Kinetic and mechanical self-defense products are used to stop people from performing harmful actions. These products are used to inflict enough effect on a person to dissuade uncivil or hazardous behavior while posing a low risk of lasting injury. Mechanical and kinetic weapons such as kinetic guns, ammunition, and pepper ball guns can be used as self-defense products to control riots, protests, and attacks at a personal level. The pepper ball gun is effective from distances up to 150 feet, with more range and more time to make a critical decision, whereas ammunition is an expendable weapon, and the component parts of other weapons that create the effect on a target. The product system includes a delay element for selective adjustment of the kinetic energy delivered to the target.
Low product differentiation for some specific product categories, such as tasers, batons, and pepper sprays, which are among the most adopted self-defense products among the end users, has led to a decrease in the bargaining power of suppliers. Moreover, stringent regulations related to using self-defense products, specifically tasers/stun guns for civilian application under certain circumstances, have also resulted in hesitation among civilian users . Such factors lead to the low-to-moderate bargaining power of the suppliers. Further, the presence of a large number of vendors of self-defense products leads to higher options for customers to purchase and switch vendors in case of low to moderate product switching costs. However, there are many vendors in the market who offer diverse products. Moreover, the rise in concerns over adopting self-defense products for personal safety among civilians is also adding new customers for the market vendors to target.
The global self-defense products market is primarily driven by the rising acquisition of self-defense products among law enforcement and civilians across developed and developing countries. Control weapons, such as Tasers, batons, and pepper spray, are the three most popular non-lethal weapons used by police forces. For instance, the data released by Axon, the Taser manufacturer, the company’s products have [SM7] [AG8] saved more than ~200,000 lives, a figure derived based on prior studies showing that Tasers were deployed in 5.4% of all instances. In addition, pepper sprays cause less damage than other non-lethal weapons. Pepper spray is more convenient and easier to operate in dangerous situations compared to other non-lethal self-defense products. Further, pepper sprays are easily available, which leads to their continued prominence. In addition, the increasing civil unrest and militarization of law enforcement agencies are the major factors supporting the self-defense products market growth. However, stringent government regulations in a few developing countries are restricting the growth of the self-defense products market.
The rising awareness of personal safety and security concerns among civilians due to the increasing crime rates across different regions is one of the major factors likely to provide new opportunities for market vendors. The use of pepper spray as a weapon for self-defense is also being legalized across several countries, such as Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, and Portugal. Pepper spray is only permissible with a license in a few nations. However, several countries, such as Australia, are debating the legalization of pepper spray across the country for self-defense purposes. Thus, such factors are further expected to contribute to the growth of the self-defense products market over the forecast period.
Self-Defense Products Market: Segmental Overview
Based on product type, the global self-defense products market is segmented into pepper sprays, folding knives, tactical gloves, stun guns, batons, and others. In 2022, the stun guns segment accounted for the largest market share, and it is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period as well. In terms of distribution channel, the self-defense products market is segmented into online and offline. In 2022, the online segment accounted for a larger market share, and it is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period. Based on end use, the self-defense products market has been segmented into military & law enforcement and civil. In 2022, the military & law enforcement segment accounted for a larger market share, and it is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period as well. In terms of geography, the global self-defense products market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM). In 2022, North America accounted for a major share of the global self-defense products market. Asia Pacific is likely to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Self-Defense Products Market Analysis: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments
Buck Knives Inc, Byrna, Axon Enterprise Inc, Victorinox, Gerber Gear, SABRE Security Equipment Corporation, Keihberg GmbH, Mace Security International Inc, Grenington LLC, and The Salt Supply Company are a few of the key companies operating in the self-defense products market across different regions. The market leaders focus on new contracts, product launches, expansion and diversification, and acquisition strategies, which allow them to access prevailing business opportunities.
- In January 2024, Mace Security International Inc announced that it had entered into a Supply & License Agreement with Salt Supply LLC—a manufacturer of pepper spray launchers—for a range of .68 caliber products, including the new s2 Pepper Launcher.
- In January 2024, Mace Security International Inc announced that it had entered into a preliminary exclusivity agreement with Triple4s Safety, LLC, to jointly develop and bring to market a smart pepper spray device. This device is GPS and Bluetooth enabled and sends its current location to emergency contacts when deployed.