What Are the Best Less Lethal Defense Options for Me?

Seeking Advice
1

I know this has been talked about before, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for. Sorry if I missed something.

I live in Massachusetts, and the Castle Doctrine here is really restrictive. I also won’t be able to get my carry license anytime soon.

I was thinking about getting a pepper ball gun, but I read that they’re not great for indoor use, especially in a small place like mine.

So now I’m thinking about getting a kinetic projectile launcher. Is that my best bet, or are there other options I should look into?

I rent, so I can’t really make any changes to the house, but I’d appreciate any suggestions on that too.

2

You should double-check what Castle Doctrine actually says. I won’t explain it all here, but I will say that it doesn’t mean you can’t defend yourself using lethal force.

It’s not just about the Castle Doctrine; if you’re facing serious harm, you can use deadly force whether you’re inside or outside your home, depending on the situation.

3

@Mika
Exactly, this applies across the whole country. As long as you’re not doing something extreme like shooting someone in the back, or being the one to start the fight, it’s legal to defend yourself with deadly force when you believe you’re in danger.

4

@Jesse
Right. Castle Doctrine (or lack of it) mainly relates to whether or not you have a ‘duty to retreat’ before using lethal force.

5

Whatever you think your law says, I’m sure it allows you to use lethal force to defend yourself in your own home. I recommend checking with a local gun forum to get a better explanation.

6

Bailey said:
Whatever you think your law says, I’m sure it allows you to use lethal force to defend yourself in your own home. I recommend checking with a local gun forum to get a better explanation.

You’re right, I’ve seen that it does allow lethal force within the home, but I think there are limits. It seems like it’s on you to prove the intruder intended harm and was close enough that you couldn’t escape. I’ll definitely get more info. Thanks for the advice.

7

Get a small .410 shotgun. It should be plenty for your rental, and it’s beginner-friendly. A CO2 pepper gun or a Byrna won’t cut it if someone breaks in to harm you.

Check out these two options:

8

Maybe try some skunk spray. It’s so bad-smelling that it could make someone want to leave right away.

Check it out: Skunk Scent Spray | Loitering Deterrent | PredatorPee Store

Also, this one: Skunk - Crowd Control – BRS Innovations

9

Look into the Grimburg Gavle or Umarex HDX .68 (the 40J version).

You can also tune an Umarex HDR 68 or 50 to over 40J for better stopping power.

Keep in mind, these might not work well on someone under the influence of heavy drugs. I’d still recommend getting a firearm if you’re serious about protection. Non-lethal weapons are a last resort for unarmed individuals or in less dangerous situations.

10

I’m not sure what to tell you, but live ammo is your best option. We have Castle laws too, but they leave you walking a thin line with your actions. I’ve got a gun port in the back of the house, and my first round is a 12ga bean bag. After that, it’s all live ammo.

If someone breaks in with a knife or worse, live ammo is what will save you. It’s a tough situation though—if you use deadly force, it’s up to the detectives to figure out if you were in the right or tried to avoid the situation.

11

For now, a Byrna might be your best bet. My state has bad laws for firearms, so I’d probably get arrested before the criminal would.

12

Marin said:
For now, a Byrna might be your best bet. My state has bad laws for firearms, so I’d probably get arrested before the criminal would.

I think that’s pretty much how it works here too, but I’m going to dig deeper into the law.