The Byrna Is A Bad Option For Canadian Self Defence -- A Lawyer Explains

Product reviewed

Byrna SD less-lethal launcher. The presenter also mentions a faster-firing LE version. The SD is available in orange, black, or tan; the LE is black. The launcher fires roughly 3 g ceramic “kinetic” pellets using an 8 g CO₂ cartridge. Pepper-filled rounds are not available in Canada.

Features and positives

• Its familiar handgun-style shape was comfortable and easy for the presenter to handle. He found the bright-orange finish made it easy to distinguish from a firearm.
• It has a large, ambidextrous safety.
• A top indicator shows whether a projectile is ready and can be used to eject one.
• The magazine’s protrusion makes its orientation easy to identify by feel.
• The CO₂ cartridge is punctured by the first trigger pull, rather than when it is installed. The presenter considered this a clever feature because it helps prevent gradual leakage during storage.
• The presenter found it accurate enough to hit a person-sized target at typical self-defense distances.
• It may be fun for plinking, though he did not consider it a dedicated target-shooting product.

Problems and risks

Magazine retention

The presenter’s main concern was that rounds are held by a spring-loaded armature that can be bumped, causing the magazine to spill its contents. He found that a spare magazine emptied while he carried it in a pocket. Under stress, this could scatter the rounds and make a quick magazine change unreliable.

Byrna sells plastic magazine covers called “Mag Defenders” for about US$30. The presenter said they add a slow, fiddly step and do not solve the problem during an urgent reload. The launcher comes with two five-round magazines; seven-round magazines are also available.

Safety and injury risks

• On the presenter’s sample, the safety moved smoothly toward “fire” but caught partway when being set to “safe.” It could still fire at that intermediate point. He called this a design or manufacturing flaw, while noting he could not say whether all units behave this way.
• The pellets can cause severe injury. The presenter tested one on a pig’s eye and it punctured it. “Less lethal” does not mean harmless.
• The launcher relies on pain compliance. The presenter doubted this would reliably stop a determined attacker, someone affected by drugs or mental illness, or someone wearing heavy winter clothing. He did not test it on himself.
• In one test, a heavy coat over glass did not prevent the glass from remaining intact, though the presenter noted this was not a direct test of effectiveness on a person.
• Its handgun-like appearance could deter someone, but it could also be mistaken for a real firearm by bystanders or police. A police response could therefore involve serious danger or, in Canada, searches based on a mistaken report of a gun.
• Using it could have serious legal consequences if the force is considered unjustified, particularly given the possibility of blinding someone.

Canadian legal points discussed

According to the presenter, the Byrna can qualify as a firearm for some purposes. His test showed it could puncture a pig’s eye, but measured velocities were 69.4, 81.9, 81.7, and 82.0, below the Canadian threshold he discussed.

He said a firearms licence is not required to buy or possess it, but firearm prohibitions and certain bail or probation conditions can still apply. It may also be treated as a firearm in offences such as pointing a firearm or discharging one at a building.

The presenter said it cannot be carried concealed, and carrying it as a self-defense weapon may lead to charges even if it is openly carried. Byrna describes it as intended for home defense. According to the presenter, its main legal advantage in Canada is that it is not subject to the specific firearm-storage regulations, although careless-storage rules still apply—especially keeping it inaccessible to children.

Other possible uses and comparisons

• The presenter speculated that it might be usable for small-game hunting in some circumstances, but did not test this and would prefer a proper pellet gun.
• He considered it a possible toy for careful plinking, but warned that it can injure an eye.
• For Canadian home defense, he described it as potentially better than nothing, but said he would prefer an actual firearm where lawful and available. He also suggested a baseball bat might be preferable to the Byrna.
• He said fixing the magazine problem would substantially improve his view of the launcher. He praised the first-shot CO₂-puncture system and suggested Byrna license that technology to other airgun makers.

Price, reviewer disclosure, and verdict

The presenter cited a sale price of about US$365. He bought his unit himself after Byrna initially did not respond to his request for a review sample. He said he had no financial stake or referral code. He also noted that some online reviews may involve financial relationships, without identifying particular reviewers.

Verdict: The presenter recommended not buying it as a self-defense product in its current form. Despite some thoughtful design features, he considered the magazine’s tendency to spill its rounds a showstopper. Its reliance on pain compliance and the possibility of serious injury or legal consequences further limit its appeal.

Speaker

Ian Runkle, a Canadian criminal-defense and firearms lawyer, provided the review and legal analysis. He reported that Byrna representatives said they were aware of the magazine issue and working on a solution, but he had not seen one available. No other speakers’ views appear in the subtitles.