These days, Americans are obsessed with personal security—and with good reason.
Trends in Personal Defense
These days, Americans are obsessed with personal security—and with good reason.
By Michael D. Faw
Today’s world is filled with dangers ranging from riots to car jackings to random unprovoked street assaults. And the misguided “Defund the Police” movement is only making things worse. As a result, more and more Americans are better equipping themselves to defend against these threats. The more than five million new gun owners who purchased a first firearm in recent years bears proof to this “you-are-on-your-own” reality.
So, what’s trending in personal defense that can help anyone better prepare for the potential problems? Firearms, the right accessories, and more are the answers for many. As a retailer, all this behooves you to keep up with this trend to better serve your customers.
“Lots of people are getting into the AR platform firearms—and AR-style pistols—including more and more women,” says Alex Cobb, a reserve deputy in western North Carolina and a certified firearms safety instructor who teaches numerous firearms courses that are always filled to capacity. “They are buying those for home-defense purposes.”
He also indicates that stun guns and pepper sprays are frequent topics in his personal-safety classes, as are concealed-carry purses and all types of accessories designed with women in mind.
“Women are also interested in holsters that work for them, because women’s clothing does not permit pistols concealed in a pocket like a man’s jeans often do,” says Cobb.
He also indicated that small safes for in-home use (in or around the nightstand) and in vehicles continue to be trending.
A leader in the AR/MSR market category is Springfield Armory. The company’s Saint rifle and Hellion AR pistol are both garnering a lot of attention.
Holsters
More and more pistol owners are adding red-dot sights to their firearms, so holster manufacturers are offering optics-ready holsters. Technology has also entered the holster arena.
“1791 Gunleather is now offering ultra-custom Light Bearing Holsters that can be shaped to fit—and hold—nearly any firearm,” says Janette Palmer, 1791 Gunleather’s national sales manager. “These holsters use Memory-Lok technology and can also be re-molded to fit nearly any firearm with a light, laser sight, and any under-rail-mounted accessory. The uses are nearly unlimited because you heat these holsters inside a bag that is submerged in a hot-water bath (not the microwave) to reshape them.” The company also markets a unique optic-ready paddle holster and a smaller BHC Multi-fit belt holster designed for carrying and securely holding a wide range of compact pistols.
Another holster manufacturer, Versacarry, offers a wide range of holsters, including several styles of shoulder holsters that are once again gaining attention. The company also offers the Modular Bag Holster, a holster that will adjust to fit nearly any handgun and that can be securely placed in any bag, including purses and backpacks. The holster secures to the selected bag with Velcro and an adhesive patch.
Small Safes, Big Protection
Vehicle break-ins—even into law-enforcement vehicles—are rising because criminals are searching for guns. The number of small in-vehicle safes available on the market is rapidly growing. Manufacturers, like Tuffy Security Products, offer specialized safes to fit specific vehicles, including under the backseat of a Ford F-150. The company also manufactures full replacement consoles for a wide range of vehicles that are lockable and nearly indestructible.
Tuffy’s vehicle safes are small, easy to carry, and lock inside any vehicle with a stout provided cable. SnapSafe (a division of Hornady) also offers similar models. These safes can be locked to the base of a vehicle seat and pushed under for out-of-sight security. Gunowners, as well as travelers with valuables, are finding many uses for these affordable and functional safes. Browning also offers a small portable pistol safe—the ProSteelPV Portable Pistol Vault with a key lock for around $75.
Also worth noting is the trend in gun cases that do not look like standard gun cases. These are becoming increasingly popular in states with so-called “red-flag” laws where nosy neighbors can turn in anyone they see with a firearm or gun case. These incognito gun cases look much like musical instrument cases, sports equipment, or medical-device containers. Hazard’s Battle Axe guitar-shaped gun case is a good example.
Candid Camera
Camera systems installed near a homeowner’s front door are also garnering attention. All types of home-security cameras are available, most of which are easy to install.
Innovative homeowners are now using many of the widely available trail cameras with phone-call capabilities to remotely watch—and instantly report movement—at places ranging from a backcountry cabin to their backyards and backdoors. The uses are nearly unlimited for these trail cameras, some of which are now offered in gray rather than camo, and the technology and features are evolving rapidly. GSM Outdoors/Muddy is one such supplier. Their Morph, Merge, and Manifest cameras are packed with technology. Outdoor Technology Limited offers security cameras, and the new gray ODE-4G-LTE 4G trail camera can be used for home surveillance and is operated via an app.
Shielded Safety
Shopping centers, schools, many public sports facilities, and other public places are often classified as gun-free zones, so those bent on doing harm to others start their mayhem in those areas. The result: more and more shoppers, adults of all ages, and school kids are carrying or using body armor and bulletproof protective plates.
There are several sources for these protective products, such as Premier Body Armor, Streetwise Security Products, and Guard Dog Security. All sell inserts that can be slipped inside any daypack, briefcase, purse, or gym bag. Most plates are up to level IIIA protection, but various levels of protection are available, and trauma pads are also offered. In case you are wondering, there are also stab-resistant plates available. This market segment will continue to gain attention and grow.
Another new innovation in personal-protection armor is Premier Body Armor’s Everyday Armor T-shirt. It is made in the USA and provides Level IIIA protection without awkwardness or having to adjust lifestyles as some bulletproof vests require. The T- shirt is constructed of a proprietary moisture-wicking, anti-microbial compression fabric with two armor pockets (front and rear) that are specifically designed to accept Premier Body Armor's Level IIIA (7.75x12.75-inch) vital-protection ballistic inserts. The new Everyday Armor T-Shirt weighs less than one pound and is only .22-inch thick. SRP: $279.
EDC Knives
In tandem with the growth in concealed-carry firearms, we’re seeing a surge in everyday carry knives (EDC) as well. Buck Knives , a leader in this area, recently released several new knife models based on customer requests. Many EDC knives are lightweight and have a single, long, drop-point blade. Many models are folders equipped with a pocket clip so that the knife can be secured inside a pocket but at the same time be readily available. These knives also tend to be thin and easy to open. The company also offers automatic knifes (not switchblades) that open with a push of a button.
Light the Night
Many attacks and unexpected encounters happen during night because bad guys like operating under the cover of darkness. This behavior has led to more and more gun owners carrying small pocket flashlights as a supplementary means of personal protection.
A top lighting source is Streamlight. The company’s new waterproof Wedge light produces 300 lumens of bright white LED light for up to three hours. Designed for in-pocket carry, the Wedge is approximately five inches long, weighs a mere three ounces, and has a retention clip.
Safe Storage Solutions
Although multi-gun and long-gun vaults from sources like Browning and Cannon continue to find their places in many homes, the homeowner with only a pistol and a few valuables requires smaller options, such as between-the-wall-studs safes that can be installed in about an hour in a closet or behind a large framed photo on a wall. You must cut sheetrock, inset the safe, and bolt it to the wall studs. Numerous sizes and styles are available, and there is even a newer model designed to hold long guns. These systems continue the out-of-sight, out-of-mind trend in valuables storage for many homeowners. Homak Security, Stack-On, Hayman Safes, and SnapSafe are some manufacturers that are leading the trend.
Some gun owners and homeowners are also turning closets and other spaces into saferooms and larger gun vaults. The trend is up also for installable vault doors from sources such as Browning and SnapSafe. Browning’s Vault door uses 22 locking bolts for the ultimate in security. SnapSafe’s Aux Vault Door weighs in at 350 pounds and features a 12-gauge steel door and door frame.
