Best Non-Lethal Self-Defense Weapons for Personal Safety

Your local gun show is a great place to find non-lethal weapons for self-defense. Pennsylvania’s Largest Gun Show may be known for the massive firearms selection our vendors bring to nearby communities for a weekend of gun shopping, but they offer so much more. You’ll find knives, collectibles, handicrafts, and even the tools you need to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property when a firearm isn’t practical, appropriate, or available. Let’s talk about why you may want to invest in another layer of protection (even if you’re a gun owner) and how to choose the right weapon for you.

But Why Non-Lethal?

With so many guns right there for the buying, you might wonder why anyone would consider non-lethal weapons. There are a couple of good reasons why firearms may not work out as self-defense weapons for everyone.

• Not Old Enough – Teens and young adults who aren’t old enough to buy or own guns still need to be able to protect themselves. Whether they’re walking home from school or staying safe in their university dorm, there’s a non-lethal self-defense weapon they can use.
• Gun-Free Locations -. Some locations, including many banks, schools, and government buildings, don’t allow firearms on the premises, even with a concealed carry permit. Non-lethal options can offer unobtrusive protection when your gun needs to stay behind in a safe or lockbox.
• Can’t Own Firearms – Medical reasons, court proceedings, and bad decisions in the past can all make someone ineligible to own firearms, either temporarily or permanently. Non-lethal weapons let you use your right to defend yourself more efficiently without running afoul of state, local, or federal laws.
• Need a Backup – Sometimes, you need a second self-defense weapon in case your first fails or isn’t handy. Many of the best less-than-lethal weapons are designed for easy, discreet carry, making them perfect backups.
• Doesn’t Want the Responsibility – Not everyone is comfortable carrying a weapon that can kill. For some, it’s religious reasons, while others don’t want to face the potential legal liability. Non-lethal weapons give you a tool to stop, deter, or distract an aggressor while you get to safety.

Top Non-Lethal Weapons at Your Local Gun Show

When you visit your local gun show, you’ll see hundreds of tables filled with guns, EDC knives, accessories, and more. You’ll see self-defense weapons that are straightforward and effective, others that require a level of tactical skill that requires training, and some that are questionable at best. Here are our top picks to look for if you want a less-than-lethal alternative with a high probability of success.

• Pepper Spray – Sometimes referred to as Mace (although that is a brand name and the granddaddy of defense sprays), these small cans shoot a stream or cloud of chemical irritants at the attacker. They may use a form of tear gas, concentrated capsaicin (the chemical that makes hot peppers hot), or a combination of the two, often mixed with a dye to help identify the attacker. Point it, press the button, and get some distance while your assailant struggles to see through burning, watering eyes and breathe through an inflamed respiratory system.
  
  Pros: They allow you to defend yourself at range, the cans come in various sizes (from discreet to fire extinguisher-sized), and they tend to be economical.
  
  Cons: Generally a single-use product, some attackers may be resistant to capsaicin, and you will almost certainly pepper spray yourself “mildly” at some point, so be careful while handling the canister in a pocket or purse.
• Tasers and Stun Guns – These non-lethal self-defense weapons deliver an electric shock that can cause pain, involuntary muscle contractions, and temporary muscle failure. Stun guns are compact, portable, and decently priced, although watch out for low-cost models that don’t deliver enough juice to incapacitate an attacker. Taser devices use compressed air to shoot two needles at an attacker, with the shock being delivered from the handheld unit to the needles via thin coiled wires. These models are much more pricey but allow you to defend yourself beyond arm’s length.
  
  Pros: Easy to transport, effective, and the unmistakable sound may be a deterrent in itself.
  
  Cons: Close-range models require you to let the attacker get within arm’s reach, while Taser models are pricey. They may disrupt pacemakers and, in rare occurrences, ignite clothing.
• Personal Alarms – Personal alarms are more about deterrence and summoning help than harming your attacker. Generally designed for easy carry or wear, removing an emergency pull pin sets off a dangerously loud alarm to alert anyone in the area that someone needs help. If used close to an attacker’s ear, it may cause disorientation, dizziness, and temporary or permanent hearing loss.
  
  Pros – Low cost, low risk of inadvertent injury, ultra-portable.
  
  Cons – It is unlikely to incapacitate an assailant or stop a determined attacker. Also, remember the last time you heard a car alarm going off and wondered how long the owner would let it go without looking out the window yourself? Yeah.

• Kubatons, Keychains, and Kawaii Knuckles – These self-defense items work great if you know how to use them and may be good as last-ditch non-lethal self-defense weapons, but they won’t be right for everyone. Usually either meant to be carried on your keys or in your pocket, they provide hard or sharp surfaces for striking, punching, or gaining leverage. Kubatons are traditional batons about six inches long, self-defense keychains come in a variety of styles, and knuckles are designed to give your punch a little more heft, with cutesy Kawaii varieties looking like cats, rabbits, or other adorable creatures.
  
  Pros – Offers an added advantage if you know how to fight or may be useful as a surprise weapon. They’re easily portable, available in an unlimited variety, and often have budget price points.
  
  Cons – These will not actually turn you into a good fighter, just an inexperienced one with a weapon you may not know how to use. Requires an attacker to be at arm’s length or closer, putting you in greater danger.

• Self-Defense Flashlights – These flashlights are useful for nighttime walks, camping, and bumps in the dark. They provide convenient illumination, may have a setting to disorient or blind an attacker, and can be used as a club or striking baton if necessary. Some even have stun gun electrodes that allow your flashlight to light up the night in two different ways.
  
  Pros – Useful and easy to carry unobtrusively, these offer natural and easy-to-use non-lethal weapon characteristics for any level of training.
  
  Cons – The mid-range price tag may be more than some are willing to pay, and you still have to let an attacker get close enough to hit or stun them.

Choosing Your Non-Lethal Weapons

When deciding on the right non-lethal weapon for your self-defense, start by honestly assessing your ability to defend yourself without weapons. If you’re relatively inexperienced at physical defensive fighting, then weapons that let you engage at a distance and get away or that are designed to disorient and deter are your best bets. If you are experienced or trained in hand-to-hand fighting and defense, then non-lethal weapons that make your current skills more efficient may be appropriate as well. 

Find the Self-Defense Weapons You Need

Your next opportunity to find great deals on non-lethal weapons is coming soon. Check our gun show calendar and circle the date. Get your tickets online to buy your self-defense weapons at an Eagle Shows Gun Show today.