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What Can I Legally Carry for Self Defense?

Updated January 12, 2023 – We live in a world where we have to think about self-defense, particularly if you’re a woman living or traveling solo. 

You can legally carry these items for self-defense in every state: pepper spray, pocketknife, alarm keychains, and flashlights. Everyday items like car keys, canes, or umbrellas are legal too. Legally carrying guns, knives or other lethal weapons, or martial arts weapons varies by state.

It’s important that you know what you can and cannot legally carry to defend yourself in your state, as laws do vary. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of legal weapons to consider and insight into the best choices for self-defense purposes. 

Self-Defense Weapons You Can Legally Carry

No one wants to be attacked while going about their business, but as violent crime and mass shootings continue to rise, it’s a distinct possibility. If it happens, knowing how to defend yourself is vital to your safety and survival.

Martial arts and self-defense courses can teach you how to hold your own against an attacker, but not everyone is cut out for the physicality. Rather than being completely vulnerable, consider carrying some kind of effective self defense weapon.

But before you decide on what weapon you want to carry, be sure to research the state laws where you live. If you are unsure, seek legal advice or talk to a law enforcement officer in your area for specific information. You don’t want to purchase self defense products that could cause serious bodily harm and possibly bring criminal charges against you.

The following are types of self-defense weapons that you can, generally, legally carry across all 50 states of the US:

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is one of the most common self-defense tools. Pepper spray is different from mace.

A canister of pepper spray shoots a non-fatal, extremely concentrated blend of oleoresin capsicum and spicy oil extracted from hot peppers. It works instantly to inflame the eyes and burn the lungs.

The idea behind the use of pepper spray is to bring an attacker to his knees, giving you time to run away from a dangerous situation.

Pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense in all 50 states, although some states put restrictions on the size of the vial, the concentration of the spray, or the legal age to carry. There may also be restrictions on allowing convicted felons to carry a self-defense spray.  

Flashlights

Flashlights are easily accessible, inexpensive tools that can stop a personal attack. They come in various sizes, weights, and lengths and with light options such as a red strobe or super-high beam.

You can shine the light into an attacker’s eyes to momentarily deprive them of sight. Then you have a chance to run away. 

Tactical Pen or Kubotan

A tactical pen is actually a pen that does double-duty as a self-defense weapon. Similar to a Kubotan in that it’s used to stab an attacker, a tactical pen is lightweight and affordable for personal protection. They are generally made of high-quality materials that last. 

A Kubotan is a weapon with an approximately 6-inch spike. The spike has gripper, screw-like threads that are specifically designed for self-defense. Typically made of lightweight aircraft aluminum, it’s an inexpensive option that fits easily into a purse or pocket.

Stun Gun or Tasers

Stun guns are not the same as tasers, which are what police officers carry. Instead, stun guns deliver a painful electric charge when they make contact with an attacker’s body. The drawback to using them is that you have to be close enough to touch the person with the gun for it to momentarily stun them.

They’re inexpensive, purse-sized, and usually designed as handheld devices or as batons.

Tasers, on the other hand, can be used up to 15 feet away by shooting small barbs that deliver an electric charge when they latch onto the assailant. They are much more costly, bigger, and heavier, making them less appealing to carry for most women.

Alarm Key Chain

Personal alarm key chains are readily available, inexpensive self-defense options. They are easily attached to your purse, car keys, or even a belt. They put out a loud, high-pitched alarm sound that attracts attention from bystanders.

Some also have strobe lights to attract even more attention.

Hopefully, this will give the attacker second thoughts and send him hurrying away.

Defender Rings

Jewelry might not be what comes to mind as a self-defense tool, but defender rings are handy to have. Underneath the decorative part of the ring lies a sharp point that will stab the attacker as you hit him with your fists and hands. 

Car Keys

If you own a car and a home, you’ve got keys on a ring. Used with calculated and strong jabs at an attacker, you can’t beat them for a no-cost, fairly effective self-defense tool. 

One suggestion for women is to grip the keyring tightly with the keys spaced out between your knuckles, pointy end facing out—and be prepared to stab someone with them.

Everyday Items

Umbrellas, canes, handbags, and items like a baseball bat that can be legally carried and used for self-defense. While defense is not their intended purpose, each of these can serve quite well in a pinch. Even a bag of groceries can be used defensively. Swing it like you mean it!

Pocket Knife 

Long a staple of the gentleman’s pocket, the pocketknife is an excellent, legal choice for anyone to carry. It’s small enough to fit in a woman’s purse or pocket and, used strategically, may buy you time to flee the attack.

It’s a good idea to practice opening the knife quickly and thrusting it with the intent to injure.

Firearm

The self-defense tools discussed so far are no match for a gun. If an attacker displays a gun, your best line of defense is to be carrying your own weapon. There are plenty of small pistols designed to fit in a handbag.

However, not everyone is comfortable with owning, carrying, or shooting a gun, for many reasons. Deciding to carry a loaded firearm is a serious commitment to safe handling and responsible use of this deadly weapon. It’s a good idea to take formal training in a class on gun safety before you put one in your purse.

Concealed weapon laws across the United States vary, so find out what’s allowed in your state.
Some state’s gun laws require background checks and permits to carry a gun openly or to carry a concealed firearm. Others do not. Some states do not allow open carry at all, or they limit the size of the magazine. 

What Can I Carry in My Car for Self-Defense?

It’s always important to be prepared for any situation, and carrying certain items with you can help you feel safe while driving.

Recapping some of the self-defense items from the prior section, these are the ones I would recommend carrying because they are small and can easily fit in the center console or door pocket. That means they’ll always be within easy reach.

1. Pepper spray – pepper spray is a great way to temporarily disable an attacker, giving you a fair chance to get away or call for help.

2. Stun gun – stun guns deliver a high voltage electric shock that incapacitates your assailant, allowing you to escape or call for help. They’re relatively easy to use and don’t require any special training.

3. Flashlight – Flashlights are great for giving temporary blinding light to your attacker which allows you time to escape or call for help. It’s also useful if you find yourself walking in the dark and need some extra illumination.

4. Personal alarm – personal alarms are small devices that emit a loud noise when activated, alerting people nearby of your distress and scaring away any potential attackers.

In general, you can carry any self-defense weapon in your car as long as you comply with the laws of your state regarding its legality, concealment, and size. It’s imperative that gun owners find out what your state allows before putting a hand gun or other weapon of lethal force in your car or purse.

Best Self-Defense Weapons for a Woman

For women who want a self-defense combination that is small and easy to fit in a handbag, you can’t beat pepper spray and an alarm key chain or whistle.

The spray canister packs a wallop of eye-watering, throat-clogging, nose-burning mixture that most likely will convince the assailant to try his luck elsewhere. Combine pepper spray with an alarm key chain or whistle to further confuse the criminal and bring attention to your plight.

To gain the upper hand in an attack, there’s nothing like a pistol to level the playing field. If you’ve practiced shooting and are confident that you can safely and effectively use it, then a small pistol is absolutely the best self-defense weapon you can carry.

Best Self-Defense Weapons for Seniors

Senior adults are vulnerable to those with evil intent, and it’s good to be prepared in case you are accosted. Many seniors carry canes or walking sticks, so those are a great self-defense option for a senior.

Seniors should carry a can of pepper spray and an alarm key chain or whistle, particularly if they don’t use a cane. With these common self-defense weapons, you stand a good chance of stopping the attacker and let others know you’re in imminent danger.. 

Carrying a pistol offers the same protection and cautions for seniors as it does for everyone else. You must be able to handle the gun safely and confidently. The last thing you want is for an attacker to take it away and use it against you.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, self-defense is something every woman needs to think about. Your best defense is to plan ahead and be prepared with a weapon to use than be caught unawares with no means of defense.

Choose a weapon you can use effectively and confidently. And remember that help is a 9-1-1 call away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Castle Doctrine?

The Castle Doctrine (also known as the Castle Law or the Defense of Habitation Law) is a law that establishes a person’s right to protect their property from intruders. It gives an individual the legal authority to use deadly force without fear of criminal prosecution, civil lawsuit, or both in defense of their dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle.

By using this doctrine, individuals may legally defend themselves and their family from violent attack. In some states, the doctrine extends beyond one’s dwelling and applies to any place where a person has lawful presence.

The doctrine typically does not require people to retreat before using deadly force against an intruder; instead it allows them to stand their ground and fight back if necessary.

The laws vary by state but generally provide that a person may use reasonable force, including deadly force, against an intruder to prevent the commission of a forcible felony or to protect him or herself from great bodily harm.

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