There is so much information available on the Internet, it can sometimes be overwhelming. When it comes to self-defense this is no exception. A large amount of information is available about various self-defense products, techniques and tips from experts. With all this online self-defense information, there is just no excuse for people not to invest in the product or experience necessary to guard themselves against an assailant.
National law enforcement statistics tell us that more than 1.3 million crimes are committed every year. Don't be a victim to a carjacking, forcible rape, aggravated assault or robbery, and don't become another statistic. If you have knowledge of self-defense or carry a self-defense device, you have the additional tools to prevent an attack or free yourself, should it happen.
At The Covert Eye, your safety and security is our main concern, and that is why we offer such a large selection of home and personal protection products for you to choose from. Feeling secure should be the right of everyone. Along with our personal alarms and diy home security systems, a big part of our business is in our selection of non-lethal self defense items, such as Tasers, stun guns, MACE and pepper sprays. These products offer not only some peace of mind in knowing you're not completely vulnerable, but their effectiveness can be attested to in police reports every day.
Sadly, every month we will get a handful of orders from individuals who happen to live in selected states or cities where the purchase or possession of such a device is made illegal. Such states include Connecticut, Illinois, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. Restricted cities include Annapolis, Baltimore, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia.
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My question has always been, why is that? We are not talking handguns or assault rifles, but simply a shot of oleoresin capsicum to the eyes, or electric shock to the body, both of which are only meant to temporarily disable a person, allowing the victim time to get to safety. If you were to ask law enforcement their thoughts, nearly all of them would like to see these non-lethal devices made legal in their states. It is far better to take a report of an attempted rape from a live victim rather than from one lying in a morgue. Unfortunately, old laws are hard to overturn, and the number of reported muggings, rapes, and personal assaults continue to climb.
Not long ago I spoke with a mother, whose daughter was attending college in Massachusetts and who was concerned about her safety at night when she walked alone from the library back to her dorm room. Apparently the
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campus was beautifully landscaped, but at the same time the well manicured grounds also provided excellent concealment for any would-be attacker. She wanted to give her daughter a disguised cell phone stun gun to carry with her at night for personal protection, but stun guns are illegal in that state. She then thought about purchasing some pepper spray, which in Massachusetts can only be done from a licensed firearms dealer, but then she ran up against the college's policy that made it illegal for any student to carry in their possession pepper spray or Mace while on campus grounds. It was a dilemma she wrestled with. In the end, she bought the pepper spray and gave it to her daughter, anyway. A semester later the worry became a reality. While walking back to her dorm around 10:00 at night the daughter was suddenly attacked by a single male, who forcibly grabbed her and tried to drag her behind one of the hedges. Struggling to break free, she managed to get the pepper spray in her hand and began squeezing the spray in the direction of her attacker. One of the attempts found its mark, and the attacker suddenly let go, his hands going quickly to his face and eyes. The girl then ran back to her dorm, where she immediately called campus police.
The attacker was never found, but now her daughter was facing disciplinary action from the Board of Regents for violating policy about the possession of pepper spray on college property. The mother was worried that the board members could either suspend her, or even worse, take away her scholarship. I told her that in my opinion to even consider punishing a victim of attempted rape for fighting back, no matter what the policy, is to me totally unjust and unfair. I then added, “while I know you are concerned with the hearing your daughter will be having with the Board, and what decisions could come from it, at least you should be relieved and thankful that your daughter is alive and well to even attend the hearing.”
With that, she couldn't disagree.
Here, at The Covert Eye, we believe it is the right of every American to defend themselves and their families when confronted by intimate danger and physical harm. A non-lethal self defense weapon provides the perfect means of protecting you and your loved ones in such situations, without having to resort to deadly force. If you believe that Tasers, stun guns and pepper sprays should be legal and available to anyone, no matter the state or city, we would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Even if you have a different view, we would like to hear your thoughts as well.
