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A new federal lawsuit is taking aim at California’s ban on non-lethal self-defense weapons. Byrna makes CO2-powered launchers that look like handguns but fire pepper-gel projectiles. They are designed to stop an attacker without killing them. They’re legal in 48 states, but founder Bryan Ganz says California blocks both the launcher and the ammo. The issue stems from AB 48, a 2021 law meant to limit chemical agents during protests. Byrna argues the ban went far beyond law enforcement and now prevents civilians from choosing a safer self-defense option. The company is suing, saying pepper-ball launchers are protected “bearable arms” under the Second Amendment, citing a Supreme Court ruling on stun guns.
