What happens when self-defense requires action, but lethal force isn’t the right answer? And how can civilians prepare for those moments responsibly?
Those questions were at the center of a conversation at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas. During a live interview at the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) booth, Angelo Welihindha, General Manager and Vice President of TASER Self-Defense at Axon, spoke with USCCA Principal Training Adviser Rob Chadwick about less-lethal self-defense, civilian decision-making, and training.
Why Less-Lethal Self-Defense Is Gaining Attention
Angelo explained that many civilians are rethinking how they prepare for self-defense, including whether less-lethal options have a role alongside other defensive tools. Real-world encounters are rarely clear, controlled, or predictable. Situations can change quickly, often with people nearby and limited information.
Rob shared that even trained professionals often have limited clarity in high-stress moments. When the consequences of using force are serious and irreversible, having options between inaction and lethal force can help people respond more effectively and with greater confidence.
The Space Between Lethal Force and Doing Nothing
Not every threat requires deadly force, but many still require immediate action. Angelo described this as the “space between” extremes. Less-lethal tools are designed to stop a threat while giving people the opportunity to disengage and get to safety, rather than forcing an all-or-nothing decision.
Rob added that even legally justified lethal force can carry lasting emotional and legal consequences. When deadly force isn’t the right answer, less-lethal options can help reduce those long-term impacts while still allowing people to protect themselves.
Why Axon Exists
Axon’s mission is rooted in a simple question. Angelo shared that the company began after founder Rick Smith learned that two friends from high school were shot and killed by someone who believed his life was in danger. That tragedy led Rick to ask: What if there had been another option?
That question led Rick to search for alternatives to firearms and ultimately to found what became Axon, a company focused on technologies designed to protect life and reduce unnecessary harm.
What TASER Stands For
TASER Self-Defense is Axon’s energy-weapon brand, and the name is an acronym for Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle, a reference to science fiction and a reflection of the company’s long-standing focus on innovation.
Who Uses TASER Self-Defense Devices for Civilian Protection
Many TASER Self-Defense customers are gun owners who see Axon’s TASER devices as one tool among several. According to Angelo, these individuals often understand that no single tool fits every situation and that responsible self-defense requires judgment.
Research and training experience show a consistent pattern: even when someone may be legally justified in using a firearm, many hesitate. That hesitation is natural and often tied to the permanent consequences of lethal force.
Why Hesitation Matters
Angelo shared common concerns raised by civilians, including missed shots, rounds traveling through walls, and the risk to bystanders or family members.
Rob confirmed that these concerns are valid. Under stress, accuracy drops—even with training. In environments like apartments, parking lots, or public spaces, the margin for error is small. Less-lethal tools can help reduce that burden by offering another way to act when escalation isn’t necessary.
How TASER Pulse 2 Is Designed for Civilian Use
The TASER Pulse 2 is designed to be compact, concealable, and intuitive. When armed, it activates a flashlight and red laser, reducing complexity in a high-stress moment. Two probes deploy and complete an electrical circuit, temporarily disrupting the assailant’s voluntary muscle control and creating a window for the user to disengage and reach safety.
Understanding Neuromuscular Incapacitation
TASER devices rely on neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). Rather than depending on pain, NMI disrupts muscle control while allowing breathing and avoiding interference with pacemakers or implanted devices.
Civilian devices are designed to run an interruptible 30-second cycle, intended for escape rather than restraint, reflecting the realities civilians face during a defensive encounter.
What to Do After Deployment
Civilians are encouraged to drop the device and move to safety while it runs. Through TASER Self-Defense’s Safe Escape Replacement Guarantee, a device used in a legitimate incident can be replaced after the incident is documented with a police report. The priority is personal safety, not recovering equipment.
Addressing Common Questions About TASER Device Effectiveness
Some people question whether a TASER device will work on a large or highly motivated individual, but Angelo emphasized that when probes make proper contact and a circuit is completed, NMI will incapacitate the person regardless of size, athletic background, or drug use. Rob confirmed its effectiveness from personal experience as a former TASER energy weapon instructor.
Thor’s Hammer: Experiencing the Technology Safely
During the conversation, Angelo described Thor’s Hammer at SHOT Show 2026 as a seated, throne-style, controlled demonstration that lets attendees feel how the technology works. Participants grab the hammer and experience up to a five-second cycle from the fingertips to the middle of the forearm, with the ability to “chicken out” early using a stop option, all in a tightly controlled environment.
Rob shared that even people with very high pain tolerance either tapped out quickly or wanted no part of the demo, reinforcing that the experience is about neuromuscular incapacitation, not pain alone.
Less-Lethal Self-Defense Options in Everyday Life
Angelo shared an example involving a customer who used a TASER device on a train where firearms were prohibited. In situations where a firearm may be illegal or impractical, less-lethal tools can provide another option.
He also noted common everyday use cases, including vehicles, garages, workshops, and gifting devices to spouses or college-age children.
Self-Defense in Houses of Worship and Crowded Environments
Rob highlighted houses of worship as environments where missed shots could have serious consequences. In these settings, less-lethal tools may offer security volunteers and teams an option that better fits the environment, the presence of bystanders, and the responsibility to protect others.
Why Training Makes the Difference
Technology alone isn’t enough. Angelo cautioned that hardware without training can create false confidence. Partnering with organizations like USCCA helps ensure civilians have access to practical civilian self-defense training focused on judgment and situational awareness.
Rob added that training reduces hesitation and supports better decision-making when time is limited and stress is high.
Looking Ahead
Angelo pointed to continued innovation around connectivity, capability, and integration within Axon’s broader public safety ecosystem.
Final Takeaway
This conversation wasn’t about choosing between less-lethal tools and firearms.
It was about expanding options. When conditions are unpredictable and decisions matter, less-lethal tools, combined with training, can help people protect themselves, reduce unnecessary harm, and preserve life.
