Mark Baria from the Land of Lincoln shares his carry ensemble “My Usual EDC” with us, courtesy Everyday Carry.
First off, he doesn’t carry a firearm. Instead, he carries a pepper spray dispenser that looks like a firearm. Specifically, a Mace Brand Police Strength Pepper Spray Pepper Gun 2.0.
At first I thought he wasn’t old enough to carry, but then I saw he’s 31-years-old. Then I see he works retail… which means lousy hours and most retail employers have little sense of humor about carrying while at work.
At the same time, I’m not sure they would cut him a lot of slack for carrying a pepper spray applicator that looks like a gat.
And then there’s the whole issue of the shortcomings of hot pepper seasoning for self-defense. Personally, I have seen first-hand the limitations of pepper spray. Heck, it’s one of the drills we do if we have extra time in our Essential Carry class. Lack of effective range, blowback in the wind, incapacitation delay, inability to deploy, collateral damage… and the list goes on and on.
And then there’s the whole, “it looks like a gun” downside to the applicator. If someone sees Mr. Baria holding that Mace Brand Police Strength Pepper Spray Pepper Gun 2.0, they’re gonna think it’s a gun. And react accordingly.
Other thoughts: He likes fire. He has three lighters: A Bic, a Zippo and a Vertigo. And multitools (two).
First part of my edc that I keep in my pockets, my truck, and edc bag.
Anyone else rely on pepper spray as their primary self-defense tool?
