# Is carrying a CO2 powered BB pistol "the" smart man's alternative in 2014 and beyond? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 14, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479 "2014-09-14T16:15:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![regularshow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@regularshow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/regularshow)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/1 "2014-09-14T16:15:38Z")
For a more surer and more smoother “get off with self-defense in a court of law” measure, wouldn’t you say just carrying a CO2 powered BB pistol is “the” smart man’s alternative to carrying a firearm or a tazer or a stun gun in 2014 and beyond? I know for a fact that if you need to defend yourself, just aim for the face where the eyes are, if your weapon of choice for self-defense is a CO2 powered BB pistol. You can avoid jumping through hoops when it comes to purchasing and owning a CO2 powered BB pistol. Why go through stress to own a firearm in 2014? :dubious: Self-defense is about being smart. Firearms will only have you marked in a gov data base, basically. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/2 "2014-09-14T16:38:29Z")
I had a [Daisy CO[sub]2[/sub] pistol](http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/15923/15883222_1.jpg?v=8CFFE7F71CCACF0) when I was a kid in the '70s. Power decreased dramatically with multiple shots as the CO[sub]2[/sub] cylinder became ice cold (Gay-Lussac’s law). It lasted a Summer or two, but then started to leak and was useless. In most states you can buy a [cap-and-ball Colt replica](http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=1024) through the mail, and it would be more reliable than a BB gun. ETA: The ‘smart’ thing, if you absolutely feel the need to go armed (I don’t) is to get an actual firearm, learn how to use it, and follow all federal and state laws regarding its use and carriage. . ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/3 "2014-09-14T16:41:30Z")
1.Check your local laws. In many places BB/pellet guns are treated as firearms. 2. “If you shoot him, you’ll just make him mad”. Remember this. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/4 "2014-09-14T16:42:52Z")
If it’s effective as a weapon, it will probably be under the same restrictions as regular firearms; if it isn’t, it’s because it’s minimally harmful. Doesn’t seem like a useful “less lethal” option to me. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/5 "2014-09-14T16:44:41Z")
In the UK BB guns with more than a certain muzzle velocity are subject to restrictions. But being hit by a BB pellet is only a sting. It won’t break the skin. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/6 "2014-09-14T16:47:52Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > 1.Check your local laws. In many places BB/pellet guns are treated as firearms. > 2. “If you shoot him, you’ll just make him mad”. Remember this. > [@Lumpy](#): > > If it’s effective as a weapon, it will probably be under the same restrictions as regular firearms; if it isn’t, it’s because it’s minimally harmful. Doesn’t seem like a useful “less lethal” option to me. To clarify my last, I was talking about buying a black powder revolver. Actually carrying one loaded is most likely treated the same as carrying a ‘firearm’. (Under federal rules, muzzle-loaders aren’t ‘firearm’ firearms because they do not fire fixed ammunition.) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/7 "2014-09-14T17:02:44Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > In the UK BB guns with more than a certain muzzle velocity are subject to restrictions. But being hit by a BB pellet is only a sting. It won’t break the skin. I have one that will put a pellet through 1/2" of plywood. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/8 "2014-09-14T18:24:37Z")
Shoot a person who is trying to harm you with a bb gun is a good way to now have a really pissed off person trying to hurt you. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/9 "2014-09-14T18:35:34Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I have one that will put a pellet through 1/2" of plywood. I have a Crosman .22 pistol that will easily go through a half inch of ply. I think it would make a significant hole in a large animal. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/10 "2014-09-14T18:52:59Z")
If I were on two juries - one defendant claiming self defense by using a taser to incapacitate someone, the other claiming self defense by trying to blind an assailant with a BB gun - I think I would vote to acquit the first defendant under a much greater number of possible scenarios. The number of scenarios where I think trying to cause likely permanent eye damage can be considered proportional to the threat is mostly limited to the extreme scenarios where the use of deadly force would probably also be justified. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/11 "2014-09-14T18:55:03Z")
The smart thing is to use a weapon that’s as lethal as possible, since then your target won’t be alive to contradict your version of the altercation. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/12 "2014-09-14T19:07:00Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Shoot a person who is trying to harm you with a bb gun is a good way to now have a really pissed off person trying to hurt you. Yep, you’ve just escalated the situation and God help you if the guy you just shot is carrying a real gun because now he’d be justified in being genuinely afraid for his welfare and just may decide to shoot back. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/13 "2014-09-14T19:12:18Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > The smart thing is to use a weapon that’s as lethal as possible, since then your target won’t be alive to contradict your version of the altercation. I ordered a [Disintegrator Ray Blaster](http://fap.to/images/full/11/379/379079855.jpg), only to discover the plutonium’s not included. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/14 "2014-09-14T19:13:47Z")
I had a CO2 BB pistol when I was a kid. When the cylinder was fresh it would punch a hole through a hard cover book to about page 100. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/15 "2014-09-15T02:31:06Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I ordered a [Disintegrator Ray Blaster](http://fap.to/images/full/11/379/379079855.jpg), only to discover the plutonium’s not included. If you’d bought it in 1985, plutonium was available in every corner drugstore. ---
**Author:** ![buddy431](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@buddy431](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddy431)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/16 "2014-09-15T04:48:40Z")
If it’s legal to shoot someone with a BB gun (which can be lethal, even if it’s often not), then it’s legal to use deadly force. The conventional wisdom is that if you’re in a situation where it’s legal to use deadly force, either you want to extract yourself from the situation without escalating it at all, or you want to use as deadliest of force as you can. Now I suppose it’s true that it might, depending on the laws in your state and local jurisdictions, be easier to legally carry a BB gun than a firearm, but honestly, I wouldn’t feel safer having a BB gun than having nothing (of course I’m the type of person who doesn’t feel the need to carry a firearm regularly either, so YMMV) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/17 "2014-09-15T19:11:16Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I ordered a [Disintegrator Ray Blaster](http://fap.to/images/full/11/379/379079855.jpg), only to discover the plutonium’s not included. Were you trying to link to something? Or have I been whooshed? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/18 "2014-09-16T02:51:57Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Were you trying to link to something? Or have I been whooshed? Link works for me, what are you getting? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/19 "2014-09-16T02:55:52Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Link works for me, what are you getting? I get: ```auto Error 503 Service Unavailable Service Unavailable Guru Meditation: XID: 4244353318 Varnish cache server ``` ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/20 "2014-09-16T13:54:44Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > In the UK BB guns with more than a certain muzzle velocity are subject to restrictions. But being hit by a BB pellet is only a sting. It won’t break the skin. Tell that to the 40+ rabbits I’ve killed over the past few years with BB rifle (not CO2, requires pumping to charge it up). Usually one shot is enough. As a teen a friend & I killed a muskrat with a CO2 pistol. It required about 20 shots and I felt bad after. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479.md?page=2)