SHOT Show 2024: Coolest Less-Lethal Defense Products

If you have heard of SHOT Show, you probably know that it’s all about guns. Imagine an entire pro football stadium full of gun makers, distributors, and retailers from all over the world displaying their finest products. But SHOT doesn’t just bring guns with them, they bring a slew of other items, including non-lethal (or less-lethal) defense products.

Many non-lethal weapons are marketed toward law enforcement, but some are available to the public. I’ll talk later about when a less-lethal weapon is needed. But first, let’s look at some products that stood out at SHOT this year. There were plenty of companies offering non-lethal weapons, but some of them stood out more than others. Rifle platform launchers were popular this year, so I added some to my list. Here are the coolest gadgets they had to offer.

Pepper Ball VKS

One of the leading suppliers of non-lethal force for law enforcement, Pepper Ball had some modern less-lethal products on display. Built around the AR-15 platform, the P4 VKS is a semi-automatic launcher that shoots both PepperBall rounds and VXR projectiles. It’s a magazine-fed system that also uses an electronic hopper when needed. This little M4-style gun comes with a reflex sight, flip-up iron sights, folding grip, and adjustable butt stock. A refillable HPA (high-pressure air) tank is built into the stock, giving it plenty of power.

During my time in law enforcement, I’ve used a lot of less-lethal products, and the PepperBall rifle is one of them. With 0.68 caliber PepperBall’s, the 15-round magazine provides plenty of deterrence for those intent on breaking the law. When using the hopper, you get 160 rounds and a maximum distance of 150 feet. That’s a good range for a non-lethal product. During my training, I was exposed to them multiple times, and I can tell you they work very effectively.

Byrna TCR

One company that is making its name known in the less lethal world is Byrna. While they primarily cater to law enforcement agencies, Byrna also markets their products to any citizen in need of less-lethal capabilities. Among their newest products is the TCR (tactical compact rifle). Byrna kept it simple with this one and used a common power source we can all appreciate: the 12-gram CO2. Instead of searching for hard-to-find sizes or buying a proprietary power source, you can pick 12-gram cartridges up at Wal-Mart.

A magazine-fed sub-gun size weapon, the TCR will fire up to 19 shots on one CO2 canister. Byrna uses what they call “puncture technology,” so you don’t have to worry about storing the gun for long periods. Place the CO2 in the compartment and leave it. When you pull the trigger for the first time, it punctures the CO2 cartridge and powers the gun. Any pull of the trigger after that sends non-lethal projectiles down range. The TCR has an effective range of 75 yards and retails for about $600.00. Because it uses standard Picatinny rails, you can attach just about any type of accessory you want.

Salt Supply Co s2 Mace gun

Salt is a new company, but the employees are not new to self-defense products. Most of them have extensive backgrounds in the industry, and they make some interesting devices. What stands out the most is their s2 Mace Ultra Pepper Spray pistol. Using Mace chemicals, the s2 is a somewhat slim pistol compared to other versions on the market. A standard 12-gram CO2 powers the gun for a minimum of two magazines (10 rounds) and has a big punch. Each round fires at 350 ft/second with an effective range of 150 feet.

Each projectile is a powder combination of pepper spray and tear gas to make sure it is effective in self-defense situations. Salt also designed their less-lethal gun to store the CO2 in a “non-punctured” state. A round metal puncture device is located on the bottom of the handle. Simply smack it with the palm of your hand, and the CO2 is punctured and ready to use. The pepper ball magazine loads in the front of the gun just beneath the barrel. Salt sells holsters for their handguns, so you can carry them on you if needed. A starter kit retails for $299.95.

Taser

It’s hard to talk about non-lethal products without Taser being mentioned. While they are mostly known for their traditional yellow Taser’s carried by police, they have some new products out, and they are not all for law enforcement. One of the most advanced devices they make is for the civilian market, but it does come at a price. Retailing for nearly $450, the new Bolt 2 is a simple-looking taser with a lot of built-in technology. With a range of 15 feet, this flashlight-shaped device is a formable self-defense weapon.

It will deliver the same neuromuscular incapacitation capabilities as the Taser carried by law enforcement. While the version police carry will deliver a “shock” for 5 seconds, the Bolt 2 continues to cycle for 30 seconds. This gives the person time to drop it and run while the Bolt 2 keeps them incapacitated. But wait! That’s not all. The Bolt 2 also connects to the Taser app and calls the police once it’s been deployed. While you are running away, the Bolt 2 is shocking the suspect and calling the police with your location. That’s pretty cool, right?

Is less lethal needed for the general public?

It’s common knowledge that law enforcement uses less-lethal products, but there is a place for them in the civilian market, too. Less lethal shouldn’t replace a firearm as a primary defense weapon, but it can be a great addition to it. It doesn’t hurt to have options and, in many cases, it may be your only one. There are several circumstances where non-lethal weapons are beneficial. Here are a few:

• Heavily regulated states or areas: There may be some places where carrying a firearm is not possible. This could be a state, city, or other area. For example, a college campus may not allow firearms leaving students looking for alternative methods of self-defense.
• Use of force justification: When lethal force is your only option, it could limit your ability to act in many cases. A situation could arise where you need to act but not with deadly force.
• Not old enough to carry a firearm: For those not yet old enough to carry a firearm but need some type of protection, non-lethal products are a great choice.
• Lack of training/access: Some are not comfortable with firearms because they don’t have access to a range, or they have not had the opportunity to learn about them.

Is it right for you?

Deciding if you need a less-lethal weapon is something only you can decide. I have used them many times at work, and with aggressive animals at home. I give them to my college kids to keep with them on campus. Using less lethal products is not always the best option, but the same goes for firearms too. It’s good to have choices, and these companies are providing a lot of them. Some are more expensive than others and were made for different purposes. But if you decide you need some type of non-lethal weapon, I recommend checking these companies out.