Violent crime continues to rise in Bethesda and Montgomery County, with assaults, armed robberies and carjackings regularly making headlines. Now pepper spray sales are also rising. This pepper spray section at Target in downtown Bethesda was virtually cleaned out yesterday.
Maryland's highly-restrictive gun laws leave residents few options for self-defense beyond staying alert to their surroundings. Others simply may not wish to carry or use a firearm. Whatever the reason, it's clear that pepper spray sales are hot at the moment, reflecting strong concern about the crime situation.
14 comments:
When buying Pepper-based defense products, it's important to consider your options to determine what's best for your needs:
Pepper Spray is released as an atomized mist cloud when used.
Pepper Spray Gel is a bit different: It's released as a stream, which is less likely to blow back in your face due to wind outdoors. It also only affects what it directly lands on, unlike the spray.
You can also get 3-in-1 defense sprays, which contain Pepper, Tear Gas and a UV Marker so the assailant can be positively identified later by police.
Make sure what you get is legal for where you want to carry it. I recommend Sabre or Mace brand products, which you can easily find online. IMHO, everyone should consider carrying some kind of pepper spray or gel.
As for firearms: Given the recent Supreme Court decision out of New York, Maryland's gun laws aren't as restrictive as they used to be just a few months ago. The State is now "Shall Issue", which means you no longer have to provide a "good and substantial reason" for your Carry Application. I applied and got my MD Wear & Carry permit in about 45 days.
Not to dispute that these products are more popular lately, but what does a photo of a nearly-empty display at Target prove, all by itself? What did that display look like last week, or last month? What do the employees at Target have to say, even anonymously, about how fast pepper spray is selling, how many people come in asking for it, and/or how often they have to restock?
9:40: It looks like there was a run on pepper spray. Target doesn't usually leave bare displays like this under normal circumstances.
I don't recall see in a pepper spray display on Target before. Sign of the times?
It *may mean there was a run on pepper spray. Do you have any data to support your claim?
@9:18am It's true you can get a carry permit BUT.. Someone who does not own a handgun in Maryland, it takes a LONG time to possess one. One must first take training (if not ex military) and get a HQL card. That can take weeks. Next you have the HQL buy a gun and they make you wait another seven days to take it. Virginia is cash and carry for a handgun same day.
@11:12 AM: Yup. They wouldn't have it to sell if it didn't sell. Bethesda is turning into Silver Spring.
@2:11 PM: Yeah, it's not as easy as VA, but it'll eventually change. Look at what happened with "Shall Issue" for MD. That's been something people have waited on for years to happen, and it finally did. As for training, I highly recommend you take some lessons from an instructor.
There's a pepper spray display? LOL. You know if the right had their way, we'd have an endcap comparing 45 vs. 9mm display. Give me that 1911 with the extended mag. I might need to shoot a whole lot of attackers. You just never know.
Not saying that's what happened here, but a display that's deliberately not replenished could actually be a great way to get people to buy items like this ("Get yours while you still can. . . .")
@1:29 PM: Plenty of democrats buy and own guns. You've never met them. Also, you can't buy extended magazines in Maryland by law. It's not illegal to possess extended magazines in Maryland, but you can't buy them here., Also, it's an additional crime to commit a crime with an extended magazine in Maryland. You should read up on this a bit more.
@11:54 AM: That's certainly possible.
1:29 PM gives the typical uninformed comment of someone who knows absolutely nothing about firearms or firearms laws. As 4:33 AM said, it's illegal to buy/sell high capacity magazines (over 10 Rounds) in Maryland. You obviously didn't know that or you wouldn't have said that you'd try to purchase an extended magazine in Maryland. Congratulations on your criminal offense.
@1:29 PM: If the "right" actually had their way, there wouldn't have to be pepper spray for sale in a Bethesda Target.
Fine 1:29 PM. You get to carry the muzzle loader. Just you. Remember to keep your powder dry.
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