Defending Your Home with Force Options

When it comes to home defense, it’s not just about having a single tool or tactic. True preparedness means having force options—ways to appropriately respond to different levels of threats without overreacting or underreacting.

Take this scenario with UFC Bantamweight Cory Sandhagen as an example:

Cory notices a suspicious individual rummaging through his trash late at night. While this person hasn’t become physically threatening, he is still trespassing and outright refusing to leave when told.

Instead of rushing in, Cory does something smart: he maintains distance—well over 60 feet—and issues multiple verbal commands for the intruder to leave. The suspect ignores him.

That’s when Cory demonstrates the correct next step. Using his Byrna, he fires Byrna Max rounds toward the trash can. The chemical irritant cloud expands, saturating the area and forcing the intruder to reconsider his actions.

This approach has two major advantages:

1. Non-lethal deterrence: The chemical exposure is often enough to push suspects away without physical confrontation.

2. Flexibility: By keeping a large reactionary gap, Cory still has options. He can escalate to direct impact, retreat safely into his home, or even employ other force tools if the situation worsens.

Home defense doesn’t always mean going straight to the highest level of force. It’s about control, preparation, and options—and Cory’s response shows exactly how effective that mindset can be.