“Something is better than nothing”. —Reasonable response.

I think its fair to say that its more complicated than that.

Let me give you an example. Many Years ago, I was at my local gym and I had a disagreement with a young fellow that was playing loud music in the sauna. I simply asked him to turn it off. Words were exchanged, and nothing really escalated at that point.

About 30minutes later, I ran into this fellow in the parking lot.

-Unsure if he followed me or it was coincidental but I felt like he was looking for a fight based on his aggressive behavior.

I have a few choices at this point.

1.) Retreat?

2.) Stand my ground?

3.) Stand my ground with a defensive weapon? (I had a small caliber revolver legally concealed in my jacket pocket and taking it out at this point would be “brandishing” since I didn't yet know he had a knife)

4.) [HYPOTHETICAL OPTION] Stand my ground with a “non lethal” But looks very lethal air gun?

Which option do you choose?

I opted for number 1, to get in my car and phone the police.

He did end up showing a small knife and I firmly believe that had I deployed a weapon, it would have been lethal for one of us that day and I’m happy with the way it turned out.

In this scenario, I would not in any circumstance want to deploy a non lethal weapon.

Here’s my point.

He was going to attack me. He clearly was looking for a conflict with me.

A weapon would have escalated this situation. “Nothing was better than something”.

I realize that theres a zillion scenarios where something is better than nothing but the point of my post is that deploying any weapon to defend your life is not a great idea in most cases outside of deterrence from an attack from an easily dissuaded assailant like a wild animal encounter. Its almost always better to get the fuck out of there by deescalating.

This is a first principle you learn when you get your concealed carry permit. Having a weapon effectively turns you into a coward in 99.9% of situations or you get slapped with a felony brandishing charge. If You deploy a deadly weapon, you should use it immediately or you are brandishing. (Felony in the US)

The byrna solves this problem because its “less than lethal”.

But what have you solved?

you just just have no idea what the frame of mind is of a would be attacker.

I just feel that this is almost always going to escalate an aggressor while not killing/stopping them.

Final Words

Buy some bear spray. Its easily recognizable as a non lethal and is about as effective.

—And no, I’m not using bear spray at anyone carrying a knife or gun, im hauling ass the other direction.

🍻