For over 25 years, Myron Bahm, owner of Elite Arms Company in Springfield, Missouri, has worked with individuals seeking practical ways to protect themselves and their families. In the latest installment of their “Firearms Fundamentals” series, they explore less-than-lethal options: tools designed to incapacitate or deter an assailant without the primary intent of causing death.
Understanding Less-than-Lethal Options
These tools are not a replacement for awareness or good decision-making but can be valuable parts of a layered approach to personal safety. Common examples include pepper spray, stun guns, Tasers, batons, and projectile launchers like the Byrna.
It’s essential to understand that “less-than-lethal” does not mean risk-free. Any use of force, even with these tools, can cause injury or have unintended consequences. Always treat them seriously. Knives and firearms are generally not classified as less-than-lethal.
Common Less-than-Lethal Options
Pepper spray is compact, affordable, and widely available. It causes intense eye irritation, burning, coughing, and temporary blindness, often giving you 20–45 minutes to get away. Stun guns are contact devices that deliver an electric shock, causing pain and muscle contractions. Tasers, or conducted energy devices, fire probes that deliver neuromuscular incapacitation for up to 30 seconds.
Batons deliver impact force and can create significant pain and control. However, they require strength, training, and close proximity. The Byrna launcher and similar projectile systems are CO2-powered devices that launch kinetic or chemical irritant projectiles, offering a good standoff distance and multiple shots.
Key Considerations and Best Practices
Training is essential. Practice with your chosen tool until it feels natural. Legal and local rules vary, so check your city, county, or state laws. The “escalation ladder” and instincts are crucial: awareness and de-escalation come first. Call 911 early, and trust your gut — if something feels off, create distance.
For families and young adults, it’s vital to talk openly about safety plans. Carry tools you’re comfortable with, maintain them, and know their limits. No tool is perfect, and weather, clothing, drugs/alcohol, or multiple attackers can affect performance. Have a backup plan — run, hide, or use whatever is available.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
