NBC; not the National Broadcasting Company but, Nothing But Crap. That’s what I’ve decided is the actual meaning behind NBC. There’s just no other explanation for a company that would actually broadcast the sort of stupidity shown as a defense to homes invasions on the “Today” show last week.

Jeff Rossen enlisted retired New York Police Officer, Wallace Zeins, to sell some of the most useless advice I’ve ever heard. Citing 99-cent noise makers and using your car’s panic alarm, not once did they mention hardening your home against a home invasion in the first place by reinforcing doors/doorframes, installing long-throw dead-bolt locks, having an actively monitored perimeter alarm (with a glass break sensor), good exterior lighting, cameras or any of the well known deterrents to home invasions and burglaries. Nothing about leaving “tools” for entry readily accessible outside your home. And the only active defense suggested was, of all things, downplaying oleoresin capsicum (OC) pepper spray in favor of wasp spray…WASP SPRAY!

Zeins also suggests keeping another item in your bedroom: “Buy a can of wasp hornet spray in the hardware store or the supermarket, keep it by your bedside or the floor,” he said. “It’s more powerful than police Mace.

“The great part is, when you spray, it will go 20 to 25 feet,” Zeins added. An intruder hit with the spray will be temporarily blinded. Please check your state and local laws on the legality of using these sprays for self-defense.

via Home invasion: Jeff Rossen shows how to protect your family – News – TODAY.com.

 

Forgive me if it is the wasp spray to which I take the greatest offense. The rest could be chalked up to being an unimaginative, lazy, dolt. But wasp spray?!?!? Really? Never mind the fact it is a violation of FEDERAL LAW to use almost any aerosol, especially paint, cleaners, pesticide or other chemicals in a manner inconsistent with their labeling. Some local and state jurisdictions have additional laws and ordinances specifically stating that it is illegal to use anything other than OC as a chemical agent against another person. And in general, it just doesn’t work. If you’re going to resort to sprays, stick with stuff known to work better than terse language and buy a quality spray from Fox Labs, Sabre, or any number of other vendors.

I’ll refrain from the ubiquitous, “get a gun, gun training,” mantra. You’re an adult. Make your own decision. But, don’t stick your head in the sand. Fully evaluate your choices. Realize that NBC and Jeff Rossen had an agenda to scare the crap out of you by citing how many home invasions there are every year but, they offer little in the way of solutions and they never tell you this one truth…The problems presented by a home invasion or burglary occuring while you are home are yours to deal with until help arrives. That may mean you have the rest of your life to solve the problem. Therefore, how long the rest of your life will be is entirely up to you. Choose wisely.

-Gary