Self Defense Products Blog

For the third time in month, a person was attacked in the Lake Phalen area of St. Paul. This time, it was a 23 year old woman jogger, according a story on KARE-11 TV.

It’s sad that some person or persons are intent on targeting people in this area and making them feel vulnerable. Most of these cases have not involved robbery attempts, just criminal assault. I don’t know whether these criminals are frustrated about the economy and have turned to taking their frustrations out on innocent victims, but I do know that is has to stop!

I would love to see one of these criminals run into someone carrying pepper spray or a Taser and getting a taste of their own medicine.

I just saw this story on the local news tonight about a man who had stolen a car. This thief was so proud of himself that he actually called 911 and reported that he had stolen a car and, since he was much smarter than the police, they would never catch him!

Well, he was wrong. The police arrived at his residence the next day and arrested him. You see, the police have this new fangled device called “caller ID”. It lets them see exactly who is calling them and provides the callers phone number, etc. This feature is very useful for determining who called them in case the caller gets disconnected at some point during the phone call. People that need help, or are reporting to authorities that someone else needs help, can get disconnected for various reasons like passing out, trying to escape a dangerous situation like a criminal chasing them, etc.

It turns out that caller ID also comes in real handy when the authorites are trying to locate a REALLY STUPID CRIMINAL!

Maybe it’s just me, but it sure seems like there is a lot more crime these days. I think that when times get tough, Americans naturally do whatever they can to survive. Most of us with an education and some work experience have options regarding what type of work we will accept even in the current dismal state of the economy.

If you’re young and stupid, you probably don’t have many (or any) sources of income to turn to. Unfortunetly, it seems like there are more people turning to crime these days as a way to support themselves. The crime industry is an equal idiot employment opportunity. There are no resumes needed, no job interviews to go on, no sending your resume off into some black box and just praying that SOMEONE will eventually invite you to meet for an interview.

Can you imagine some armed robber holding up a gas station and the clerk behind the window asking the robber “Is this your first robbery attempt? Because you act like you don’t have much experience at this sort of thing. How many robbery’s have you successfully pulled off in the past? Have you actually ever shot a person? I’m sorry, but I really don’t think you’re qualified to pull off this robbery. I think it’s best if you just leave because we would like to pursue some other, more qualifed robbers. If you will just leave a business card, we’ll add your information to our database of other criminals and follow up with you if we have a need for your services within the next 12 months.”

http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com/wildfire.htm

I just registered my new TASER C2 with TASER International and was thinking I made a pretty good investment in the safety of myself and my family. Let me explain how valuable this device is, in case you’re not familiar the TASER C2.

The TASER C2 is a self-defense electronic control device Manufactured by TASER International, the same company that manufactures TASERs used by Law Enforcement personnel all over the world. The TASER C2 is just as effective as the TASER used by Law Enforcement, plus it has some smart additional features which make it perfect for any ordinary citizen to use.

The TASER C2 uses a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy to the small probes that are attached to the TASER C2 by insulated conductive wires with a maximum length of 15 feet. The TASER C2 transmits electrical pulses along the wires and into the body of affecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous system. The energy can penetrate up to 2 inches of clothing, or 1 inch per probe.

How does a TASER work?
The human nervous system communicates with simple electrical impulses. The command center (brain and spinal cord) processes information and makes decisions. The peripheral nervous system includes the sensory and motor nerves. The sensory nerves carry information from the body to the brain (temperature, touch, etc.) the motor nerves carry commands from the brain to the muscles to control movement and can be involuntary in response to the sensory information. An example would be involuntary muscle reaction to pull the hand away from a hot object.

TASER technology uses similar electrical pulses to costs stimulation that affects the century and motor nerves. No muscular incapacitation (NMI) occurs when a device is able to cause involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. It is not dependent on pain and is effective on subjects with a high level of pain tolerance.

Previous generations of stun guns could primarily affect the Senator nerves only, resulting in pain compliance. A person with a very high tolerance pain (e.g., a drug abuser or a trained, focused fighter) might be able to fight through the pain of a traditional stun gun.

Electricity must be able to flow between the probes of the electrodes.

Electricity generally follows the path of least resistance between the probes. The greater the spread between the probes on the target, generally the greater the NMI effectiveness.

Electricity will generally not pass to others in contact with the subject unless contact is made directly between or on the probes.

Electricity can arc through clothing.

Exposure to water will not cause electrocution to increase the power to the subject (electrical charge is fixed inside the TASER device, and will not increase significantly even with environmental changes).

TASER technology uses similar electrical pulses to cause stimulation that affects the sensory and motor nerves. Neromuscular Incapacitation (NMI) occurs when a device is able to cause an involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. It is not dependent on pain and is effective on subjects of the high level of pain tolerance.

SPECIAL FEATURES TO PREVENT MISUSE
Every time a TASER C2 cartridge is deployed, at least 24 small, confetti -like AFID tags are ejected. Each AFID is printed with the serial number of the cartridge deployed, allowing law enforcement agencies to determine the registered owner of the cartridge and track citizen use if ever used in a criminal act.

You are required to complete a criminal background check in order to receive a unique code that will be used to activate your TASER C2. This means that when a TASER C2 has been fired, it will be much easier for the police to track down the registered owner of the device.

The TASER C2, with laser guided targeting, costs $350. It costs another $10 to register your unit with TASER. This is a one-time fee.

The TASER C2 is certainly not the cheapest self defense device available, but I feel this is the most effective, non-lethal self defense device currently on the market and well worth the investment in the safety of myself and my family.

http://www.laneselfdefense.com/c2taser.htm

Stay safe to stay alive,

Steve Lane
Self Defense & Surveillance Shop
http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com
http://www.LaneSurveillance.com

Another week, another disappointing stock market. But, cheer up! I think some long overdue change is on it’s way. And remember, there’s more to life than just money. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, “This too, shall pass.”

We don’t have to look too far to see the signs of outrageous greed that ran rampant during the last stock market bull cycle. Here are just some of the highlights from the last week of media reports that exhibit the excessive greediness of corporate executives:

• The Trustee in the Bernard Madoff bankruptcy case reported that the financier hadn’t bought any securities for the past 13 years!

• The SEC filed fraud charges against Texas billionaire Allen Stanford and two other executives of Stanford Group of selling $8 billion in high-yield certificates of deposit with impossibly high interest rates in a worldwide scheme.

• GM CEO Rick Wagoner was quoted at a press conference stating: “We have to restructure…so we can be viable at a sales level that is dramatically lower than what we ever anticipated.” Huh? You mean GM Executives never considered what would happen if oil prices increased from historically low levels and what impact that would have on their dominant market share position and sales of gas guzzling SUV’s and trucks? Were they too busy working on their golf game to bother with such small details?

• Speaking of General Motors, GM and Chrysler told the U.S. Congress that they could need $21.6 billion more in aid to keep them going. GM said it could need $100 billion in financing if it filed for bankruptcy, and CEO Rick Wagner said bankruptcy would be “risky” and would only be used as a last resort. I wonder what Wagner really means when he says that a GM bankruptcy would be “risky”? Risky for him, personally, and his future salary and earnings prospect perhaps?

• UBS agreed to pay $780 million and identify some American clients with undeclared bank accounts, to settle a tax case and avert criminal charges. But Switzerland’s finance minister vowed that the country’s bank secrecy would be maintained.

But, as Bob Dylan would say, “The times, they are a changing.” Yes, the Federal Goverment is throwing an awful lot of money at our financial markets to try and stop the decline in our financial markets and restore some resembelance of confidence again. As inflationary as the long-term effects of this loose money policy will be, they really don’t have a choice if they have any hope of preventing the global economy from falling into a long, deep and severe depression.

Critics of President Obama’s new housing rescue plan say they don’t want to pay for their neighbor’s mortgage in the form of higher taxes. Well, I don’t think anyone is happy about paying higher taxes, but what choice do we really have? The economy is messed up, big time. We can’t blame President Obama for this because things were already messed up by the time he was elected into office. He could complain about the crappy job that he inherited from the outgoing administration, but he’s not. He’s doing everything that he can to try and stop the bleeding and prevent any further damage from occuring.

Now, to get back to the headline of this long-winded blog post, It was clear from the November 2008 U.S. Presidential results that Americans wanted change. Not just a little tweak, but a major change. Well, change IS coming. It has to, or else we are all dead. Not just the US economy, but the global economy. How can you imagine that a person as insane as Adolph Hitler became so powerful? Germany was weak from the last major recession and people were starving and desperate for change. These people were so desperate that they decided that while Hitler had some radical ideas, nothing else had worked so far. They HAD to DO SOMETHING! So they put this guy named Hitler with some crazy ideas into power to see if that might fix things. And the rest is history, as they say.

Please don’t misunderstand and think that I’m comparing President Obama to Adolph Hitler, because that is NOT WHAT I’M DOING. American’s are smart enough to learn from the past mistakes of others and I think Obama is exactly what America needs right now to get us out of this financial mess without creating more problems down the road.

Just to be safe, you might want to pick up a C2 TASER in case their’s an uprising in your neigborhood…

www.LaneSelfDefense.com/c2taser.htm

A Taser is simply a less lethal alternative to a hand gun. Afterall, you just want to stop your neighbor from attacking you and stealing your stuff. You don’t want to actually KILL HIM, right?

Stay safe to stay alive,

Steve Lane

Self Defense & Surveillance Shop

http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com

http://www.LaneSurveillance.com

When you think of self defense products you typically think about pepper spray, stun guns or personal security alarms. However, there is another effective form of self defense that is not usually considered and that is a safety light.

How Safety Lights May Help

Safety lights are designed to light up the way when you are out walking on a dark night. Not only do they help you to see better, but they also enable you to draw attention to yourself. This may seem like a bad idea; after all, who wants to draw attention to themselves at night when there are potential attackers out there? Surely the attacker will see you and find it easier to attack you? Well surprisingly drawing attention to yourself does not increase the risk of you being attacked, instead it prevents it.
By drawing attention to yourself with a safety light it enables other people to see you. So if you are attacked there is a better chance that somebody will witness what is happening. Help can then be called and your attacker will be scared off. So that is one way in which a safety light can protect you.

By lighting up the way a safety light will also help you to see potential attackers. Often when you are walking late at night it is difficult to see what is in front of you. That is why so many people are attacked because their attacker can see them, but they did not see their attacker until it was too late. By seeing where you are going you will be able to assess the possible risks ahead and that can potentially stop you from being attacked.

Choosing a Good Safety Light

There are different lights that you can purchase but typically the best types to get are the LED versions. You can also choose between flashing lights and simple constant lights. If you use a flashing light that does help to draw attention to you when you are being attacked. A constant light is better to help you to see where you are going. For best results it would be a good idea to purchase a LED light that has the ability to flash but which also has a constant light on it too.

If you want a light which is convenient to carry then you should choose the Cell Phone flash light. This is designed to peel and stick to your cell phone and it can easily be operated whenever it is needed. It lasts for up to 6,000 hours and you can use it literally everywhere. It is small enough to easily carry around and use outside and generally it is one of the best lights available.

If you just want the simplest of safety lights then the LED light is what you need. It comes with seven different flashing patterns and you can choose from three different styles. There is a wrist strap, a bicycle light and a belt clip. It has a very powerful light and the seven different flashing functions will help you to signal help if it is needed.

Overall safety lights may not be able to directly stop an attack, but they can help to prevent them. It would be a good idea to carry around another self defense product such as pepper spray if you really want to protect yourself, or even just a personal safety alarm to further draw attention to yourself in the event of an attack. You can even purchase combined safety alarms and lights and that may be the best option for you.

How do you feel about the economy in today’s world? We are reading in almost every country, that crime is on the rise due to the problems in the workforce and the fall in the economy. So how will you defend yourself? Recent headlines are reading more and more of bank robberies, home invasions, car vandalism and thefts, purse snatchings, and other criminal behavior. With millions of people out of work, it is no wonder.

Crime analysts have always had different opinions about economic downturns leading to increasing crime rates. However, since the most recent fall on Wall Street, law enforcement agencies worldwide have seen notable increases in violence and property offenses as signs it is related to the economy. Cities around world are reporting robberies in unprecedented numbers compared to recent years, or even decades. Many of the target victims are retail stores which have never seen crimes such as these. Those would include grocery and clothing stores, banks, and even restaurant suppliers. Thefts of cars have jumped nationwide by 164% from last year, and vandalism leading to theft has more than doubled. Most law enforcement officers say it has been in direct correlation to the economy falling.

In October 2008, a survey of 180 law enforcement agencies by the Police Executive Research Forum in Washington, D.C., found that 75% cited the recent rise in crime was related to property crime.

The idea that the crime rate picks up when the economy tanks makes a lot of sense, intuitively. The unemployment rate increases during a recession and some of these newly unemployed people with marginal employment skills will likely turn to crime to support themselves and cover their cost of living.

The FBI states that the most vulnerable portion of the population, are young adults, many of whom have already been in some type of trouble with police, and who were trying to move into the workforce. They can’t find a job to keep them from returning to previously committed lives of crime. The Center for Crime Prevention and Control says the demand for illegal drugs is also being driven to more crime as the economy falls. Major surges in crime, are at their highest since the 1990’s. The sale of illicit drugs is the only way many criminals can find a way to afford the drugs to sell to those who illegally do them.

The combination of declining resources and increases in many offenses may be representing only the first wave of the bad news. Because desperate people do desperate things to stay afloat, there are thousands who are giving away pets because they can’t afford to feed them. Where once there was a dog to bark away an intruder, there is now nothing to deter a thief. People without an income certainly can’t spend upwards of $100 per month to install and run home security systems. Many have turned to the one time purchase of home alarms that do not require monthly service fees.

Many cities saw a dramatic decrease in crime over 2007 and 2008 due to more police patrols. However, 62% of US police departments are now having to cut their forces and cutting overtime spending completely.

Among cities reporting increases in crimes, almost all account this to the sagging economy. Atlanta Police blames the economy for increases of 14% in burglary, and 17% in auto theft. Instead of stealing jewelry and other valuables, burglars are taking flat-screen TVs and computers which can be resold as there is more demand. Thieves are even stealing license plates for the renewal stickers in order to find relief from paying taxes on their vehicles.

The safety of all citizens must be our first priority; the second is the protection of their property. We are doing our part by raising your awareness to methods of protection.

We are going to list numerous products below that you may or may not have thought of:

Motion Alarm with Keypad

Window Glass Breakage Alarm

Auto Dialer Wireless Home Security System

Voice Alert Driveway/Home Alarm Door Brace

Stun Master 775,000v

Z-Force Slim

Talon Mini

Pretender Cell Phone Stun Gun

C2 Taser

Pepper Sprays

Pepper Foam

Wild Fire 18%

Instructional Fighting DVDs

If you are looking for a good self defense product then mace and pepper spray will likely be something that you have considered. However, what you may not realize is that mace spray is different to pepper spray and you need to be aware of these differences before you purchase either of them.

Understanding the Differences
The main reason why you need to know the differences between the two sprays is because they work differently to each other. They both are designed to be sprayed into your attackers face, but they will have different effects and they will need to be treated differently too.

Pepper spray tends to be less painful than mace spray. This is because the ingredients within it are taken from hot peppers and they are mixed with an oily substance to make it cling to the skin. The hot pepper liquid irritates the skin and causes discomfort as well as difficulty with breathing. The symptoms that it causes are practically the same as mace spray but it is slightly milder than mace spray tends to be.

Mace spray contains CN tear gas and it is extremely painful to the eyes. It is an aerosol that has inflammatory and irritant properties. As with pepper spray the mace is designed to stick to the skin and that causes the attacker to suffer ongoing pain. If the substance dries and then the area becomes wet again, it is likely that it will set off the effects of the gas again and ongoing agony will start. Pepper spray on the other hand dissipates over a short period of time and it is easier to remove than mace spray.

Due to the power of mace spray, in some states you are required to take a course in how to use the spray before you purchase it. This stops it from being misused and it will also prevent you from getting into a lot of trouble. If you do use the spray incorrectly then your attacker could potentially sue you for the pain caused. Obviously you do not want that to happen so it is always safer to take a course and use the spray correctly! You do not usually need any training to use pepper spray because it is not as harmful as mace. For that reason it might be a more convenient alternative for many people.

Typically mace is more effective than pepper spray, but owning pepper spray will still enable you to protect yourself. An attacker will always think twice after you have sprayed them with pepper spray as it still really irritates the eyes and the skin. Only a very determined attacker will be able to get passed the effects of the spray. So it would be a good idea to run as soon as you have sprayed the person. That way you have the best chance of escaping.

Overall both mace and pepper spray are extremely effective in stopping an attacker. They work in the same way but their ingredients are the main thing that differs. Mace spray is much more powerful than pepper spray but that can make it more complicated to carry and to use. Always check your state laws to see that you can purchase mace in your local area. If you can’t then pepper spray would be a great alternative and it can be just as effective at stopping an attack as mace spray too.

Most of us are trying to stay as safe as possible when we are out and about. No matter where you are, anything can happen at any time. More and more personal attacks are being reported than ever before.

One of the most widely used self defense tools these days is pepper spray, also called Mace. The most innovative pepper spray tools are the ones that are not obvious.

This is the case with the Stunning Ring. The stunning ring is stunning in two ways. It is a decorative ring in silver or gold plating with a genuine black onyx stone. It is an excellent and beautiful piece of jewelry for men or women.

More importantly, however, the Stunning Ring is packed with pepper spray as a tool to protect yourself in any dangerous situation. Pepper spray is made from the hottest pepper available, Capsicum, and is used by both law enforcement and private citizens as a non-lethal yet effective protection tool.

Individuals who have been sprayed with pepper spray or Mace have reported that they felt burning on the area sprayed, their eyes burned, immediately slammed shut and they also experienced coughing until the pepper spray dissipated.

This is important because it disables a would-be attacker by creating a situation where the attacker needs to deal with his own immediate issues from the pepper spray, giving you time to get away and get help.

If you are looking for a discreet, yet powerful way to protect yourself, the Stunning Ring is discreet, attractive, powerful and, well stunning.

This was reported today on the Kare 11 web site (www.kare11.com) the local NBC affiliate in the Twin Cities of Minnesota:

Minneapolis Police are looking for a man they believe is exposing himself to female joggers at area lakes. According to a news release police say the suspect has been “inappropriately touching women” in the Lake Harriet area in the last few weeks.

Investigators say they have two reports of the suspect molesting women at Lake Harriet but they believe the male may have been exposing himself to women around other area lakes.

The suspect is described as:

• white male
• 6′ tall
• between 20 and 30 years of age
• medium build
• light colored hair

Anyone with possible information is asked to call Minneapolis Police at 612-673-3081.
(Copyright 2008 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)

As I mentioned, the above story was reported on the web site of Kare 11. On the 10:00 news broadcast this evening, the reporters updated this story and said a third woman has now come forward and said that she too was a victim of this pervert.

In last nights boradcast of the same story, they showed a video clip with an interview of a police officer who recommended that women not be in this area alone and carry mace. I couldn’t agree more.

Unfortunetly, most people don’t realize that Mace is just a brand name of pepper spray and, worse yet, many people don’t know where can they can buy pepper spray.

It’s a good thing you’re reading this so you can explain to them they can buy pepper spray just by following this link:

http://www.laneselfdefense.com/macehardcase.htm

If you are looking for a non-lethal, effective and affordable self defense tool or weapon, pepper spray is one of the best ways to protect yourself. More and more people are using pepper spray to escape dangerous situations, keeping their would-be attacker at bay and incapacitated - worrying about their own situation from the pepper spray - while you, the innocent party have time to get away to safety and call for help.

Here is a story from a local Florida newspaper from November 4, 2008, about an actual incident where an apartment manager was quick thinking and used pepper spray to stop someone from robbing her.

Apartment manager pepper sprays would-be robber

Published: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 2:41 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 2:41 p.m.

OCALA - A man who tried to rob an apartment manager - but instead was pepper-sprayed by the victim - escaped empty-handed Monday, according to sheriff’s deputies.

The manager at North Gate II apartments told detectives she was in the office of the complex, located in the 4200 block of Northwest 22nd Avenue, when a man walked in and asked if they were any available apartments. The woman said she was telling the man about the rent, when he told her to “give it up” and pulled out a balled-up empty McDonald’s bag from his pants pocket and threw it on the desk.

She said the man then pulled a silver semi-automatic handgun from his jacket pocket and pointed it at her. She said that while backing up, she grabbed a can of pepper spray and sprayed the suspect, who fled on foot.

A witness told deputies she saw the gunman in the passenger seat of a white, full-size standard-cab pickup truck that left the parking lot.

The suspect is described as being in his 20s, with shoulder length dreadlocks and some gold teeth. He was wearing a black nylon jacket, blue knit gloves and a black reggae-style hat.

Just imagine what would have happened if the apartment manager didn’t have pepper spray and didn’t use it quickly. Since the robber had a gun, the results could have been very different.

If you are looking for protection try pepper spray. It comes in various sizes, styles and forms and can do everything from fit into your pocket, look like a pen or lipstick case, and even look like a cell phone.

Don’t become a statistic. Try pepper spray now and stay safe.

Pepper spray can be an excellent form of self defense; however it can also be extremely dangerous if it is not used correctly.

Even though it is not illegal within the United States of America, there are laws that you have to follow when it comes to the use of pepper spray. Here you will find out everything that you need to know about these laws as well as tips to use the spray correctly.

The Importance of Using Pepper Spray Correctly

In many situations using pepper spray can really help to protect you against an attacker. However if you do not use it correctly there is a possibility that you could be hit with a civil liability. This is because all assault is considered to be a criminal offense. If you punch somebody then you can often get charged with assault. The same goes for pepper spray, if you cannot prove that it was self defense then you could end up in serious trouble.

There are certain situations where you cannot use the spray and these include:

• When you just don’t like the look of someone
• When a person is annoying you

If you use pepper spray for your own personal reasons then it is against the law and again you will end up with criminal charges being pressed against you. You have to remember that the spray is incredibly powerful and in some extreme cases it can be potentially life threatening. So when you use it, it has to be because you are in serious danger and it has to be self defense.

Pepper Spray Laws in Different States
Different states have different laws regarding the purchase and use of pepper spray. In California if you misuse pepper spray you could end up with a fine of up to $1,000. You could even have to serve three years in prison so it is fairly serious if you do misuse the spray. When it comes to purchasing the spray you also have to ensure that there is a warning label on the product that tells you it is against the law to misuse it.

You also have to be aware that there are some places which forbid you to even carry the product. These include onboard commercial aircrafts and in federal buildings. However if you place the pepper spray in your checked in luggage on an aircraft then that is usually ok. The fine that you could face if you ignore this rule is up to $25,000.

Overall you have to ensure that when you purchase pepper spray you get it from a licensed firearms or pharmacist within your local area. You will need to check the laws in your area just to check that you do not purchase a spray that is stronger than what is allowed. Pepper spray can be potentially lifesaving but it can also be dangerous if used incorrectly. Even when it is used correctly, there is no guarantee that you will escape your attacker. However it is a good form of self defense and in most states it isn’t illegal; you just have to follow the appropriate laws.

Pepper Spray has become a staple when it comes to warding off potential attackers and little by little, it is being used in place of other forms of protection - even in unusual situations.

Here is the latest idea out of New Zealand. Fisheries are having to deal with too many poachers, costing money and creating situations that cause injuries to fishermen and fishery officers.

Here is the reprint from new Zealand’s “One News” that shows how the country has decided to deal with the problem:

Fishery officers want pepper spray
Oct 26, 2008 10:09 PM

The fishery officers’ union is calling for access to retractable batons and pepper spray to help them confront seafood poachers.

Fishery officers, who already wear stab-proof vests, want the additional armoury to deal with poachers and allow them to escape safely from threatening situations, says National Union of Public Employees organiser Martin Cooney.

The union is making the call an election issue.

“Politicians state that there are ‘no go’ areas for fishery officers. This is because their current equipment has gaps, meaning it is not safe for them to go,” Cooney says.

“Much of the black market paua and rock lobster (crayfish) poached from such areas in the Wellington/Wairarapa and the Gisborne area is taken to Auckland or overseas.”

Many of the poachers have links with gangs and organised crime, he says.

Fishery officers are trained to use handcuffs and open handed combat moves, and travel in pairs for safety

No matter what your situation is, if you are looking for a good form of non-lethal protection, pepper spray is affordable and effective, comes in a variety of applications and will keep you safe.

I read a story on MSN today about some guy in Florida who ordered some food at the local McDonalds drive-up window and then tried to pay the casher with some of his weed! Can you imagine that? Talk about a stoner…Well, the cashier called the cops and provided them with a description of his vehicle and the cops picked him up. And of course, he was still carrying his stash with him. He was charged and released on $500 bail.

Man, someone really has to be pretty desperate to try a stunt like that. Well…I guess either desperate or really stoned. Or maybe a little bit of both.

It sure feels like the economy is getting bad and the stock market certainly agrees with this. Did you know the stock market usually is a leading indicator and is actually a reaction to economic activity up to 6 months in the future? It’s true. Based on the crappy stock market we’ve all seen in September and October, it looks like the economy is going to get a whole lot worse.

When the economy declines, crime increases. People get desperate and desperate times calls for desperate measures. Just keep this in mind the next time you find yourself in a vulnerable situation like walking the dog late at night or going to your car in a deserted parking garage.

I’m not bringing these things up to scare you, but rather to prepare you. If you are prepared, you will have won half the battle. Consider carrying a pepper spray or stun gun with you…just in case you find yourself in a scary situation.

Stay safe to stay alive,

Steve Lane

Self Defense & Surveillance Shop

http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com

http://www.LaneSurveillance.com

The following story is an excerpt from the Eagle Tribune Newspaper in New Hampshire. It was printed on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 and shows the importance and effectiveness of Pepper Spray in a home invasion or an attack.

ATKINSON — A homeowner fended off a burglar with pepper spray early Sunday morning, police said.

Officers were called to the Bryant Woods condominium complex about 1 a.m. for a home invasion, police Chief Philip Consentino said. The male intruder fled on foot before police arrived, he said.

A woman, whom police are not identifying, woke up because she heard a noise downstairs in her home. When she went to check, she found a man, Consentino said.

“She got into a confrontation with this gentleman, (he) grabbed her by the arm and punched her in the face,” Consentino said.

The woman asked the man if he wanted money and went for her purse when he said he did, Consentino said.

Instead, the homeowner grabbed a container of pepper spray.

She sprayed the intruder in the face and he ran out of the house — empty-handed, police said.

The woman told police she didn’t recognize the intruder. She described him as being between 35 and 45 years old. He was wearing a baseball cap that covered his face, she said.

Officers called in Plaistow police and its K-9 unit for assistance, Consentino said.

Because of quick thinking and her can of Pepper Spray, she is safe and the intruder was unable to steal anything.

I recently heard a true story about a woman who had been attacked while trying to get money out of an ATM machine in her suburban neighborhood. She was on an evening walk and she had no qualms about walking a few blocks to the bank, getting some cash, stopping at the local 7/11 store and going home.

It was dusk, not dark, and she never noticed anyone near her or behind her. She had the habit of keeping her eyes open just in case, but her neighborhood was so quiet, she wasn’t really on guard. In addition, she had never had any problems and she made this short journey at least once a week.

She approached the ATM machine and was punching in her pin number when someone grabbed her shoulder and told her to empty her bank account. Of course, she was startled and started to jerk away and scream, throwing the attacker off. In addition, she had a Pepper Pen in her other hand. Before the attacker could get her under control, she released the pepper spray into the attacker’s face, slamming his eyes shut and sending him into a disoriented coughing fit.

She was able to grab her ATM card, run screaming for help and have the attacker arrested.

It is not a coincidence that she had the pepper pen. Her husband had been looking for a home monitor and other safety weapons and came across the pen. He purchased it for her because he wanted her to have the freedom to go on her walks that she enjoyed so much, but he worried that she wouldn’t be safe. He figured she would never have to use it, but he was glad she had it just in case.

Once the ordeal was over, the woman stated that she would never be without the Pepper Pen again and her husband said that he was going to purchase a few other self defense tools, such as a Cell Phone Stun Gun.

Do not become a victim! Plan in advance and do what some people have done. Get your self defense tools and keep them ready to use “just in case.” They could make a huge difference in the outcome of an attack.

It wasn’t such a long time ago when pepper spray was hardly available to the public, and when it was, it was quite basic and only one or two types were available. Pepper spray had been a tool for the military and sometimes the police.

Today, pepper spray is used throughout the country as a self defense tool. People use is for various reasons. Some people do not wish to deal with weapons that can be fatal, such as guns and knives. Others use pepper spray because it is easy and convenient. It can be slipped into a pocket or purse, and it comes in various shapes, sizes and disguises.

Pepper spray is disguised in ball point pens, lipstick cases and cell phones - all of which look real. Because the containers concealing the pepper spray are so discreet, would-be attackers don’t recognize that they are decoys. Therefore, when the pepper spray is deployed, the attacker is temporarily immobilized and confused because their eyes are burning and forced to close, and they are coughing. This gives you time to get away to safety.

Pepper spray has come a long way, and it can be readily found everywhere from gas stations to malls. The question is: How do you know which is the best pepper spray?

The original pepper spray was manufactured by MACE. MACE is an expert in the area of pepper spray and only uses the purest and strongest products. They also have more experience than any other company when it comes to producing and selling pepper spray.

To determine which pepper spray is the best for you, research our website. The products and the answers are available to help you make a good decision regarding which pepper spray will protect you best.

Generally, it is a very good idea to carry 1-2 containers of Bear Spray whenever you are hiking or camping in bear country. In this unusual twist, however, Bear Spray would be ineffective in stopping the bear because the bear had a plastic container completly covering his head. The bear must have wandered into someone’s garbage, found the plastic container with yummy smells, and after he finished licking it, discovered he couldn’t remove the pastic container from his head. You see, bears do not have hands, only paws. This made it very difficult to remove the plastic container from the bear’s head. He pawed and pawed and flung his head from side to side, but to no avail. The stubborn container was not going to come off very easily.

Park rangers became increasingly worried about what the bear might do if it stumbled into a human, so they just tracked the bear to see what he was going to do next. I wouldn’t think the bear could do to much damage to any human since he was wearing a space helmet. Bears in space! Apparently, park rangers don’t typically carry tranquilizer guns with them and the nearest ranger with this type of gun lived about 3 hours away. They continued to track the bear until it came across the town of Frazee, MN where to local police officers decided to shoot and kill the Bear just in case he tried anything funny. I don’t know why someone didn’t just walk up to the bear and remove the plastic container from his head. I’m sure he would have really appreciated that and the bear and the person could go on an live a wonderful life together…like Grizzy Adams!

Anyway, I thought this story was interesting and pointed out one of the very rare situations in which bear pepper spray would not be effective. Of course, if a bear has his head stuck inside a plastic container, he’s got way more things to worry about than attacking any person he encounters. I guess someone could die from laughing too hard and forgetting to take a breath in between laughs, but that’s about it.

FRAZEE, Minn. — A bear with a plastic jar over its head led police on a six-day chase through the forests of Hubbard and Becker counties before it was shot and killed, state wildlife officials said.

Officials had hoped to capture the wild black bear — whose head got stuck inside a 2 1/2-gallon plastic jar — but decided to shoot the animal after it wandered into the city of Frazee during the town’s busy Turkey Days celebration.

“When it got into town, our main concern was public safety,” said Rob Naplin, the Department of Natural Resources’ area wildlife supervisor in Park Rapids.

The bear was foraging for food, perhaps at a Dumpster, when its head got head stuck in the clear, plastic container. Naplin said he wasn’t sure of the container’s original contents but said it looked like a jar for bulk candy or popcorn.

While the bear could breathe, it couldn’t eat or drink and was likely suffering from dehydration and hunger. “I’m sure there was high anxiety and frustration with its predicament,” Naplin said. “It is (a sad story).”

There was no evidence the bear was baited by hunters, Naplin said. The legal baiting season doesn’t open until Aug. 15. The bear season opens Sept. 1.

The bear, with the jar on its head, was first reported near the town of Lake George on July 21.

The next day it showed up at Itasca State Park near some Dumpsters and DNR officials deployed a trap made of a steel barrel to try to catch it and remove the jar. The bear wouldn’t enter the trap, however, and was last seen Wednesday night on the park’s east side, the jar wedged on its head over one ear.

“We attempted to locate a dart gun to tranquilize it, but it left the park,” said Naplin, who estimated the bear was about 2-years-old. “It was on the move.”

The next day, the bear was spotted at a Boy Scout camp on Many Point Lake about 15 miles southwest of the park. By then, the DNR had two wildlife and four enforcement officers looking for the animal.

The bear showed up next in Frazee, where conservation officers decided it needed to be killed to avoid conflicts with humans.

By then, the jar had slipped down over both of the bear’s ears.

“You don’t want it knocking over a kid or getting hit by a car,” Naplin said. “Showing up in Frazee escalated the urgency of dispatching it.”

Tags: Bear spray, bear pepper spray, camping safety, protection from bears, hiking safely, bear attacks, minnesota bear attacks

You want to protect yourself without a lethal weapon. You have heard that pepper spray is non-lethal, affordable and protective, but you don’t know much about how it works. Here is some information that will help you in your search.

Mace Pepper Sprays are the finest available and Mace created the first pepper sprays to be put on the market. Mace has created all sorts of discreet containers and disguises for pepper spray including phony cell phones, phony lipstick and more.

One of the most convenient pepper spray products on the market is Mace Hardcase Pepper Spray. It is one of the most powerful pepper spray products available, yet it is small enough to fit into your pocket or purse. It comes with a convenient key ring that can be latched on to your keys or attached to your belt loops or briefcase/purse strap.

One of the great features of Mace Hardcase Pepper Spray is that it looks as innocent as a regular key chain, so that a would-be attacker would think nothing of it. This gives you the upper hand in an interaction because if you were attacked, you would be able to quickly use the spray against your attacker.

Mace Hardcase Pepper Spray will debilitate and disorient an attacker when sprayed in their face. The pepper will make their eyes tear and cause coughing and sneezing that is severe enough for them to no longer focus on attacking you, because they have to focus on their own situation. This gives you time to get away to safety.

Mace Hardcase Pepper Spray is one of the most affordable and effective non-lethal tools against attack. Protect yourself with this powerful tool starting right now.

It is important for everyone to learn self-defense. You never know when you could become a target. It really doesn’t matter who you are or how big you are. If predators want something from you, they will stop at nothing to get it, unless you surprise them and fight back. Most criminals don’t want any conflict. If you make it hard on them, they may decide it isn’t worth it and leave you alone.

So, what self-defense tips can you put to good use? These suggestions will give you an opportunity to escape.

* Use your thumbs: If you have access to the hands of an attacker, use your thumbs to press down as hard as you can on the fingernails just above the nail bed. Surprisingly, this really hurts. Your attacker will be shocked and in pain and will quickly pull away. This should give you an escape opportunity.

* Hit hard at the bridge of the nose: If you get the opportunity, drive the heel of your palm right into the bridge of your attacker’s nose. A hard enough hit can be fatal. Either way, the blinding pain will cause your assailant to take a step back to recover from the hit. Take advantage of the distraction and run. Yell “fire!” as you run to attract attention. People generally respond and pay more attention when someone yells “fire” instead of “help.”

* Push into a bite: A vicious attacker may bite you. Avoid your instinct to pull away. Instead, push the limb being bitten into the face of your attacker. Cover as much of your attacker’s nose and mouth as possible. The result will be smothering unless the bite is released.

* Knee or kick the groin: It doesn’t matter how strong or large your attacker is. If you get a chance, deliver a strong shot to the groin. Your assailant will instantly double over in agony and allow you a good opportunity to run away. Don’t assume this will only work for a male attacker either. Anyone who is hit hard in that area will be in excruciating pain long enough for you to start running.

Now you have some good techniques that will allow you time to get away. What else can you do to help your situation? Here are some suggestions that most people don’t think of when they are panicked:

* Yell fire: For most people, when trapped in a helpless situation, the instinct is to yell for help. The best way to attract attention and gain help is actually to yell “Fire!” It is a proven fact that the majority of people, especially in densely populated cities, ignore calls for help. People just don’t want to get involved. Yelling “fire” will attract more attention and get you the help you need. If nothing else, someone will call the fire department and the sirens will scare your attacker away. If you are told not to yell or scream, do it anyway. Most attackers will run rather than chance attention drawn to them. They don’t want witnesses.

* Anything can be a weapon: Be creative in your self defense. Smokers can burn the assailant with a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe. Keep your keys handy. A key between your index and middle fingers with the jagged side facing down is a great weapon for stabbing, gouging or scraping. Boots and heels can do a lot of bodily damage with a bit of force behind them. Drinks can temporarily blind someone. Heavy objects like, purses, bags of groceries, briefcases or laptops can knock an attacker off balance briefly.
* Become a moving target: If you do get away, run. If possible, weave as you are running. It is hard for an attacker to hit a moving target, especially when it isn’t going in a straight line.

We would all like to think that it will never happen to us. Odds are, if not you then someone you love will become the victim of an attacker. Everyone needs to learn basic self-defense and encourage others to do so as well.

Stay Safe,

Steve Lane

http://www.laneselfdefense.com

Tags: C2 Taser, crime avoidance, Crime Prevention, Home security, How to protect yourself from attack, Pepper spray, Personal Safety, Self Defense, Self Defense Products, self defense spray, Self Defense Tips, Stun Gun

Over the past weekend, there was a disturbing story released in the local media that an 18 year old woman was dragged into a men’s restroom in a college dormitory and raped by two men. One of the men restrained the woman while the other man raped.

The woman was visiting some friends and left their dorm room to go to the bathroom. She was gone for about 20 minutes, which her friends thought was odd…but didn’t bother to go look for her. The woman came back to the dorm room crying and told her friends what had happened.

Now, this particular incident happened in a dormatory of a very large university - The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. This exact same type of crime could really happen at any college campus - large or small.

Unfortunetly, no one is truly safe. I know, it’s a really depressing thought, but wishing that something was true doesn’t really MAKE IT true. We can standby and watch as our friends and loved ones fall victim to these types of crimes or we can do something about it.

Obviously, this woman who was raped didn’t do anything wrong and certainly didn’t deserve to be raped and attacked. What if this woman had a small canister of pepper spray on her belt that she grabbed just as she was walking to the bathroom? Would she have been able to reach for it and use it quickly enough to spray it in her attacker’s face? Maybe or maybe not.

It sure would be nice to hear a story about how a rape attack was PREVENTED by someone who was prepared for the worst, instead of hearing about another innocent victim being attacked. That’s my two cents.

Stay Safe,

Steve Lane

Self Defense & Surveillance Shop

http://www.laneselfdefense.com

http://www.lanesurveillance.com

Tags: Crime Prevention, Gel Pepper Spray, Lipstick pepper spray, pepper foam, pepper gel, Pepper spray, Personal Safety, Self Defense Products, self defense spray, Self Defense Tips, wildfire pepper spray