Safe Space Episode 12: Byrna Launchers

David Sr., founder of NW Safe, and Gary Reynolds, Delivery and Install Lead, discuss the Byrna Launcher. They explore what it is, why NW Safe decided to introduce it, and the pros and cons of this less-lethal self-defense tool.

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Episode 12 Discussion Questions

0:48: What kind of feedback have you heard from friends, family, or even law enforcement about carrying a Byrna?

3:40: What made you choose the Byrna over other self-protection options?

5:02: What are some of the most common mistakes people make when first using or carrying a Byrna?

6:56: How do you respond to people who worry that carrying a Byrna might escalate a situation instead of diffusing it?

7:14: Are there any legal considerations people should understand before carrying a Byrna in public?

9:17: For someone brand new to Byrna, what kind of training or practice would you recommend?

11:13: How do you personally store your Byran, whether at home or in your vehicle, to keep it secure but still easy to access?

12:15: Compared to tools like pepper spray or a taser, how does the Byrn stack up in terms of effectiveness and peace of mind?

15:11: What was your first impression when you got your hands on Byrna?

17:26: For someone on the fence about buying their first Byrna, what advice would you give them?

Episode 12 Discussion Question Synopses

0:48: What kind of feedback have you heard from friends, family, or even law enforcement about carrying a Byrna?

Many people, including friends, family, and even some in law enforcement, have said good things about the Byrna. It gives people a sense of security without having to carry a traditional firearm. If you're out and about and feel uneasy but can’t or don’t want to carry a gun, the Byrna offers a less-lethal way to feel protected.

David Sr. first saw a Byrna at his brother’s house. Since then, he’s told a lot of people about it — friends, parents, even grandparents. Not everyone is comfortable using a gun, but they still want a way to protect themselves and their loved ones. The Byrna fills that gap.

One customer bought a Byrna to keep wild animals away from her chickens and pets. The feedback has been mostly positive. Of course, there’s neem some criticism — mostly from people who strongly believe in the Second Amendment and prefer firearms for home defense.

The NW Safe family respects that. Some members personally carry them as well. But there are times and places where carrying a gun isn’t allowed, like parks or when traveling between states. In those cases, the Byrna offers peace of mind.

It’s not a replacement for a firearm, but it’s a great option for people who want some protection without the risks that come with a gun.

3:40: What made you choose the Byrna over other self-protection options?

David Sr. was the one who pushed to bring the Byrna into our store. The main reason was simple: It gives people a way to protect themselves in places where they can’t legally carry a firearm.

One big advantage of the Byrna over things like pepper spray is distance — you don’t have to wait until someone is right next to you. The Byrna can be used from 50 to 60 feet away, which means you can stop a threat before it gets too close.

At Northwest Safe, we’re always careful about adding new products. We want to make sure they actually work and that our customers will benefit from them. From a business perspective, the Byrna has been a great decision. It’s been very popular with both new and existing customers, and it’s even brought in people who hadn’t shopped with us before. Overall, it’s been a solid addition to what we offer.

5:02: What are some of the most common mistakes people make when first using or carrying a Byrna?

One of the most important things to remember is not to store the Byrna with a punctured CO2 cartridge. When we sell one, we always tell people to take it out and practice—just like you would with any self-defense tool.

The Byrna is designed so the CO2 doesn’t puncture until you fire the first round. But if you leave a used cartridge inside, it could slowly leak and might not work when you really need it.

6:56: How do you respond to people who worry that carrying a Byrna might escalate a situation instead of diffusing it?

If you're using something for self-defense — whether it’s a firearm, Byrna launcher, knife, or pepper spray — you shouldn’t show it unless you’re ready to use it. It comes down to proper training and knowing when it’s truly necessary. Just like with a gun, you don’t pull it unless you intend to act. The same rule applies to the Byrna.

Byrna launchers come in different colors, including orange. Some people choose orange to help law enforcement quickly recognize it as a non-lethal option after a situation. There are mixed opinions, but that’s why I went with orange.

7:14: Are there any legal considerations people should understand before carrying a Byrna in public?

The Byrna is not considered a firearm, so in most places, there aren’t laws against owning or carrying it. However, openly carrying any type of self-defense tool (even in states with open carry laws) isn’t always the smartest move. It’s usually better to keep it concealed for safety and practicality.

If you have questions about the legal side of things, there’s a YouTube channel called Armed Attorneys with Emily Taylor and Richard Hayes. They’ve covered Byrna use and legality in different situations, and it’s a helpful resource to check out.

If you’re ever unsure about where you can bring your Byrna—like a park, festival, or public event—it’s a good idea to call your local law enforcement and ask ahead of time.

Of course, there are some places you just can’t take it, like stadiums or venues with security checks. But one big advantage of the Byrna is that you can usually travel with it from state to state without worrying about strict gun laws. Unlike firearms, you don’t have to deal with magazine capacity limits or special storage rules when crossing state lines.

9:17: For someone brand new to Byrna, what kind of training or practice would you recommend?

There are several types of projectiles available for training with the Byrna. One is an eco-friendly, chalky green ball that breaks down in the rain, perfect for backyard practice since you don’t need to pick them up. The other is a hard kinetic ball meant for self-defense. If you have a way to trap them, like we do here, you can reuse them repeatedly.

One of the best things about the Byrna is that you can train safely at home, in your garage or backyard, without worrying about stray bullets. Just check your local rules or HOA policies. Even experienced firearm users should train specifically with the Byrna since it functions differently. It doesn’t have moving parts or recoil, and the trigger pull is a bit heavier. Regular practice is essential for using it effectively in real-life situations.

11:13: How do you personally store your Byrna, whether at home or in your vehicle, to keep it secure but still easy to access?

David Sr. keeps his in a quick-access pistol safe, just like a regular firearm. Even though it’s labeled “less lethal,” it should still be treated with care. You don’t want kids getting into it without supervision.

That said, it can be a great tool for training older kids. When NW Safe first got it, Gary practiced with it in the backyard with his boys, Ty and Cal. It was a fun and safe experience — less noise, less recoil, and very affordable to train with.

12:15: Compared to tools like pepper spray or a taser, how does the Byrn stack up in terms of effectiveness and peace of mind?

One big advantage of the Byrna is its range. It can reach targets from a greater distance than pepper spray. The Byrna Max projectile contains a mix of pepper and tear gas, making it more effective than standard pepper spray. There’s also a regular pepper-only ball option.

Another key benefit is that you can fire multiple shots. With pepper spray, the wind can blow it back at you, but the Byrna gives you more control and reach. For home defense, we typically recommend a mix of projectiles, starting with two kinetic balls, followed by pepper or Max rounds. That way, you can start with impact shots and use chemical ones if needed.

For David Sr., he'd rather scare someone off with a Byrna than use lethal force. Most people don’t want to harm others. They just want to protect their home. And if someone sees the Byrna and hears it fire, they’ll likely think it’s a real gun and leave.

15:11: What was your first impression when you got your hands on Byrna?

David Sr. first heard about the Byrna from his brother. He showed it to him, but David Sr. wasn’t impressed at first. He’s been an AR-15 guy for over 50 years. But after using the Byrna, he changed his mind. He came home from that visit and emailed Byrna right away.

At first, just seeing it didn’t convince Gary either, but once we set up our own test range with layers of cardboard and fired the eco-friendly training balls, he was impressed. The rounds punched through multiple layers and kept going.

The Byrna feels good in your hand. The grip is natural; the safety and magazine release are in the right spots, and the trigger, while a bit heavy at first, feels normal after some training. At 30–40 feet, you can easily group shots into a fist-sized area.

And when we tried the new contact model (the CL), it hit so hard that Gary thought, “Wow, that’s almost not less lethal!”

17:26: For someone on the fence about buying their first Byrna, what advice would you give them?

Come down and see us! We have a training range set up in the back so you can try the Byrna for yourself. Just like buying a safe, we’ll walk you through everything and let you decide if it’s right for you.

Whether you're local or find another spot to try one, don’t just shoot once. Run a few magazines through it. Get comfortable. And if you choose to do so, practice often.

If you’re not familiar with firearms, consider a training class. There are even classes just for Byrna launchers. We’ve helped women with protection orders who needed something right away. Unlike firearms, you can buy a Byrna the same day and start training at home, even in your garage.

The goal is simple: The Byrna gives you a way to protect yourself and do it confidently.