What’s a tactical flashlight? Are you going into combat? At home, abroad?
Flashlight anyone? I have one for daily carry and take it everywhere with me. It’s become another extension of me and has diffused at least two potentially violent confrontations in a non-lethal way. I recommend 200+ lumens./i>
How to use it in this situation?
I would have pulled my high lumens pocket flashlight and blinded this guy. The high powered beam would have taken away his vision for 3-4 seconds, which is an eternity and enough time to flight or fight. There’s also no shame in surviving and getting you and your loved ones out of harm – especially little ones. Be a Hero to your kids and family for surviving, nobody can expect more of you than that. Like we say in Survival Escape Evasion Resistance (SERE) school, “Survive with Honor.”
Cabela's Limited Fall Edition 2012 catalog lists a particularly ferocious model at page 907, a "ProTac L Series," model number (003) HL, with a maximum output of 600 lumens, 400 more than the one mentioned in the quote. It weighs 5.5 oz.and is 5.25" long, just about the length of a pen. The price is $99.99.
A zap from that could do a good job of stoping a lot of people, especial at night. The big advantage is one could shoot on suspicion, without waiting for reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm, stop the target, leave no visible marks or residue on the target, and get away, all in all a lot better than shooting the target, especially since sooting would still remain an option. Right now George Zimmerman is probably wishing he had just such a weapon. Traynon's ghost might even agree.