A few weeks ago i was walking my dog around 11pm, and a driver jokingly did a brake torque as we were crossing the street. He was maybe 3 feet away from us.

After yelling at each other, he threatened to kill me and my dog the next time he saw us. As I pulled my camera he peeled out and hurled a racial comment my way. Sadly, there was so much movement i couldnt get the plate, and i didnt get anything that happened before that on camera.

So I got a body cam to wear for all my walks. Unfortunately, this is not the only time people have been racist and threatened my life so I’m just tired of it and hoping it might encourage people to behave. Feels lame, but it does provide some comfort. Does anyone else do the same?

      • SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world
        01·
        8 days ago

        Objectives. We investigated the possible relationship between being shot in an assault and possession of a gun at the time.

        Methods. We enrolled 677 case participants that had been shot in an assault and 684 population-based control participants within Philadelphia, PA, from 2003 to 2006. We adjusted odds ratios for confounding variables.

        Results. After adjustment, individuals in possession of a gun were 4.46 (P < .05) times more likely to be shot in an assault than those not in possession. Among gun assaults where the victim had at least some chance to resist, this adjusted odds ratio increased to 5.45 (P < .05).

        Conclusions. On average, guns did not protect those who possessed them from being shot in an assault. Although successful defensive gun uses occur each year, the probability of success may be low for civilian gun users in urban areas. Such users should reconsider their possession of guns or, at least, understand that regular possession necessitates careful safety countermeasures.

        Link to study.

    • houstoneulers@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      8 days ago

      I’m thinking of doing so concealed and only drawing it in self-defense. So they wouldn’t know I had one until they demonstrated lethal aggression first…for which the camera will provide evidence.

      But tbh, even having the camera sort of takes me off edge so I don’t feel as argumentative. I’ll just post the video to the neighborhood app after walking away.

      • JoeBigelow@lemmy.ca
        1·
        8 days ago

        I think CCW is a pretty good idea if this is already a reoccurring problem. Definitely don’t plan on brandishing it, but the way you will feel while some asshole tries to degrade you is a special one. You also need to practice, regularly.

        • Chozo@fedia.io
          0·
          8 days ago

          Knife, pepper spray, taser, air gun, brass knuckles, monkey fist… There’s lots of options if you can’t or don’t want to carry a gun. But you unless you can fight, you shouldn’t go unarmed.

          This is assuming OP is in the US. Right now they should be taking any racially-charged threats very seriously, as fascists are becoming more and more emboldened. If OP’s aggressor decides to escalate things and get physical, camera isn’t going to do much when the police and the courts are on the other side, anyway. Other than make for a really depressing snuff film.

          Unless OP lives in a civilized country. In which case, maybe keep a really good flashlight with you on your walks, too.