Hidden Weapons for Self-Defense at Home
Developing a self-defense plan may not be at the top of your priority list, but it’s important to have one to keep yourself safe in the worst-case scenario.
Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, there’s no telling when you will need to defend yourself and your home against attackers and intruders.
If you’re not comfortable keeping a gun at home, there are still many other ways you can protect yourself.
Many modern self-defense weapons are easy to conceal or camouflage so that they appear innocuous but are highly effective for personal protection.
To help, we have put together a list of hidden weapons for self-defense that are easy to use and will come in handy in case of emergencies.
They look and function like simple everyday items found in your home and double as weapons for defense.
Most of the items on this list are compact, so you can easily carry them around in your bag, purse, or pocket, or store them for quick access.
Read on to find a self-defense weapon that suits your comfort level and needs.
What Are Some Good Hidden Weapons for Self-Defense at Home?
Here are our 4 top recommendations for hidden weapons for self-defense that you can keep at home or even carry around while you’re on the go:
Pocket Knife
Pocket knives are easy to carry and keep in easy-to-access spaces at home. They are also easy to conceal in everyday items or even toys.
Pocket knives can be used by anyone irrespective of age or gender, and you don’t need much training to use them. It is essentially a small blade that can inflict an injury on your attacker and keep you from harm.
Practicing with a pocket knife at home can give you an additional advantage in a fight. The more familiar you are with your weapon of choice, you will be better prepared to fight back.
Aside from self-defense, a pocket knife can also be used for other purposes, such as hunting, camping, and hiking, making it a versatile tool.
Pros
- Compact and easy to carry
- Multipurpose
- You don’t need training for basic protection
Cons
- Not fully adequate for protection, especially when the attacker has a gun or another lethal weapon
Flashlight
Flashlights are a common everyday tool you should already have at home. But did you know they are also effective as a self-defense weapon?
This simple tool is an ingenious way to protect yourself from attackers and home intruders.
You can stun your attacker with the bright flare of your flashlight. You can get a flashlight with a strobe function that will enable you to blind your assailant for a few seconds, giving you time to escape.
If you want to get a flashlight that will double as a self-defense weapon, get one with a heavy metal body. If your attacker gets close to you, you can hit them with it and run away.
Some flashlights also come with a stun gun feature, and they are worth checking out.
Avoid small keychain flashlights as they will not produce enough light to disorient an attacker. An effective flashlight for self-defense should produce a minimum of 60 lumens.
Consider tactical flashlights as they are helpful for self-defense as well. They narrow the field of light into an extremely bright beam that can blind your attacker momentarily.
They are made of durable material so they can last for many years.
Unlike pocket knives, you can bring flashlights everywhere, so you can always have a self-defense weapon on hand.
Pros
- Easy to use
- It can be used to stun or hit attackers
- Multipurpose
- It comes with other features like strobe or stun gun
- You don’t need training to use one
- It can be carried on flights
Cons
- You need a large size for adequate protection
Tactical Knife
A tactical knife is an excellent, concealable self-defense tool that will come in handy if you need to use a weapon against an attacker within a range of 20 feet.
It can be folded up and disguised in a comb, jewelry, umbrella, walking cane, or other innocent-looking item or accessory, which means you can keep it within reach at all times.
For a tactical knife to be an effective self-defense weapon, opt for a sturdy yet lightweight one with a blade at least three inches long.
Tactical knives are easy to use, and there’s no need for any courses or specific training to learn how to use them for self-defense.
Barring schools, airplanes, courts, and federal buildings, you can carry a tactical knife anywhere. Before you purchase one, look up your state’s laws regarding carrying such a weapon.
You can also use tactical knives in the kitchen or when you’re out hunting or camping. Some tactical knife handles can double as bottle openers or screwdrivers.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to carry
- No training needed
- Has other uses
- Made of sturdy and durable material
Cons
- Needs close contact to defend against an attacker
- You can’t carry them everywhere
Pepper Spray
Pepper sprays are popular, cheap, and effective self-defense tools. They are non-lethal, lightweight, easy to use, and can even be carried in your checked luggage on a flight.
They release a steady stream of oleoresin capsicum, which is a spicy oil extracted from hot chili peppers.
The spray instantly causes severe irritation and burning of the eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and lungs of your attacker and leaves them in enough pain so that you have time to escape.
Note that pepper spray will only slow down your attacker, and its effects only last for 10 to 30 minutes. So you need to get away quickly before they regain their composure.
The spray range is about 10 feet, but many variations are readily available in the market. You can choose a pepper spray with an extended range of efficacy and higher potency.
Pepper gels use the same main ingredient with a greater range of 25 feet.
Pepper sprays can also be disguised as something else, like a bracelet, necklace, or even an iPhone case for concealment.
You can even get one in the form of a compact pepper spray gun for a longer range and greater release of liquid.
Pepper sprays are classified as non-lethal weapons, so you will not get into trouble if you use them for self-defense.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Easily available
- You can choose variants with a greater range and potency level
- You don’t need training
- No need for direct physical contact
Cons
- Effective only when the attacker’s eyes are open
- Has an expiry date (two years from manufacture)
- Users may get back spray when used in windy or rainy conditions
How Should You Hide Your Self-Defense Weapons?
You need to hide your self-defense weapons to keep them secure and concealed from your kids, guests, and intruders.
But the weapons should also be easily accessible so that you can quickly get them whenever you need to defend yourself, your loved ones, or your home against attackers.
Before you buy your choice of hidden weapons for self-defense at home, it’s best to create a thorough security plan in case of an emergency.
Important details include exit points in your house, where you will hide your weapon, and what number you will call if you are under attack.
Where To Place Your Hidden Self-Defense Weapons?
There are many places where you can safely hide your self-defense weapons at home. Consider the following:
- Closet
- Cabinets
- Air vents
- Photo frames
- Inside pots
- Fake electrical outlets
- Under wooden floors
- Under a couch
- Empty food containers
- Purse or handbag
How Legal Are Hidden Weapons for Self-Defense?
Most US states do not ban the use and purchase of flashlights, pocket knives, and pepper sprays. So most of the hidden weapons for self-defense mentioned on our list are legal.
Moreover, the common law principle of “castle doctrine” in the US states that people can apply “reasonable force” to protect themselves, others or their property against intruders and will not be held criminally liable for inflicting physical damage.
So if you use these hidden weapons only for self-defense and with reasonable force, you won’t face any legal repercussions.
However, if you use deadly force and kill an attacker or intruder, several considerations will come into play here.
They include whether “reasonable force” was used for self-defense and whether there was intent to kill while using the weapon, among others.
Conclusion
The purpose of self-defense weapons is to save your life in case of an attack or assault. It’s best to keep one hidden in an unobtrusive location that you can easily access in the worst-case scenario.
Although weapons cannot guarantee complete safety at all times, they can be very useful in emergency situations. They may even save your life.
We hope you found the perfect choice for a self-defense weapon from our list, one that you will be comfortable carrying and using.
If you have any other recommendations for hidden weapons for self-defense, share them with us in the comments below!
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