If you think about weapons for self-defense, the chances are the first thing that comes to mind is a gun. That makes perfect sense; after all, if it’s protection you need a gun is hard to beat.
They don’t rely on physical strength for effects, so almost anybody can use one. They let you deal with threats from a distance.
They’re the one weapon that gives you a real chance of defeating a group of attackers – or, even better, intimidating them into backing down and leaving you alone. And, of course, a gun is also great for hunting.
Even in the USA, though, not everyone can own a gun. Yes, the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, but even the Constitution has exceptions.
Some jurisdictions have restrictive local laws that make it difficult to legally get a gun. For example, in San Francisco it’s almost impossible to get a handgun.
Then, of course, if you have a felony conviction or dishonorable discharge from the US military, you lose your right to own guns. But if you can’t own guns does that mean you have to be defenseless?
Non-Lethal Weapons
No, it doesn’t have to mean that. There are a range of weapons that aren’t guns, and aren’t covered by gun laws – so any adult can own them. If you can’t have a gun you can still have a weapon that will give you a good chance against an attacker.
Related: Best States For Self-Defense. Do You Live In One Of Them?
In fact even if you do have a gun there are advantages in also having a weapon that lets you defend yourself without doing too much damage to your attacker; while sometimes it’s necessary to use lethal force, the potential legal and personal costs of doing that are high.
Even if you have a gun and you’re willing to use it, a non-lethal alternative can be deployed against a wider range of threats.
If you shoot an assailant who turns out to be unarmed you could face legal problems; if you hit him with pepper spray you’ll be fine. So what sort of non-lethal weapons should you consider?
Self-defense Sprays
I mentioned pepper spray already, so let’s start with that. Small aerosol cans are a popular non-lethal self defense option.
Although they’re generically called pepper spray, they can actually contain a variety of substances.
Related: How To Make Pepper Spray
One of the first was Mace, which went on sale in the 1960s and is still available. Mace contains phenacyl chloride, a tear gas better known by its military designation, CN. It’s very irritating, but basically harmless, although it can be toxic in very large doses.
Actual pepper spray, or OC, is made with natural capsaicin from chili peppers and it’s actually more irritating; it’s mostly replaced CN for police use. It’s also safer.
An alternative to pepper spray is CS. This has a shorter shelf life, but it’s truly evil stuff.
As well as being a powerful tear gas it also causes severe coughing, tightness in the chest and a strong burning sensation on the skin. The effects don’t last long – but while they do, your assailant will forget all about attacking you.
Tasers
A taser is a non-lethal gun that fires a pair of darts which trail thin wires behind them.
When the darts hit the target they release a 50,000 volt pulse, which can immobilize someone for up to 30 seconds.
Tasers aren’t cheap, but they’re legal to own in every state except Rhode Island.
Like a gun, they give you the advantage of range – you can take down an attacker up to 15 feet away. Heavy clothing can sometimes defeat them, but the darts are sharp enough to get through normal clothes (and barbed so they stay in the target).
In many states Tasers are regulated like guns – if you have a recent felony or violent crime conviction you can’t buy one. However, if you can get one they’re probably the best non-lethal weapon out there.
Tasers on sale to the public include the top end (and expensive) law enforcement models, including the Taser 7 CQ, which has a two-shot capability; the smaller and much cheaper Taser Pulse, which is much easier to carry concealed; and the Bolt 2, which unlike the other models isn’t handgun-shaped and can be discreetly carried in a purse or pocket. The Bolt 2 also links to a cellphone app that can automatically call 911 when you fire the weapon.
Tasers aren’t discreet. As well as the darts the disposable cartridge is packed with serial-numbered confetti, which can be used to identify the purchaser. Every time the weapon is fired the area will be sprayed with clear evidence of exactly who fired.
Sticks
Obviously there are risks in using a weapon that lets an attacker get close enough to stab you, so don’t overlook the value of the humble stick.
In fact it’s not so humble; a sturdy hickory or ash walking stick, with a nicely polished – and heavy – metal decorative head, is a formidable weapon.
Related: The Best Natural Weapons That You Can Find In The Wild
It has more reach than a knife, letting you keep the bad guy beyond arm’s length, and if you can give someone a couple of good whacks on the head with three feet of metal-tipped hardwood there’s a strong chance they’re going to give up and go looking for an easier target.
If you live in Montana, Ohio or Oklahoma you can also legally carry a swordstick, which is what it sounds like – a walking stick with a sword concealed inside it. That might be stretching the definition of “non-lethal,” though.
Flashlights
If you’re at all prepared, a flashlight is probably one of your everyday carry items anyway.
Pick the right one and it can double up as a non-lethal weapon.
Modern tactical flashlights can be bright enough to dazzle, or even disorient, an attacker.
While they’re blinking and trying to work out what happened, a couple of quick strikes to vulnerable body parts with the scalloped glass-breaker bezel that surrounds the lens on many tactical flashlights will slow them down enough to let you disengage and escape.
Some larger models – like a long D-cell Maglite, for example – are big and heavy enough that you can simply bludgeon an assailant with them.
Stun Guns
In many ways a stun gun is a Taser’s little brother.
It also works by giving an attacker a powerful electric shock.
The stun gun is a contact-only weapon.
You have to push the two studs on the end against your target then press the button.
The disadvantage is that if your assailant has a knife or other weapon, you have to come within range of it to use the stun gun.
The advantages are that stun guns are a lot cheaper than tasers and you don’t need a background check to buy one, so a youthful felony is no problem.
In a crisis it’s hard to beat the reliable protection provided by a gun, but non-lethal weapons have their place too. Often they’re all you need to deter or defeat an attacker.
You can get them more easily than a gun, and legally carry them in more places.
If you don’t already have non-lethal weapons to hand, you should definitely look at what’s available.
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Are we thankful today honoring our beloved turkey dinner and thank God for him letting us live another day on earth?
We get too wrapped up in the political, religious craziness and the lying liberal news media. We need this day to enjoy the turkey day of real meat an home cooked food by us and the fellow cooks we invite into our homes today.
If those on the opposing teams drew first blood in a peaceful day of spouting politics, go ahead attack. They can’t leave it alone for one day, take them out verbally unless it gets physical, then do whatever or tell them to leave, now.
Enjoy truth, justice and the American way and thank God for today.
I don’t believe the Canadian-American bridge incident was not a terrorist attempt according to lame stream coverup downplay on the news.
This is a terrorist probe to the Northern border. They know the Southern border is fertile ground to bring terrorist across freewill to commit sabotage anytime these vermin want to.
God bless go in peace.
We need to go back in time to the days both the good and the bad carried their guns. Most places were armed and a polite way of life was a portrait of true politeness on the social surface then.
In current day Bidenomics world of George Soros and son’s corrupt State DA’s not prosecuting criminals but a revolving door criminal opportunities. The honest private gun owner is put into legal peril while defending themselves from the criminals the lawyers put back on the streets.
We must have open carry to keep those of weak criminal intent on notice in all 50 States. To keep those criminal minded in check.
And counter sue the criminal families for their civil court lawsuits that hurt the gun owner defending their family and property from idiots for free stuff mindset of today’s society.
These lawsuits must be thrown out as frivolous, the families could have stopped the mass shooting and crimes by their intervention. Then get free money for their criminal family members actions leading to the final acts of the crime intended.
“Go back in time to the days both good and bad carried guns”?? Huh? Both good and bad carry guns today. I live in Florida, and I carry every day. But I will NEVER broadcast the fact I’m carrying a firearm. I’d be the first to be taken out. No sir….better to keep them guessing and ignorant if ever there’s a robbery in an establishment I’m visiting. A criminal will tend to keep his focus on his objective if he doesn’t see a threat in his vicinity. If he sees someone with a pistol at his side, he’ll be more likely to pop you first. Now, if you’re talking where EVERYBODY walks around with a pistol at their side, then I’d tend to agree with you.
Oh here we go the Open Carry is a bad idea thing…. yawn
I open carry a glock 20 and most people won’t even notice it.
hell i walk / ruck with a ar15 most days too
Those negative thumbs down are usually from liberals who hate the truth.
I am surprised the negative thumbs down come from liberal minded. Today’s unionized public schools barely promote students to the next grade because of poor reading skills, crappy writing skills and hardly any math skills.
At least use spell check to correct those misspellings on this blog.
We see those poor math skills in politicians in local, State and Federal positions who seem to never balance to budgets. But are literate enough to tax and spend us into bankruptcy.
Praise the LORD you are totally right!
Liberals tax and spend, spend more than they receive, you nailed it!
THE ABSOLUTE BEST home, non-lethal, multi-purpose defensive weapon….. a hand-held fire extinguisher. It provides range, disorientation, cover, and a blunt instrument as well. It can be used with sufficient accuracy in all home environments. Lastly, it is necessary for its primary purpose and should already be in the residence.
A golf club is a good backup, when you panic in forgetting the lock box combination for that pistol needed at that moment.
Liberals like to divide, label and have things locked up in the name of safety.
They want to defund the police and think the cops will come to save them from the criminals the say should be let out of jail, because society did them wrong.
Time to take America back – MAGA!
I taught women only assault prevention for many years. It takes a bit of time to understand anything is a weapon. ANYTHING can be thrown, used as a blunt club, distraction or a very painful weapon. It also takes a while to overcome what is yelled into you. Bite! Hit the glasses. They make a great target. Throw or swing the lamp. Roll a magazine and jam into the throat. Go online and search Dirty Fighting Skills. My grampa the 1930’s union head busting goon said, if you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck. They aren’t coming after you fair. Don’t defend yourself fairly either. The thing about designated weapons and they are good unless you need one and it’s not in your hand or it’s across the room. Or it’s leaning by the front door that just got kicked in. Anything. Is. A. Weapon. Use it.
My thought, too, that anything can be a weapon. If at close range, a pen shoved into an assailant’s eye can make them pause.
A longer range item akin to the fire extinguisher is wasp and hornet spray. Some of those aerosol cans have a 20 ft range.
If you carry a lighter, lighting that spray makes a flame thrower. Not that I’d want to do that because that could turn into a pretty serious conflagration. You’d want that fire extinguisher close by.
I hope we are never in a situation where we have to use whatever is at hand to defend ourselves. The times I was in that situation, I was glad to get out of it, but don’t relish a rerun.
.
yeah I always said the only person that talks about a fair fight is the one who lost
I’d sure like to hear the reason you got 2 down votes.
What is funny the FBI declared they did not find explosives in the Canadian, American bridge incident.
Terrorist don’t need to use explosives to cause damage. What about those truck and car accidents or train derailments full of toxic chemicals polluting our freshwater.
Just the huge amounts of illegals and terrorist cells getting free taxpayer’s money to live free, will crash our Bidenomics economy of unsustainability.
We are being attacked from many sides, stop voting for liberals they are in both parties. Don’t vote the old party line anymore, it don’t work folks!
Time for new blood in the political machine but not from those woke universities graduating indoctrinated lawyers and poly science majors.
Those graduates have been indoctrinated to hate America.
Look at the recent pro-Palestine protests, you think they will help us Americans in our time of need?
TRUMP is the ONLY one who can save us now. ALL others are corrupt or in their way to it, or controlled by their party. Period.
lol don’t make me laugh so hard
So the only person in the whole world that can save us is Trump? LOL. I’m a republican and hate Biden and even I don’t believe that.
I stopped calling them democrats long ago. Their policies, their belief, they’re strong arm, tactics, everything they legislate and put their fingers in, is either destroyed or dies. That’s why I called them deathocrats. To education, death to the unborn, death to the economy, death to moral standards, death to the constitution. They are truly evil people.
Right on. What state do you live in? When you run for office I’ll vote for you two or three times.
LIB!
I just started trading this article and found a glaring issue. No, in fact the right to bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED. The statement you made about the constitution having exceptions is nonsense. At least as far as the firearm ownership is concerned. There aren’t any carveouts for gun control anywhere.
Can we take away the freedom of criminals and lock them up? Are you saying felons out after serving time for armed robbery should be allowed to have guns?
Yes , what part of shall not infringe…..
I just started reading this article and found a glaring issue. No, in fact the right to bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED. The statement you made about the constitution having exceptions is nonsense. At least as far as the firearm ownership is concerned. There aren’t any carveouts for gun control anywhere.
3X a comment made three times, made three times, made three times.
The big carve-outs of shredding the Constitution is the Marxist, socialist or communist, whatever we call them in the Bidenomics administration.
They piss on the citizen’s back and tell them it is raining.
They gave the publishers clearinghouse prize of American taxpayer’s military weapons to the terrorist, we need those weapons here to fight the enemy on American soil.
Where are these terrorist congregating at as Biden’s illegals are transported around our nation for harmful purposes, we have not seen yet.
Biden hording ammunition from the gun owners of America, by securing it for the agencies and giving tons of ammo to Ukraine, What about us?
What are the Deep State scared of?
Hey Joker, I too think the Afghan Withdrawal was the biggest give away of military weapons in modern history. Not discounting the military stuff left behind of the two world wars, Korea, Vietnam and the big sand box.
What the hell do those who profited from the war profiting in military-civilian- government cottage industry.
Do we American taxpayer’s get to write off all our 1040 taxes from the $ billions $ of tax money $ given away in the Afghan Withdrawal at least?
I’d sure like to have a couple of those weapons when we citizens will be fighting the Biden’s terrorists in our 50 States. Open borders are another 911 waiting to happen.
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Dont forget that black powder weapons are not considered firearms in most states, so those whose right to carry has been taken can have them.
My ex wife found a wine bottle very effective. She always had one close by.
A can of Hornet Spray can shoot far enough to blind an assailant or how about a Laser?
Until SHTF hornet spray is a lawsuit for blindness. Actions can be expensive. Better to nail them, terminate with prejudice and dump them elsewhere.
Laser is too hard to use at a moving target to be effective.
The golf club is better as mentioned before, beat the crap out of them.
Unfortunately many of those things above ,could not fight against a weapon since 22 long rifle until 223 remington
Umm duh? The article is about no guns and defense.
Raid wasp or hornet spray is non-lethal, will spray 25’ (I think) and will temporarily blind your attacker.
Do you know that for a fact, no eye damage?
I have cans of wasp spray here and there. They’re quiet, efficient and effective, nobody is alarmed if you’re holding one, and They’re inexpensive. Assailants are not trained to defend themselves when blinded. So, have one near your bedstand.
Baseball bats and hatchets come in handy and most people already have them.
I’d rather just be armed with a firearm.
So would we all but the article is about defending yourself without one. Try to focus for more than 10 seconds
if a person is not comfortable carrying a gun they won’t train or practice with one. In that case I would rather they stuck with something else
No mention of swords or spears. Because they are not a firearm anybody can own one. They are also easy to use for home defense. You are not fencing, you are stabbing. Have one for every room sitting in a corner. That way you are not disarmed by forcible entry next to where you keep your spear/sword. Yes you will have to use violence to be effective, keep stabbing and eventually the attacker will either retreat or be nuetralized.