So recently i've been checking into non lethal weapons and non letal ammunition, ie beanbag rounds, rock salt, and rubber bullets. So my question is, if a shotgun or hand gun loaded with non lethal rounds is it the same in the eyes of the law compared to a full metal jacket or hollow points. just checkin in to ways of keep myself, and my home safe.Any ideas?
In nearly every country I know of, a firearm is considered a lethal weapon regardless of what it's loaded with. Unless it is something built from the ground up to be a non-lethal projectile weapon (taser, beanbag bazooka, etc) it's generally seen as a lethal implement by the courts if it comes to that.
Very few places consider what kind of ammo (such as HP, FMJ, SL, etc) that you're using. Consider this however. It's very hard for the guy who was trying to kill you to testify against you if he's in the morgue. Been in that situation more than a few times but I'm out of the big cities and global areas where that happens and hopefully have that behind me.
If you have to have something that works as a weapon that's "less lethal" (remember, you can off someone with a pillow if you try hard enough) I'd choose a 4 cell maglite. I'd load it with lead acid batteries and I'd use it as a crackhead-be-good stick. That's the only other thing I've had come up in court. Lemmie tell you "all I had to defend myself was my flashlight" worked out pretty well. They throw pretty well too. Just be sure to keep a practice flashlight for that so they don't see you've been practicing nailing a cabbage from across your yard all week.
Pepper spray works but really really sucks in confined areas. If you're in an open area I always went with the spray, swat, spray tactic. Hose 'em down at a distance, dart in while they're screaming and bash them a few times, then stand back and keep hosing them till they can't move much.
