(NewsNation) — As Americans continue to fear crime is rising, new options for self-defense are appearing, including a less-lethal gun created by a Boston entrepreneur.
Not everyone is comfortable owning or carrying a gun, causing less-lethal options to gain traction with people who still want to protect themselves without a firearm.
Tune into “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” Thursday at 5p/4C to see the full report. Here’s how you can watch.
Byrna Launchers are one such product. Some models fire projectiles and others use irritants like pepper spray and tear gas that can disable a person.
NewsNation’s Marni Hughes recently visited the plant that makes the launchers and talked with CEO Bryan Ganz about how the gun is being received.
As the less-lethal weapons gain traction, Ganz said the company is hoping to partner with gun manufacturers, even if that means giving up a slice of the market.
Ganz noted that in addition to being an alternative to firearms, the launchers can be a first step to someone owning traditional weapons.
“Maybe somebody’s first gun, instead of being a .22, is a non-lethal gun,” Ganz said. “Maybe for somebody’s wife who doesn’t want to carry a firearm.”
The less-lethal weapons are also less violent when fired, quieter and have less recoil, which could appeal to some buyers.
It’s not just consumers either. Law enforcement agencies have also shown interest in less-lethal weapons as another, less deadly tool for officers.
For the full story, tune into “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” at 5p/4C to hear more about the risks, real world uses and see how the Byrna launcher works.
