Seniors (individuals aged 65 or over) are growing in numbers across the world. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to pay our seniors the respect that their age has earned. And they become a victim of street crimes too often.

Whether it’s mugging or carjacking, seniors have always been victimized more than the younger age groups. Last year, a 60-year-old Muhammad Anwar lost his life during carjacking.

So being prepared for the worst is important. Even if you are fit and can easily defend yourself with martial arts, it’s still a good idea to equip yourself with a self-defense gadget.

Best Self Defense Weapons for Seniors

In this article, we have summed up which gadgets are the best and easy to use and carry around for the elderly. Our list of best self-defense gadgets/ weapons for seniors considers:

• Safety
• Ease in Use
• Ease to Carry
• Battery life (if applicable)
• Potential Harm Caused to the Attacker
• Noise Level (if applicable)

10. Walking Cane with Concealed Stun Gun & Case

Most seniors use a walking cane for balance. If you do too, it’s time to upgrade it to the 1,000,000 Volt Zap Concealed stun gun in the walking cane. It appears to be an ordinary metal cane, but you can activate the stun gun with only a push of a button.

The noise alone from the stun gun can be enough to fend off a would-be attacker. It also has a flashlight that is helpful for walking in the dark alleys and for putting keys in the lock at night.

Battery life is also commendable. The only con is that it’s not waterproof. So, if you live in an area that has high chance of precipitation, you will need to walk with a normal cane. In that case, you can choose to bring another self-defense gadget to feel more protected.

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9. SABRE Self-Defense Kit

Sabre has a great reputation for producing well-designed self-defense products.

This kit is 3-in-1 weapons for self-defense. A pepper spray, a stun gun and a siren. It includes a stun gun that inflicts an intense 1.60 µC charge on the assailant that is very painful. Plus, when you use the stun gun, it produces a 95dB sound along with a 120lumen light.

The pepper spray has a range of up to 10 meters. So, it can be used without getting in close proximity of the attacker. The pepper spray is a keychain so you can have it with you all the time with your house keys.

The ergonomics of the stun gun aren’t very user-friendly, but a little practice goes a long way. Plus, you should check the stun gun regularly to ensure that it’s working. Because you don’t want to realize it’s out of battery when you need it.

Overall, it’s an easy to carry and versatile choice for self-defense!

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8. Guard Dog Security Stun Gun with LED Flashlight

The Guard Dog Security Flashlight appears to be a regular flashlight with a concealed stun gun. The bright flashlight is 420 lumens.

There is a safety button at the bottom of the flashlight that helps you choose whether you want to activate the stun gun or use the flashlight only. The sound made by the stun gun may be enough to deter a potential attacker.

The anodized body is rust-proof and shock-proof. So, it is completely safe for the user while inflicting non-lethal pain to the attacker. It also comes with a lifetime warranty and it is great value for money.

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7. Umarex 9XP .177 Caliber BB Gun Air Pistol

Hands down, the best self-defense weapon is a gun. The sight of you carrying a gun is enough for a potential attacker to stay away from you. 

Unlike the above concealed weapon, an air pistol has an advantage of intimidating an attacker. You can reap those benefits without having to worry about the complexities of a live firing pistol.

However, you should keep in mind that it is capable of shooting 177 caliber steel BBs at a speed of 400fps (feet per second). So it’s still a very potent weapon. It is powered by a 20gm CO2 cartridge.

Overall, definitely is worth the money for self-defense if you are confident with using it when it’s needed.

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6. Mace Brand Pepper Spray Gun 2.0

If you don’t feel confident using an air pistol, a Mace Brand Pepper spray is the next best thing. It may intimidate a potential attacker that thinks you’re carrying an actual gun if you have it in a gun holster like this one (link to Amazon).

Mace is one of the trusted and renowned brands of self-defense weapons around the world. This USA made pepper spray gun has a 20 feet range. The range of the pepper spray makes it clearly superior to the competitor pepper spray canisters. Because most pepper sprays have half the range of a Mace Pepper Spray gun.

The replaceable pepper cartridges make it economical. So, you don’t need to buy a new spray gun each time. In addition, it also dyes the attacker with a UV dye. This is helpful in case of follow up enquiries of an incident.

The pepper spray is highly effective at inflicting deterrent pain to the attacker.

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5. The Original Self-Defense Siren Keychain

Being a senior, the best thing you can do when in trouble is call for help. This is the safest thing to do, for anyone! (not only the elderly). The Original Self-Defense Keychain helps you do just that.

Although, the loud sound of the siren should be enough to deter the attacker on its own. Because this self-defense siren emits a loud screeching sound of 125db. Even if there is no one in sight, the sound can be heard from hundreds of feet. So, the attacker who has taken the opportunity of you being alone may give up and flee.

We’d also like to mention that this device would probably not be useful if you’re out on a nature walk/hike and encounter a wild animal. Because the sound it makes isn’t loud enough to attract attention from that far out.

As far as carrying it around goes, it’s really handy because it comes as a keychain. This way you can never forget it when you go out. 

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4. SABRE Frontiersman Bear Horn

Prevention is better than cure. That’s exactly what a Frontiersman Bear Horn does. It prevents an attack by attracting attention of nearby individuals.

The bear horn, as the name indicates, was devised for protection against wild animals especially bears while performing outdoor activities such as camping. However, it is just as effective to scare away a potential assailant.

It produces a loud noise that can be heard from half a mile away. And it is easy to carry around because of its small size. (Easily fits in your pocket.)

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3. SABRE Pepper Spray Quick Release Keychain

Sabre is a highly reputable brand for self-defense. It is worth the hype because they produce quality tools that are durable and effective.

This quick release pepper spray gives you an upper hand and you may be able to stop the attacker from getting too close to you. The compact design makes it easy to carry around. The ergonomic grip makes it easy to use as well.

This little weapon on your keychain can do a great deal in making you feel safer while out and about. Hopefully, you never have to use it, but if you do, it can cause terrible deterring pain to the attacker.

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2. SOG Flint Survival & Defense Tool

The SOG Flint Self Defense tool is a handy tool for emergencies and self-defense. It includes a whistle to call for help. Also a glass breaker to break the glass in case of carjacking. It also includes a fire starter which can be used in emergency or to attract attention.

It is compact and light weight. It can easily be attached to a lanyard to carry around. Or it can be attached to keys. SOG has also attained a great reputation in the self-defense industry.

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1. SLFORCE Personal Alarm Keychain

This is the best thing you can buy with a small budget. SL Force follow the rule that “Offense is the Best Defense”. This personal siren alarms produces a 130db noise that can’t be ignored. 

It also produces a bright light when activated. That’s a visual indicator to alert others that you need help or it can be used to temporarily blind the attacker. It’s portable and compact and good to go with your house or car keyrings. 

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Safety Tips for Seniors:

We strongly recommend carrying one of the above-mentioned self-defense gadgets for seniors with you all the time. However, we know that some seniors can be too trusting of the young folks. We aren’t encouraging you to shun everyone altogether. But safety comes first!

It is best to avoid being in a position where you are needed to use a self-defense weapon. The following are some of the tips that can help you prevent such dicey situation in the first place:

1. Exhibit Confidence

• As mentioned earlier, the street attackers typically do not plan an attack. They choose a target “there and then”. So, the way you walk and present yourself can protect you from a potential attacker. They don’t judge by age or gender, they go for a less confident individual.

• When walking, consider your pace. Don’t walk too slowly or too fast. If possible, match your pace with the other pedestrians.

2. Stay and Look Alert   

• Not just the senior citizens, everybody should be aware of their surroundings. Always scan the area around you for potential threats.

• In addition, you need to “look” alert. Walking and sitting with your eyes down (e.g. when using your phone) is an invitation to a potential attacker. Keep your chin up and shoulders flexed so you don’t look timid and an easy target.

• Make a brief eye contact with people in your surroundings. This is to imply that you are aware of their presence. This will take away the advantage of surprise from a potential attacker.

• Plan your route before setting out. If you need help, don’t attract attention by asking strangers in the street. Instead go to a store and ask someone who works there.

• Avoid someone distracting you by asking about time or directions. Keep the person asking in line of your sight while helping them. Don’t look down or turn away from them.

• Stick to well-known places for leisure. Know where the exits are when you’re visiting any place. Stay away from the places that are notorious for crimes.

• Always run errands during the day. If something extremely important comes up at night, ask for someone to help you with it.

• If you’re out at night, always remain in well-lit areas. Also, stay where there are more people.

• Stay away from attracting any attention by keeping valuable things tucked away. Wearing expensive clothing and branded purses can attract attention, flashy jewellery and high-end phones top it off. Keep them away from sight.

Conclusion

Always carrying a self-defense gadget with you can make for a difference in life and death. Because there is no way to predict a random attack. Most of the street crimes are not planned.

While some people just carry knives or firearms to protect themselves against these attacks, it is not advisable unless you are properly trained to use them. Of course, you would not want to be the cause of a violent event. And worse, hurt yourself more than the injuries caused to the attacker.

It is best to prevent an attack from happening. So, the tools that would deter a possible attack are great for self-defense, especially for seniors. In the worst case, if you find yourself attacked, some gadgets can cause a non-lethal yet painful distraction that gives you time to escape and/or call for help.

Hopefully, you have found one of the best self-defense gadgets for seniors that suits you. It can help you feel and be safer in an unwanted eventuality. Be sure to follow the safety tips too. Stay safe out there!