By Jeremy Pollack
So you’re thinking about carrying a weapon for self-defense, rather than just relying on your wits and limbs to keep you safe. I don’t blame you. I’ve been studying martial arts for quite a long time, and I would still rather have a weapon to defend myself if given the choice. That’s because there’s no such thing as a fair fight, not on the street, not when survival is on the line. But of course, the question as to what type of self-defense weapon you should carry is an important one.
When deciding on the right self-defense weapon for you, you have to consider a number of factors. For instance, which weapon do you feel most comfortable using effectively? What weapon is easily carried in almost any environment you frequent and which can be easily deployed at a moments notice? How effective is the weapon in general at stopping the kind of attacks you are concerned about? Do you have any particular concerns, such as any particularly dangerous locations or types of people with whom you are regularly involved, whether in your personal life or for your career? And of course, you have to consider your state and local laws regarding what self-defense weapons are legal to carry.
When choosing a self-defense weapon, here are the six top types of hand-held self-defense weapons that I would recommend. Which you choose to carry should be based on the questions above. I’ll give you some pros and cons of each, so you can decide for yourself.
Taser
Similar to a stun gun, a taser is an electroshock weapon that passes electricity between two small electrodes. Very different from a stun gun, however, the Taser ejects these electrodes at a distance of up to 15 feet and is designed to disrupt the voluntary control of its target’s muscles causing “neuromuscular incapacitation.” This is a highly effective tool for self-defense.
Pros
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Use at a distance
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Incapacitate attacker (does not rely on pain)
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Easy to carry
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Highly effective
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Highly durable and dependable
Cons
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Illegal in some states and cities (see where Tasers are illegal)
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On the expensive side
Stun Gun
A stun gun is also an electroshock weapon, but does not eject or shoot anything, despite its name. You have to make contact with a target in order for the stun gun to be effective, at which time it delivers a painful shock that will potentially ward off an attacker but not incapacitate them in the way that a Taser will. Nonetheless, this can be quite an effective deterrent and protective device.
Pros
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Easy to carry (and hide)
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Comes in a variety of forms, including disguised stun guns
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Very painful when in contact
Cons
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Illegal in some states and cities (see where Stun Guns are illegal)
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Has to be used up close
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Relies on pain
Keychain Tool
Keychain weapons are great because they can be easily carried and effectively used by just about anyone. There are a number of types of keychain weapons, so choosing the best one depends on your particular needs and circumstances. See a variety of keychain weapons here.
Pros
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Some can be used at a distance
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Easy to carry and deploy
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Typically inexpensive
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Versatile for multiple environments
Cons
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Can be illegal to carry in some states, depending on the type
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Some have to be used up close
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Some require accuracy of use to be effective
Pepper Spray
Pepper spray is typically a liquid compound that causes irritation, tears, eye pain, and potentially temporary blindness. It comes in a small- to medium-size spray bottle or in a disguised form that is also used to spray the chemical agent at an attacker. The Home Security Superstore has all varieties of pepper spray for sale.
Pros
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Use at a distance
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Easy to carry
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Highly effective
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Comes in multiple forms and disguises
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Legal in all 50 states (with restrictions in some)
Cons
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May also affect the user, especially in windy locations
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Relies on pain, unless blinding
Baton
When many people think of batons, they think of the old police-style billy clubs -- the long, hard wooden sticks carried on an officer’s belt. But batons these days are pretty slick. Most of them now expandable, meaning they collapse by telescoping several cylindrical shafts into each other and down into the handle, making the baton very easy to carry. Then, by swinging it abruptly, you can eject the cylindrical shafts back into the long, hard, blunting tool that can be used as a club to ward off an attack.
Pros
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Easy to carry and deploy
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Highly effective
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Highly durable and dependable
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Versatile for multiple uses and situations
Cons
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Illegal to carry in some states (see where Batons are illegal)
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Some learning curve to use effectively
Firearms
And of course, some states allow civilians to carry firearms. Guns are obviously one of the most effective self-defense weapons, albeit extremely lethal, but only for individuals who are highly trained in the use of their firearms. Guns should never be carried, even legally, unless the individual is highly trained both in tactics and in legalities of their use.
Pros
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Use at a distance
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Incapacitate attacker (does not rely on pain)
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Highly effective
Cons
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Illegal in many states and cities (see where carrying Firearms are illegal)
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On the expensive side
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High learning curve to use effectively and legally
Take all of these factors into consideration when deciding on the right self-defense weapon for you to carry. Whichever weapon you choose, I can’t stress enough the importance of training with it, practicing deploying it, and knowing when and how to use it in a legal and reasonable way for self-defense purposes only.
Remember, the more aware of your surroundings you are and the better you are at verbal conflict resolution, the lower the probability that you will actually need to use a weapon to defend yourself. But in that rare moment when you need to fight to survive, a self-defense weapon is certainly a promising ally.
Get the right self-defense products for your abilities, situation, concerns, and state’s laws at The Home Security Superstore. We’ve got you covered with tons of effective self-defense weapons for sale. Stay safe out there!
Jeremy Pollack has been teaching martial arts and self-defense for more than 20 years. He holds a Black Belt in Hapkido, Instructor rankings in Muay Thai and Krav Maga, and belts in several other martial systems. He is also a former member of the California State Military Reserve, Military Police Unit. You can read more about him at CoachJeremyPollack.com and PollackPeacebuilding.com.