I decided to start carrying a fake pistol for self defense on my night rides
 

With winter here, I am doing a good deal of riding at night, and alone. I feel the need to defend myself.

I've had a fair amount of people confronting me. Nothing too serious. I have kids in raised pickup trucks driving by yelling "FA**#&T!!!" at me almost on a weekly basis. I am totally immune to that and don't even think twice about that. I've had people throw eggs and beer bottles at me. I can let that go too.

It's when people threaten physical harm and try to steal my bike that I feel I need to defend against. I've had people push me off my bike, and there have been recent incidents of cyclists being beaten and robbed on the same trails I ride on. One even happened 2 hours before the same spot I was just at. And the scary thing these muggings happened on a saturday afternoon.

I chose an airsoft gun, so if authorities were ever involved, they would know my intention was to only defend myself. If I had a real, but more subtle weapon like a knife, or stun gun, I could be accused of using it offensively. I also don't believe pepper spray would be effective either because every time I've been confronted, it was with 2-3 guys. I have never been confronted by someone acting alone.

If someones approaching me, looking to assault or rob me, I want to just be able to lift up my shirt. Have them see the pistol, so they turn around, get back in their car, and leave me alone. That's all.

What if the other person has a real gun? That's a chance i'm willing to take. I think in that situation though, I would know they had a gun before they knew I had a weapon (real or fake). People using a real gun offensively is likely to brandish their weapon sooner than someone who's using a fake gun defensively. In which case they can take my bike and beat me up, it's not worth my life.

Of course the idea is not perfect. Ideally the best thing would be to have a riding partner everywhere I go. But I just don't have that option. I'm open to suggestions that are more safe and effective for defending myself though.

Here's the pistol. It looks like a Walther PP, or a Kel Tec P32. Its metal, and has the clip, and cocking mechanism like a real pistol. It was ridiculously cheap. I removed the orange tip of course.

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/...4at80450PM.png

Horrible idea!

+1,000,000,000

Where do you live? This seems like a pretty bad idea. Real or not i'm pretty sure if you pull this out, even in self defense, you could be looking at some trouble with law enforcement.

How do you really defense yourself with a toy? Get a real ONE! You will get killed for waving that little fake one!

In AZ anyone can carry an unconcealed weapon . . . no permit.

I have always heard "Don't ever show a gun unless you intend to use it". It's an invitation for the other party to use deadly force. So how would one use a toy gun?

What the previous posters have said is correct. Pulling a fake gun on someone is just as bad as pulling a real one and not actually shooting in a lot of places...it's called "brandishing" and in some places is a serious crime.
you have four real options if this really is a serious problem...in increasing order of risk
first, and most desirable, avoid the areas you are getting harassed. If its an area where there are undesirable types hanging around, it's understandable that they are harassing you. I live real close to the bad parts of Oakland CA and Richmond CA (two of the most crime ridden areas of the US) and no way are you catching me on a bike there.
second, carry pepper spray or similar type thing.
third, learn to fight.
fourth, carry a real gun. I find this option silly for cycling, but I commonly carry a large handgun when I go hiking in pot farm or bear country so I can't totally dismiss it or it would be the pot calling the kettle black.

I'm in Texas and I carry a real one :)

holy crap, where do you ride?

It's worth saying again. This is an awful idea. This isn't hollywood. People don't just run scared when they see a weapon.

If for any reason we got into some sort of altercation, regardless of who started it, and you pulled that reasonably real looking gun on me, I would shoot you. With my real gun. In real life. With real bullets. You would either suffer real injuries or die a real death. And I'm a friendly guy that wouldn't pull my gun until the absolutely very WORST of circumstances. Please consider the fact that the bad guy won't be as kind.

You're going to get yourself killed.

Also that looks more like a sig p230 than a walther.

Bad idea. If you're going to have a piece make sure it's real. And take it to a shooting range, know how to use it, and keep it loaded. Or find somewhere else to ride, that would be what my wife would demand I do. I do feel for you, this sounds like a pretty bad situation, but that toy gun isn't going to make it any better. Good luck...

Where do you live?

We're travelling around the US right now, and we want to make sure to avoid your part of the US.

Are you stupid? If you pull a gun (fake or real) on someone, you better be ready to die. Just how do you plan to defend yourself with a fake gun. Might as well take some cardio kickboxing to go with your fake-gun false sense of security. PLUS, you can go to jail for that. I don't see an orange tip on that gun. YOU will be at fault if something goes down, and I don't think a judge is going to have mercy on you when you get your a$$ pummeled by a guy who was defending himself because he thought you were going to shoot him.

Carry a fake gun and you're inviting some macho jacka** to go all macho jacka** on you when he sees that you're armed. Er, I mean "armed"

Pepper spray would at least be useful.

If HB means Huntington Beach then you are all kinds of fubar'd.
you might as well buy a real gun because the consequences are the same.

Just carrying it, and the popo stop you... will have you munching pillows with unintentional boyfriends for a while.
better bone up on CA gun laws
Worst idea ever.

You don't carry that gun unless your last name is Bond. Joking aside BAD BAD idea.

..
http://www.hulu.com/watch/10310

i wouldn't be surprised if it's illegal just to remove the orange tip to make it look like a real gun

get pepper spray. or dont ride there

if the cops don't shoot you first

I'd either find a new place to ride or get a real gun.

Fake gun does nothing.

Sounds like you live in hell.

this is worth emphasizing again and again.

guns are a last resort. you only show one if you're in a situation where you have to use it. they are not meant to be some form of visual cue you use to dissuade others from messing with you.

plus, if someone is crazy enough to start a physical altercation with a stranger, he's probably crazy enough to be carrying a firearm or other weapon himself, which he will use to kill you.


it is in many states and under many different circumstances.

Either trolling or just plain stupid, no scratch that - unbelievably stupid.

I have to agree with everyone else... This is a terrible and very dangerous idea.

Your writing suggests some level of literacy. So, why would anyone capable of writing this well chose to ride in areas where trouble is around the corner? Personally, I've traveled in very dicey parts of the world and cyclists (unless they are moving at turtle speed and look vulnerable ) are not the preferred target of hoodlums.

Find the time to read this:

http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/

Then do what YOU think is best.



One more thing. I don't trust the police to make the streets safe, but for some PARTICULAR problems (ceratin persons, or certain areas, at certain times), you should be able to get some cooperation and protection. If you go to the local police station, introduce yourself, let them see you're not hot headed and realise you have a REAL problem (if you do).