[Jeff Higgins]

You missed the point again, Comp. Let me try once again. In my form of self-defense the miscreant is hopefully rendered unable to hurt me or rob me. That is my immediate goal; not much else will matter if it comes to that. A happy by-product of that is that he is also no longer able to harm others.

That is not my immediate goal in defending myself, but it is an added benefit to society. Yes I have made some up-front decisions on how I choose to defend myself. This is a factor in my decision. And yes, I do feel some obligation to society in not allowing my attacker another chance with some one else. If in your view that equates to vigilante justice, then so be it. I do not now nor will I ever go out looking for these people. That would be vigilante justice. You apparently are unable to understand the difference.

In your form of self-defense, the perpertrator is left alive and well to ply his trade on the next unfortunate that crosses his path. He may also be more determined to not be fooled again and more aggressive about finding something of value to bring home with him. You may very well have won your battle, but you are certainly helping us lose the war.

So which is more intimidating, a can of pepper spray or a gun? Which would you rather face in the hands of some one you are trying to rob? That's what I thought. One of the oft-touted statistics in gun circles is how often they are used in self-defense and never fired. Apparently the vast majority of the time. Does a can of pepper spray provide the same level of intimidation? Hardly.

As an aside, these statistics do not indicate what happens when the gun is not fired. In other words, is the crook held for police or allowed to run off? (Could you even hold some one for police with a can of pepper spray?) Hopefully it's the former, but I really suspect it's the latter. To me in a self-defense situation in which I am able to retrieve my sidearm the guy is either going to jail or the morgue. He does not get to run off to try his luck again with some one else. Pepper spray and/or throw-away wallets virtually ensure he will be able to try again. To me that is just plain cowardly and irresponsible.