as well. The fact that it's illegal obviously didn't stop the lowlife from stealing your purse this morning. | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 896 Registered: 01-2005 |
Many people I know in Akaska carry pepper spray as a bear defense although I sure wouldn'ty feel safe doing it. As I recall, the brand of choice is Fox. Check it out thoroughly on Google. There are various quality and strengths of the stuff and some are relatively useless. Check out: http://www.defensedevices.com/ abpepspray.html | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 5749 Registered: 11-2004 |
The pepper spray discussion aside, I'm just thankful that you weren't hurt in the midst of it all, Ghetto_butterfly. I'd like to think that little turd that ripped you off will get his due someday. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9892 Registered: 12-2003 |
This one looks pretty cool. You can get practise cartridges for it...not a bad idea. | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 574 Registered: 05-2007 |
Lipstick Pepper Spray from TBO-TECH Self Defense Products. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 2363 Registered: 11-2005 |
Aco Hardware has Mace and pepper spray. | ||
Vic_doucette Member Username: Vic_doucette Post Number: 349 Registered: 10-2003 |
But what happens if you want to use pepper spray and the wind is blowing toward you? And what if the shitbag manages to get the stuff away from you and then uses it against you? | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9893 Registered: 12-2003 |
There are always risks, Vic. Life if filled with them. I'd rather risk having my weapon backfire on me than have none at all. | ||
Vic_doucette Member Username: Vic_doucette Post Number: 350 Registered: 10-2003 |
Or maybe learn how to use effective, weaponless techniques as I suggested above? | ||
Raptor56 Member Username: Raptor56 Post Number: 49 Registered: 05-2007 |
You can always apply for a CCW and become a pistol packin mamma... | ||
Goldensunshine Member Username: Goldensunshine Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2005 |
I am very sorry this happened to you Butterfly . . . .I will co-sign with the member who mentioned Harry's Army Surplus | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 23 Registered: 07-2007 |
I would recommend getting a carry permit. Buy a Glock 28 a .38 cal. or Glock 26 a 9mm. Nothing says back off and get the f out of here better than a gun pointed at your face. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1979 Registered: 10-2003 |
I bet pulling or reaching for a gun in that situation would have doubled or triped her chances of being killed or seriously injured. My guess is that cooperation was her safest bet. | ||
Club_boss Member Username: Club_boss Post Number: 188 Registered: 12-2006 |
"But what happens if you want to use pepper spray and the wind is blowing toward you? And what if the shitbag manages to get the stuff away from you and then uses it against you?" 1. Draw your weapon 2. Breath normally 3. Squeeze (don’t pull) the trigger 4. Aim for center mass and fire, fire repeatedly. | ||
Cherry Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 10 Registered: 09-2004 |
You have to be very careful when buying sprays off the internet. That ASP Defender is 10% OC, which is illegal in Michigan. It is also only 2 million SHU, which is less than half the heat of FOX 5.3. (FOX labs is based in Detroit if you like to buy Detroit products.) I was also worried about the wind blowing it back at me, so I bought the stream version rather than fog. Pepper spray has many advantages. With a gun, I might have killed the man that grabbed my hand, or I might not have hit him at all. The ultra-violet dye makes a perp easy to identify. I can carry the spray in my hand or on my belt, even during the summer, without it being obvious. I can mount it on my bicycle handlebars for use on wild dogs. The main reason I don't carry a gun is that I don't have the stomach for killing a man, or even a dog, and I don't want to hesitate when the time come to pull the trigger. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 290 Registered: 02-2007 |
Quote: "I bet pulling or reaching for a gun in that situation would have doubled or triped her chances of being killed or seriously injured." That would be a sure fire way to find out if he indeed had one. If he returns fire, he has one. If he wets himself, probably not. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 291 Registered: 02-2007 |
Buying and packing pepper spray and the fact it is considered less than lethal does not give anyone the right to spray someone every time they feel threatened. If you use that on someone, just as pulling a handgun in the same situation, better make sure you have reasonable cause to do so. In the very least, you'll be facing assault charges. If that person chokes to death, it will be something else. | ||
Raptor56 Member Username: Raptor56 Post Number: 54 Registered: 05-2007 |
What's the difference between reaching and pulling for a pistol and reaching and pulling for a bottle of pepper spray? A-hole mugger doesn't know which you have. If he has a gun and feels threatened by you reaching into your coat, he's going to shoot. Better to have a lead slinger to return fire than some piddly pepper spray which won't even affect the guy if he's all hopped up on crack or Meth. Just my humble opinion... | ||
Diehard Member Username: Diehard Post Number: 110 Registered: 03-2005 |
Anyone tried those lipstick sprays? Pretty cool looking. I'm thinking about getting those for me and all my girlfriends who've been robbed/carjacked recently. Which is a lot, sad to say. | ||
Unclefrank Member Username: Unclefrank Post Number: 78 Registered: 03-2006 |
Get a CCW permit, and practice. You may not get off so light next time. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 1262 Registered: 02-2006 |
quote: Sorry, but guns are useless against an armed attack already in progress. You will be shot before you ever feel the steel. | ||
Raptor56 Member Username: Raptor56 Post Number: 58 Registered: 05-2007 |
"Sorry, but guns are useless against an armed attack already in progress. You will be shot before you ever feel the steel." The assailant will think you're reaching for a gun, and you'll be shot while reaching for your pepper spray. At least with a gun you can peel off a couple rounds before you bleed to death. Somehow spraying pepper spray on the guy who just shot me doesn't seem like it does as much justice as popping a cap in his ass. |
