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Self-defense weapons are your first line of defense against an attack. They’re a crucial component of any personal security plan and the good news is, there are plenty of very practical non lethal weapons available for a price you can afford.
Nobody wants to be the victim of an attack, but unfortunately, many of us grow up hearing that we’re constantly in danger of being victimized. But have you ever stopped to think what you’d actually do if you found yourself in a threatening situation? Do you know how to defend yourself?
No matter who you are, you should have a personal defense plan. Everyone should carry at least one non-lethal weapon - yes, even if you already carry a firearm. Why? Because not every conflict calls for a lethal response.
Self-defense classes can empower you to take down an attacker, but having the right gear on hand offers another level of protection. It’s important to choose a defense tool that makes you feel comfortable. The last thing you want to do is constantly worry about it in your pocket, purse, or wherever else you keep it.
The most common self-defense weapons include pepper sprays, knives, batons, and stun guns. Small, portable, and legal in most states, these home defense weapons can be kept in a nightstand or carried in a purse in case of an emergency. Unfortunately many people don’t realize they need a defense weapon until it’s too late.
Non-lethal weapons, also called less-lethal weapons, less-than-lethal weapons, non-deadly weapons, compliance weapons, or pain-inducing weapons are still weapons.
It’s often understood that unintended or incidental casualties are possible whenever force is applied. However, the use of non-lethal weapons attempts to minimize the risk as much as possible.
Using a non lethal or less than lethal weapon does not remove you from responsibility if someone gets seriously injured or dies. Bottom line is – if you use any of the following weapons and someone ends up dead, there could be serious legal ramifications.
A self defense plan will furnish you with the confidence you need to feel safe, prepared, and ready to meet almost any challenge. Firearms offer excellent protection in self defense situations, however, they aren’t your only option. Let’s take a look at some of the top self-defense weapons for home and travel.
If I have the option, I always prefer a self-defense weapon that could be used at a distance, that can incapacitate an attacker, that is quick to deploy, simple to use, easy to carry, and of course legal.
Similar to a stun gun, the taser can administer an electric shock to your attacker for up to 30 seconds, giving you time to escape. Electrodes that are fastened with small barbs grab onto the attacker, and deliver an electric shock to the central nervous system which causes muscle spasms and intense pain.
Tasers do require slightly more training than pepper spray, because the effectiveness will depend on your aim. You can carry a taser with the safety on, and in a holster. Tasers are fairly easy to conceal on the body. While Tasers are not legal to carry in every city or state, they are legal in many locations and offer all of the above features. Which is why I recommend a taser first and foremost to anyone looking for a non-lethal self-defense weapon in a state where tasers are legal to carry.
Stun guns are also highly effective as non-lethal self-defense weapons. They are easy to carry, quick to deploy, and can deliver a powerful and painful shock. It’s also very easy to understand how to use a stun gun for self-defense.
Stun guns have evolved quite a bit over the past ten years or so as they became safer to use and more powerful. Modern stun guns are capable of generating enough voltage to momentarily disable an attacker, giving you time to escape. Don't forget that some people are more tolerant to pain than others, therefore the pain caused by the electric shock might not be enough to discourage them.
With short-range weapons, there is always a risk that the person who is trying to harm you may reach you before you can use your weapon. When comparing Tasers or pepper spray vs stun gun, stun guns, unfortunately, cannot be used at a distance and they are not generally able to completely incapacitate an attacker; however, they are worth carrying in the absence of a taser or pepper spray. Plus, stun guns are typically very affordable.
Pepper spray is a cheap, effective, and easy-to-use self-defense weapon - and it works. It's a great non-lethal self-defense tool. It's designed to burn the flesh chemically it comes into contact with.
A can of pepper spray can give you the time you need to get rid of your attacker and run away. As mentioned before, though, the spray has to come in contact with your assailant for the pepper spray to be effective, which is not something always possible during an assault.
Most pepper sprays have a spray range of about 10 ft and are totally non-lethal, which protects you from possible legal and emotional/psychological troubles.
You also have pepper gel that is the newest take on pepper sprays. It contains the same active ingredient, but the pepper is suspended in a sticky gel instead of being contained in a liquid.
Tactical Flashlight
Don't let its simplicity fool you, tactical flashlights are very useful self-defense tools. A good quality tactical flashlight can concentrate and narrow their field of light into an incredibly bright beam - so bright that it can temporarily blind a person who's about to attack you or that is threatening you. Similar to the baton, when used to strike the collar bone, arms, or legs of an attacker, a flashlight is certainly a non-lethal form of self-defense. When striking the face or head, on the other hand, using a metal clubbing tool such as a flashlight might be considered lethal force, depending on the nature of the attack.
For a tactical flashlight to be effective in self-defense situations, the light it produces needs to be bright enough to disorient or blind an aggressor. In my opinion, tactical flashlights with less than 800-1000 lumens (a measure of the total amount of visible light) just won't be strong enough to blind anyone. Some flashlights on the market have strobe functions that can be pretty useful and effective.
Tactical flashlights are not considered weapons, therefore they can be carried anywhere with any restrictions, even airplanes. A tactical flashlight measures between 12 and 16 cm in length and is quite easy to carry.
Tactical pens are easy to carry, legal to carry, and can be deployed quickly and effectively for self-defense and W\while there are arguably more powerful non-lethal self defense weapons available, the tactical pen can offer several benefits.
Not much training is needed to effectively use these strong, compact weapons for personal protection. Simply grip the tactical pen with a tight fist and strike the opponent in the chest, clavicle, or face area depending on the nature and severity of the attack. When striking the eyes, throat, or top or back of the head, this weapon, although compact, can turn potentially lethal. So be careful to understand how much force you are using and where exactly you intend on striking.
This weapon may not stop your attacker, but it could slow them down. Another advantage of a tactical pen is that you don’t have to concern yourself with state law compliance. This pen can be taken anywhere in any state; from the hospital to the post office to a police department or law enforcement agency.
In lieu of a physical weapon, these noise-based weapons can be quite effective in defending an attack. Not only are personal safety alarms piercing to an attacker’s ears, potentially causing confusion and disorientation to ward off an attack, they also alert passersby and other potential witnesses so as to diminish an attacker’s opportunity to freely carry out an assault.
Easy to carry, legal everywhere, and totally safe to deploy, personal safety alarms can truly be lifesavers.
A self-defense tool doesn't increase your skills or your timing nor your ability to control yourself. The only this that such a tool can do is to amplify the damage that you when you manage to line things up just right.
When you are in the middle of an aggression, several things can wrong - you can drop your weapon, you are too nervous to use it effectively, you cannot get it fast enough, it's not working properly, or your attacker uses your weapon against you. The only way to avoid that is to get training.
So don't rely on a weapon, take hand-to-hand classes as well as non-lethal self-defense weapon classes. Your self-defense skills used in conjunction with a weapon will make you a VERY dangerous and effective person.
Take time to familiarize yourself with whichever weapon you choose to carry. As discussed above with the pepper spray, take time to figure out how the weapon works and if it has any potential mechanisms that might make it difficult to operate. Practice ahead of time so that you’re prepared when you need your weapon most.
A weapon doesn't do you any good if it's in your dresser drawer at home and you're out on the street. Keep your weapon in an easily accessible place. Rather than stuffing it at the bottom of your purse, carry it or keep it in a pocket and separate compartment.
Prevention is the best defense against an attack. Do your best to avoid potentially dangerous people and locations. Of course, sometimes these things and people are unavoidable, but you should still do everything you can to avoid being in a situation where you have to use a weapon.
No matter what type of weapon you choose to carry, you need to know that it is a high-quality product that will work correctly when you need it most.