Exploring the Byrna Non-Lethal Launcher: A Perspective from Outdoors With The Morgans

Exploring the Byrna Non-Lethal Launcher: A Perspective from Outdoors With The Morgans

Recently, the YouTube channel Outdoors With The Morgans visited a local dealer to test several Byrna non-lethal launchers. During the visit, the channel had the chance to try multiple models at a small business owned by a man named Pat, ultimately choosing the Byrna CL Launcher. A video documenting the experience was later uploaded—and the comment section quickly became a battlefield of opinions.

The Divide Within the Firearms Community

The firearms world is passionate and, at times, polarized. Even small terminology mistakes—like calling a magazine a “clip”—can spark heated debates. In response to the Byrna video, comments landed in two categories, almost evenly split:

• Supportive viewers saw Byrna as a useful tool with real-world applications.

• Skeptics dismissed it, asserting that a traditional firearm would always be superior.

Some commenters took on a cinematic tough-guy persona, echoing classic lines like, “I’d rather be judged by 12 than carried by six.” Others portrayed themselves as if elite military teams were tuning into the video. Humor aside, the comments highlighted a common misconception: the assumption that everyone will react perfectly in a crisis.

Similarities on the Surface, Different Purposes in Reality

The video placed the Byrna launcher in context using a relatable analogy:

• A Subaru Crosstrek can handle everyday tasks.

• An F-600 truck is necessary for hauling six tons of rock.

Both vehicles have wheels, seats, and engines—but they serve very different purposes.

The comparison makes the case that:

A non-lethal launcher and a firearm are not interchangeable.
They share similarities, but their intended uses are fundamentally different.

The Byrna is designed as a non-lethal defensive option, while a firearm is inherently lethal.

The Myth of Perfect Performance Under Pressure

Many firearm owners believe they’ll react decisively in a life-or-death confrontation.
But as the video points out, pressure affects everyone—even in controlled environments.

During timed shooting competitions (using pistol, shotgun, and AR platforms), performance would often degrade once the buzzer sounded. Even after hours of practice, missing shots under pressure was common. If stress affects performance during a friendly competition, imagine how unpredictable emotions would be in a real confrontation.

Training Matters — and Most People Don’t Do It

The host observes something many refuse to admit:

Most firearm owners don’t train regularly.

Outside of hunting season or the occasional trip to the range, weekly or monthly defensive training isn't typical for the average owner.

This is where a tool like Byrna becomes relevant.

Real-World Situations Where Byrna Makes Sense

Byrna launchers fire kinetic projectiles or pepper rounds, offering a middle ground between verbal commands and lethal force. For many situations, escalating to a firearm could mean legal trouble—or worse.

Examples where Byrna is a practical option:

• A loose, aggressive dog confronts someone while walking their pet.

• An intoxicated, unarmed individual becomes confrontational.

• The location prohibits firearms (e.g., school zones or certain jurisdictions where carrying a firearm is a felony).

In these scenarios, discharging a firearm—even if justified—could lead to criminal charges. A non-lethal launcher provides a level of defense without the legal chaos that lethal force can trigger.

Features of the Byrna CL Launcher

• Uses CO₂ cartridges that activate only on the first trigger pull, preventing slow leaks over time.

• No safety switch—just aim and pull, although training is recommended.

• Simple loading: insert CO₂, tighten a quarter turn with the included Allen key, and it’s ready.

The video emphasizes that owning a Byrna doesn’t eliminate the need for practice.
Like any self-defense tool: training matters.

Final Takeaway

Byrna is not presented as a replacement for a firearm.

Instead, it is portrayed as:

A valuable option between doing nothing and using lethal force.

The conversation surrounding non-lethal tools doesn’t need to divide firearm owners. There are situations where lethal force is justified—and many where it’s not. The Byrna provides a solution for those gray areas.