Your workplace needs some strong security that'll make everyone feel a bit safer - without going overboard with deadly weapons. You can get the best results with some less-lethal tools that'll stop troublemakers in their tracks - and everyone out of danger.

Just remember that these tools only work well when your team knows how to use them. You have lots of options to keep your office protected without relying on lethal force. Think about what might work for your situation. Maybe it's pepper spray for close run-ins or stun devices that stop threats from a safe distance.

Or you could try loud personal alarms which scare off troublemakers and call for help. What matters to you the most is picking tools that follow your local laws and feel natural to use and match your team's skill level. Your employees will thank you for picking protection that works and gets the job done without putting anyone in danger.

Let's talk about this!

Batons and Kinetic Devices

Your office security toolset needs to have more than locks and alarms. You'll find that businesses are turning to some less-lethal tools as extra security measures. These tools let your security team manage all dangerous situations without deadly force. Expandable batons appear in most office security setups - they're small enough to carry without drawing too much attention. They also snap open fast when your team needs them.

Your security guards can control aggressive people at a safe distance, or they can take control of violent situations. Without enough training, too much force from these batons will cause extreme injuries.

Bean bag rounds give you another idea of how to manage threats. They're not as common in most workplaces. These lead-filled fabric pouches will stop attackers without killing them. You'll need shotguns to use them, and they can still cause some extreme injuries if your team doesn't manage them.

Rubber projectiles give your security team another strategy for maintaining distance control. These rounds can stop threats without being fatal most of the time. Just like the bean bag rounds, they come with dangers. Your team should know that rubber bullets can cause some permanent injuries or even death if they hit someone in sensitive areas. The choice of these tools isn't always easy.

Your office managers have to try to balance security against the possible dangers and legal problems. When you choose to train, it can matter once these tools become part of your security plan. One poorly trained guard with a baton could turn a small incident into something a lot worse. Businesses often fail to remember the dangers of these less-lethal options.

Your security guards might accidentally break bones or even cause head trauma if they haven't learned baton techniques. Even your most experienced and skilled team members can make mistakes under pressure.

Pepper Spray For Crowd Control

Chemical tools like pepper spray and tear gas help you to get some added protection. However, they need some careful consideration before you can use them in your office. These substances can stop threats in a few different ways - and each one has its own set of dangers. Pepper spray produces some natural and chemical effects directly from hot peppers.

When someone gets hit with pepper spray they'll feel an intense and burning sensation. Their eyes will shut tight, their nose will start running and their face will feel like it's on fire. The effects of pepper spray lasted for what felt like an endless 45 minutes (as my security guard friend found out during training).

Tear gas uses a different strategy through artificial chemicals that float through the air. Once it gets released, tear gas spreads faster and will affect everyone who happens to be nearby. The gas makes people cough hard and have difficulty breathing. The effects can last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.

These chemical options create dangers in office areas because they affect everyone equally - the bad guys and innocent people just trying to work. The chemicals move through air vents and can spread throughout buildings faster.

People with existing breathing problems, like asthma, face even more extreme health dangers from exposure. Your security team needs some training to manage these substances safely. Storage errors could cause dangerous leaks, and the chemicals can also contaminate office furniture, equipment, and other materials.

Your business needs some clear policies for chemical agents. You'll also face possible legal problems from employees or visitors affected by the sprays. Businesses often find that these hazards outweigh the protective benefits.

Office spaces endure long-term damage from these chemicals. Tear gas leaves a persistent residue that sticks around. Pepper spray can stain surfaces and stay present in the air. Professional cleaners are usually needed to remove the remaining traces of these substances.

Stun Guns

Stun guns and other similar devices have recently become more common in office security tools. These tools can send out electrical charges that get in the way of your muscles for a bit. It's almost like short-circuiting your body's electrical system for a quick period. Security pros like these devices because they give you a good option between doing nothing at all and using deadly force. They help you to stop threats faster without causing long-term harm most of the time.

Your security team can stay at a safe distance while dealing with risky and dangerous situations. You should keep some drawbacks in mind before adding these devices to your office's security setup. These devices can leave people with injuries like burns or muscle strains. They're often marketed as harmless alternatives. People with hidden heart conditions face even greater dangers from these devices.

The psychological toll can hit pretty hard, too. People who have experienced the effects say they felt nervous and even traumatized afterward. This might then affect your workplace area and leave some employees feeling unsafe. Legal challenges weigh just as much as safety things here.

Your security staff could run into criminal charges for any inappropriate use. Even accidents could give you expensive legal battles or cause damaged careers. Just ask that security guard in Texas who accidentally set off his device on a scheduled patrol. The training makes a real difference for anyone who might manage these tools.

Your team members need to know about use cases and possible consequences. They should also learn the steps for what happens afterward, from looking for medical help to filing incident reports. Your security team also has to set up reliable storage methods for these devices while at work. The devices need protection in storage, but trained staff have to still be able to access them fast when needed. Some offices like to store them in protected lockers with strict checkout procedures, while others hand them directly to the security staff during changes.

Specialty Munitions And Launchers

Less-lethal launchers can give your security team some tools to help stop threats before they get too close. You'll usually see these three main options in use - the 37mm launchers, the 40mm launchers and PepperBall systems.

The 37mm and 40mm launchers also help to cut back on injuries in security incidents. They work just like beefed-up flare guns that shoot rubber rounds or irritant sprays instead of deadly ammo. Your security team can accurately engage threats from as far as 150 feet away. These 4-pound systems and standard models weigh just 2 pounds and can hold 6 rounds.

Pepper launchers (like the Byrna TCR) work like souped-up paintball guns. Your officers can fire rounds that explode on impact and release a cloud of pepper spray powder. Some of the advanced versions can hold as much as 180 rounds for extended operations. Your security team needs effective, non-lethal tools like these to manage threats. Imagine an angry mob trying to breach your building. These launcher systems let your officers control situations from a safe distance, like how police units manage crowd control operations.

When you train with these systems, you should be very careful. Some real security officers have hurt themselves before in practice sessions. One officer forgot about his compressed air cartridge and blasted pepper powder into his own face. These aren't recreational items and can damage property if mishandled.

Your security requirements should guide which launcher system you choose. The 40mm systems have more power and reach but they cost more to work.

Pepper systems give you more mobility even though they need regular reloading. Buildings may need multiple options ready for different situations. Modern launcher systems come with tough and steady safety features to stay away from mishaps. Multiple safeties and clear markings make it obvious that these are less-lethal tools. The bright orange and yellow ammunition guarantees that everyone knows these aren't regular weapons.

Self Defense Training

You need some real practice with people who know and can understand these tools inside and out. A decent training program usually mixes some classroom-based learning with exercises. You'll learn the big basics - like how these tools work and the right times to actually use them. Then, you'll work through a few scenarios that help you lock in those skills for high-pressure situations.

Your security team needs to document the items related to less-lethal weapon training. Documentation of each practice session and any actual use can help protect your company and the security team if something goes wrong. When you track this kind of data, it shows who might need a refresher course later. Expert instructors bring experience from law enforcement or military backgrounds. These pros have personally used less-lethal weapons in hard situations - they understand the possible dangers. Their firsthand knowledge helps when teaching office security teams.

The team can work through different scenarios - like dealing with aggressive visitors or handling workplace violence. These practice sessions help you to stay level-headed under pressure. Regular practice sessions help those skills stay sharp and build up more confidence. Your security team has to run monthly scenario drills to stay prepared - they need updates whenever the laws change or any new equipment is introduced. Legal rules can vary based on your location, so look into them.

Some regions limit what your security teams are allowed to carry and use. Other areas may need certifications or periodic testing. When you stay up-to-date with these laws, it helps you stay away from expensive legal problems. The training requirements might catch you off guard. Your team needs to practice everything from clear communication skills to fast choice-making and threat evaluation. Learning when to hold back can be just as important as learning when to act.

Recent Incidents And Controversies

Your security team needs to know about the changing community of less-lethal tools. This is especially true after what happened in Austin in the 2020 protests. The Austin Police Department had some problems when their bean bag rounds left two protesters with brain damage. It cost the city about $19 million in settlements. Because of this unfortunate situation, they had to completely stop bean bag rounds for any kind of crowd control.

These changes can affect your security operations. The reality is that even the equipment marketed as "safe" can become dangerous faster if you're not very careful.

When you choose to use these tools, your training methods will be what makes the difference in keeping people safe. The legal community has become pretty strict about situations like protests or riots. You can just look at what happened in the Eighth Circuit Court - they refused to protect the officers who didn't use bean bag rounds in the protests. That's a big problem because it means your team could be looking at some legal problems if anything goes wrong.

A few innovative alternatives have emerged on the market. The BolaWrap (as one example) has caught the attention of multiple police departments - but don't rush into any of these new devices too fast.

Your team still needs training and testing because every tool has its own set of possible dangers. Less-lethal weapons have been expanding very fast in recent years. What used to be standard practice might now land you in legal problems. One incident caught on camera can turn public opinion against you overnight. The courts seem to get stricter with every new case they need to review.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

You need the right tools and knowledge to help protect yourself and others. Your safety responsibilities don't end with just buying the equipment - regular training and some clear rules will help you and everyone around you stay safe. You have to know how to use your tools when planning security for your office or personal protection. Regular practice sessions and safety evaluations will help build up your confidence and skills. A tool can be more useful whenever you learn how to use it.

Your preparedness and understanding of the legal requirements will help you respond when unexpected situations come up. Self-defense options are out there that are much better than firearms. Our less-lethal Byrna tools can give you some reliable protection without requiring any background checks or extra paperwork.

These innovative tools are legal all across the United States. Our patented pull-pierce CO2 system means your defensive equipment is ready whenever you need it. Our product line includes tools like pistols, rifles, and even armored backpacks - all of which our satisfied customers depend on every day.

Get started at Byrna.com and find out why so many people trust us with their personal safety.