I've been looking for a good non-lethal self/home defense weapon and have had my eye on a telescopic steel rod. I like the idea of a telescopic steel rod because it can be concealed if I want to (although it will usually just be kept in my house), but also gives me a little distance from an attacker. I'm a recent college graduate and don't have a whole lot of money, so I was looking at something cheaper than a name brand like ASP. I've read online that the Taiwanese made steel rods are good quality for the price (under $30, and better quality than Chinese made ones). I wouldn't mind spending the extra money on a name brand if it's worth it, but if not I'd rather save the extra $50 and put it towards a revolver. I live in Vermont where we have no laws/permits for guns or any other self defense weapons for the most part, other than federal ones of course.
Best non-lethal self/home defense weapon?
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jbstratman
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Golf Club? Baseball Bat. I'm serious, if money is a problem just about anything in your home can be used as a weapon. How about Pepper Spray? . . . Personally, I'd save up and get the revolver if that is what you want . . .
AStone
Member
Walking Dead
Member
A full grown Great Pyrenees should do the trick.
Yeah I've also considered just going with the classic Louisville Slugger, they are cheap and effective. I used one of my friends once to scare off some kids with a knife outside his house and the sight of me with it alone was enough to send them running. I'm a pretty big guy (about 210 lbs) and am an athlete so I really want something non-lethal, as I sometimes don't know my own strength. It just would be nice to have the option to do the same amount of damage as a bat/instill the same amount of fear while also being able to carry it in my pocket, like a telescopic rod. I don't really like pepper spray because of the fact that if I don't spray them in the face, it's not gonna do a whole lot.
Non-lethal???
You'll have to change your thinking on impact self defense tools and lethality, or non-lethality.
Everything you've suggested is lethal. Plenty of people killed with baseball bats and golf clubs and other "clubs".
The least lethal SD tools are chemical or electrical and the best pepper sprays and Taser products work.
There are some good threads you can read here that will help.
You'll have to change your thinking on impact self defense tools and lethality, or non-lethality.
Everything you've suggested is lethal. Plenty of people killed with baseball bats and golf clubs and other "clubs".
The least lethal SD tools are chemical or electrical and the best pepper sprays and Taser products work.
There are some good threads you can read here that will help.
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jrw69
Member
When you buy your metal stick and some dude comes in high on PCP and takes it off you on the first swing, make sure you have a good quality taser that only pisses him off more. Then you can come back ask us what you should of bought to drop him. Just my opinion.
AStone
Member
Lethality is a function of what body part said weapon is applied to and the amount of force used.
For my sticks, I would apply force with the following criteria:
* hit to the arm holding a weapon
* hit to the ribs (lower, floating)
* strike to the neck/shoulder intersection (brachial plexus)
* strike to the head from jaw to cerebrum (last resort to a meth/angel dusted person whom,
for those of us who've dealt with such vermin, recognize the symptoms)
For my sticks, I would apply force with the following criteria:
* hit to the arm holding a weapon
* hit to the ribs (lower, floating)
* strike to the neck/shoulder intersection (brachial plexus)
* strike to the head from jaw to cerebrum (last resort to a meth/angel dusted person whom,
for those of us who've dealt with such vermin, recognize the symptoms)
Thanks so much for the info everyone! I realize that all of these CAN be lethal, but I would use them in non-lethal ways if possible. Nematocyst, very helpful post, that's just how I was thinking I'd use it. JRW69 - that's what my Gerber is for...that thing will cut through anything!
No, a weapon is lethal if it can readily kill. Whether you use it in a manner that kills or not is a function of the application.
It is very dangerous to mistake the fact you may not want to maim or kill with a weapon for whether the weapon is actually a lethal, less-lethal or non-lethal weapon. Far too many people have killed without intending to making that deadly mistake.
It is very dangerous to mistake the fact you may not want to maim or kill with a weapon for whether the weapon is actually a lethal, less-lethal or non-lethal weapon. Far too many people have killed without intending to making that deadly mistake.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Naked, laughing hysterically, with a Ready-Whip mustache & drool would do it for me if I was a home invader.
rc
rc
AStone
Member
No. I didn't say lethal weapon. I said "lethality".
Just as you said "non lethal" in post 6 instead of "non lethal weapon".
Let's be clear lest we talk past one another.
Owen Sparks
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Why would you want a non-lethal home defense weapon?
The bad guy crossed the line when he forcably entered your home. Do not give him a "sporting chance".
The bad guy crossed the line when he forcably entered your home. Do not give him a "sporting chance".
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
What happens if the intruder has a firearm?
Or a hammer?
If this is something you're intent on avoiding at all costs stay away from weapons with that capability.
OTOH, if someone has invaded your home the reasonable assumption is that your life is in danger and a lethal response is warranted. This understanding is difficult for most people to come to and they don't want to deal mentally with the killing of another person even in defense of their lives. This conflict often causes people to make no preparations to protect themselves or make improper preparations.
BTW, you don't have spray someone directly in the face with pepper spray to be effective, it just takes longer.
Also, if you look at threads on telescopic batons you'll see over and over again that cheap batons are a waste of money. The quality to make one usable costs what the various LE expandable batons cost.
is the reason you give for wanting a baton, but very specific training is provided with batons to limit their use to pain compliance tools striking to the big muscle groups and avoiding head/face/neck/joints. This control isn't natural for most individuals and they tend to strike at the head and neck intentionally or inadvertently as their attacker puts their arms up to protect the head and neck. This defensive posture protecting the head and neck is instinctive when faced with a club and strangely enough it draws the baton wielder to strike at the arms and hands in the vicinity of the face and head. Strikes to the head and face can kill and permanently maim. You can kill without meaning to in the heat of the moment.
If this is something you're intent on avoiding at all costs stay away from weapons with that capability.
OTOH, if someone has invaded your home the reasonable assumption is that your life is in danger and a lethal response is warranted. This understanding is difficult for most people to come to and they don't want to deal mentally with the killing of another person even in defense of their lives. This conflict often causes people to make no preparations to protect themselves or make improper preparations.
BTW, you don't have spray someone directly in the face with pepper spray to be effective, it just takes longer.
Also, if you look at threads on telescopic batons you'll see over and over again that cheap batons are a waste of money. The quality to make one usable costs what the various LE expandable batons cost.
First of all, I wouldn't choose an impact weapon if I were looking for something "non-lethal".
Second, if I were looking for an impact weapon, there's no way I'd carry something that functions only as a stick when I could carry a "stick" that also lets me see in the dark. Get a big, sturdy flashlight. Not only can you whack someone with it if the need arises, but it will also serve a very useful purpose the rest of the time. It also won't hurt that it's a fairly standard, non-threatening looking item if you do have to use it.
If you want something that's truly "non-lethal" maybe go with a Taser or something along those lines. I'm not sure that using pepper spray inside your own house is such a great idea. I think the cleanup would be a major pain.
Second, if I were looking for an impact weapon, there's no way I'd carry something that functions only as a stick when I could carry a "stick" that also lets me see in the dark. Get a big, sturdy flashlight. Not only can you whack someone with it if the need arises, but it will also serve a very useful purpose the rest of the time. It also won't hurt that it's a fairly standard, non-threatening looking item if you do have to use it.
If you want something that's truly "non-lethal" maybe go with a Taser or something along those lines. I'm not sure that using pepper spray inside your own house is such a great idea. I think the cleanup would be a major pain.
aim for the crotch
seriously a good ole louisville slugger is probably the easiest to get and will do the same as a baton with the added benifit that if you throw a ball and glove in your car with it its perfectly legal to carry because then its not intended as a weapon
AStone
Member
My flashlight is an LED (Quark 123) that rides EDC in my left pocket,
and is drawn by my left hand. With it, using my thumb, I can blind with a quick flash.
My 18" stick is in my right hand.
Guess what happens after the flash.
Totally wrong mind set for home defense.Best way to get killed by a gun wielding burgler is to attack him with a non lethal weapon.
You either need to rethink the situation or spend your money on a steel bedroom door and some window bars.Just let him take what he wants and stay in bed.
The only way to be sure to protect yourself in any combat situation is to use "OVERWHELMING" force. A 12 gague shot gun loaded with turkey loads is the ticket.It will be overwhelming at inside the house range but won't go through the walls and kill a neighbor across the street.
You can always stay in your bedroom and call the police for non-lethal but if some crazed maniac is beating down the steel door intent on killing you just for the fun of it,you will want that shotgun.
You either need to rethink the situation or spend your money on a steel bedroom door and some window bars.Just let him take what he wants and stay in bed.
The only way to be sure to protect yourself in any combat situation is to use "OVERWHELMING" force. A 12 gague shot gun loaded with turkey loads is the ticket.It will be overwhelming at inside the house range but won't go through the walls and kill a neighbor across the street.
You can always stay in your bedroom and call the police for non-lethal but if some crazed maniac is beating down the steel door intent on killing you just for the fun of it,you will want that shotgun.
AStone
Member
Right. But the OP asked about non-lethal defense,
so that's what we're addressing here.
so that's what we're addressing here.
sm
member
Brain.
DeepSouth
Random Guy
Then he wins.
I would suggest a 12 ga with rubber buckshot, if I was trying to stay away from lethal weapons.
Rubber buckshot is likely to be lethal at home-defense ranges and with direct fire. It's designed to be skipped off the ground at longer ranges, not fired directly at someone at close range.
Sure, sounds good. Or you could have an 18" flashlight and skip the stick. Same result, one less thing to carry, an extra hand free, and the extra bonus is that a big flashlight doesn't instantly scream "weapon" like an 18" stick does.
AStone
Member
I agree to disagree, Mr. JohnKSa.
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