Most Americans who carry a firearm for self-defense purposes hope they never have to use it. The thought of badly injuring or killing another person — even an armed attacker — isn’t a pleasant one. And the often drawn-out legal problems, sometimes even in the most clearcut cases of armed self-defense, can wreck people’s health, pocketbooks and, in fact, their lives.

That’s why the carry of less-lethal weapons, either by themselves or in conjunction with a firearm, is continuing to increase. Consequently, more companies are making more and more less-lethal defensive options every year, giving retailers more opportunities to sell much-wanted products to their customers.

Before we get into types of less-lethal weapons you might consider adding to your shelves, let’s quickly explore the topic itself. While firearms are carried by many to stop a threat in its tracks, they aren’t the only weapons that can do so. Less-lethal weapons, sometimes called intermediate force capabilities (IFCs), are intended to neutralize an assailant without causing severe or permanent injury while maintaining a safe standoff distance and avoiding the use of lethal force.

There are several types of less-lethal products that we’ll explore here. Different laws govern their use in different locales, so be sure you know what’s what in your area. All have their advantages and disadvantages, and all have their fans and detractors. Some are quite sophisticated, while others lack much sophistication at all. All have places where they shine and customers who want to purchase them, thus are worth considering by tactical retailers.

Tasers/stun guns are among the most popular and also the best known by the general public. These are compact and close-quarter self-defense tools that deliver electric shocks to an attacker. When fired, a probe penetrates the target’s clothing and skin, releasing an electrical current to an aggressor that will usually drop him or her quickly, ensuring the user has time to put some distance between himself and the assailant.

Another popular type of less-lethal weapon is pepper spray/pepper spray launchers. Pepper spray, which causes intense irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory system, has been used for defensive purposes for decades, and some come as compact as keychain sprayers. More recently, pepper spray launchers, which often resemble real firearms, have come into vogue and are popular with consumers. They can reach out further and deliver a pepper spray load more precisely than old-fashioned sprayers.

Batons, including collapsible batons, are also effective and fairly popular. A simple yet effective self-defense weapon, a baton is essentially a short stick that can be used to strike an attacker, delivering enough force to incapacitate him or her without causing permanent damage. This makes batons a popular choice for civilians and law enforcement personnel alike. Collapsible batons are even easier to conceal because of their ability to collapse down into a small size that will fit easily in a pocket or pack.

Another segment of less-lethal weapons that is gaining in popularity is the personal safety alarm. When triggered, these devices produce a piercing noise meant to shock an attacker and draw attention to the attack from people nearby. Because they’re compact and simple to use, personal alarms require little to no training and, unlike a baton or other blunt-force weapon, have very little chance of permanently injuring an assailant.

While laughed at by some, self-defense flashlights serve a number of useful purposes. While you might think of the giant Maglites of yesteryear often used by cops to whack bad guys over the head, today’s SD flashlights are small light sources and can be used to gain distance from an attacker without using a firearm. Designed with durable metal to be lightweight and strong, many have sharp surfaces for jabbing or cutting an attacker.

Tactical pens, also maligned by some, are easy to carry and definitely give those under attack more of an advantage than if they hadn’t been carrying one. Most tactical pens have a very sharp point that can be used to strike an attacker, along with a blunt end that can be used not only to hit but also to break through material like glass. If you need to carry a pen anyway, why not make it one you can use to protect yourself when the chips are down?

The kubotan is a six-inch-long sticklike self-defense weapon derived from the Japanese yawara stick. Lightweight and easy to carry, it is also simple to use, although only if your attacker is already within arm’s reach. The kubotan can be used against the sternum to back an assailant up or even against the neck or face to drive off an attacker, giving room to escape. While a simple weapon, it can be a very effective self-defense weapon when used by those who have trained with it.

 

New & Notable

That’s a lot of types of less-lethal self-defense tools, and choosing what to consider for your inventory can be daunting. Let’s look at a handful of less-lethal products that might put a smile on your customers’ faces and also bolster your bottom line in the upcoming year.

For stun guns, Axon’s new Taser Pulse 2 offers a compact, less-lethal option with a 15-foot range, laser targeting and a 30-second immobilization capability. Designed for easy carry, it can temporarily immobilize an attacker for up to 30 seconds. Also offering a contact stun option for very close encounters, the Taser Pulse 2 is backed by a product replacement guarantee if it’s ever used in a self-defense situation.

Byrna is a leading name in less-lethal self-defense, and the company’s new CL Launcher is touted as the world’s smallest and most powerful less-lethal self-defense pistol. Powered by compressed air (CO2), the Byrna CL shoots a .61-caliber round kinetic and/or chemical irritant projectile that can disable a threat from up to 60 feet away. And since it is not classified as a firearm, purchasing it doesn’t require a permit or background check. 

The Sentry 68 from PepperBall is a low-profile and lightweight non-lethal launcher featuring the patented CO2 Puncture Air System (PAS), which allows the unit to be stored for weeks with the cartridge installed. Since it is shaped like a real pistol, it fits into a holster quite well. The launcher accepts 12-gram CO2 cartridges and yields about 20 shots per cartridge. It has a 150-foot range and is compatible with both PepperBall rounds and long-range VXR projectiles.

The ASP Friction Loc Baton is touted to be the most tactically sophisticated impact weapon currently available to law enforcement personnel. Friction batons expand by sharply flicking the baton straight up or straight down to extend the inner shafts. Each shaft is locked rigidly in place by a precision Friction taper. Retracted length is 7.3 inches, extended length is 21 inches and the weight of the steel model is 16.3 ounces.

The Byrna Banshee is a military-grade, 130dB personal safety alarm capable of producing an ear-piercing alert that draws attention and thwarts potential attackers. Durable and water resistant, the unit uses replaceable batteries that last up to one year. The Banshee is packaged with a carabiner that conveniently attaches the Banshee to backpacks, purse straps and pant belt loops for quick access during emergencies.

The Streetwise Panic Alarm features fast and simple squeeze-and-scare operation that allow the user to quickly activate the alarm at the same time they grab the unit. The alarm is loud enough to be heard by anyone nearby, and the bright LED light allows you to see an attacker in the darkest of conditions. The compact alarm easily attaches to keys or clips to purses or clothing so it is always within reach.

With refined styling and precise balance, the Kubaton Tactical Pen from 5.11 Tactical feels solid yet nimble in hand. It features a pummel-grip textured, anodized aluminum body, and a twist-open pressurized ink cartridge. With a one-piece design, the pen weighs only 1.17 ounces. Other features include an aluminum body, steel pocket clip and a 5.4-inch overall length.

The Pointed Tip Kubotan from WeaponTek can cause temporary paralysis and/or extreme pain when delivered to nerve points and soft tissue, and can even break bones, especially if the force of the blow is not hindered by clothing. At only 5.5 inches long, it can be easily attached to keys and kept in a pocket for use at moment’s notice. Made of aircraft-grade aluminum with ridged design for maximum grip and control, this kubotan includes a solid steel key ring for easy, hands-free carry.