Expert: Jason Grabill - 8/28/2005

Question
Hello,
 I need a little advice on a situation involving a friend of mine. She was the victim of a violent crime and has been increasingly concerned about her safety, to the point of needing to carry some sort of weapon on her to feel safe. She started out with a knife, which I told her was probably not the best idea since it can so easily be used against her. I recommended she carry mace or look into getting a gun permit. She ended up going and getting a BB gun, which looks much to real becuase she painted over the orange tip. Her reasoning is that someone won't attack her if they think she has a gun, and if they do, getting shot by it will stun them long enough for her to get away. I am terrified that she is going to get shot by the police or someone else and I am wondering, for one if BB guns are legal to have out in public, and also if painting over the orange tip is illegal? I don't want to get her in trouble but I am tempted to go to the police and have them talk to her so that she realizes the seriousness of carrying that gun. I am also wondering if I should encourage her to get a ccw permit. What do you have to do in order to get one? I would like to think that she is responsible enough, but I don't want to encourage her unless she will have to go through a lot of training beforehand. Is there usually any training required to carry a gun? One other thing, she says shes not sure that she could use lethal force if necessary, so are there any other options (besides mace, which she already carries now) for a non-lethal weapon?
Thanks for all your time,
Lina  

Answer
Lina:

  First, if your friend doesn't think she can use lethal force against someone, she shouldn't be carrying anything other than pepper spray.  The reason for that is if she hesitates after pulling a weapon, the bad guy will quickly take it from her and use it against her.  I'm not a fan of the mace, get the pepper spray instead.  Pepper is much more effective.

 Carrying the bb gun is not only dangerous for her, but foolish as well, pretty much for the reason's you've already stated.  She could get accidentally shot by the police, or a bad guy could easily get the gun from her and hurt her.  I've been shot with bb's myself when I was a kid, and it doesn't hurt enough to stop a bad guy;  all it would do would be to make him even madder.

 Getting a CCW permit depends on the state you are in.  In some states, it's simple, in others, almost impossible.  She'll have to go through some sort of firearms training if she wants to carry a handgun, though.  Again, however, I'd strongly discourage her from carrying a handgun, or even a knife, if she is not fully willing and prepared to use it against someone.  

 Painting over the orange tip on a bb gun isn't illegal.

 Again, I'd encourage her to carry Pepper spray, and take some training, and to really evaluate if she could pull the trigger on a firearm.  If she cannot, she has no business putting herself, and other people, in more danger by carrying one.

 Don't hesitate to write me again if you need to...

Best Regards,

Jason