Laser as in-home Self Defense?

[Putrio]

It's been a while since I posted, but I've been mulling around the idea lately about using a laser pointer as home defense and wanted to get peoples opinions. Do you think, if used in your own home in the case of a break in, a .5w+ pointer could provide any self-defense? I realize lasers are not toys, but neither are guns, and I'd rather not shoot someone, and don't own a gun. I can edit this next bit out if requested, but do you think a focused beam in the eye would stop someone with a gun, or would they just start shooting?

I didn't find any threads regarding people actually planning on using a laser as a home defense method, only chance situations where people claimed their lasers saved their lives. I'm leaning towards "just get a gun" but I hate the thought of killing someone...I'm not intending this to be an irresponsible post giving youngens bad ideas, and if people take it that way I'll just delete all the text. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Cyparagon]

No, they'd probably shoot you in confusion. An enemy's pupil is not an easy target to hit when you're frightened.

A taser is a nice alternative, I hear.

 

[anselm]

I didn't find any threads regarding people actually planning on using a laser as a home defense method, only chance situations where people claimed their lasers saved their lives.

Hmm really now?
Aren't these here threads enough for you?

http://laserpointerforums.com/f58/do-you-carry-your-laser-self-defense-night-35888.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/portable-lasers-defensive-offensive-weapon-53093.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/laser-self-defense-28541.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/stun-laser-26312.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/just-used-my-1-6w-445nm-self-defense-57237.html

Didn't they answer all your questions?

 

[Putrio]

Doh, I only found the last of those five, can I delete my own thread?

 

[sahara2010]

The laser in a CD player is infrared (IR). It is nearly invisible to the eye - just a dull red glow - but it can cause permanent eye damage anyway.

If you must have a laser pointer, you'll be better off and happier with a cheap Walmart or dollar store one.

I bought my first laser around 1969. They cost over $300 (about $1000 in today's money) back then. It's still sitting in my design lab.

 

[anselm]

Who the f*ck are you anyway, sahara!?
Home made laser pointer.? - Yahoo! Answers

 

[Stephen j gilman]

I do plan on using my 250mw 650, and soon to own 1w 445 for home defense with a taser m-18 as a one two punch!
If it's so dangerous to our eyes as we all state over and over. It should "blind someone without goggles faster than they can blink. with a burning poping feeling!!! and intense pain!!!" I've read this quote from alot of YOUR laser safety threds.
AND IT'S SUPER EASY TO GET A LASER IN AN INTRUDERS EYES! it's a visible line lol ;b
But like I said the laser is just to stun them... so I could grab a real weapon.

 

[Sauron]

This is where the Arctic Spyder 3 G2 is useful. Even on low power its pulse mode is very disorienting to an attacker.

 

[Laserburns]

It's been a while since I posted, but I've been mulling around the idea lately about using a laser pointer as home defense and wanted to get peoples opinions. Do you think, if used in your own home in the case of a break in, a .5w+ pointer could provide any self-defense? I realize lasers are not toys, but neither are guns, and I'd rather not shoot someone, and don't own a gun. I can edit this next bit out if requested, but do you think a focused beam in the eye would stop someone with a gun, or would they just start shooting?

I didn't find any threads regarding people actually planning on using a laser as a home defense method, only chance situations where people claimed their lasers saved their lives. I'm leaning towards "just get a gun" but I hate the thought of killing someone...I'm not intending this to be an irresponsible post giving youngens bad ideas, and if people take it that way I'll just delete all the text. Thanks for your thoughts!

To blind someone would not be a great idea, even in a case of serious offense, to make such a permanent damage would cost you a lot, and no judge would be merciful with you.. you imagine?

Lawyer: "Honour...my client was just starving, he was just seeking a few dollar for his family..and now.. he is also blind, he can never work again.. la...la..la..."



I would recommend an Air Taser or a Stun Gun instead, you would get also a medal from police if you catch a robber

 

[Sauron]

To blind someone would not be a great idea, even in a case of serious offense, to make such a permanent damage would cost you a lot, and no judge would be merciful with you.. you imagine?

Lawyer: "Honour...my client was just starving, he was just seeking a few dollar for his family..and now.. he is also blind, he can never work again.. la...la..la..."



I would recommend an Air Taser or a Stun Gun instead, you would get also a medal from police if you catch a robber

Actually, the typical judge probably would be merciful in both the criminal and possible civil suit. You have a right to defend your home against invasion, and that includes deadly force if the attacker makes you fear for your life. That means you can shoot and kill the attacker with a gun, or you can stab the attacker with a knife. The probability of death with either device is much greater than if you used a laser to blind your attacker. Furthermore, owning a high-powered laser as a home-only self-defense device shows intent to only disable an attacker without mortally wounding or killing that person. It is the intent that will legally save your butt. Now, this may vary from state to state depending on the laws. Here in Jax a judge will throw the book at a home invader any day.

 

[Laserburns]

Actually, the typical judge probably would be merciful in both the criminal and possible civil suit. You have a right to defend your home against invasion, and that includes deadly force if the attacker makes you fear for your life. That means you can shoot and kill the attacker with a gun, or you can stab the attacker with a knife. The probability of death with either device is much greater than if you used a laser to blind your attacker. Furthermore, owning a high-powered laser as a home-only self-defense device shows intent to only disable an attacker without mortally wounding or killing that person. It is the intent that will legally save your butt. Now, this may vary from state to state depending on the laws. Here in Jax a judge will throw the book at a home invader any day.

Yes... but if you do permanent damage do someone disarmed, you are wrong. If you point a laser to someone with a handgun, he may think you are having a gun too, and immediately shot you! So you see, you have lost in both situations.. lasers are not recommended like offense device.

You are right about judges, and what about jury.. that will see a blind man, with a stick, with the lawyer keeping his hand, and a roll of cloth on his face, just coming inside the room..hitting ad chairs.... you imagine how the jury would react to such a show?

My father tells that you need the right tool for the right work (mechanical talking), but this rule is appliable to anything.

If you need to defend yourself, use a defending device, like a pocket alarm, an air taser, or a flashlight... but take them out, only if you have no choice of using the first line weapon...RUNNING SHOES!! :san:

p.s. even in the rare case that you find yourself in a terrible situation of someone running on you and just keep the laser in hand...lots of mobber have SUNGLASSES to not be reknown, and they block uv rays and lowers a lot the laser intensity! wwoaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!! i think laser is 99% ineffective as defence device, at least, till portable Co2 will be around..

 

[TeufelWolf]

@Sauron - It depends on venue. Some jurisdictions are VERY VERY hostile towards any type of self defense (CA, MA, NY, IL come to mind in the US). Some EU countries also tend to not recognize a right to self defense with any kind of weapon.

You also need to consider the non-legal blow back. Here in Los ANgeles, you blind a gangsta who is attacking you, and you will have all his homies after you, and their pro-bono lawyers.

The DA may railroad you into jail because if they do not the gangstas will riot and burn down half the city by playing the race card.

If you are in a self defense situation you don't want to defend yourself in a way that makes you "news worthy". Once you get into the news you have a HUGE target painted on you. You will be a target for DAs, Activist lawyers, and friends of the criminal.

 

[Stephen j gilman]

I live in America! And I have stoped a mugging with a knife when I got of the scv transit a year ago! Some crazy guy was punching an old man fight infront of everyone! And saying "where's you wallet bitch" the man had hit the old guy so hard in the face that he bit off half his lip. I looked around and relised that I was the only man around!!! Just women and kids around... Sigh... I guess I have to do something, I thought to myself. I only weigh 110lb and I'm not very imitating either! I have Ben robed twice myself. So I started carrying a spring assist knife with me everywhere. I had my knife on me! Ok a wave of POWER Went through me and I graves the guys hair and pulled back ripping a good chunk out! I pressed up on the nib and the blade pops out like a switchblade!
I press my knife into his neck not to kill him but hard enough so he won't move and take the chance of him cutting himself!!!!! Ok let's recap. I'm standing in front of about 5 people with a knife in some random person neck! The guy starts saying "I'm cool" "don't cut me" and I just scream "shut the fuck up or you WILL die! My life is worth more to me than yours! I'll bury my knife into your face if you evin breath hard! He shuts up... I start yelling call the cops call the cops!!! It feels like 20min goes by and the cops show up!!!! I'm standing infront of a crowd of people still holding a knife to this guys neck... I LOOK LIKE THE BAD GUY!!! the cops tell me to drop my weapon, get on the floor! and take me and the robber into custody. Everyone around started saying NOOO! that yong man is a hero! He saved that man! I was in holding for about 16hours while the cops talked to everyone! It was terrible I had to do psych evaluations and write down what happend like 10 times. When the old man got out of the hospital he told the cops what happend and I was free!!! Yay!!!

Im sure a laser could have stoped the assault from 30ft away! Giving time for the man to get away! People who mug or hurt people deserve to be blind! This is America if you are assaulted or fear for your life or the lives of others you can use deadly force! So in short taking away someones eyes Is alot easer to get away with than stabbing or shooting some one!

 

[TeufelWolf]

Self defense is not a "federal" issue. It is handled at the state/local level. It is up to the local DA if you treated as a "hero" or a "vigilante". Some DA's really hate "self defense" because you are trespassing on the turf of unionized law enforcement.

 

[Kevlar]

My father tells that you need the right tool for the right work (mechanical talking), but this rule is applicable to anything.

Sounds like a smart guy.

If someone wants to defend themselves with a laser, you go right ahead. What if the robber has a gun? Would you bring a laser to a gun fight? Well, maybe you would, but I sure as hell wouldn't

If someone one broke into my house, and I told them to freeze or I'll shoot, they are either gone run, or if they have a gun, shoot at me. Either way, I'd have the drop on them. I'm not particularly worried about a judge or jury ruling against me for protecting my home and family. I'd do whatever it takes.

 

[Stephen j gilman]

The laser is just something I can leave on a counter next to my bed in the open. I'm not trying to make the laser a weapon, but if you were caught by suprise in bed, if you could get it in their eyes it could just buy you a second or two! Go ahead shine a 1w 445 laser in your eyes and try and aim a gun! It's to buy time to reach in my closet and grab this!

Taser M-18 with a smith&wesson spring assist knife that is mounted on the bottom as a last resort! Ps I cut the spring and it's able to puncure a roast beef now!