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I do think this is important. As frustrating and disruptive as protesters can be, as long as your property and life are not at risk, it's just something you need to deal with (or better yet, avoid). With that said, having your vehicle surrounded by violent protesters and rioters is a whole different story. As soon as the bricks and bats start damaging your vehicle, it's life-threatening. I would still try to adhere to an escalation protocol and having less-than-lethal options would go long way to your defense if the escalation resulted in lethal force in the defense of your life.
The problem is avoidance in the first place. If your employment is in an area involved with violent protests, you're best hunkering down and battening down the hatches. If you're in you vehicle your standard TTPs should be situational awareness, receiving any and all intel and avoiding any potentially volatile situations. Getting stuck downtown in the middle of a potentially violent mob with your vehicle is just piss poor planning and awareness. Now with that said, I've been to a few professional sporting events where I get extremely concerned about the herd-mentality if something was to go bonkers. I still have a life to live and enjoy so those events are not without risk and force you to plan exit routes and contingencies. Today's rioters are not flash-mobs or spontaneous situations; they're planned, coordinated and funded professional agitators. This gives you plenty of time to assess, mitigate risk or just cancel your plans. Always be prepared, but better yet, due your prudent planning up front.
ROCK6
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Well said. Situational awareness.
I do carry a small can of pepper spray in my EDC/GHB so I can have it with me at work in the case of an emergency. Regulations prohibit me from CCW while in uniform, so having a can of spray in my bag next to me is about the best I can do. Even worst case scenario backup with the appropriate tools are never very far away.
As regular Joe Civilian I would never carry pepper spray on my person along with a firearm. Tucked away in the GHB is one thing, but if you ever had to deploy deadly physical force, well I will leave the rest up to the imagination.
With that said I would never try to deploy spray on more then one or two people and that would have to be a serious, real, self defense situation. I plan to avoid any serious situation as best as possible but its nice to have options. Large group? walk or drive the other way. Ditching your car if necessary because its not worth subjecting yourself to injury or possibly worse. I have insurance on the Jeep so it will be sacrificed well before my safety.
Pepper spray for me is something I carry in Lieu of CCW, though not really by choice.