# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**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 16, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/21 "2014-09-16T13:57:49Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Link works for me, what are you getting? > [@zoid](#): > > I get: > > ```auto > > Error 503 Service Unavailable > > Service Unavailable > > Guru Meditation: > > XID: 4244353318 > Varnish cache server > > ``` ^ This. I got that on my MacBook at home, and on the PC at my office. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/22 "2014-09-16T14:30:19Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > If you’d bought it in 1985, plutonium was available in every corner drugstore. Nah, even then you had to steal it from Libyans. > [@Lumpy](#): > > Link works for me, what are you getting? I get the same as **zoid**. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/23 "2014-09-16T14:37:37Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > 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.) These laws vary by state. Here in Pennsylvania, anyone legally prohibited from possessing a firearm is prohibited from owning muzzle loading weapons as well. Also, any place where you might be prohibited from carrying a Glock, you will be prohibited from carrying a Navy Colt. The whole “muzzle loaders are non-guns” thing applies only at the federal level and only for commerce purposes. If one foolishly tries carrying a cap and ball revolver about as some kind of “rule beater,” the law dogs here will make that abundantly clear. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/24 "2014-09-16T14:47:55Z")
No. You’d just like to convince yourself of that since it’s all you’ve been able to get your hands on. You’ll shoot your eye out, kid. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/25 "2014-09-16T14:51:06Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I ordered a [Disintegrator Ray Blaster](http://fap.to/images/full/11/379/379079855.jpg), only to discover the plutonium’s not included. Maybe in 1985 you can just run down to the nearest corner store and pick up some plutonium, but not here! ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/26 "2014-09-16T14:52:25Z")
Regarding unusual personal defence weapons a friend once demonstrated an incredibly powerful hand-held torch on me (the swine), as soon as I recovered from being temporarily blinded I was quite impressed. He said it was even marketed as a ‘last ditch personal defence weapon’. I believed him. ---
**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 16, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/27 "2014-09-16T14:58:21Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Regarding unusual personal defence weapons a friend once demonstrated an \*\*incredibly powerful hand-held torch \*\*on me (the swine), as soon as I recovered from being temporarily blinded I was quite impressed. > > He said it was even marketed as a ‘last ditch personal defence weapon’. > > I believed him. I’m assuming flashlight here. Though the other possibility would be awesome. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/28 "2014-09-16T14:59:54Z")
Heh, sorry, yes a flashlight ---
**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 16, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/29 "2014-09-16T15:04:42Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > These laws vary by state. Here in Pennsylvania, anyone legally prohibited from possessing a firearm is prohibited from owning muzzle loading weapons as well. Also, any place where you might be prohibited from carrying a Glock, you will be prohibited from carrying a Navy Colt. The whole “muzzle loaders are non-guns” thing applies only at the federal level and only for commerce purposes. If one foolishly tries carrying a cap and ball revolver about as some kind of “rule beater,” the law dogs here will make that abundantly clear. Yes, that’s why I specified buying one in ‘most’ states and said that this was under federal law. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/30 "2014-09-16T18:35:18Z")
> [@regularshow](#): > > 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’d probably say that a BB pistol is one of the worst alternatives to carrying a firearm that one could think of. It’s dangerous enough that you might get an assault with a deadly weapon, or attempted murder charge if you use it. It’s not, however, dangerous enough to reliably stop an attacker. If you actually get in a fight with a guy who has his own gun, you’re pretty much a corpse if you pull out a BB gun. Seriously, your plan is to shoot your attacker in the eyes? ---
**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 16, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/31 "2014-09-16T18:43:09Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Seriously, your plan is to shoot your attacker in the eyes? You can’t return fire if you can’t see. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/32 "2014-09-16T18:44:47Z")
If you insist on following this plan, buy the smallest BB gun you can find and keep it slathered with vaseline or mineral oil. Smooth, rounded contours are also advisable. ---
**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, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/33 "2014-09-16T19:45:48Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > If you insist on following this plan, buy the smallest BB gun you can find and keep it slathered with vaseline or mineral oil. Smooth, rounded contours are also advisable. That took me a minute 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/34 "2014-09-16T21:03:39Z")
Someone once tried to shoot me with a .25 ACP and I broke his arm in two places. If someone tried to shoot me with a B.B. gun, I might just stop with the wrist. So…there’s that. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/35 "2014-09-16T22:00:35Z")
[Don’t buy it in Wal-Mart, especially if you’re black.](http://www.npr.org/2014/09/16/348709429/community-keeps-calm-despite-questions-about-wal-mart-shooting) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/36 "2014-09-18T00:50:14Z")
> [@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’ve fired an air gun that would drive a .17 pellet through a 2x4. A head shot would be fatal. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479/37 "2014-09-18T05:24:14Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > [Don’t buy it in Wal-Mart, especially if you’re black.](http://www.npr.org/2014/09/16/348709429/community-keeps-calm-despite-questions-about-wal-mart-shooting) Well, you have admit he was guilty of Shopping While Black. ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-co2-powered-bb-pistol-the-smart-mans-alternative-in-2014-and-beyond/698479.md?page=1)