I enjoyed reading this thread.
Thanks to all the posters.
I spent a lot of time in Mexico on the Texas border. Zeta (ex-military working for the cartels) country. I also spent a great deal of time in Colombia. At times, I have had to defend myself, and I have been tempted to carry a weapon. I never carried a weapon outside the US. Now that I am 65 and retired, I may appear to be a better target than I used to. So, I can tell you that I now carry pepper spray purchased locally while carrying more than USD50 on me for special expenditures during the daytime. I also carry a small device that is called a personal alarm. It screeches like a banshee and cannot be turned off without re-inserting the alarm pin. It's kinda embarassing when it accidently gets activated. I haven't had to use it so far.
I have seen some strong-arm robberies on the street in Bogota, snatch and run in Europe (France and Italy) including using a motorbike for escape. I have seen 3-5 person teams rob people on the street in broad daylight. Keeping your valuables out of sight, wearing a money belt between a t-shirt and outer shirt / outer wear makes more sense than carrying a weapon. These guys are good and would probably end up with your weapon, as well as your goodies.
I also have a vest-type thingy for outerwear that literally I have used instead of a suitcase because it has so many zippered and velcroed storage pockets.
At night, things are a bit more complicated. So far, I have been lucky to have never had a reason to carry a large sum of money with me on the street at night. I have seen 4-5 guys grab a guy on the street, and basically strip him down to the skin on the street. There is nothing short of having a culo safe that can protect your money under those circumstances. My MarDel police friends tell me that it is common for 4-6 guys to perform this function, one standing out of reach with a firearm, and the others putting their hands in your skivvies to make sure the odd 10 centavo coin is not overlooked. So, I carry a 100 peso bill to hand to such a group if approached this way, to avoid this indignity. But, I am big enough and ugly enough to get by with it. Your mileage may vary.
There is no substitute for good "situational awareness" and staying out of dangerous neighborhoods, staying in the street instead of on the sidewalk at night, being careful when approaching dark corners, etc. Staying off the streets at night as much as possible is a good idea. Call a cab to pick you up near the door unless you know the area or are with a GROUP.
I asked my police buds about the carry permit process and the laws regarding carrying weapons on the street. Be aware that police don't always know the law as well as they think they do, so take the following with a grain of salt.
- If you are caught carrying a knife, gun or club, or anything that appears to have been modified to serve the purpose of a weapon, it is a violation of the weapons laws. A stun gun is considered the same as a firearm. (Really? I know -right?
- If you have used a weapon on the street and cannot PROVE beyond a reasonable doubt that you took said weapon off your attackers, you will be considered to have engaged in premeditated violence. Premeditated inasmuch as you deliberately went out on the street ready to do battle.
- You can NOT make application for a carry permit unless you are a permanant resident or citizen. It doesn't much matter. Such a permit would doubless be disapproved unless a relative is politically well connected.
- You MAY make application for having a rifle or shotgun (not cut down in any way for easier concealment / handling. I asked) for sporting purposes. It is understood that the weapon would also be able to be stored in loaded condition in one's home for home protection purposes. Said firearm may be transported in ones vehicle only for sporting trips. Ammo may not be carried in the same compartment with the firearm while being transported. Forget the "what if" questions. If your vehicle is a van, a lockable glove compartment will suffice.
- You may make application as a permanant resident or citizen to keep a pistol of.38/9mm caliber or smaller handgun as home-protection. No permission is implied to carry the handgun in your vehicle for traveling protection.
I was told that my extensible metal baton and sword cane could be used for self protection ONLY against intruders inside my home. I could expect very close scrutiny for using them, and each incident will be judged on it's own merits.
Saludos
Personal safety is always a concern
[QUOTE=Capn Rick]. I now carry pepper spray purchased locally while carrying more than USD50 on me for special expenditures during the daytime.
There is no substitute for good "situational awareness".
. My extensible metal baton and sword cane could be used for self protection ONLY against intruders inside my home[/QUOTE]I have seen pepper spray take down a 1300lbs Alaskan brown bear and suspect it would work well on a mugger. When you deploy the spray, make the sign of the cross in the face of the attacker (to make sure the spray meets the eyes / nose / mouth (exposure to their other mucous membranes require you get their pants off first.
Amen on situation awareness. An old mercenary tactic, when on the streets late night, is to walk near (not too near) a woman walking alone seeing that she should make a more likely target than you.
Did he differentiate between the two weapons, (baton, sword etc) If you use the baton, I would suggest finding a nearby sewer or storm drain and toss it in...
