As those temperatures begin to drop this fall, the busiest travel season of the year is right around the corner. As you prepare to embark on that holiday vacation, make sure you’re also prepared to defend yourself before you head out. If you’re one of the 208 million Americans that will be road tripping, make sure the launcher is accessible from your seat, not stowed in the trunk or in a bag in the back seat. If a threat presents itself, it will rarely give you time to run to the trunk or rummage around your luggage. While in your car, keep your burner concealed. While Byrna launchers are legal in all 50 states, overtly displaying a launcher may cause undue attention and spoil your vacation early.

Maybe you’re one of the 134 million Americans that are flying commercial to your destination. In that case, your Byrna launcher can come along with you in your checked baggage, along with any type of Byrna projectiles, and they do not need to be declared like firearms do. While the FAA technically allows CO2 cartridges on commercial flights, the TSA has some policies in place that may prohibit them. If you’re carrying an SD, consider mailing a couple of 8g CO2 cartridges to meet you at your final destination. If you’re carrying a Byrna LE, you are likely to be able to grab some 12g CO2 cartridges at any sporting goods, hardware, or big box store after arriving.

Remember, on vacation, we tend to dress very differently than in our normal lives, so think about how you’re going to carry your launcher while on holiday. If you’re going to be spending a week in a bathing suit, make sure to bring along a sling bag or waist pack to carry your launcher in. Remember, the best defense is avoiding the problem altogether, but just in case that isn’t an option, with these tips, I know you’ll be prepared to defend yourself.