Non-Lethal Defensive Weapons

As with all categories dealing with weapons, I will begin by stating this:

*Every weapon is designed to harm or in some way incapacitate a subject. They do not know right from wrong and they do not take sides. It is up to you the user to develop the mindset needed to employ that weapon, learn its functions, and learn how to care for and clean it. You will need to know the local laws concerning the carrying and employment of your weapon, and you must be ready to accept the physical and mental consequences of using your weapon, regardless of whether it was a justified action or not. Only then, when you’ve done all that, should you learn how to properly use it. *

Non-lethal defensive weapons are most commonly used to encourage an attacker to stop his attack and look elsewhere, or immobilize him long enough for you to get away. Very rarely will a novice use this weapon in order to gain the advantage and overpower an attacker until help arrives. That being said, non-lethal weapons should not be counted on to end an attack. Follow-on action must be taken by you to evade the attacker and leave the danger zone. Know this and plan for it.

Below will be a list of non-lethal defensive weapons you may use for certain situations. First I will describe the weapon, and then I will give a few examples in which they could be used. Lastly, I will cover some pros and cons of each.

• Flashlight - We all know what a flashlight is. A good flashlight, however, can be utilized to temporarily blind an attacker. In this case size isn’t always indicative of its effectiveness. Surefire makes a great flashlight for this purpose. The lumens of the lamps (meaning the power of the light) range from 65 to 150, depending on which one you purchase. They also make a few that have notched bezels that can be used to strike an opponent. The best use for this weapon is in low-light to no light conditions; however, it is still powerful enough to be somewhat effective when used in visible conditions.
• Cons: The Surefire flashlight is considerably more expensive than regular lights and so are its batteries. The higher lamp output (lumens) the shorter your battery life will be, and its effect as a weapon is only temporary. Also, as with all lights, by utilizing it you are giving away your position.
• Pros: The small design of a Surefire (most fit in the palm of your hand) and its reduced weight will make it a more convenient light to carry on your person or use in conjunction with another weapon. The rugged design will ensure that the light continues working even after being dropped or used to assault an attacker. Lights are also legal to carry anywhere, so you don’t have to worry about identifying the places you can and can’t legally carry it. They allow you to defend yourself from several feet away. The amount of training needed to effectively employ this item is minimal. Surefire has several lights that can be mounted on the end of a handgun or long gun and activated by either a switch or pressure pad, freeing up your hands. Though you will most probably give away your position when you use your light, you will also be able to indentify your target and decide on the appropriate action. Keep this in mind when you have teenage children that may try to sneak in or out after curfew and significant others who may want to surprise you by coming home early. I am not intentionally endorsing the Surefire brand but I have been using it in and out of the military for close to 10 years now and I have never had a problem.

• Mace/OC/Pepper Spray - Small aerosol can filled with a mixture that should temporarily incapacitate an attacker when sprayed in the eyes and mouth. There are many different kinds of these products on the market and I have not, thank goodness, had to try all of them. I suggest you do some independent reading on these products, their safety, and their effect starting with this article: http://www.defense-technology.com/pdfs/resources/oc%20and%20pepper%20sprays.pdf  The one I have been exposed to and certified with is the MK-4 from First Defense. We stood several feet away, with our eyes closed and hands behind our backs, and were sprayed in a Z patter starting from our forehead and ending at our chin. We were then instructed to open our eyes and look at the deliverer of evil who told us to go! From there we had to run to several stations that involved fighting off opponents with our hands, feet, and a baton, protecting ourselves from the blows of three guys with bags, and it ended with us having to subdue an individual in a full body suit utilizing the correct techniques and then cuffing them while still maintaining control of our baton. The time limit at each station depended on our motivation and the correct performance of each technique. It was grueling but we learned a lot. There is a high probability of contaminating yourself while trying to spray an opponent, or being contaminated by an attacker you have sprayed who is still continuing to fight so knowing the effects of your chosen self-defense spray and how to cope if you are accidentally contaminated is a must. Personally, it felt like I had literally stuck my face in a fire and it stayed that way for about 20 minutes. My eyes were pouring with tears, snot was running down my face, I could barely draw a breath, and though I could still function my strength was greatly reduced. Even after it stopped burning, I could hardly focus my eyes…they kept crossing. When we were finally able to take a proper shower, the ingredients reactivated and I started burning all over again, though not to the degree of when I was first sprayed. The usual delivery method is in a stream, cone, or fog. Some companies have also incorporated dye into their products that enables police to identify attackers after you have sprayed them.
• Cons: Self-defense sprays are not allowed in certain places, such as on an airplane or sports arenas. Using them in crowded areas like a bar or restaurant may not only be illegal, but also could cause unintended consequences such as a stampede. They do have a shelf life. Actually hitting your targets face may be difficult in a stressful situation, you could contaminate yourself, and lastly, some people may just not be affected. On one notable occasion while in Africa, a man who was high on cot was sprayed directly in his open eyes from barely 3 feet away and absolutely nothing happened. He blinked a few times and continued to struggle.
• Pros: If you hit your opponents face, the chance that he will stop his attack is great. Not only will he stop his attack, but he may be so affected that you will be able to subdue him and hold him until the police arrive. Most sprays are inexpensive and are even sold as keychain items. They allow you to defend yourself from several feet away. Small canisters are easily stored on your person, in your car, or in your home and can be employed fairly quickly. The amount of training needed to properly use this item is minimal.

• Expandable Baton - Small metal baton that expands up to several feet in length used to either fight off an attacker or control him. I have listed this as a non-lethal item but, depending on where you strike, it can be lethal as well. ASP is the leading manufacturer of these types of batons and they are usually made of either aluminum or steel, aluminum being lighter but a little weaker. They come in several different sizes and they are all priced around $80. In order to effectively use this weapon, I highly recommend taking a few courses. Batons can be wielded as bats but you have a much better chance of defending yourself from an assault if you know how to properly employ the baton and the most effective places to attack the human body.
• Cons: Requires professional training to be employed properly. You must be close to the attacker to be effective. Potential of inflicting unintended serious injuries or death to an opponent exists. Cannot be carried everywhere and are difficult to use in small spaces.
• Pros: Relatively light weight and compact. Easily concealed and carried on your person or in your vehicle. Can be deployed quickly. Batons are low cost and rugged. When used properly, they can incapacitate an attacker thus ending the fight.

• Keychain Tools -  I made up the name for this category as there are many different varieties of these types of weapons. Some of the more notable are the Kerambit, Wrench, Koga, Kubaton, and Sharkie. They are small, blunt object weapons made from hard plastic that work great in a pinch but should not be carried as your primary self-defense weapon. They operate by the user gripping the item and striking an attacker, either causing them to flee or potentially stunning them long enough for you to flee or follow-up with a more effective counter-attack.
• Cons: Due to the size of the item, you have to be within touching distance of the attacker. The effectiveness of this weapon is dependent on your strength and/or skill. Violence of action is a must because one strike will more than likely not be enough to halt an attack, so you must hit them again and again. Cannot be carried everywhere.
• Pros: Extremely cheap. Small and compact, easily carried on your person. Easily employed. Training is available for these types of weapons but not really necessary since they shouldn’t be relied on as your only means of defense. Because of their small size, the element of surprise is on your side when fighting off an attacker.

• Tasers - Tasers launch a two-pronged projectile into an assailant, and then incapacitates them by electrically interrupting the brain’s ability to control the muscles in the body. TASER is the premier manufacturer of this item and when dealing with equipment that has a lot of moving parts, the brands trusted by the military and law enforcement should be the ones you consider. I wouldn’t say that you need formal training with this item, but at least practice deploying it. Also, ensure you check with your college campus and/or your local laws concerning their governance of this piece of gear.
• Cons: Usually only get one shot, though they do make some that give you up to three. Hitting your target could be difficult in a stressful situation. There have been cases reported of people dying after being tased. It’s rather bulky to carry on your person and hard to conceal unless you have a purse. They are expensive.  Thick clothing may stop the prongs from entering the body, rendering it useless.  Think winter or "cool" leather jacktes.
• Pros: Easy to employ. Completely incapacitates an attacker. Can be used several feet away from the threat. May be mistaken for a real gun, ending the situation without any further action. Good tasers are rugged and reliable. Light weight. Can be deployed quickly. Because the prongs stick into the assailant’s skin, you have the ability to continue to control him until help arrives. 

• Stun Guns - Work much the same way as a taser, just without firing the barbed prongs. There are two metal prongs at the end of the stun gun that create an arc of electricity, and when you touch a person with that arc, they are affected. Again, make sure you check with your college campus and/or local laws for compliance.
• Cons: Have to be extremely close to your attacker. There have been cases reported of people dying after being hit with a stun gun. It’s rather bulky to carry on your person and hard to conceal unless you have a purse. They are expensive.
• Pros: Easy to employ. Hitting your target should be easy as you have to be close enough to touch the person in order to use it. Completely incapacitates an attacker, but the draw back here is that to maintain control of an assailant, you have to stay close enough to keep stunning them. Good stun guns are rugged and reliable. Light weight. Can be deployed quickly.

These are some of the most popular weapons made specifically for self-defense. If you have any questions concerning the use, training, employment, or brands please feel free to contact me.
Cheers!

*Click on the words in red to be hyperlinked to that item*