A knife is an essential item for daily carry but should be used for defense only as a last resort, especially if you are carrying a firearm.

Intermediate force is a very tricky proposition. Pepper spray does not always work, as I once found out the hard way. As a citizen, you will be expected to do your best to avoid a situation. If the situation happens to find you and it escalates to lethal force, then use of a firearm will be justified. And you (or your lawyer) will need to be able to articulate why it was justified.

Dave Sinko