Remember the whistle? Seems like it used to be the safety item, especially for women.
Everyone walked around looking like a referee because you never knew when you'd need to draw attention to yourself or someone in your personal space. But things have graduated well beyond whistles.
These days, there's a significant market dedicated to personal defense items. We talked to experts in the safety industry to get their thoughts on the most popular defense weapons (aside from firearms) to help you gauge which one (or more) might be best for you. But do check your state's laws regarding each item. For instance, in some places, owning pepper spray is legal, but using it is not.
1. STUN GUN
WHAT IT IS: It puts out an electric shock without permanent damage.
WHERE YOU CAN GET: www.amazon.com sells stun guns. We saw one on there that puts out 6.8 million volts.
ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL SPEND: You can spend less than $100 or more than $500.
LIKES: Robert Siciliano, a personal security expert at ww.besthomesecuritycompanys.com, notes that a stun gun can fit in your hand or be carried on your belt "and, when used properly, has good stopping power." Amy Graves of Bond Arms explains, "it's fairly inexpensive and ATF does not require paperwork. And if you touch the person while stunning them, the electrical current will not pass back to you."
According to Ali Haskenkamp of Damsel in Defense, you need not actually touch the person with the stun gun to have it be effective:
"If someone is trying to break in and has his hand on the door handle, you can put the gun to the handle on your side of the door and it will shock him right through the handle," Haskenkamp says.
DISLIKES: Graves points out, "Stun guns do not have far range capabilities; they are meant for close-range self-defense," and "if the assailant has a more powerful weapon with a longer reach, long arms or is large in stature, the possibility exists that the victim could be overpowered if relying solely on a stun gun. And battery life: users must ensure the battery has ample power in it and carry extra batteries on their person."
Graves adds that it may not be ideal for a scenario in which there are multiple attackers.
2. STUN BATON
WHAT IT IS: Similar to a stun gun, the baton discharges an electric shock.
ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL SPEND: Less than $100.
LIKES: "I suggest a baton because you get distance," explains Jordan Frankel of Global Security Experts.
DISLIKES: Similar to the stun gun, there are range issues, battery concerns (some use rechargeable batteries) and the disadvantage that the weapon must actually have direct contact with the attacker. It's also rather large.
3. TASER GUN
WHAT IT IS: It is a weapon that emits an electro-shock. When the current comes in contact with the body, the muscles basically become weak and limp.
WHERE YOU CAN GET: You can check out www.taser.com
ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL SPEND: About $300.
LIKES: Graves explains that it "will shock your attacker for 30 seconds, allowing you to drop the device and easily get to safety."
Also, she adds, "A taser has a direct-contact stun gun back-up capability built into [it] in case of a misfire, missed target or if the attacker is too close."
DISLIKES: It's an aggressive weapon that can be used against you, so make sure you give yourself some space from the attacker, such as 10 feet or more.
"Both electrode barbs must hit their target for the taser device to be effective," Graves says. And it can be a more expensive option.
4. PEPPER SPRAY
WHAT IT IS: Overseas, it's nick¬named "chili water." It's a spray that irritates the eyes, causing tears and possibly even momentary blindness.
WHERE YOU CAN GET: It's readily available online or by brick and mortar, such as Big 5.
ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL SPEND: You can find it for less than $10.
LIKES: First of all, it's cheap. Second, it can be used on multiple attackers.
Graves likes its versatility.
"Pepper spray comes 'disguised' — as lipstick, pens and even walking weights—allowing it to be withdrawn at a moment's notice or held in the hand," she says. "And unlike stun guns, pepper spray may be used from distances of 8 feet or further, up to 20 feet."
DISLIKES: It could easily get on you if there's interaction with the intruder, and Siciliano says "it can blow back on you in the wind."
That means you'll have the same symptoms as them and it’s more challenging to get to safety quickly.
"Pepper spray may include a locking mechanism, which requires that the user practice disabling it quickly," Graves explains. "Panicking during an attack without having adequately practiced how to unlock the safety mechanism and discharge the spray can leave a person more vulnerable."
WHAT'S IN PEPPER SPRAY?
Pepper spray is also known as OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray; oleoresin capsicum comes from the same plant chemical that makes chili peppers hot, it's just a lot more concentrated. Manufacturers mix this with water, glycol and a propellant (like nitrogen) to conform to legal requirements.
5. DEFENSE ALARM
WHAT IT IS: A personal/panic alarm. Some even come with a built-in flashlight.
WHERE YOU CAN GET: Haskenkamp's company, www.mydamselpro.net/kampdefense.
ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL SPEND: As little as $10.
LIKES: This safety item is mainly about drawing attention to yourself if you're in trouble or discouraging a bad guy from coming near anything grabbing attention; no perp likes a crowd of eyes on him.
"If you're being followed, or think you might be, set off the alarm because once you do, the person will likely stop following you," Frankel notes.
It's also good for kids to have as their personal defense tool.
DISLIKES: Simply put: "It does not incapacitate the assailant," Graves says.
6. BASEBALL BAT
WHAT IT IS: Louisville Slugger, etc.
WHERE YOU CAN GET: Any sporting goods store ... or pretty much any store that is a superstore, such as Target.
ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL SPEND: $20 and more. We know someone who bought a very lightweight one (a consideration for self-defense) and spent around $300, later finding the same one at Ross for $40.
LIKES: If you've got an MLB-swing on you, it could take down the intruder.
DISLIKES: As Siciliano puts it, it's "large, bulky, aggressive and can be used against you. Potentially lethal."
Also, it's hard to hide and requires close range for use. Frankel says that he'd rather have a weapon that allows him distance from the intruder than one that means he'll have to go into battle.
7. KUBOTAN
WHAT IT IS: From the martial arts world. It's about hitting certain pressure points, bones or soft tissue-strike locations - to take someone down more effectively than with your bare hands.
WHERE YOU CAN GET: www.mydamselpro.net/kampdefense
ABOUT WHAT YOU’LL SPEND: As little as $10.
LIKES: "It's small in size, easily disguised, reusable and fairly inexpensive," Graves notes.
DISLIKES: "It requires direct contact and skill." Siciliano says.
8. KNIFE
WHAT IT IS: A tool for cutting. Check out tactical knives for self-defense; they fold.
WHERE YOU CAN GET: Pretty much anywhere. You can also order online from brands such as Gerber, Schrade, SOG and CRKT.
ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL SPEND: You can get them for cheap, or you can spend more than $100. Your choice.
LIKES: You don't really need instructions for use, but ...
DISLIKES:... this potentially lethal weapon "requires a certain amount of skill or training to use effectively," Graves notes.
Frankel views opting for a knife as a last resort.
9. NETGUN
WHAT IT IS: A handheld capture device usually used for animals. It launches a net from what looks like a flashlight.
WHERE YOU CAN GET: For starters: www.net-gun.com, www.ebay.com or www.amazon.com.
ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL SPEND: Prices can range from a couple hundred dollars to upwards of $1,000.
LIKES: Frankel is a fan of it: "It shoots a giant net. It covers the person in net material and gives you an opportunity to run past him. It’s a great distraction device. It's basically like get¬ting wrapped up in fishnet, and the more they move, the more entangled they'll get."
Graves adds, "Net guns are not classed as firearms by the ATF, and you do not have to complete a background check or paperwork."
DISLIKES: What if it jams? And it is likely on the very upper end of your budget.
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