If you are someone was hasn’t had a lot of experience with traditional firearms or aren’t comfortable with the idea of owning a gun, but still want a means to protect yourself, a non-lethal self defense gun maybe a good option for you. In the article we will cover what these non-lethal guns are and the laws regarding them.
What Are Non-Lethal Self Defense Guns?
Non-lethal self defense guns, usually look very similar to traditional firearms. In fact if an assailant saw the gun, they would mostly likely think it was a traditional firearm. The appearance of the gun alone could be intimating enough to stop a conflict before it progresses. In the picture below you can see an example of one the these non-lethal self defense guns.
These guns typically operate by using compressed air, typically in the form of a CO2 cartridge, to expell a projectile. These projectiles can range from rubber balls, to pepper powder balls to steel disk, with the most common ammunition looking similar to a paintball. These guns are typically semi-automatic, meaning that it will fire one projectile each time the trigger is pulled until the magazine is empty. The magazine capacity varies depending on weapon.
Below is the the Umarex T4E HDP .50 caliber pepper ball pistol. This gun can fire both pepper balls and rubber balls and operates by a CO2 cartridge. Most of these non-lethal self defense guns that fire spherical projectiles can fire both rubber and pepper spray balls. This is great because it gives you a chance to practice with the weapon without having to worry about getting pepper spray powder everywhere.
These non-lethal self defense guns are capable of projectile speeds between 300-500 feet per second and have an effective range of 60 feet. While these guns are capable of shooting 60 feet, its most effective range would be within 20 feet.
These non-lethal self defense guns also have no recoil, so they are easy to shoot and control. They are much quieter than any traditional firearm, so should you have to use it indoors, you wouldn’t have to worry about any loss of hearing.
Why Non-Lethal Self Defense Guns Are Better Than Other Non-Lethal Self Defense Weapons
Unlike most other non-lethal self defense weapon, the non-lethal guns allow you to keep distance between yourself and the attacker. The look alone of these guns may also be intimating enough to end a conflict before it starts. In the event that an attack were to take place, this distance would allow you a greater opportunity to escape the situation.
Also, of all the non-lethal self defense options, pepper spray ranks as the most effective method of stopping an attack. The pepper balls that these guns shoot contain powdered pepper spray. When shot from a non-lethal self-defense gun, you increase the effective range of the pepper spray, which is only 10 feet when expelled from a traditional pepper sprayer verses 60 feet from a non-lethal selef defense pepper ball.
The blunt force from the pepper ball hitting the attacker can also be quite painful. When the pepper ball hits the attacker, it explodes, releasing pepper powder into the air. The pepper powder then gets into eyes and throat making causing pain and disorientation for the attacker, allowing you time to escape the dangerous situation.
Below you can see the pepper powder, which is the white powder, dispursing through the air when it hits a target. When aiming at a target, it’s best to aim for the torso for maximum effectiviness.
Laws Regarding Non-Lethal Self Defense Guns
Below is an outline of laws regarding these non-lethal self defense air guns. Please note, some jurisdicitions may have their own laws and regulations regarding these self defense weapons, so it is best to check with your local jurisdiction for the final ruling.
Do You Need A Permit / Background Check To Purchase A Non-Lethal Self Defense Gun?
No. Non-lethal self defense guns are considered non-powder burning firearms. Non-powder burning firearms are not considered firearms under United States laws, so no background check or permit is required to purchase or own one of the self defense weapons.
Most states do not have restrictions regarding the use of pepper balls, but some do. These states include:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New York
- Washington
- Wisconsin
How Old Do You Need To Be To Own / Purchase A Non-Lethal Self Defense Gun?
Most retailers will limit the sale of these guns to buyers 18 years and older, but the actual state laws to purchase these guns can vary by state. In most states the legal age is 18 years old, but the following states deviate from this restriction.
No Age Limit Required To Purchase An Air Gun
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Louisana
- Missouri
- South Carolina
States You Must Be 16 Years Old To Purchase An Air Gun
- Delaware
- Florida
- Maine
- New York (excluding New York City)
- Virginia
States You Must Be 21 Years Old To Purchase An Air Gun
- Washington
State Restrictions On Pepper Spray / Pepper Balls
In most states, you must also be at least 18 years old to possess pepper balls, with the exception of Washington state which allows you to possess pepper spray if you are 14 years old and have parental consent. Outside of age restrictions, some states have restrictions on how strong the pepper spray can be or the amount of pepper spray you can possess. Below is a chart of states that have restrictions beyond age requirements.
Major Cities That Restrict Use Of Non-Lethal Self Defense Guns
Additionally some cities have their own restrictions on the use of these non-lethal self defense guns. Some of these major cities include:
- Bronx, NY
- Brooklyn, NY
- Manhatten, NY
- New York City, NY
- Portland, OR
- Queens, NY
- San Francisco, CA
- Staten Island, NY
- Washington, D.C.
- Yonkers, NY
Even if your city is not listed above, it’s best to check the laws and regulations regarding the use of non-lethal self defense guns. These guns are treated similarly to air guns and we have compiled a list of air gun laws and regulations which you can find here.
Can A Person With A Felony Own A Non-Lethal Self Defense Gun?
In most states it is legal for a person with a felony conviction to own one of these non-lethal self defense guns. There are some states that do not allow people with felony convictions to own non-lethal self defense guns. These states include:
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island
Convicted felons are generally prohibited from possessing pepper balls though, so another ammunition would be required.
Can You Concealed Carry Non-Lethal Self Defense Guns?
Concealed carry is carrying a gun that is hidden from plan sight. Even though these non-lethal self defense guns are not traditional firearms, the same laws typically apply when carrying these weapons. Depending on the state you live, the laws can vary. Below is a map that outlines each state’s restrictions regarding the carrying of these weapons.
Permitless Carry – State law does not prohibit a citizen who can legal possess a firearm from carrying the weapon openly and/or in a concealed manner. No permit is required by the owner to carry the weapon. These states include:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampsire
- North Dakota (for residents only)
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Permitt Required – State law permits that an individual may carry a weapon, but a permit must be issued from the state before you can carry the weapon in public. The states that require a permit to carry include:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Washington D.C.
Openly Carrying A Non-Lethal Self Defense Gun
Open carry is when you carry the gun on your person, but the gun is visible for others to see. Just like concealed carry, the same laws typically apply when carrying these weapons. Depending on the state you live, the laws can vary. Below is a map that outlines each state’s restrictions regarding the carrying of these weapons.
The following states allow for open without a permit:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
The following states allow open carry with a permit:
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
The following states do not allow open carry at all:
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- New York
- Washington D.C.
The following states allow for open carry, but may have jursidictions that make open carry illegal within them:
- Colorado
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Oregon
Air Travel With Non-Lethal Self Defense Guns
The FAA allows you to carry an unloaded non-lethal self defense gun in your checked luggage. The gun must be unloaded. TSA allows up to four CO2 cartridges to be carried in your checked luggage as well.
Can You Practice With Non-Lethal Self Defense Guns In Your Back Yard?
In the United States it is generally legal to practice with a non-lethal self defense gun in your back yard so long as there is a proper back stop that would prevent the projectile from leaving your yard and harming another person or others property.